PIPERIDINE AND TETRAHYDROPYRIDINE DERIVATIVES

The present invention relates to a class of substituted piperidine and tetrahydropyπdme derivatives which act on 5-hydroxytryptamιne (5-HT) receptors, being selective agonists of so-called "5-HTι-hke" receptors. They are therefore useful in the treatment of clinical conditions for which a selective agonist of these receptors is indicated

It has been known for some time that 5-HTι-hke receptor agonists which exhibit selective vasoconstrictor activity are of use in the treatment of migraine (see, for example, A Doenicke et al., The Lancet, 1988, Vol. 1, 1309-11; and W. Feniuk and P.P.A. Humphrey, Drug Development Research, 1992, 26, 235-240)

The human 5-HTι-like or 5-HT receptor has recently been shown by molecular cloning techniques to exist in two distinct subtypes. These subtypes have been termed 5-HTiD _α (or 5-HTID I) and 5-HTjDp (or

5-HTiD 2), and their amino acid sequences are disclosed and claimed in WO-A-91/17174.

The 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype in humans is believed to reside on sensory terminals in the dura mater Stimulation of the 5-HTiD _α subtype inhibits the release of inflammatory neuropeptides which are thought to contribute to the headache pain of migraine The human 5-HTiD _p receptor subtype, meanwhile, is located predominantly on the blood vessels and m the brain, and hence may play a part in mediating constriction of cerebral and coronary arteries, as well as CNS effects. Administration of the prototypical 5-HTID agonist suniatπptan

(GR43175) to humans is known to give rise at therapeutic doses to certain adverse cardiovascular events (see, for example, F Willett et ai, Br. Med J., 1992, 304, 1415; J.P. Ottervanger et al, The Lancet, 1993, 341, 861-2, and D.N. Bateman, The Lancet, 1993, 341, 221-4) Since sumatriptan barely discriminates between the human 5-HTiD _α and 5-HTιnp receptor subtypes (cf WO-A-91/17174, Table 1), and since it is the blood vessels

with which the 5-HTiDp subtype is most closely associated, it is believed that the cardiovascular side-effects observed with sumatriptan can be attributed to stimulation of the 5-HTiDp receptor subtype. It is accordingly considered (cf. G.W. Rebeck et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1994, 91, 3666-9) that compounds which can interact selectively with the 5-HTi _Dα receptor subtype, whilst having a less pronounced action at the 5-HTi _D p subtype, might be free from, or at any rate less prone to, the undesirable cardiovascular and other side-effects associated with non-subtype-selective 5-HT receptor agonists, whilst at the same time maintaining a beneficial level of anti-migraine activity.

The compounds of the present invention, being selective 5-HTι-like receptor agonists, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment of migraine and associated conditions, e.g. cluster headache, chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, headache associated with vascular disorders, tension headache and paediatric migraine. In particular, the compounds according to this invention are potent agonists of the human 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype. Moreover, the compounds in accordance with this invention have been found to possess at least a 10-fold selective affinity for the 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype relative to the 5-HTiDp subtype, and they can therefore be expected to manifest fewer side-effects than those associated with non-subtype-selective 5-HTm receptor agonists.

Several distinct classes of substituted five-membered heteroaromatic compounds are described in published European patent applications 0438230, 0494774 and 0497512, and published International patent applications 93/18029, 94/02477 and 94/03446. The compounds described therein are stated to be agonists of 5-HTι-like receptors, and accordingly to be of particular use in the treatment of migraine and associated conditions. None of these publications, however, discloses nor even suggests the substituted piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives provided by the present invention.

In EP-A-0548813 is described a series of alkoxypyridin-4-yl and alkoxypyrimidin-4-yl derivatives of indol-3-ylalkylpiperazines which are alleged to provide treatment of vascular or vascular-related headaches, including migraine. There is, however, no disclosure nor any suggestion in EP-A-0548813 of replacing the substituted piperazine moiety with a differently substituted piperidine or tetrahydropyridine moiety.

WO-A-91/18897 describes a class of tryptamine derivatives substituted by various five-membered rings, which are stated to be specific to a particular type of "5-HTι-like" receptor and thus to be effective agents for the treatment of clinical conditions, particularly migraine, requiring this activity. A further class of tryptamine derivatives with alleged anti- migraine activity is disclosed in WO-A-94/02460. However, neither WO-A-91/18897 nor WO-A-94/02460 discloses or suggests the substituted piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives provided by the present invention.

Moreover, nowhere in the prior art mentioned above is there any disclosure of a subtype-selective 5-HTID receptor agonist having a 5-HTID _U receptor binding affinity (IC50) below 50 nM and at least a 10-fold selective affinity for the 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype relative to the δ-HT subtype. The compounds according to the present invention are subtype- selective 5-HTID receptor agonists having a human 5-HTιυ _α receptor binding affinity (IC50) below 100 nM, typically below 50 nM, suitably below 10 nM and preferably below 1 nM; and at least a 10-fold selective affinity, typically at least a 50-fold selective affinity and preferably at least a 100-fold selective affinity, for the human 5-HTID _Q receptor subtype relative to the 5-HT p subtype. Moreover, the compounds in accordance with this invention possess interesting properties in terms of their efficacy and/or bioavailability.

The present invention provides a compound of formula I, or a salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein

Z represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, -OR ⁵ , -OCOR ⁵ , -OCONR ⁵ R ^G , -OCH ₂ CN, -OCH ₂ CONR ⁵ R ⁶ , -SR ⁵ , -SOR ⁵ , -SO ₂ R ⁵ , -S0 ₂ NR ⁵ R ^G , -NR ⁵ R<\ -NR^COR ⁶ , -NR ⁵ CO ₂ R ⁶ , -NR ⁵ SO ₂ R ⁶ , -COR*, -CO2R ⁵ , -CONR^R ^G , or a group of formula (Za), (Zb), (Zc) or (Zd):

(Za) (Zb) (Zc) (Zd)

in which the asterisk * denotes a chiral centre; or

Z represents an optionally substituted five-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from furan, thiophene, pyrrole, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, triazole and tetrazole;

X represents oxygen, sulphur, -NH- or methylene;

Y represents oxygen or sulphur;

E represents a chemical bond or a straight or branched alkylene chain containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

Q represents a straight or branched alkylene chain containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted in any position by one or more substituents selected from fluoro and hydroxy. or by an oxo moiety;

T represents nitrogen or CH;

U represents nitrogen or C-R ² ; V represents oxygen, sulphur or N-R ³ ; -F-G- represents -CM-CH ₂ - or -C=CH-; M represents hydrogen, halogen or Cι-6 alkoxy; R ¹ represents C3-6 alkyl, C3-6 alkenyl, C3-6 alkynyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl(C ₁ -G)alkyl, aryl(C ₁ .6)alkyl or heteroaryl(C ₁ .G)alkyl, any of which groups may be optionally substituted;

R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ independently represent hydrogen or Ci-e alkyl; and R ⁵ and R ⁶ independently represent hydrogen, Ci e alkyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, methylphenyl, or an optionally substituted aryl(Cι-G) alkyl or heteroaryl(Cι-o _> )alkyl group; or R ⁵ and R ⁶ , when linked through a nitrogen atom, together represent the residue of an optionally substituted azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine or piperazine ring. The present invention also provides compounds of formula I as defined above, and salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein Q represents a straight or branched alkylene chain containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted in any position by one or more substituents selected from fluoro and hydroxy. Where Z in the compounds of formula I above represents a five- membered heteroaromatic ring, this ring may be optionally substituted by one or, where possible, two substituents. As will be appreciated, where Z represents an oxadiazole, thiadiazole or tetrazole ring, only one substituent will be possible; otherwise, one or two optional substituents may be accommodated around the five-membered heteroaromatic ring Z. Examples of suitable substituents on the five-membered heteroaromatic ring Z include Ci-e alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, C2-6 alkynyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(Ci-e)alkyl, C3-7 heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(Cι-fi)alkyl, Ci r, alkoxy, Ci-s alkylthio, amino, Ci-e alkylamino, di(Cι-6)alkylamino, halogen, cyano and trifluoromethyl.

The group R ¹ may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents, as also may the groups R ⁵ or R ⁶ where these represent aryl(Cι-6) alkyl or heteroaryl(Cι 6)alkyl. Where R ¹ , R ^r> or R ⁶ represents aryl(Cι-6)alkyl or heteroaryl(Cι θ)alkyl, any optional substitution will suitably be on the aryl or heteroaryl moiety thereof, although substitution on the alkyl moiety thereof is an alternative possibility. Examples of optional substituents thereon include halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, Cι-6 alkyl-tetrazolyl, hydroxy, keto, Ci r, alkoxy, Ci _G alkylthio, C2 r, alkoxycarbonyl, C ₂ G alkylcarbonyl, Ci G alkylsulphonyl, arylsulphonyl, amino, Ci G alkylamino, dι(C ₁ .f,)alkylammo, dι(Cι 6)alkylamιnomethyl, C2 G alkylcarbonylammo, arylcarbonylamino, C2 6 alkoxycarbonylammo, N-(Cι-G)alkyl-iV-(C2 6)alkoxycarbonylammo, Ci G alkylsulphonylamino, arylsulphonylamino, Ci β alkylsulphonylammomethyl, ammocarbonylammo, Ci G alkylammocarbonylamino, dι(Cτ G)alkylammocarbonylamιno, mono- or diarylaminocarbonylamino, pyrro dmylcarbonylamino, pipeπdinylcarbonylamino, aminocarbonyl, Ci G alkylaminocarbonyl, dι(Cι _G ) alkylaminocarbonyl, ammosulphonyl, r, alkylammosulphonyl, dι(Cι 6)alkylammosulphonyl, aminosulphonylmethyl, Ci alkylaminosulphonylmethyl and dι(Cι o)alkylammosulphonylmethyl

When R ⁵ and R ^G , when linked through a nitrogen atom, together represent the residue of an azetidme, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine or piperazine ring, this ring may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents Examples of suitable substituents include Ci <, alkyl, aryl(C) 6)alkyl, Ci G alkoxy, C2 G alkoxycarbonyl and Ci G alkylaminocarbonyl. Typical substituents include methyl, benzyl, methoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and methylammocarbonyl In particular, where R ⁵ and R ⁶ together represent the residue of a piperazine ring, this ring is preferably substituted on the distal nitrogen atom by a C2 G alkoxycarbonyl moiety such as methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl

As used herein, the expression "Ci-β alkyl" includes methyl and ethyl groups, and straight-chained or branched propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl groups. Particular alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, /ι-propyl, isopropyl and tert-butyl. Derived expressions such as "Cι-6 alkoxy", "C _I - _G alkylthio" and "CI -G alkylamino" are to be construed accordingly.

The expression "C2-6 alkenyl" as used herein refers to straight- chained and branched alkenyl groups containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Typical examples include vinyl, allyl, dimethylallyl and butenyl groups.

The expression "C2-G alkynyl" as used herein refers to straight- chained and branched alkynyl groups containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Typical examples include ethynyl and propargyl groups.

Typical C3-7 cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

Typical C3-7 cycloalkyl(Cι-6)alkyl groups include cyclopropylmethyl and cyclohexylmethyl.

Typical aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl.

The expression "aryl(Cι-6)alkyl" as used herein includes benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl and naphthylmethyl.

Suitable heterocycloalkyl groups include azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl and morpholinyl groups.

Suitable heteroaryl groups include pyridinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, furyl, benzofuryl, dibenzofuryl, thienyl, benzthienyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl, indazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl and tetrazolyl groups.

The expression "heteroaryl(C ₁ -6)alkyl" as used herein includes furylmethyl, furylethyl, thienylmethyl, thienylethyl, thienylpropyl, oxazolylmethyl, oxazolylethyl, thiazolylmethyl, thiazolylethyl, thiazolylpropyl, pyrazolylpropyl, imidazolylmethyl, imidazolylethyl, imidazolylpropyl, oxadiazolylmethyl, oxadiazolylethyl, thiadiazolylmethyl, thiadiazolylethyl, triazolylmethyl, triazolylethyl, tetrazolylmethyl,

tetrazolylethyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylethyl, pyridinylpropyl, pyridazinylpropyl, pyrimidinylmethyl, pyrimidinylpropyl, pyrazinylmethyl, pyrazinylpropyl, quinohnylmethyl and isoquinolinylmethyl. The term "halogen" as used herein includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, especially fluorine.

For use in medicine, the salts of the compounds of formula I will be pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Other salts may, however, be useful in the preparation of the compounds according to the invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include acid addition salts which may, for example, be formed by mixing a solution of the compound according to the invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, methanesulphonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid or phosphoric acid. Furthermore, where the compounds of the invention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may include alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium or potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, e.g. calcium or magnesium salts; and salts formed with suitable organic ligands, e.g. quaternary ammonium salts.

The present invention includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of formula I above. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds of formula I which are readily convertible in vivo into the required compound of formula I. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in Design of Prodrugs, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

Where the compounds according to the invention have at least one asymmetric centre, they may accordingly exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds according to the invention possess two or more asymmetric

centres, they may additionally exist as diastereoisomers. For example, the compounds of formula I above wherein Z represents a group of formula (Zb) or (Zc) have a chiral centre denoted by the asterisk *, which may accordingly be in the (R) or (S) configuration. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof in any proportion are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Where E and Q, which may be the same or different, represent straight or branched alkylene chains, these may be, for example, methylene, ethylene, 1-methylethylene, propylene, 2-methylpropylene or butylene. In addition, the alkylene chain Q may be substituted in any position by one or more substituents selected from fluoro and hydroxy giving rise, for example, to a 2-hydroxypropylene, 2-hydroxymethyl- propylene, 2-fluoropropylene or 2-fluoromethyl-propylene chain Q. Moreover, Q may represent a 1-hydroxypropylene linkage or be substituted in any position by an oxo moiety giving rise, for example, to a 2-oxopropylene chain Q. Furthermore, E may represent a chemical bond such that the moiety Z is attached directly to the central fused bicyclic heteroaromatic ring system containing the variables T, U and V.

Suitably, E represents a chemical bond or a methylene linkage. Representative alkylene chains for Q include propylene, butylene, 2- hydroxypropylene, 2-hydroxymethyl-propylene, 2-fluoropropylene and 2- fluoromethyl-propylene, especially propylene.

The compound of formula I in accordance with the present invention is suitably an indole, benzofuran or benzthiophene derivative of formula IA, an indazole derivative of formula IB, or a pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine derivative of formula IC:

(IA)

wherein Z, E, Q, V, F, G, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined above. Preferably, the compounds according to the invention are indole or pyrrolo [2, 3-c]pyridine derivatives of formula ID:

wherein Z, E, Q, T, F, G, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as defined above, in particular wherein R ² and R ³ are both hydrogen.

Suitably, -F-G- represents -CM-CH2-.

Suitably, M represents hydrogen, fluoro or methoxy, especially hydrogen or fluoro, and particularly hydrogen.

Suitable values for the substituent R ¹ include 3,3-dimethylbutyl, allyl, dimethylallyl, butenyl, propargyl, cyclohexylmethyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, thienylpropyl, thiazolylpropyl, pyrazolylpropyl, imidazolylmethyl, imidazolylpropyl, pyridinylmethyl, pyridinylpropyl, pyridazinylpropyl, pyrimidinylpropyl and pyrazinylpropyl, any of which groups may be optionally substituted.

Selected values of R ¹ include 3,3-dimethylbutyl, allyl, dimethylallyl, butenyl, propargyl, cyclo hexylmethyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, imidazolylmethyl and pyridinylmethyl, any of which groups may be optionally substituted. Typical substituents on the group R ¹ include halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, d-e alkyl-tetrazolyl, hydroxy, keto, CJ-G alkoxy, amino, di(Cι-6)alkylamino, di(Cι-6)alkylaminomethyl, C2-6 alkylcarbonylamino, C2-6 alkoxycarbonylamino, N-(Cι-6)alkyl-N-(C2-6)alkoxycarbonylamino, Ci-6 alkylsulphonylamino, aminocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyl, C _I - _G alkylaminocarbonyl, di(C ₁ -G)alkylaminocarbonyl, aminosulphonyl and C _I - _G alkylaminosulphonylmethyl, especially halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, CI-G alkoxy, Ci-β alkylaminocarbonyl and aminosulphonyl.

Particular values of R ¹ include 3,3-dimethylbutyl, allyl, dimethylallyl, butenyl, propargyl, cyclohexylmeth l, benzyl, fluorobenzyl, difluorobenzyl, cyanobenzyl, tetrazolyl-benzyl, methyltetrazolyl-benzyl, methoxybenzyl, aminobenzyl, dimethylaminomethyl-benzyl, acetylamino- benzyl, aminocarbonyl-benzyl, methylaminocarbonyl-benzyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl-benzyl, aminosulphonyl-benz3'l, phenylethyl, fluoro-phenylethyl, difluoro-phenylethyl, cyano-phenylethyl, trifluoromethyl-phenylethyl, triazolyl-phenylethyl, 2-hydroxy-l- phenylethyl, phenylcarbonylmethyl, amino-phenylethyl, dimethylamino- phenylethyl, acetylamino-phenylethyl, methoxycarbonylamino- phenylethyl, (N-methyl-N-methoxycarbonyl)amino-phenylethyl, aminocarbonylamino-phenylethyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 2- (fluorophenyl)propyl, 2-(chlorophenyl)propyl, 2-(dichlorophenyl)propyl, 2- (trifluoromethylphenyl)propyl, 2-[(chloro)(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propyl, 2-hydroxy-2-phenylpropyl, 2-(methoxyphenyl)propyl, 2- (amιnosulphonylphenyl)propyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl, 2- (thienyl)propyl, 2-(thiazolyl)propyl, 2-(pyrazolyl)propyl, imidazolylmethyl, 2-(imidazolyl)propyl, pyridinylmethyl, 2-(pyridinyl)propyl, 2-

(methoxypyridinyl)propyl, 2-(pyridazinyl)propyl, 2-(pyπmidinyl)propyl and 2-(pyrazinyl)propyl.

Particular values of R ¹ include 3,3-dimethylbutyl, benzyl, methylaminocarbonyl-benzyl, phenylethyl, fluoro-phenylethyl, difluoro- phenylethyl, trifluoromethyl-phenylethyl, 2-hydroxy-l-phenylethyl, 2- phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 2-(fluorophenyl)propyl, 2- (chlorophenyl)propyl, 2-(dichlorophenyl)propyl, 2-

(trifluoromethylphenyl)propyl, 2-[(chloro)(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propyl, 2-hydroxy-2-phenylpropyl, 2-(methoxyphenyl)propyl, 2- (aminosulphonylphenyl)propyl, 2-(thienyl)propyl, 2-(thiazolyl)propyl, 2- (pyrazolyl)propyl, 2-(imidazolyl)propyl, 2-(pyridinyl)propyl, 2- (methoxypyridinyl)propyl, 2-(pyridazinyl)propyl, 2-(pyπmidmyl)propyl and 2 - (py raziny l)p ropyl.

An especial value of R ¹ is 2-phenylpropyl. Suitably, R ² and R ³ independently represent hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen.

Suitably, R' ¹ represents hydrogen or methyl. Suitably, R ⁵ and R ⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, methylphenyl (especially 4-methylphenyl), benzyl and phenethyl. Suitably, the substituent Z represents hydrogen, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, benzyloxy, methylamino-carbonyloxy, cyano- methoxy, aminocarbonyl-methoxy, methy lsulphonyl, aminosulphonyl, N- methylamino-sulphonyl, AT.iV-dimethylamino-sulphonyl, ammo, formylamino, acetylamino, trifluoromethyl-carbonylamino, benzyloxy¬ carbonylamino, methyl-sulphonylamino, ethyl-sulphonylammo, methylphenyl-sulphonylamino, 7V-methyl-(N-methylsulphonyl)-amino, -methyl-(.V-ethylsulphonyl)-amino, N-methyl- (N- trifluoromethylsulphonyl)-amino, N-ethyl-(N-methylsulphonyl)-amino, N- benzyl-(N-methylsulphonyl)-amino, N-benzyl-(N-ethylsulphonyl)-amino, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,

methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, propylaminocarbonyl, butylaminocarbonyl, benzylaminocarbonyl or phenethyl-aminocarbonyl; or a group of formula (Za), (Zb), (Zc) or (Zd) as defined above; or an optionally substituted five-membered heteroaromatic ring as specified above. In a particular embodiment, Z represents -Sθ2NR ⁵ R ⁶ in which R ⁵ and R ^G are as defined above. In a subset of this embodiment, R ⁵ and R ⁶ independently represent hydrogen or d-6 alkyl, especially hydrogen or methyl. Particular values of Z in this context include aminosulphonyl, N- methylamino-sulphonyl and N,N-dimethylamino-sulphonyl, especially N- methylamino-sulphonyl.

In another embodiment, Z represents a group of formula (Zb) in which R ⁴ is hydrogen or methyl. In a subset of this embodiment, X and Y both represent oxygen. In a particular aspect of this subset, the chiral centre denoted by the asterisk * is in the (S) configuration. When the group Z represents an optionally substituted five- membered heteroaromatic ring, this is suitably a 1,3-oxazole, 1,3-thiazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,3,4- thiadiazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole or tetrazole ring. Preferably, the ring is a 1,3-oxazole, 1,3-thiazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4- thiadiazole or 1,2,4-triazole ring, typically an imidazol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-l- yl or l,2,4-triazol-4-yl moiety, and in particular a 1,2,4-triazol-l-yl or l,2,4-triazol-4-yl moiety.

Suitably, the five-membered heteroaromatic ring Z is unsubstituted. Examples of optional substituents which may typically be attached to the moiety Z include methyl, ethyl, benzyl and amino, especially ethyl.

A particular sub-class of compounds according to the invention is represented by the compounds of formula IIA, and salts and prodrugs thereof:

(HA)

wherein m is zero, 1, 2 or 3, preferably zero or 1; p is zero, 1 or 2,

Q ¹ represents a straight or branched alkylene chain containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted m any position by one or more substituents selected from fluoro and hydroxy, T represents nitrogen or CH, A represents nitrogen or CH;

B represents nitrogen or C-R ⁸ ;

R ⁷ and R ⁸ independently represent hydrogen, Ci G alkyl, C ₂ G alkenyl, C _Λ i cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(Cι-o,)alkyl, C ₃ 7 heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(Cι G)alkyl, Ci _G alkoxy, Ci <, alkylthio, amino, d 0 alkylamino, dι(Cι 6)alkylammo, halogen, cyano or trifluoromethyl,

W represents ter£-butyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyndmyl, pyπdazinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridazinyl, any of which groups may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, Ci (, alkyl- tetrazolyl, Ci alkoxy, C2 G alkylcarbonyl, ammo, d c alkylamino, di(Cι G)alkylammo, dι(Cι G)alkylammomethyl, C2 G alkylcarbonylamino, Ci G alkylsulphonylammo, aminocarbonylamino, Ci β alkylaminocarbonyl, aminosulphonyl and Ci G alkylaminosulphonylmethyl; and R ¹⁰ represents hydrogen, Ci 3 alkyl, hydroxy(Cι alkyl or Ci alkylaminocarbonyl

Examples of selected substituents on the moiety W include halogen (especially fluoro or chloro), trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, d-β alkoxy (especially methoxy) and aminosulphonyl.

In a particular aspect, W represents tert-butyl, cyclohexyl or a group of formula (Wa), (Wb) or (Wc):

(Wa) (Wb) (Wc)

in which W ¹ represents CH or nitrogen;

W ² represents oxygen, sulphur, NH or N-methyl; and R ⁹ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, Cι-6 alkyl-tetrazolyl, d-c alkoxy, C2-6 alkylcarbonyl, amino, CI-G alkylamino, di(d.G)alkylamino, di(d.6)alkylaminomethyl, C ₂ -G alkylcarbonylamino, CI.G alkylsulphonylamino, aminocarbonylamino, CI-G alkylaminocarbonyl, aminosulphonyl or C1-6 alkylaminosulphonylmethyl.

Suitably, Q ¹ represents a straight or branched 3 or 4 carbon alkylene chain, optionally substituted in any position by one or more substituents selected from fluoro and hydroxy. Particular alkylene chains for Q ¹ include propylene, butylene, 2-hydroxypropylene, 2-

(hydroxymethyl)-propylene, 2-fluoropropylene and 2-(fluoromethyl)- propylene, especially propylene.

Particular values of R ⁷ and R ⁸ include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, benzyl and amino, typically hydrogen or ethyl, and especially hydrogen. Particular values of R ⁹ include hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, methyl-tetrazolyl, methoxy, amino, dimethylaminomethyl, acetylamino, aminocarbonylamino, methylaminocarbonyl and aminosulphonyl, typically hydrogen, fluoro,

chloro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy or aminosulphonyl, and especially hydrogen, fluoro or trifluoromethyl.

Particular values of R ¹⁰ include hydrogen, methyl, hydroxymethyl and methylaminocarbonyl, especially hydrogen or methyl.

Another sub-class of compounds according to the invention is represented by the compounds of formula IIB, and salts and prodrugs thereof:

(HB)

wherein m, p, Q ¹ , T, W and R ¹⁰ are as defined with reference to formula IIA above; and

R ⁵ and R ^f> are as defined with reference to formula I above.

Particular values of R ⁵ and R ^G in relation to formula IIB above include hydrogen and d-β alkyl, especially hydrogen or methyl. Suitably, one of R ⁵ and R ^G represents hydrogen and the other represents hydrogen or methyl.

A further sub-class of compounds according to the invention is represented by the compounds of formula IIC, and salts and prodrugs thereof:

(HC)

wherein the asterisk * denotes a chiral centre; ra, p, Q ¹ , T, W and R ¹⁰ are as defined with reference to formula IIA above; and

R ⁴ and Y are as defined with reference to formula I above Particular values of R ⁴ in relation to formula IIC include hydrogen and methyl, especially hydrogen.

Preferably, Y in formula IIC is oxygen Preferably, the chiral centre denoted by the asterisk * in formula

IIC is in the (S) configuration.

Specific compounds within the scope of the present invention include- l-benzyl-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyl ]pιpeπdιne, l-(3,3-dιmethylbutyl)-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-ιnd ol-3- yl)propyl]pιperιdιne, l-(2-phenylethylj-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3- yl)propyl]pιpeπdιne, l-cyclohexylmethyl-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-tnazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3- yl)propyl]pιperιdιne; l-(3-phenylpropyl)-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3- yl)propyl]pιperιdιne ; l-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH -mdol-3- yl)propyl]pιpeπdme; l-[2-(4-trιfluoromethylphenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazo l-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3- yl)propyl]pιperιdme,

l-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-t3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl) -lH-indol-3- yl)propyl]piperidine;

N-methyl-2-phenyl-2-[4-(3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indo l-3- yl)propyl)piperidin-l-yl]acetamide; l-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indo l-3- yl)propyl]piperidine ; l-(2-phenylpropyl)-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3- yl)propyl]piperidine; l-(2-hydroxy-l-phenylethyl)-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH- indol-3- yl)propyl]piperidine; l-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH- indol-3- yl)propyl]piperidine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 2- chlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 4- chlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2- (4- methoxyphenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(2 ,6- dichlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2- (3- me thoxy p he ny 1) p ropy 1] p ip e ridine ; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(2- methoxyphenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 3- chlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 3- aminosulphonylphenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(pyr imidin-2- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( thiazol-2- y l)p r opy 1] p ipe ridine ; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(pyr azin-2- yl)propyl]piperazine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( imidazol-l- yl)propyl]piperazine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( pyrazol-l- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( pyridin-2- y l)p ropy 1] p iperidine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( pyridin-3- y l)p ropy 1] p ip e ridine ; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(pyr idin-4- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( pyridazm-3- yl)propyl]piperidine ;

4-fluoro-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propy l]-l-[2-(pyridm-3- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2- (thιen-3- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2- (2-methoxypyridιn-3- yl)propyl]piperidine; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(4-m ethoxypyridin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[(R) -2-(pyridιn-3- yl)propyl]piperidine ;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[(S) -2-(pyridin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[(S)-(2 - phenylpropyljpiperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[(� �)-2- phenylpropyl]piperidine; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-(2- fluorophenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 3- fluorophenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( 4- fluorophenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2- (2-chloro-5-

(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propyl]piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[(S) -2-(4- fluorophenyl)propyl]piperidine; 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-(2-hydr oxy-2- p he ny lpropy l)piperidine ;

4-[3-(5-(N-(methyl)aminosulphonylmethyl)-lH-indol-3-yl)pr opyl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(N-(methyl)aminosulphonylethyl)-lH-indol-3-yl)piO pyl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(2-ethylimidazol-l-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-(2 - phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-((S)-2-oxo-l,3-oxazolidin-4-ylmethyl)-lH-indol-3- yl)propyl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine; 4-fluoro-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]- l-(2- phenyl ropyl)piperidine;

4-[2-fluoro-3-(5-(l,2,4-tπazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)prop yl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-2-hydroxypro pyl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-2-oxopropyl]-l-( 2- phenylpropyl)piperidine;

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-l-hydroxyprop yl]-l-(2- phenylpropyl)piperidine; and salts and prodrugs thereof.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays, drops, ampoules, auto-injector devices or suppositories; for oral, parenteral, intranasal, sublingual or rectal administration, or for administration by inhalation or insufflation. For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate or gums, and other pharmaceutical diluents, e.g. water, to form a solid re formulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from 0.1 to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. Typical unit dosage forms contain from 1 to 100 mg, for example 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg, of the active ingredient. The tablets or pills of the novel composition can be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer

dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol and cellulose acetate.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include aqueous solutions, suitably flavoured syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavoured emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable dispersing or suspending agents for aqueous suspensions include synthetic and natural gums such as tragacanth, acacia, alginate, dextran, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone or gelatin.

In the treatment of migraine, a suitable dosage level is about 0.01 to 250 mg/kg per day, preferably about 0.05 to 100 mg kg per day, and especially about 0.05 to 5 mg/kg per day. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day.

The compounds according to the invention may be prepared by a process which comprises attachment of the R ¹ moiety to a compound of formula III:

wherem Z, E, , T, U, V, F and G are as defined above; by conventional means including N-alkylation.

Attachment of the R ¹ moiety to the compounds of formula III may conveniently be effected by standard alkylation techniques One example thereof comprises treatment with an alkenyl halide such as 4-bromobut-l- ene, 4-bromo-2-methylbut-2-ene or allyl bromide, an alkynyl halide such as propargyl bromide, or an aryl(Cι c)alkyl or heteroaryl(Cι.G)alkyl halide such as benzyl iodide, typically under basic conditions, e.g. sodium hydride in N,N-dιmethylformamide, or potassium carbonate m isopropanol Another example comprises treatment of the compound of formula III with an aryl(Cι c)alkyl or heteroaryl(Cι-6)alkyl mesylate such as 2-(thιazol-2- yl)ρropyl methanesulphonate, ideally in the presence of a base such as sodium carbonate, in a suitable solvent such as 2-propanol, typically at the reflux temperature of the solvent. A further example, for the preparation of a compound of formula I in which R ¹ is substituted with hydroxy, comprises treating the requisite compound of formula III with an epoxide derivative such as α-methylstyrene epoxide, typically in a solvent such as methanol a sealed tube at an elevated temperature

Alternatively, the R ¹ moiety may conveniently be attached by reductive alkylation, which may be accomplished in a single step, or as a two-step procedure. The smgle-step approach suitably comprises treating the required compound of formula III as defined above with the appropriate aldehyde, e.g. benzaldehyde, pyridine carboxaldehyde, furfuraldehyde or thiophene carboxaldehyde, in the presence of a reducing agent such as sodium cyanoborohydride. In a typical two-step procedure, for the preparation of a compound of formula I wherein R ¹ corresponds to a group of formula -CH2R ¹¹ , a carboxylic acid derivative of formula R ^π -Cθ2H is condensed with the required compound of formula III, suitably m the presence of l-(3-dιmethylamιnopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodnmιde hydrochloride and 1-hydroxybenzotrιazole hydrate, to afford a compound corresponding to formula I wherein R ¹ represents -COR ¹¹ ; the carbonyl group thereof can

then be reduced, for example by treatment with diisobutylaluminium hydride, and the required compound of formula I thereby obtained.

The compounds of formula III above wherein T represents CH, U represents C-R ² and V represents N-R ³ , corresponding to the indole derivatives of formula ID as defined above wherein T represents CH and R ¹ is hydrogen, may be prepared by a process which comprises reacting a compound of formula IV:

wherein Z and E are as defmed above; with a compound of formula V, or a carbonyl-protected form thereof:

(V)

wherein Q, F, G and R ² are as defined above, and RP represents an amino- protecting group; followed, where required, by N-alkylation by standard methods to introduce the moiety R ³ ; with subsequent removal of the amino-protecting group RP. The reaction between compounds IV and V, which is an example of the well-known Fischer indole synthesis, is suitably carried out by heating the reagents together under mildly acidic conditions, e.g. 4% sulphuric acid at reflux.

Suitable carbonyl-protected forms of the compounds of formula V include the dimethyl acetal or ketal derivatives.

The protecting group RP in the compounds of formula V is suitably a carbamoyl moiety such as tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), which can conveniently be removed as necessary by treatment under mildly acidic conditions. Indeed, the acidic conditions of the Fischer indole synthesis reaction will generally suffice to remove the BOC group.

The Fischer reaction between compounds IV and V may be carried out in a single step, or may proceed via an initial non-cyclising step at a lower temperature to give an intermediate of formula VI:

(VI)

wherein Z, E, Q, F, G, R ² and RP are as defined above; followed by cyclisation using a suitable reagent, e.g. a polyphosphate ester.

The compounds according to the invention wherein T represents CH, U represents C-R ² and V represents N-R ³ - i.e. the indole derivatives of formula ID as defined above wherein T represents CH - may alternatively be prepared by a process which comprises reacting a compound of formula IV as defined above with a compound of formula VII, or a carbonyl-protected form thereof:

0 G

Q- N- R

R' \ /

(VII)

wherein , F, G, R ¹ and R ² are as defined above; under conditions analogous to those described above for the reaction between compounds IV

and V; followed, where required, by N-alkylation by standard methods to introduce the moiety R ³ .

As for the compounds of formula V, suitable carbonyl-protected forms of the compounds of formula VII include the dimethyl acetal or ketal derivatives Where the alkylene chain Q is substituted by a hydroxy group, this group may condense with the carbonyl moiety in compounds V and VII, whereby the carbonyl moiety is protected m the form of a cyclic hemiacetal

As with that between compounds IV and V, the Fischer reaction between compounds IV and VII may be carried out in a single step, or may proceed via an initial non-cyc sing step at a lower temperature to give an intermediate of formula VIII.

(VIII)

wherem Z, E, Q, F, G, R ¹ and R ² are as defined above, followed by cychsation using a suitable reagent, e g a polyphosphate ester

In a further procedure, the compounds of formula III above wherein T represents CH, U represents nitrogen and V represents N-R ³ , corresponding to the mdazole derivatives of formula IB as defined above wherein R ¹ is hydrogen, may be prepared by a process which comprises cyc smg a compound of formula IX

(IX) wherein Z, E, Q, F, G and RP are as defined above, and D ¹ represents a readily displaceable group; followed, where required, by N-alkylation by standard methods to introduce the moiety R ³ ; with subsequent removal of the amino-protecting group RP.

Similarly, the compounds of formula I wherein T represents CH, U represents nitrogen and V represents N-R ³ - i.e. the indazole derivatives of formula IB as defined above - may be prepared by a process which comprises cyclising a compound of formula X:

(X) in which Z, E, Q, F, G, R ¹ and D ¹ are as defined above; followed, where required, by N-alkylation by standard methods to introduce the moiety R ³ . The cyclisation of compounds IX and X is conveniently achieved in a suitable organic solvent at an elevated temperature, for example in a mixture of m -xylene and 2,6-lutidine at a temperature in the region of 140°C.

The readily displaceable group D ¹ in the compounds of formula IX and X suitably represents a C1-4 alkanoyloxy group, preferably acetoxy. Where D ¹ represents acetoxy, the desired compound of formula IX or X

may be conveniently prepared by treating a carbonyl compound of formula XI:

R

(XI)

wherein Z, E, Q, F and G are as defined above, and R ^x corresponds to the group R ¹ as defined above, or R represents an amino-protecting group as defined for RP; or a protected derivative thereof, preferably the N-formyl protected derivative; with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, advantageously in pyridine at the reflux temperature of the solvent; followed by acetylation with acetic anhydride, advantageously in the presence of a catalytic quantity of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, in dichloromethane at room temperature.

The N-formyl protected derivatives of the intermediates of formula XI may conveniently be prepared by ozonolysis of the corresponding indole derivative of formula XII:

wherein Z, E, Q, F, G and R ^x are as defmed above; followed by a reductive work-up, advantageously using dimethylsulphide.

The indole derivatives of formula XII may be prepared by methods analogous to those described in the accompanying Examples, or by procedures well known from the art.

In a still further procedure, the compounds of formula III above wherein T represents CH, U represents C-R ² and V represents oxygen or sulphur, corresponding to the benzofuran or benzthiophene derivatives of formula IA wherem V is oxygen or sulphur respectively and R ¹ is hydrogen, may be prepared by a process which comprises cyclising a compound of formula XIII:

(XIII)

wherein Z, E, Q, F, G, R ² and RP are as defined above, and V ¹ represents oxygen or sulphur; followed by removal of the amino-protecting group RP. Similarly, the compounds of formula I wherem T represents CH, U represents C-R ² and V represents oxygen or sulphur - i.e. the benzofuran or benzthiophene derivatives of formula IA above - may be prepared by a process which comprises cyclising a compound of formula XIV:

(Xiv)

wherein Z, E, Q, F, G, R ¹ , R ² and V ¹ are as defined above.

The cyclisation of compounds XIII and XIV is conveniently effected by using polyp hosphoric acid or a polyphosphate ester, advantageously at an elevated temperature.

The compounds of formula XIII and XIV may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula XV with a compound of formula XVI:

(XV) (XVI) wherein Z, E, Q, F, G, R ² , V ¹ and R are as defined above, and Hal represents a halogen atom. The reaction is conveniently effected in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide.

The hydroxy and mercapto derivatives of formula XV may be prepared by a variety of methods which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. One such method is described in EP-A-0497512. The hydrazine derivatives of formula IV above may be prepared by methods analogous to those described in EP-A-0438230, EP-A-0497512,

EP-A-0548813 and WO-A-91/18897.

Where they are not commercially available, the starting materials of formula V, VII and XVI may be prepared by methods analogous to those described in the accompanying Examples, or by standard procedures well known from the art.

It will be understood that any compound of formula I initially obtained from any of the above processes may, where appropriate, subsequently be elaborated into a further compound of formula I by techniques known from the art. For example, a compound of formula I wherein -F-G- represents -C=CH- initially obtained may be readily converted into the corresponding compound wherein -F-G- represents

-CH-CH2- by conventional catalytic hydrogenation procedures. A compound of formula I initially obtained wherein is substituted by hydroxy may be converted into the corresponding compound wherein Q is substituted by an oxo moiety by treatment with an oxidizing agent, suitably sulphur trioxide -pyridine complex. In addition, a compound of formula I wherein R ¹ is benzyl initially obtained may be converted by catalytic hydrogenation to the corresponding compound of formula III, which in turn may be converted into a further compound of formula I using standard N-alkylation techniques as described above. Furthermore, a compound of formula I initially obtained wherein the R ¹ moiety is substituted by nitro or cyano may be converted by catalytic hydrogenation to the corresponding amino- or aminomethyl-substituted compound respectively. Additionally, a compound of formula I wherein the R ¹ moiety is substituted by hydroxymethyl may be obtained by lithium aluminium hydride reduction of a precursor alkoxycarbonyl derivative; the resulting hydroxy compound may then be be mesylated under standard conditions, and the mesyl group subsequently displaced by an amino moiety by treatment with the desired amine in a sealed tube at an elevated temperature. The amine derivative resulting from any of these procedures may then, for example, be N-acylated using the appropriate acyl halide, e.g. acetyl chloride; or aminocarbonylated, using potassium isocyanate, to the corresponding urea derivative; or converted to a l,2,4-triazol-4-yl derivative using N,N-dimethylformamide azine; or reductively alkylated by treatment with the appropriate aldehyde or ketone in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. If desired, the amine derivative may also be carbamoylated by treatment with the requisite alkyl chloroformate. A compound of formula I initially obtained wherein the R ¹ moiety is substituted by cyano may be converted, by treatment with sodium azide, to the corresponding tetrazole derivative, which in turn may be alkylated on the tetrazole ring by treatment with an alkyl hahde under standard conditions. By way of additional illustration, a compound of formula I

initially obtained wherein the R ¹ moiety is substituted by an alkoxycarbonyl moiety may be saponified, by treatment with an alkali metal hydroxide, to the corresponding carboxy-substituted compound, which in turn may be converted to an amide derivative by treatment with the appropriate amine, advantageously in the presence of l-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and 1- hydroxybenzotriazole. Alternatively, a compound of formula I initially obtained wherein the R ¹ moiety is substituted by an alkoxycarbonyl moiety may be converted directly to an amide derivative by treatment with the appropriate amine in a sealed tube at an elevated temperature, or in the presence of trimethylaluminium. Moreover, a compound of formula I wherein R ³ is hydrogen initially obtained may be converted into a compound of formula I wherein R ³ represents d c alkyl by standard alkylation techniques, for example by treatment with an alkyl iodide, e.g. methyl iodide, typically under basic conditions, e.g. sodium hydride in dimethylformamide, or triethylamine in acetonitrile.

Where the above-described processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention give rise to mixtures of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparative chromatography. The novel compounds may be prepared in racemic form, or individual enantiomers may be prepared either by enantiospecific synthesis or by resolution. The novel compounds may, for example, be resolved into their component enantiomers by standard techniques such as preparative HPLC, or the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically active acid, such as (-)-di-p-toluoyl-d-tartaric acid and/or (+)-di-p-toluoyl-l-tartaric acid, followed by fractional crystallization and regeneration of the free base. The novel compounds may also be resolved by formation of diastereomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary.

During any of the above synthetic sequences it may be necessary and/or desirable to protect sensitive or reactive groups on any of the molecules concerned. This may be achieved by means of conventional protecting groups, such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J.F.W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973; and T.W. Greene & P.G.M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, 1991. The protecting groups may be removed at a convenient subsequent stage using methods known from the art.

The following Examples illustrate the preparation of compounds according to the invention.

The compounds in accordance with the present invention potently and selectively bind to the 5-HT _α receptor subtype, inhibit forskolin- stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, and stimulate [ ³⁵ S]-GTPγS binding to membranes from clonal cell lines expressing human cloned receptors.

5-HTiD _α /5-HTiD _β Radioligand Binding

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) clonal cell lines expressing the human 5-HTiD _α and 5-HTID _P receptors were harvested in PBS and homogenised in ice cold 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.7 at room temperature) with a Kinematica polytron and centrifuged at 48,000g at 4°C for 11 min. The pellet was then resuspended in 50 mM Tris-HCl followed by a 10 mm incubation at 37°C. Finally the tissue was recentrifuged at 48,000g, 4°C for 11 min and the pellet resuspended, in assay buffer (composition in mM: Tris-HCl 50, pargylme 0.01, CaCl ₂ 4; ascorbate 0.1%; pH 7.7 at room temperature) to give the required volume immediately prior to use (0.2 mg protein/ml). Incubations were carried out for 30 min at 37°C in the presence of 0.02-150 nM [ ³ H]-5-HT for saturation studies or 2-5 nM [ ³ H]-5- HT for displacement studies. The final assay volume was 1 ml. 5-HT (10 μM) was used to define non-specific binding. The reaction was initiated by the addition of membrane and was terminated by rapid filtration through

Whatman GF/B filters (presoaked in 0.3% PEI/ 0.5% Triton X) followed by 2 x 4 ml washings with 50 mM Tris-HCl. The radioactive filters were then counted on a LKB beta or a Wallac beta plate counter. Binding parameters were determined by non-linear, least squares regression analysis using an iterative curve fitting routine, from which IC ₅₀ (the molar concentration of compound necessary to inhibit bindmg by 50%) values could be calculated for each test compound. The IC ₅₀ values for binding to the 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype obtained for the compounds of the accompanying Examples were below 100 nM in each case. Furthermore, the compounds of the accompanying Examples were all found to possess a selective affinity for the 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype of at least 10-fold relative to the 5-HTiDp subtype.

5-HT _1Dα /5-HTiD _P Adenylyl Cyclase Assay

Studies were performed essentially as described in J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1986, 238, 248. CHO clonal cell lines expressing the human cloned 5-HTiD _α and 5-HTm _p receptors were harvested in PBS and homogenised, using a motor driven teflon/glass homogeniser, in ice cold Tris HC1-EGTA buffer (composition in mM Tris HCl 10, EGTA 1, pH 8 0 at room temperature) and incubated on ice for 30-60 mm. The tissue was then centrifuged at 20,000g for 20 mm at 4°C, the supernatant discarded and the pellet resuspended in Tris HC1-EDTA buffer (composition in mM Tris HCl 50, EDTA 5, pH 7.6 at room temperature) just prior to assay The adenylyl cyclase activity was determined by measuring the conversion of α-[ ³³ P]-ATP to [ ³ P]-cychc AMP. A 10 μl aliquot of the membrane suspension was incubated, for 10-15 min, m a final volume of 50 μl, at 30°C, with or without forskolin (10 μM), in the presence or absence of test compound The incubation buffer consisted of 50 mM Tris HCl (pH 7.6 at room temperature), 100 mM NaCl, 30 μM GTP, 50 μM cyclic AMP, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM ATP, 5 mM MgCl , 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM 3-ιsobutyl-l-

methylxanthine, 3.5 mM creatinine phosphate, 0.2 mg/ml creatine phosphokinase, 0.5-1 μCi α-[ ³ P]-ATP and 1 nCi [ ³ H]-cyclic AMP. The incubation was initiated by the addition of membrane, following a 5 min preincubation at 30°C, and was terminated by the addition of 100 μl SDS (composition in mM: sodium lauryl sulphate 2%, ATP 45, cyclic AMP 1.3, pH 7.5 at room temperature). The ATP and cyclic AMP were separated on a double column chromatography system (Anal. Biochem., 1974, 58, 541). Functional parameters were determined using a least squares curve fitting programme ALLFIT (Am. J. Physiol., 1978, 235, E97) from which Emax (maximal effect) and ECso (the molar concentration of compound necessary to inhibit the maximal effect by 50%) values were obtained for each test compound. Of those compounds which were tested in this assay, the EC5Q values for the 5-HTiD _α receptor obtained for the compounds of the accompanying Examples were below 500 nM in each case. Moreover, the compounds of the accompanying Examples which were tested were all found to possess at least a 10-fold selectivity for the 5-HTiD _α receptor subtype relative to the 5-HTiDp subtype.

5-HTiD _α /5-HTiD _β GTPγS Binding

Studies were performed essentially as described in Br. J. Pharmacol., 1993, 109, 1120. CHO clonal cell lines expressing the human cloned 5-HT ₁ D _α and 5-HTiDp receptors were harvested in PBS and homogenised using a Kinematica polytron in ice cold 20 mM HEPES containing 10 mM EDTA, pH 7.4 at room temperature. The membranes were then centrifuged at 40,000g, 4°C for 15 min. The pellet was then resuspended in ice cold 20 mM HEPES containing 0.1 mM EDTA, pH 7.4 at room temperature and recentrifuged at 40,000g, 4°C for 15-25 minutes. The membranes were then resuspended in assay buffer (composition in mM: HEPES 20, NaCl 100, MgCl 10, pargyline 0.01; ascorbate 0.1%; pH 7.4 at room temperature) at a concentration of 40 μg protein/ml for the

5-HTiD _α receptor transfected cells and 40-50 μg protein/ml for the 5-HT _IDP receptor transfected cells. The membrane suspension was then incubated, in a volume of 1 ml, with GDP (100 μM for 5-HTID„ receptor transfected cells, 30 μM for the 5-HTID _P receptor transfected cells) and test compound at 30°C for 20 min and then transferred to ice for a further 15 min.

[ ³⁵ S]-GTPγS was then added at a final concentration of 100 pM and the samples incubated for 30 min at 30°C. The reaction was initiated by the addition of membrane and was terminated by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B filters and washed with 5 ml water. The radioactive filters were then counted on a LKB beta counter. Functional parameters were determined by a non-linear, least squares regression analysis using an iterative curve fitting routine, from which E _ma χ (maximal effect) and EC50 (the molar concentration of compound necessary to inhibit the maximal effect by 50%) values were obtained for each test compound. Of those compounds which were tested in this assay, the EC50 values for the 5-HTiD _α receptor obtained for the compounds of the accompanying Examples were below 500 nM in each case. Moreover, the compounds of the accompanying Examples which were tested were all found to possess at least a 10-fold selectivity for the 5-HTJ.D _U receptor subtype relative to the 5-HT p subtype.

DESCRIPTION 1

4-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)phenylhydrazine Prepared as described in WO 94/03446, Example 1.

DESCRIPTION 2

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyllpiperid ine

a) 5-(4-Pyridyl)pent-4-yn-l-ol

4-Bromopyridine hydrochloride (5g, 0.031mol) was partitioned between 2N NaOH (50ml) and ethyl acetate (250ml). The organic layer was collected, dried over MgSO ₄ and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting oil was dissolved in triethylamine (10ml) and degassed with nitrogen. Pent-4-yn-l-ol (3g, 0.035mol) was added, followed by bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) chloride (200mg) and copper iodide (lOOmg). The reaction was heated to reflux and stirred for 15min. The reaction was partitioned between ethyl acetate (250ml) and water (50ml). The organic layer was collected, dried over MgSdi and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with ethyl acetate to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (3.14g). Η NMR (250MHz, CDC1 ₃ ) 1.8 (IH, br s), 1.87 (2H, q), 2.57 (2H, t), 3.81 (2H, br t), 7.24 (2H, dd), 8.78 (2H, dd).

b) 5-(4-Pyridyl)-l-pentanol

5-(4-Pyridyl)pent-4-yn-l-ol (3.41g) prepared according to the procedure described above was dissolved in ethanol (30ml) and hydrogenated over palladium hydroxide catalyst (0.300g) at 45psi for 3h.

The catalyst was filtered and the ethanol evaporated in vacuo to yield the title product as a colourless oil (3.2g). ^] H NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.40-

1.45 (2H, m), 1.47-1.80 (4H, m), 2.00 (IH br s), 2.62 (2H, t), 3.64 (2H, t),

7.10 (2H, d), 8.45 (2H, d).

c) 5-ri-(N-Benzyl)-l,2,5,6-tetrahvdropyridin-4-yll- l-pentanol The alcohol from above was dissolved in acetone (150ml) and benzyl bromide added. The reaction was heated to reflux for 3h, cooled, hexane

(50ml) added, and the solid filtered. The white solid was washed with hexane, air dried and re-dissolved in 100ml of 80% MeOH/H ₂ θ. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C and sodium borohydride (1.4g) added, portionwise, and stirred at 0°C for 15mιn and then at reflux for 16h. The methanol was removed in vacuo, the residue partitioned between EtOAc (250ml) and water (50ml), and the organic layer collected. The ethyl acetate layer was dried (MgSO ₄ ) and filtered, and removed in vacuo to yield 4.5g of the title compound as a colourless oil (91% yield). ^J H NMR (250MHz, CDCls) δ 1.30-1.59 (6H, m), 1.97 (2H, br t), 2.06 (2H, m), 2.54 (2H, t), 2.95 (2H, m), 2.57 (2H, s), 3.63 (2H, t), 5.35 (IH, br m), 7.22-7.37 (5H, m).

d) 5-(N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-4-pιperidmyI)-l-pentanol 5-[l-(N-Benzyl)-l,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridm-4-yl]-l-pentanol (Description 2c) (48.7g, 0.19mol) was dissolved m methanol (300ml) and purged with nitrogen. Palladium hydroxide on carbon (4g) was added followed by ammonium formate (50g) and the reaction stirred at reflux for lh The reaction was filtered through Celite and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was redissolved in dichloromethane (250ml) and treated with di-tert-butyldicarbonate (45.61g). After 1 hour the reaction was concentrated in vacuo and purified on silica eluting with 50-80% EtOAc/hexane to yield 40.6g (79%) of the title compound as a colourless oil. ⁱ H NMR (250MHz, CDC1 ₃ ) δ 1.45 (9H, s), 1.99 (IH, m), 1.26-1.3 (6H, m), 1.37-1.70 (6H, m), 2.66 (2H, dt), 3.64 (2H, t), 4 08 (2H, br d).

e) 5-(N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-4-piperιdιnyI)-l-pentanal

The alcohol (1.59g, 0.0055mol) from Description 2d was dissolved m anhydrous DMSO (20ml) and triethylamine (3.8ml, 0 027mol) added. Sulfurtrioxide pyridine complex (1.32g, 0.0083mol) was added portionwise and the reaction stirred for 0.5h. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc

(70ml) and poured into water (30ml). The organic layer was collected and

washed with water (3x30ml), dried over MgSO , and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was used directly in Description 2e without further purification.

f) 4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propynpiperidine

A 4% H2SO4 solution (25ml) was heated to 50°C for 30min while bubbling N2 through the solution. 4-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)phenylhydrazine (Description 1) (1.06g, O.OOβlmol) was added to the acid solution followed by a solution of the aldehyde from Description 2e (1.5g, O.OOδmol) in dichloromethane. The reaction was heated to reflux using an air-cooled condenser and a N2 bubbler for 2h. The reaction was cooled to 0°C and aqueous NH3 added till pH>8. The product was extracted into ethyl acetate (3x100ml), dried over MgSO ₄ and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on alumina eluting with CH2CI2— >l-5% MeOH/CH ₂ Cl ₂ and finally 5:1:94 MeOH/NH ₃ /CH ₂ Cl2. The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow foam (0.630g). ^J H NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.1 (IH, m), 1.23-1.28 (3H, m), 1.68-1.79 (5H, m), 2.57 (2H, dt, J=1.5Hz), 2.74 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 3.05 (2H, br d, J=5Hz), 7.14 (2H, m, indole-H), 7.47 (IH, d, J=2Hz, mdole-H), 7.54 (IH, d, indole-H), 8.46 (s, Ar-H (triazole)), 8.60 (br s, NH (indole)), MS: m/z 309 (M+l).

EXAMPLE 1

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-( 2- fluorophenvDethyllpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

The product of Description 2 (0.2g, 0.65mmol), potassium carbonate (0.270g, 1.95mmol) and 2-fluorophenethyl bromide (0.131g, 0.65mmol) were dissolved in propan-2-ol (5ml) and heated to reflux for 16 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate/methanol and washed with saturated potassium carbonate soln. The organic extract was dried (MgSO ₄ ), filtered and evaporated to yield

the crude product which was purified on silica using 1-3% methanol dichloromethane with 0.1% ammonium hydroxide. The resulting oil was treated with excess methanolic hydrochloric acid to yield the title product (0.09g). Η NMR (360MHz, d ₄ MeOH) δ 9.82 (2H, s), 7.70 (IH, s), 7.58 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.25-7.17 (4H, m), 7.09-6.98 (2H, m), 2.99 (2H, bd, J=10.8Hz), 2.86-2.74 (4H, m), 2.56-2.51 (2H, m), 2.08-2.02 (2H, m), 1.74-1.71 (4H, m), 1.35-1.22 (5H, m), MS (ES ⁺ ) 432 (M+H) ⁺ . Found: C, 57.35; H, 6.80; N, 12.41. C26H29FN5. 2HC1. 2.35H ₂ O requires C, 57.10; H, 6.77; N, 12.81%.

EXAMPLE 2

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-12-(3 - fluorophenvDethvDliperidine Prepared according to the method of Example 1 using 2-(3- fluorophenyl)ethyl bromide.

Η NMR (360MHZ, d ₄ MeOH) δ 8.46 (2H, s), 8.35 (IH, s), 7.54 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.26-7.13 (3H, m), 6.98-6.86 (3H, m),

3.15-2.90 (2H, m), 2.85-2.79 (2H, m), 2.75 (2H, t, J=7.6Hz), 2.54-2.68 (2H, m), 1.97-2.12 (2H, m), 1.82-1.65 (4H, m), 1.24-1.45 (5H, m), MS (ES ⁺ ) 432

(M+H) ⁺ . Found: C, 72.04; H, 7.11; N, 15.48. C GH30FN requires C, 73.36;

H, 7.00; N, 16.23%.

EXAMPLE 3

4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl propyn-l-r2-(4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl1piperidine

Prepared according to the method of Example 1 using 2-[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl bromide. NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 8.47 (2H, s), 8.31 (IH, s), 7.55-7.46 (4H, m), 7.33-7.26 (IH, s), 7.17-7.14 (2H, m), 3.20-2.88 (4H, m), 2.88-2.60 (4H,

m), 2.20-2.00 (2H, m), 1.85-1.18 (9H, m), MS (ES ⁺ ) 482 (M+H) ⁺ . Found: C, 66.91; H, 6.20; N, 14.06. C27H30F3N5. (0.25)H ₂ O requires C, 66.72; H, 6.32; N, 14.41%.

EXAMPLE 4

4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyll-l-r3- (phenyl)propyllpiperidine

The product of Description 2 (0.2g, 0.65mmol) and hydrocinnamaldehyde (0.09ml, 0.66mmol) were stirred together in methanol (5ml). Acetic acid (1ml) and sodium cyanoborohydride (0.041g, 0.66mmol) were added and the reaction was stirred for 16 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate/butanol and potassium carbonate solution. The organic layer was concentrated and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica using 1-3% methanol dichloromethane with 0.1% ammonium hydroxide to yield the title compound as a white solid (0.089g). ^! H NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 8.48 (IH, s), 8.46 (2H, s), 7.53 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.30-7.12 (6H, m), 3.04-2.92 (2H, m), 2.98-2.68 (2H, m), 2.68- 2.58 (2H, m), 2.45-2.34 (2H, m), 2.02-1.68 (4H, m), 1.42-1.20 (5H, m), MS (ES ⁺ ) 428 (M+H) ⁺ . Found: C, 76.17; H, 7.85; N, 15.52. C27H33N5 requires C, 75.84; H, 7.78; N, 15.52%.

EXAMPLE 5

(±)-4- 3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-propyll-l-[2-(pheny l)- propyl] iperidine. Bis Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 2-phenylpropionaldehyde. Η NMR (250MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 11.18 (IH, s), 9.15 (2H, s), 7.89 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.59 (IH, d, J=8.3Hz), 7.44-7.28 (6H, m), 3.04-2.77 (4H, m),

2.46-2.43 (2H, ), 2.01-1.70 (6H, m), 1.48-1.12 (5H, m), 1.28 (3H, d, J=6.8Hz), MS (ES ⁺ ) 428 (M+H) ⁺ . Found: C, 58.40; H, 6.35; N, 10.60. C ₂₇ H33N ₅ . 2(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 1.75(H ₂ O) requires C, 58.25; H, 6.39; N, 10.95%.

EXAMPLE 6

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-( 3.4- difluorophenvDethyllpiperidine

Prepared according to the method of Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 3,4-difluorophenylacetaldehyde.

NMR (360MHz, d ₆ DMSO) δ 11.18 (IH, s), 9.55 (2H, s), 7.88 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.54-7.13 (6H, m), 3.55-3.43 (2H, m), 3.28-3.07 (2H, m), 3.07-2.84 (4H, m), 2.78-2.68 (2H, m), 1.96-1.82 (2H, m), 1.76-1.24 (7H, m), MS (ES ⁺ ) 450 (M+l) ⁺ .

EXAMPLE 7

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyH-l-benzy lpiperidine

Prepared according to the method described for Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and benzaldehyde. MS (ES) 400 (M+l). Η NMR (250MHz, CDC1 ₃ ) δ 1.25-1.36 (4H, m), 1.68 (5H, m), 1.92 (2H, br t), 2.73 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 2.87 (2H, d, J=5Hz), 3.47 (2H, s), 7.13 (2H, m), 7.26 (5H, m), 7.46 (IH, d, J=4Hz), 7.53 (IH, d), 8.37 (br s, NH (indole)), 8.46 (2H, s, Ar(H) triazole). Oxalate salt: C25H29N5. 1.6(COOH) ₂ calculated for: C, 62.30; H, 5.97; N, 12.88%; found C, 62.23; H, 6.07; N, 12.82%.

EXAMPLE 8

4-f3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-(2-t ert-butylethyl - piperidine

Prepared according to the method described for Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde. MS (ES) 394 (M+l). Η NMR (250MHZ, CDC1 ₃ ) δ 0.88 (9H, s), 1.13-1.43 (7H, m), 1.66-1.91 (6H, m), 2.26-2.33 (2H, m), 2.74 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 2.93 (2H, bd, J=4Hz), 7.13 (2H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.54 (IH, d, J=lHz), 8.47 (2H, s, Ar(H) triazole), 8.64 (br s, NH (indole)). Oxalate salt C24H35N5. C2H2O4 calculated for C, 58.53; H, 7.25; N, 12.50; found C, 58.78; H, 7.05; N, 12.51%.

EXAMPLE 9

4-r3-(5-(l,2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-4-(2-p henylethyl)- piperidine

Prepared according to the method described for Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and phenylacetaldehyde. MS (ES) 414

(M+l). Ή NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.28-1.39 (5H, m), 1.72 (4H, m), 1.98 (2H, br t), 2.53-2.59 (2H, m), 2.72-2.84 (4H, m), 3.0 (2H, br d, J=3Hz), 7.12- 7.30 (7H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=3Hz), 7.54 (IH, d, J=3Hz), 7.54 (IH, d, J=lHz), 8.47 (2H, s, ArH (triazole)), 8.48 (br s, indole (NH)). Oxalate salt C26H31N5. C2H2O4 calculated for C, 60.81; H, 6.13; N, 11.98; found C, 60.77; H, 6.05; N, 12.38%.

DESCRIPTION 3

4-f3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-( - methoxycarbonylbenzvDpiperidine

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]pιperi dιne

(Description 2, 0.800g, 0.0026mol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF

(10ml), under N2, and potassium carbonate (0.540g, 0.0039mol) added followed by (±)-methyl α-bromophenylacetate (Aldrich, 0.5ml, 0.0031mol).

The reaction was stirred at 25°C for 16h, then poured into ethyl acetate

(lOOml) and H ₂ O (30ml). The organic layer was collected, washed with H2O (3x30ml), dried over MgSO and evaporated with 1-5% MeOH/CH ₂ Cl ₂ to obtain the title compound as a colourless oil. ^l ΕL NMR 1.23-1.33 (6H, m), 1.66 (5H, m), 2.04 (IH, br m), 2.72 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 2.96 (IH, bm), 3.69 (3H, s), 3.98 (IH, br s), 7.11 (IH, d, J=lHz), 7.14 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.33 (3H, m), 7.43-7.48 (2H, m), 7.50 (IH, d, J=3Hz), 7.51 (IH, d, J=lHz), 8.07 (br s, indole (NH)), 8.45 (2H, s, Ar (triazole)).

EXAMPLE 10

N-Methyl-2-phenyl-2-14-(3-(5-(1.2.4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdo l-3- yl)propyl)piperidin-l-yll acetamide

The compound from Description 3 (0.530g) was dissolved in a solution of methylamine in methanol («5M, 10ml) and heated at 70°C in a sealed tube for 24h. The tube was cooled, and the contents evaporated.

The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 1-5%

MeOH/CH2Cl2 to obtain the title compound as a colourless oil (0.220g).

MS (ES) 456 (M+l). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.23-1.28 (6H, m), 1.69

(5H, m), 2.06 (IH, br m), 2.72 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 2.85 (3H, d, J=2Hz), 2.96 (IH, br m), 3.85 (IH, br s), 7.11 (IH, dt, J=lHz), 7.13 (IH, J=lHz), 7.27

(5H, m), 7.46 (IH, d, J=3Hz), 7.51 (IH, d, J=lHz), 8.46 (3H, s, ArH

(triazole) + indole (NH)).

EXAMPLE 11

4-f3-(5-(l,2,4-Tr azol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-(l-phenyl-2- hydroxyethvDpiperidine

The compound from Description 3 (0.800g, 0.00175mol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (10ml) and lithium aluminium hydride (0.5M in DME, 2.3ml, 0.0023mol) added dropwise at 0°C. The reaction was stirred at 0°C for 20min, and quenched by the slow addition of cold

saturated NH ₄ C1 solution. The reaction was poured into EtOAc (50ml)/NH ₄ Cl (20ml), the organic layer collected, dried over MgSU4 and evaporated. The residue was purified on silica eluting with 5% MeOH/1% NH3 94% CH2CI2 to obtain the title compound as a colourless oil (0.720g). MS (ES) 430 (M+l). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.18-1.28 (4H, m), 1.43 (4H, m), 2.05 (2H, br t), 2.70 (2H, t, J=3Hz), 2.87 (2H, br d), 3.54-3.75 (2H, m), 4.00 (IH, t, J=4Hz), 7.12-7.19 (4H, m), 7.26 (3H, m), 7.46 (IH, d, J=3Hz), 7.50 (IH, d, J=lHz), 8.39 (br s, indole-NH), 8.47 (2H, s, ArH (triazole)) oxalate salt.

EXAMPLE 12

4-13-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-f2-( 2- chlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine

Step 1: 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-l-methoxyρropene

To a stirred solution of methoxymethyl triphenylphosphonium chloride (16.6 g, 0.0484 mol) in THF (120 ml) at -78°C, was added ?ι-butyl lithium (26 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexanes, 0.042 mol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 30 min then at -20°C for 30 mm. The solution was cooled to -78°C and a solution of 2-chloroacetophenone (5.0 g, 0.032 mol) in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise. After addition the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature then stirred overnight. The undissolved solid was removed by filtration and the filtrate washed with water (100 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried (Na ₂ S0 ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, using petrokether (25:1) as the eluant, to give the (E)- and (Z)-enol ethers (1.5 g, 26%) as a colourless oil. ^X H NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.87 and 1.95 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.5 and 1.4Hz respectively), 3.52 and 3.70 (3H, 2 x s), 6.04 (IH, m), 7.14-7.40 (4H, m).

Step 2: 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)propanal

To a solution of 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-l-methoxypropene (712 mg, 3.9 mmol) in ether (8 ml) at 0°C was added perchloric acid (70%, 3 ml). After stirring for 1 h the solution was diluted with ether (8 ml) and washed with water (2 x 20 ml). The organic phase was separated, dried (Na ₂ SO ₄ ) and evaporated. The crude 2-(2-chlorophenyl)propanal was isolated as a colourless oil and used without further purification.

Step 3: 4-r3-(5-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl1-l-r2-(2- chlorophenvDpropyllpiperidine

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(2-chlorophenyl)propanal. ^! H NMR

(360MHz, CDCls) δ 1.20-1.40 (8H, m), 1.55-1.77 (4H, m), 1.90-2.10 (2H, m),

2.38-2.60 (2H, m), 2.73 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.80-2.92 (IH, m), 2.96-3.10 (IH, m), 3.46-3.60 (IH, m), 7.07-7.13 (3H, m), 7.15-7.27 (2H, m), 7.32 (IH, d,

J=7.9Hz), 7.46 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.53 (IH, s), 8.31 (IH, br s), 8.46 (2H, s).

MS (ES ⁺ ) 462/464 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 67.58; H, 6.61; N, 14.56%.

C27H ₃₂ N5CI. 0.9 (H ₂ O) requires: C, 67.81; H, 7.12; N, 14.64%.

EXAMPLE 13

4-[3-(5-(1.2,4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2- (2- trifluoromethylphenvDpropyllpiperidine Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using 2-trifluoromethylacetophenone. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.86 and 1.92 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.5 and 1.4Hz respectively), 3.49 and 3.66 (3H, 2 x s), 5.90 and 5.98-6.00 (IH, br s and m respectively), 7.02-7.38 (2H, m), 7.44-7.54 (IH, m), 7.62-7.68 (IH, m).

Step 2: 2-(2-Trifluoromethylphenyl)proρanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2, using 1- methoxy-2-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)propene. The crude product was used directly without further purification. Η NMR (250MHz, CDC1 ₃ ) δ 1.45 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 4.09 (IH, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.22 (IH, d, J=7.8Hz), 7.41 (IH, t, J=7.7Hz), 7.57 (IH, t, J=7.6Hz), 7.73 (IH, d, J=7.5Hz), 8.71 (IH, s).

Step 3: 4-f3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)propvl]piperidine Oxalate Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)propanal.

Η NMR (360MHZ, dc-DMSO) δ 1.24-1.50 (8H, m), 1.60-1.81 (4H, m), 2.69

(2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.04-3.30 (2H, m), 3.38-3.51 (IH, m), 3.60-3.80 (4H, m),

7.26-7.32 (2H, m), 7.46-7.50 (2H, m), 7.68-7.72 (3H, m), 7.76 (IH, s), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.07 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 496 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 59.51; H, 5.90;

N, 11.11%. C28H32N5F3. 1.4(C ₂ H ₂ O ₄ ) requires: C, 59.51; H, 5.64; N, 11.27%.

EXAMPLE 14

4- 3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-[2-(4- chlorophenyl)propyl|piperidine . Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(4-chlorophenyl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1, using 4-chloroacetophenone. ^] H NMR (360MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.89 and 1.95 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.3Hz each), 3.67 and 3.71 (3H, 2 x s), 6.10-6.14 and 6.38-6.40 (IH, 2 x m), 7.17-7.29 (3H, m), 7.53-7.56 (IH, m).

Step 2: 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2, using 1- methoxy-2-(4-chlorophenyl)propene. The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4-r3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ 1.2,4-Tr azol-4-yl ⁾ -lH-mdol-3-yl)propyll-l- 2-(4- chlorophenvDprop yl]pιperιdιne . Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)propanal Η NMR (360MHz, dG-DMSO) δ 1.20-1.56 (8H, m), 1.61-1.84 (4H, m), 2.61-2.88 (4H, m), 3.16-3.36 (5H, m), 7.25-7.32 (2H, m), 7.36-7 42 (4H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.76 (IH, s), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.09 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 462 (M+l) ⁺ Found: C, 60.14; H, 6.44; N, 11.80%. C27H32N5CI. 1.3(C ₂ H ₂ O4). 0.5 (H ₂ ) requires: C, 60.45; H, 6.10; N, 11.91%.

EXAMPLE 15

4-r3-(5-(l,2.4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-[2- (4- methoxyphenvDpropyllpiperidine Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using 4- methoxyacetophenone Η NMR (250MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.90 and 2.00 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.3Hz each), 3.66 and 3.70 (3H, 2 x s), 3.80 and 3.81 (3H, 2 x s), 6.04- 6.07 and 6.30-6.34 (IH, 2 x m), 6.83-6.90 (2H, m), 7.19-7.28 (IH, m), 7.51- 7.59 (IH, m).

Step 2 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2 using 1- methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propene The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3. 4-r3-(5-(l,2,4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-v propyl1-l-r2-(4- methoxyphenyl)propyl]pιperιdιne. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propanal. ^X H NMR (360MHz, dβ-DMSO) δ 1.17-1.59 (7H, m), 1.60-1 76 (5H, m), 2.42-2.90 (5H, m), 3.12-3.44 (4H, m), 3.74 (3H, s), 6.91 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.20-7.34 (4H, m), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.2Hz), 7.77 (IH, s), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.09 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 458 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 61.08; H, 6.56; N, 10.78%. C28H35N5O. 1.9(C ₂ H ₂ O ₄ ) requires- C, 60.75; H, 6.22; N, 11.14%.

EXAMPLE 16

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyn-l-r2- (2.6- d chlorophenyDpropyllpiperid ne

Step 1: Ethyl (2,6-dιchlorophenyl)acetate

To a solution of 2,6-dιchlorophenyl acetic acid (6.7 g, 0.033 mol) in dichloromethane (170 ml) was added triethylamine (5 9 ml, 0.043 mol), 1- ethyl-3-(3-dιmethylammopropyl)carbodιιmιde hydrochloride (8.1 g, 0 043 mol) and 4-pyrrohdιnopyπdme (0 58 g, 0.004 mol) Ethanol (2.5 ml, 0 043 mol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred overnight at room temperature After this time the mixture was washed with water (2 x 100 ml), IM HCl (2 x 100 ml), aq K2CO3 (sat., 2 x 100 ml) and brine (100 ml) The organic phase was separated, dried (Na2S04) and evaporated The residue was chromatographed on sihca, using petrokether (10 1) as the eluant, to give the ester (7.2 g, 94%) as a colourless oil which solidified on standing at 0°C. Η NMR (360MHz, d ₆ -DMSO) δ 1 26 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz), 4.01 (2H, s), 4.18 (2H, q, J=7.1Hz), 7.15 (IH, t, J=8.6Hz), 7 32 (2H, d, J=8 6Hz).

Step 2: Ethyl 2- (2 , 6- dichlorop henvDprop anoate

To a solution of diisopropylamine (1.3 ml, 9.4 mmol) in THF (20 ml) at 0°C was added n-butyl lithium (5.9 ml of a 1.6M solution in hexane, 9.4 mmol) dropwise. The solution was stirred at 0°C for 30 min then cooled to -78°C. A solution of ethyl (2,6-dichlorophenyl)acetate (2.0 g, 8.6 mmol) in THF (20 ml) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at -78°C for lh. Iodomethane (0.59 ml, 9.4 mmol) was then added and the solution stirred at -78°C for 15 min before the cooling was removed. The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature then NH4CI (sat., 20 ml) was added. The organic phase was separated and washed with IM HCl (2 x 20 ml) followed by water (20 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried (Na2S0 ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, using petrokether (15:1) as the eluant, to give the ester (0.66 g, 31%) as a colourless oil. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCI3) δ 1.21 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz), 1.53 (3H, d, J=7.lHz), 4.01-4.24 (2H, m), 4.46 (IH, q, J=7.1Hz), 7.12 (IH, t, J=7.9Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=8.1Hz).

Step 3: 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)propan-l-ol

To a solution of ethyl 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)propanoate (0.66 g, 2.7 mmol) in THF (30 ml) at 0°C was added diisobutylaluminium hydride (6.6 ml of a l.OM solution in THF, 6.6 mmol) dropwise. The cooling bath was removed and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 45 min. More diisobutylaluminium hydride (3 ml of a l.OM solution in THF, 3.0 mmol) was added and the solution stirred for a further 45 min. After this time more diisobutylaluminium hydride (3 ml of a l.OM solution in THF, 3.0 mmol) was added and the solution stirred for lh. NH4CI (sat., 10 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for lh. The organic layer was decanted off and the gelatinous precipitate partitioned between ether (30 ml) and IM HCl (30 ml). The organic layers were combined, dried (Na2SO ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with petrokEtOAc (3: 1), to afford the alcohol (546 mg, 100%)

as a colourless oil. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.41 (3H, d, J=6.7Hz), 3.94-4.01 (2H, m), 4.13-4.23 (IH, m), 7.08 (IH, t, J=7.9Hz), 7.20-7.40 (2H, m).

Step 4: 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)propanal

To a stirred solution of 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)propan-l-ol (278 mg, 1.4 mmol) in DMSO (6 ml) was added triethylamine (1.1 ml, 8.1 mmol) followed by pyridine-sulphur trioxide (322 mg, 2.0 mmol). After lh more pyridine-sulphur trioxide (161 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred for a further lh. The mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (3 x 20 ml) and water (20 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (20 ml) then separated and dried (Na2S0 ₄ ). The solvent was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with toluene (2 x 20 ml). The aldehyde was used directly without further purification. ^X H NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.51 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 4.17 (IH, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.20 (IH, t, J=8.0Hz), 7.33 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz).

Step 5: 4-[3-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-r2-(2.6- dichlorophenvDpropyllpiperidine Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)propanal.

Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.02-1.28 (5H, m), 1.32 (3H, d, J=7.2Hz), 1.48-

1.70 (4H, m), 1.82-2.00 (2H, m), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.67-2.80 (IH, m),

2.81-2.90 (3H, m), 3.79-3.89 (IH, m), 6.95 (IH, t, J=8.0Hz), 7.01-7.06 (2H, m), 7.13-7.22 (2H, m), 7.39 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.45 (IH, d, J=1.9Hz), 8.39

(3H, s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 496/498 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 64.60; H, 6.37; N, 13.84%.

C27H ₃₁ N ₅ Cl2. 0.3(H ₂ O) requires: C, 64.62; H, 6.35; N, 13.95%.

EXAMPLE 17

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-ylVlH-ιndol-3-yl propyn-l-r2-(3- methoxyphenvDpropyllpiperidine. Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1, using 3- methoxyacetophenone. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.91 and 1.97 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.3Hz), 3.67 and 3.71 (3H, 2 x s), 3.81 (3H, s), 6.11-6.12 and 6.42-6.43 (IH, 2 x m), 6.72-6.92 (2H, m), 7.16-7.27 (2H, m).

Step 2: 2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 12 using 1- methoxy-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)propene. The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l- 2-(3- methoxy henyl)propyl]piperidine. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)propanal. ^J H NMR (360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.07-1.50 (8H, m), 1.60-1.80 (4H, m), 2.60-2.76 (4H, m), 3.04-3.34 (5H, m), 3.75 (3H, s), 6.80-6.84 (IH, m), 6.86-6.90 (2H, m), 7.22-7.30 (3H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.75 (IH, d, J=1.9Hz), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.09 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 458 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 64.91; H, 6.98; N, 12.55%. C2 ₈ H ₃₅ N5O. (C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 0.5(H ₂ O) requires: C, 64.73; H, 6.88; N, 12.58%.

EXAMPLE 18

4-r3-(5-Q.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-ylroropyll-l-r2-(2 - methoxyphenvDpropyllpiperidine. Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using 2- methoxyacetophenone. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.87 and 1.96 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.4Hz), 3.54 and 3.68 (3H, 2 x s), 3.82 and 3.83 (2H, 2 x s), 6.02-6.05 and 6.20-6.22 (IH, 2 x m), 6.85-6.96 (2H, m), 7.11-7.26 (2H, m).

Step 2: 2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)propanal

Prepared according the method of Example 12, Step 2 using 1- methoxy-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)propene. The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.39 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.83 (3H, s), 3.86 (IH, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.92 (IH, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.97 (IH, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.11 (IH, dd, J=7.5 and 1.6Hz), 7.26-7.31 (IH, m), 9.67 (IH, s).

Step 3: 4-r3-(5-α.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl1-l-r2-(2- methoxyphenvDpropyHpiperidine. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)propanal. ^] H NMR (360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.12-1.54 (8H, ), 1.64-1.84 (4H, m), 2.62-2.90 (4H, m), 3.08-3.20 (2H, m), 3.28-3.42 (2H, m), 3.48-3.56 (IH, m), 3.81 (3H, s), 6.95 (IH, t, J=7.3Hz), 6.99 (IH, d, J=8.1Hz), 7.23-7.32 (4H, ), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.77 (IH, d, J=1.9Hz), 9.02 (2H, s), 11.10 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 458 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 63.95; H, 6.99; N, 12.26%. C ₂ 8H ₃ GN ₅ 0. (C0 ₂ H) ₂ . H ₂ 0 requires: C, 63.70; H, 6.95; N, 12.38%.

EXAMPLE 19

4- 3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-vI)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-r2-(3- chlorophenyl)propyl]piperidine. Oxalate.

Step 1: 2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-l-methoxypropene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1, using 3-chloroacetophenone. »H NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.89 and 1.96 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.3Hz), 3.69 and 3.73 (3H, 2 x s), 6.14 and 6.43 (IH, 2 x d, J=1.2 and 1.3Hz respectively), 7.10-7.62 (4H, m).

Step 2: 2-(3-Chlorophenyl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2, using 2-(3- chlorophenyl)-l-methoxypropene. The crude product was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4-r3-(5-Q,2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl)propyl1-l-r2-(3- chlorop he nyDprop yll pipe ridine. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(3-chlorophenyl)propanal. ^! H NMR

(360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.22-1.72 (8H, m), 1.60-1.80 (4H, m), 2.60-2.80 (4H, m), 3.08-3.34 (5H, m), 7.25-7.49 (7H, m), 7.76 (IH, d, J=2.0Hz), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.08 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 462 (M+l) ⁺ . Found C, 61.62; H, 6.49; N, 11.77%. C27H32N5CI. 1.25(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 0.25(H ₂ O) requires: C, 61.19; H, 6.09; N, 12.09%.

EXAMPLE 20

4-[3-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyll-l-[2- (3- aminosulphonylphenyl)propyl]piperidine. Oxalate

Step 1: 3-Amιnosulphonylacetophenone

To a stirred solution of 3-acetylbenzene sulphonyl fluoride (0.5 g, 2.5 mmol) in THF (1 ml) at ambient temperature was added a solution of ammonia in water (25%, 1.35 ml), and the mixture stirred for 2 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (25 ml) and water (25 ml).

The two layers were separated and the aqueous extracted with ethyl acetate (25 ml). The combined organic phases were dried (M SO4) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica using hexane :ethyl acetate (1:1), followed by ethyl acetate as the eluant, to give the title compound (0.31g, 63%) as a colourless solid. *H NMR (360MHz, dG-DMSO) δ 2.65 (3H, s), 7.50 (2H, br s), 7.75 (IH, t, J=7.5Hz), 8.06-8.08 (IH, m), 8.18-8.20 (IH, m), 8.35-8.36 (IH, m).

Step 2: 2-(3-AminosulphonylphenyI)-l-methoxypropene To a stirred solution of methoxymethyl triphenylphosphonium chloride (25.8 g, 75.4mmol) in THF (150 ml) under nitrogen at -78°C was added /i-butyl lithium (37.7 ml of a 1.6M solution in hexanes, 60.3 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 10 min and then at 0°C for 45 min. The solution was cooled to -78°C and a solution of 3- aminosulphonylacetophenone (5 g, 25.1mmol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise. After addition the mixture was stirred at -78°C for lh and then the mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature, then stirred for 16h. NH4CI solution (sat., 100 ml) was added to the mixture and the two phases separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with ether (100 ml) and the combined organic phases were dried (Na2S0 ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica with hexane:ethyl acetate (20:7) followed by hexane:ethyl acetate (1:1) to afford the title compound (2.47 g, 43%) as a colourless solid. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.94 and 1.99 (3H, 2 x d, J=1.3Hz), 3.72 and 3.75 (3H, 2 x s), 4.83 and 4.86 (2H, 2 x br s), 6.20-6.22 and 6.50-6.52 (IH, 2 x m), 7.39-7.84 (3H, m), 7.85-7.86 and 8.17-8.18 (IH, 2 x m).

Step 3: 2-(3-Aminosulphonylphenyl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2 using 2-(3- amιnosulphonylphenyl)-l-methoxypropene. The crude product was used directly without further purification.

Step 4: 4-r3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ 1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-(3- aminosulphonylphenyDpropyIlpiperidine oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(3-amιnosulphonylphenyl)propanal. Ή NMR (360MHz, d ₆ -DMSO) δ 1.20-1.52 (8H, m), 1.80-1.92 (4H, m), 2.64- 2.82 (4H, m), 3.10-3.42 (5H, m), 7.24-7.37 (4H, m), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.7Hz), 7.50-7.58 (2H, m), 7.70-7.80 (3H, m), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.09 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 507 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 54.86; H, 6.35; N, 12.82%. C27H 4N ₆ O ₂ S. 1.4(CO ₂ H) . H ₂ O requires: C, 55.00; H, 6.01; N, 12.91%.

EXAMPLE 21

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-( pyrιmιdm-2- vDpropyllpiperidine. Oxalate

Step 1: Diethyl 2-(pyrιmidin-2-yl)malonate

To a solution of sodium hydride (4.4 g of a 60% dispersion in oil, 0.11 mol) in DMF (200 ml) was added diethyl malonate (16 ml, 0.11 mol) in DMF (50 ml) dropwise at room temperature. After 30 min 2- bromopyrimidme (8.0 g, 0.05 mol) was added portionwise and the solution heated at 100°C for 3h. The solution was cooled to room temperature, water (100 ml) was added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (3 x 60 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, using hexane:EtOAc (3:1) as the eluant, to afford the ester (5.9 g, 49%) as a pale yellow oil which solidified on standing at 0°C Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.29 (6H, t, J=7.1Hz), 4.29 (4H, q, J=7.1Hz), 5.10 (IH, s), 7.26 (IH, t, J=4.9Hz), 8.74 (2H, d, J=4.9Hz).

Step 2: Ethyl (pyrimidin-2-vDacetate

A solution of diethyl 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)malonate (1.0 g, 4.2 mmol) and sodium chloride (491 mg, 8.4 mmol) in DMSO (6 ml) and water (151 μl, 8.4 mmol) was heated at 180°C for 20 min. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, water (12 ml) was added, and the solution extracted with EtOAc (2 x 20 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSU ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with hexane :EtOAc (2:1), to afford the ester (434 mg, 62%) as a pale yellow oil. NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.27 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz), 4.04 (2H, s), 4.23 (2H, q, J=7.1Hz), 7.22 (IH, t, J=5.3Hz), 8.72 (2H, d, J=5.3Hz).

Step 3: Ethyl 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)propanoate

To a solution of diisopropylamine (2.2 ml, 0.015 mol) in THF (60 ml) at 0°C, was added butyl lithium (9.6 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexane, 0.015 mol) dropwise. The solution was stirred at 0°C for 30 min then cooled to -78°C and iodomethane (960 μl, 0.015 mol) added dropwise. The solution was stirred at -78°C for 10 min, -50°C for 30 min then at room temperature for 20 min. After this time NH ₄ C1 (sat., 30 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 10 min. Water (100 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2 x 100 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (Na ₂ SO4) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (2: 1), to give the ester (1.8 g, 71%) as a yellow oil. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.22 (3H, t, J=7.2Hz), 1.62 (3H, d, J=7.2Hz), 4.12 (IH, q, J=7.2Hz), 4.22 (2H, q, J=7.2Hz), 7.19 (IH, t, J=4.9Hz), 8.74 (2H, d, J=4.9Hz).

Step 4: 2-(Pyrimidin-2- vDpropan- l-ol

To a solution of ethyl 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)propanoate (1.7 g, 9.4 mmol) in THF (100 ml) at 0°C, was added diisobutylaluminium hydride (23.6 ml of a 1.0 M solution in THF, 23.6 mmol) dropwise. After 3h NH ₄ C1 (sat., 30 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 30 min.

EtOAc (100 ml) was added and the mixture filtered. The filtrate was dried (Na2SO ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with CH ₂ Cl ₂ :MeOH (95:5), to give the alcohol (562 mg, 43%) as a pale yellow oil. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.38 (3H, d, J=7.2Hz), 3.22- 3.31 (IH, m), 3.65 (IH, br s), 3.80-4.05 (2H, m), 7.18 (IH, t, J=4.9Hz), 8.72 (2H, d, J=4.9Hz).

Step 5: 2-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 16, Step 4, using 2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)propan-l-ol. The aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 6: 4- [3-(5-( 1.2, 4-Triazol-4-vD- lH-indol-3-yl)prop yll -1-T2-

(pyrimidin-2-yl)propyl1piperidine. Oxalate Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)propanal. ^J H NMR (360MHz, d ₆ -DMSO) δ 1.16-1.56 (8H, m), 1.61-1.83 (4H, m), 2.54-2.67 (4H, m), 3.00-3.10 (IH, m), 3.12-3.21 (IH, m), 3.23-3.50 (3H, m), 7.21-7.26 (2H, m), 7.34 (IH, t, J=4.8Hz), 7.46 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.69 (IH, s), 8.70 (2H, d, J=4.8Hz), 8.85 (2H, s), 10.84 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 430 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 58.76; H, 6.56; N, 16.97%. C23H31N7. 1.3(C ₂ H ₂ 0 ₄ ). H ₂ 0 requires: C, 58.71; H, 6.36; N, 17.37%.

EXAMPLE 22

4-13-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-vDpropyn-l-r2-(th iazol-2- vDpropyllpiperidine

Step 1: Ethyl 2-(thιazol-2-yl)acetate Prepared according to the method of Example 21, Step 2 using diethyl 2-(thιazol-2-yl)malonate. *H NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.29 (3H, t,

J=7.3Hz), 4.09 (2H, s), 4.22 (2H, q, J=7.3Hz), 7.32 (IH, d, J=3.5Hz), 7.75 (IH, d, J=3.5Hz). MS (ES ⁺ ) 172 (M+l) ⁺ .

Step 2: Ethyl 2-(thiazol-2-yl)propanoate Prepared according to the method of Example 21, Step 3 using ethyl

2-(thiazol-2-yl)acetate. *H NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.29 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz), 1.67 (3H, d, J=7.2Hz), 4.17-4.24 (3H, m), 7.29 (IH, d, J=3.3Hz), 7.73 (IH, d, J=3.3Hz). MS (ES ⁺ ) 186 (M+l) ⁺ .

Step 3: 2-(Thiazol-2-yl)propan-l-ol

To a stirred solution of ethyl 2-(thiazol-2-yl)propanoate (418 mg, 2.3 mmol) in ether (15 ml) at -10°C was added LiAlH ₄ (2.2 ml of a l.OM solution in ether, 2.2 mmol) dropwise. After 2h at -10°C more LiAIHi (0.5 ml of a l.OM solution in ether, 0.5 mmol) was added. After a further lh more LiAlH ₄ (0.5 ml of a l.OM solution in ether, 0.5 mmol) was added.

Stirring was continued for lh then Na2SO ₄ (sat., 3 ml) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 10 mm. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with CH ₂ Cl ₂ :MeOH (95:5), to give the alcohol (266 mg, 82%) as a colourless oil. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.42 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.31-

3.44 (IH, m), 3.64 (IH, br s), 3.80-3.93 (2H, m), 7.25 (IH, d, J=3.3Hz), 7.70 (IH, d, J=3.3Hz).

Step 4: 4-13-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-(th ιazol- 2-yl)propyl]piperidine

To a solution of 2-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-l-ol (304 mg, 2.1 mmol) in THF (7 ml) at 0°C, was added triethylamine (319 μl, 2.3 mmol) followed by methanesulphonyl chloride (181 μl, 2.3 mmol). The solution was stirred at 0°C for lh then the mixture was filtered and the filtrate evaporated. The crude mesylate was used directly without further purification.

To a solution of the compound from Description 2 (100 mg, 0.32 mmol) in isopropanol was added the mesylate prepared above (144 mg, 0.65 mmol) and K2CO3 (67 mg, 0.48 mmol). The mixture was heated at reflux for 6h, after which time more mesylate (144 mg, 10.65 mmol) was added. Heating was continued for a further 6h after which time the solution was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The filtrate was diluted with CH2CI2 (20 ml) and washed with water (20 ml). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase washed with CH ₂ CI ₂ (20 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (Na2SU ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with CH2Cl2:MeOH:NHs (90:10:1), to give the product (28 mg, 20%) as a colourless gum. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.17-1.40 (5H, m), 1.40 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 1.60-1.77 (4H, m), 1.85-2.12 (2H, m), 2.53-2.77 (4H, m), 2.80-2.98 (2H, m), 3.33-3.48 (IH, m), 7.10-7.14 (2H, m), 7.22 (IH, d, J=3.2Hz), 7.46 (IH, d, J=8.3Hz), 7.53 (IH, d, J=2.0Hz), 7.66 (IH, d, J=3.3Hz), 8.48 (2H, s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 435 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 64.34; H, 6.76; N, 18.48%. C ₂₄ H O GS. 0.7(H ₂ O) requires: C, 64.46; H, 7.08; N, 18.79%.

EXAMPLE 23

4-r3-(5-(l,2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-f2-( pyrazm-2- vDpropyllpiperazine Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(pyrazin-2-yl)propene Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using

2-acetylpyrazine. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 2.02 (3H, d, J=1.4Hz), 3.84 (3H, s), 7.22-7.25 (IH, m), 8.29 (IH, d, J=2.5Hz), 8.37-8.40 (IH, m), 8.48- 8.52 (IH, m).

Step 2: 2-(Pyrazin-2-yl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2, using l-methoxy-2-(pyrazin-2-yl)propene. The aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4- 3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl ⁾ -lH-indol-3-yl ⁾ propyll-l-r2-(pyrazin-

2-yl)propyllpiperazine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyrazin-2-yl)propanal. ^X H NMR (360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.24-1.58 (8H, m), 1.61-1.71 (2H, m), 1.72-1.84 (2H, m), 2.64-2.91 (4H, m), 3.18-3.59 (5H, m), 7.25 (IH, s), 7.29 (IH, d,

J=8.6Hz), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.75 (IH, s), 8.56 (IH, s), 8.61 (IH, s),

8.68 (IH, s), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.07 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 430 (M+l) ⁺ . Found C,

56.12; H, 6.30; N, 15.07%. C25H31N7. 2.2(C ₂ H2θ ₄ ). 0.3(H ₂ O). 0.3(Et ₂ O) requires: C, 56.09; H, 6.00; N, 14.96%.

EXAMPLE 24

4- 3-(5-(l,2.4-Trιazol-4-vI)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)propyll-l- 2-(ιmιdazol-l- vDpropyllpipcrazine Oxalate

Step 1: Ethyl 2-(imidazol-l-yl)propanoate

A solution of imidazole (5.0 g, 0.074 mol), ethyl 2-bromopropanoate (7.6 ml, 0.06 mol) and K ₂ C0 (11.2 g, 0.08 mol) in DMF (120 ml) was heated at 90°C for 2h. After this time the solution was cooled to room temperature, filtered and the filtrate diluted with EtOAc (200 ml). The mixture was washed with water (2 x 20 ml) and the organic phase separated. The combined aqueous layers were washed with EtOAc (200 ml) and the combined organic layers washed with brine (200 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried ( a2SO ₄ ) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with CH2Cl2.'MeOH (95:5), to

afford the ester (1.1 g, 9%) as a pale yellow oil. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.26 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz), 1.75 (3H, d, J=7.3Hz), 4.20 (2H, q, J=7.1Hz), 4.85 (IH, q, J=7.3Hz), 7.02-7.04 (IH, m), 7.08-7.10 (IH, m), 7.58 (IH, s).

Step 2: 2-(Imidazol-l-yl)propan-l-oI

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 3, using ethyl 2-(imidazol-l-yl)propanoate. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.47 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 3.30 (IH, br s), 3.66-3.83 (2H, m), 4.18-4.31 (IH, m), 6.90-6.94

(2H, m), 7.41 (IH, s).

Step 3: 4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-mdoI-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-

(imidazol-l-yl)propyHpiperidine. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 4, using

2-(ιmidazol-l-yl)-propan-l-ol. Η NMR (360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.07-1.20 (2H, m), 1.21-1.38 (3H, m), 1.41 (3H, d, J=6.7Hz), 2.18-2.38 (2H, m), 2.64-

2.78 (3H, m), 2.79-2.91 (IH, m), 2.93-3.10 (2H, m), 4.66-4.77 (IH, m), 7.20-

7.27 (2H, m), 7.29 (IH, dd, J=8.5 and 2.1Hz), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.53

(IH, s), 7.75 (IH, d, J=1.9Hz), 8.34 (IH, s), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.07 (IH, br s).

MS (ES ⁺ ) 418 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 55.49; H, 6.48; N, 16.68%. C 4H iN7.1.8(C ₂ H ₂ θ ). 0.9(H ₂ O) requires: C, 55.64; H, 6.16; N, 16.46%.

EXAMPLE 25

4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndoI-3-yl)propyll-l- 2-(pyrazol-l- yl)propyl]piperidine

Step 1: Ethyl 2-(pyrazol-l-yl)propanoatc

Prepared according to the method of Example 24, Step 1, using pyrazole. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.25 (3H, t, J=7.2Hz), 1.79 (3H, d, J=7.3Hz), 4.23 (2H, q, J=7.2Hz), 5.10 (IH, q, J=7.3Hz), 6.32 (IH, t, J=2.1Hz), 7.55 (2H, d, J=2.lHz). MS (ES ⁺ ) 169 (M+l) ⁺ .

Step 2: 2-(Pyrazol-l-yl)propan-l-ol

Prepared according to the method of Example 21, Step 4, using ethyl 2-(pyrazol-l-yl)propanoate. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.51 (3H, d, J=6.8Hz), 3.17 (IH, br s), 3.83-3.92 (2H, m), 4.37-4.46 (IH, m), 6.27 (IH, t, J=2.0Hz), 7.46 (IH, d, J=2.1Hz), 7.53 (IH, d, J=1.4Hz).

Step 3: 2-(Pyrazol-l-yl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 16, Step 4, using 2- (pyrazol-l-yl)propan-l-ol. The aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 4: 4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l- 2-(pyrazol-

1 - yl)prop yllpiperidine

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound of Description 2 and 2-(pyrazol-l-yl)propanal. 'H NMR

(360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.08-1.37 (4H, m), 1.49 (3H, d, J=6.7Hz), 1.54-1.78 (5H, m), 1.91-2.03 (2H, m), 2.55-2.65 (2H, m), 2.68-2.78 (4H, m), 4.40-4.50 (IH, m), 6.21 (IH, t, J=2.0Hz), 7.08-7.16 (2H, m), 7.43 (IH, d, J=2.0Hz), 7.46 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.49 (IH, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.53 (IH, d, J=1.8Hz), 8.36 (IH, br s), 8.46 (2H, s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 418 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 68.54; H, 7.30; N, 23.33%. C21H31N7. 0.1(H ₂ O) requires: C, 68.74; H, 7.50; N, 23.38%.

EXAMPLE 26

4-r3-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-r2-(p yridin-2- yl) prop yl] piperidine. Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyridin-2-yl)propanol. Η NMR

(360MHz, dc-DMSO) δ 1.10-1.56 (8H, m), 1.60-1.74 (2H, m), 1.76-1.84 (2H, m), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7.4Hz), 2.76-2.96 (2H, m), 3.22-3.56 (5H, m), 7.26-7.32

(3H, m), 7.40 (IH, d, J=7.8Hz), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.76-7.82 (2H, m),

8.52-8.56 (IH, m), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.09 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 429 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 57.16; H, 5.98; N, 13.22%. C26H32N6. 2.1(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 0.9(H ₂ O) requires: C, 57.23; H, 6.04; N, 13.26%.

EXAMPLE 27

4-[3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ 1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl ⁾ -lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-[2-(pyridin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine Oxalate

Step 1: Ethyl 2-(pyridin-3-yl)propanoate

Prepared according to the method of Example 21, Step 3 using ethyl 3-pyridylacetate. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.21 (3H, t, J=10.3Hz), 1.53 (3H, d, J=10.4Hz), 3.74 (IH, q, J=10.4Hz), 4.04-4.23 (2H, m), 7.24-7.29 (IH, m), 7.63-7.69 (IH, m), 8.48-8.57 (2H, m).

Step 2: 2- (Py ridin- 3- vPpro anol

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 3 using ethyl 2-(pyridin-3-yl)propanoate. W NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.31 (3H, d, J=10.1Hz), 2.05 (IH, br s), 2.91-3.05 (IH, m), 3.75 (2H, d, J=9.6Hz), 7.25 (IH, dd, J=11.3 and 6.9Hz), 7.55-7.60 (IH, m), 8.42-8.50 (2H, m).

Step 3: 4-r3-(5-(l,2,4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl)propyll-l-[2-(pyr idm-

3-yl)propyllpiperidine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyridin-3-yl)propanol. Η NMR

(360MHz, d _G -DMSO) δ 1.20-1.54 (8H, m), 1.60-1.82 (4H, m), 2.64-2.90 (4H, m), 3.22-3.42 (5H, m), 7.24-7.32 (2H, m), 7.36-7.40 (IH, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.72-7.78 (2H, m), 8.46-8.48 (IH, m), 8.55-8.59 (IH, m), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.08 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 429 (M+l) ⁺ . Found C, 57.07; H, 6.01; N, 12.82%. C2GH32N . 2.2(CO ₂ H) ₂ . 0.8(H ₂ O) requires: C, 56.96; H, 5.98; N, 13.11%.

EXAMPLE 28

4-r3-(5-α.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-( pyridin-4- vDpropyljpiperidine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyridin-4-yl)propanol. H NMR (360MHz, dG-DMSO) δ 1.10-1.52 (8H, m), 1.60-1.82 (4H, m), 2.64-2.90 (4H, m), 3.20-3.40 (5H, m), 7.24-7.32 (2H, m), 7.36-7.39 (2H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.84-7.86 (IH, m), 8.50-8.54 (2H, m), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.07 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 429 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 56.56; H, 6.15; N, 13.00%. C26H32N6. 2(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 1.5(H ₂ 0) requires: C, 56.68; H, 6.18; N, 13.22%.

EXAMPLE 29

4- F3-(5-(l .2.4-Triazol-4-vD- lH-indol-3-yl)propyll - 1 - [2-(p yridazin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(pyridazin-3-yl)propene Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1, using 3- acetylpyridazine. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 2.15 (3H, d, J=1.3Hz), 3.78 (3H, s), 6.49 (IH, d, J=1.2Hz), 7.33 (IH, dd, J=8.8 and 4.8Hz), 8.16 (IH, dd, J=8.8 and 1.6Hz), 8.95 (IH, dd, J=4.8 and 1.6Hz).

Step 2: 2-(Pyridazin-3-yl)propanal

To a solution of l-methoxy-2-(pyridazin-3-yl)propene (0.26 g, 1.72 mmol) in THF (50 ml) and water (10 ml) under nitrogen at ambient temperature was added mercury(II)acetate (1.66 g, 5.2mmol). This mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, and was then poured onto potassium iodide solution (7%, 350 ml) and extracted with toluene (2 x 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with potassium

iodide (7%, 140 ml) and brine (90 ml), dried (Na2SO ₄ ) and evaporated to give the title compound (54 mg, 23%), as an orange gum. The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4-r3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ 1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-

(pyridazin-3-yl)propyl]piperidine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4 using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(pyridazin-3-yl)propanal. ^J H NMR (360MHz, dβ- DMSO) δ 1.20-1.56 (8H, m), 1.62-1.84 (4H, m), 2.64-2.94 (4H, m), 3.30-3.50 (3H, m), 3.60-3.72 (2H, m), 7.24-7.34 (2H, m), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.68- 7.78 (3H, m), 9.01 (2H, s), 9.14-9.18 (IH, m), 11.10 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 430 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 54.23; H, 5.87; N, 15.42%. C25H31N7. 2.1(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 1.5(H ₂ 0) requires: C, 54.32; H, 5.96; N, 15.19%.

DESCRIPTION 4

4-Fluoro-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propy llpiperidine

a) 4-(Hvdroxy)-4'-(l-tert-butyldimcthylsilyloxy-4-pentvn-5-yl)- N-(tert- butoxycarbonvDpiperidine l-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-4-pentyn-l-ol (4.6 g, 0.028 mmol) was placed in a dry three-neck flask under N2 and charged with tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and cooled to -78°C. n-Butyllithium (1.6M in hexanes, 18.8 ml, 0.030 mol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at -78°C for 0.5h. N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-4-pιperidone (4.0 g, 0.0184 mol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) and added dropwise to the lithio anion and the reaction mixture stirred at -78°C for 0.5h, and then at 0°C for another 0.5h. The reaction was quenched by the slow addition of saturated NH4CI (40 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 20 ml). The organic layers were combined, dried over M SO4 and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica using petroleum ether-ethyl

acetate as eluent (9:l- 7:3) to give the product as a colourless oil (6.2 g). ^] H NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ -0.012 (6H, s), 0.84 (9H, s), 1.40 (9H, s), 1.48- 1.82 (6H, m), 2.25 (2H, t), 3.16 (2H, m), 3.60-3.77 (4H).

b) 4-Fluoro-4'-(l-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-4-pentvn-5-yl)-N-( tert- butoxycarbonvDpiperidine

The alcohol from step a (1.5 g, 3.6 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml) and cooled to -78°C under N2.

Diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST, 1.05 ml, 0.0079 mol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. The reaction was stirred at -78°C for 0.5h and warmed to 0°C for 20 min. The reaction was slowly poured into cold saturated NaHCθ (40 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 20 ml).

The organic layers were combined and dried over MgS0 and evaporated.

The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with petrokether (20:1→10: 1) to yield the fluoroalkyne as a colourless oil (0.81 g). Η NMR

(250MHz, CDCh) δ 0.00 (6H, s), 0.83 (9H, s), 1.40 (9H, s), 1.66 (2H, m),

1.61-1.91 (4H, m), 2.28 (2H, m), 3.35-3.55 (4H, m), 3.62 (2H, t).

c) 4-Fluoro-4.'-(5-hydroxypentanyl)-N-tβrt-butoxycarbonylpiper idine The fluoroalkyne from step b (0.800 g) was dissolved in EtOH (10 ml) and hydrogenated over 10% palladium on carbon at 50 psi for 3h. The catalyst was filtered and the ethanol removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in THF (10 ml) and treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (l.OM solution in THF, 9.6 ml) for 16h. The solvents were removed in vacuo and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate (40 ml) and H2O (20 ml). The organic layer was dried over MgS0 ₄ and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with petrokethyl acetate (7:30) to yield the alcohol as a colourless oil (0.48 g, 86% yield). *H NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.37-1.45 (6H, m), 1.45 (9H, s), 1.50-1.62 (6H, m), 1.78 (2H, m), 3.06 (2H, m), 3.64 (2H, t), 3.89 (2H, m).

d) 4-Fluoro-4-[3-(5-(l,2.4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl1p iperidine

The alcohol from step c (1.5 g, 0.0052 mol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml) and 4A molecular sieves (2.5 g) was added, followed by N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (0.913 g, 0.0078 mol) and tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (0.913 g, 0.26 mmol). The reaction was stirred under N2 for 0.5h and diluted with ethyl acetate and filtered through a 3" plug of silica. The filtrate was collected and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was reacted with 4-(l,2,4-triazol-4- yl)phenylhydrazine according to the procedure outlined in Description 2 (step f) to yield 4-fluoro-4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3- yl)propyl]piperidine as a colourless foam. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.42-1.92 (8H, m), 2.79 (2H, t), 2.88-2.98 (4H, m), 7.13 (IH, d), 7.16 (2H, d), 7.48 (IH, d), 7.54 (IH, d), 8.37 (2H, s), 8.47 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) (328, M+l).

EXAMPLE 30

4-Fluoro-4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)prop yn-l-l2-(pyridin-3- yDpropyllpiperidine Oxalate Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 4 using the compound from Description 4 and 2-(pyridin-3-yl)propanol (Example 27, Step 3). ⁱ H NMR (360MHz, d ₆ -DMSO) δ 1.24 (3H, d, J=6.8Hz), 1.60-1.90 (8H, m), 2.64-2.78 (4H, m), 2.98-3.26 (5H, m), 7.26-7.38 (3H, m), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.7Hz), 7.70-7.80 (2H, m), 8.42-8.46 (IH, m), 8.50-8.54 (IH, m), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.10 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 447 (M+l) ⁺ . Found C, 57.54; H, 6.29; N, 14.13%.

EXAMPLE 31

4-r3-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-ylVlH-indol-3-ylrøropyll-l-12-( thien-3- yppropyUpiperidine Oxalate

Step 1: Ethyl 2-(thien-3-yl)propanoate

Prepared according to the method of Example 21, Step 3 using ethyl 3-thienylacetate. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.24 (3H, t, J=7.2Hz), 1.51 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.82 (IH, q, J=7.1Hz), 4.08-4.19 (2H, m), 7.07 (IH, dd, J=5.1 and 1.1Hz), 7.11-7.13 (IH, m), 7.27 (IH, dd, J=5.0 and 3.1Hz).

Step 2: 2-(Thien-3-yl)propanol

Prepared according to the method of Example 22, Step 3 using ethyl 2-(thien-3-yl)propanoate. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.29 (3H, d,

J=7.0Hz), 3.04-3.12 (IH, m), 3.62-3.72 (2H, m), 7.02 (IH, dd, J=5.0 and 1.3Hz), 7.04-7.07 (IH, m), 7.31 (IH, dd, J=5.0 and 2.9Hz).

Step 3: 2-(Thien-3-yl)propanal Prepared according to the method of Example 16, Step 4, using 2-

(thιen-3-yl)propanol. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.46 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.70-3.78 (IH, m), 6.99 (IH, dd, J=5.0 and 1.2Hz), 7.10-7.13 (IH, m), 7.36 (IH, dd, J=4.9 and 3.0Hz), 9.65 (IH, d, J=1.7Hz).

Step 4: 4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-TriazoI-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-[2-(thι en-3- vDpropyllpiperidine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(thiophen-3-yl)propanal. 'H NMR (360MHz, dG-DMSO) δ 1.10-1.56 (8H, m), 1.62-1.82 (4H, m), 2.64-2.90 (4H, ), 3.10-3.42 (5H, m), 7.13 (IH, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.24-7.80 (3H, m), 7.46-7.66 (2H, m), 7.74-7.76 (IH, m), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.08 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 434 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 58.76; H, 6.46; N, 11.82%. C25H31N5S. 1.4(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 0.6(H ₂ O). 0.3(Et ₂ O) requires C, 58.93; H, 6.72; N, 11.49%.

EXAMPLE 32

4-r3- ⁽ 5- ⁽ 1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl ⁾ -lH-indol-3-vI ⁾ prop ^y ll-l-r2- ⁽ 2-methoxypyridin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine Oxalate

Step 1: l-Methoxy-2-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using 3- acetyl-2-methoxypyridine. *H NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.86 (3H, d, J=1.3Hz), 3.72 (3H, s), 3.97 (3H, s), 6.44-6.46 (IH, m), 6.83 (IH, dd, J=7.3 and 5.1Hz), 7.39 (IH, dd, J=7.3 and 1.8Hz), 8.01 (IH, dd, J=5.0 and 1.8Hz).

Step 2: 2-(2-Methoxypyridin-3-yl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2 using 1- methoxy-2-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propene. The crude aldehyde was used directly without further purification.

Step 3: 4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-[2-(2- methoxypyridin-3-yl)propyl piperidine Oxalate Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propanal. Η NMR (360MHz, d _G -DMSO) δ 1.20-1.52 (8H, m), 1.60-1.82 (4H, m), 2.60- 2.82 (4H, m), 3.00-3.44 (5H, m), 3.89 (3H, s), 6.96-7.01 (IH, m), 7.24-7.32 (2H, m), 7.48 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.64-7.70 (IH, m), 7.74-7.78 (IH, m), 8.04- 8.10 (IH, m), 9.00 (2H, s), 11.08 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 459 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 60.61; H, 6.74; N, 14.37%. C27H34N6O 1.3(CO ₂ H) ₂ . 0.5(H ₂ O) requires: C, 60.81; H, 6.48; N, 14.37%.

EXAMPLE 33

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-r2-(4 -methoxypyridin-3- vDpropyllpiperidine Oxalate

Step 1: 3-Acetyl-4-methoxypyridine

A solution of 3-acetyl-4-chloropyridine (0.75 g, 4.8 mmol) in sodium methoxide solution (0.5M in methanol, 10.6 ml, 5.3 mmol) was heated at reflux for 1 hour. After cooling water (10 ml) was added and the solvents evaporated. The residue was partitioned between dichloromethane (4 x 50 ml) and water (50 ml), the combined organic phases dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to afford the title compound (0.58 g, 80%) as a yellow solid.

Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 2.62 (3H, s), 3.98 (3H, s), 6.90 (IH, d,

J=5.8Hz), 8.57 (IH, d, J=5.7Hz), 8.81 (IH, s).

Step 2: l-Methoxy-2-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propene

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 1 using 3- acetyl-4-methoxypyridιne. *H NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.85 and 1.94 (3H,

2 x d, J=1.5Hz), 3.56 and 3.71 (3H, 2 x s), 3.88 (3H, s), 6.10-6.11 and 6.22- 6.23 (IH, 2 x m), 6.77 and 6.81 (IH, 2 x d, J=5.8Hz), 8.23 and 8.31 (IH, 2 x s), 8.35-8.38 (IH, m).

Step 3: 2-(4-Methoxypyridin-3-yl)propanal

Prepared according to the method of Example 12, Step 2 using 1- methoxy-2-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propene. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.45 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.77 (IH, q, J=7.2Hz), 3.88 (3H, s), 6.85 (IH, d, J=5.7Hz), 8.28 (IH, s), 8.46-8.50 (IH, m), 9.69 (IH, s).

Step 4: 4-r3- ⁽ 5-Q.2.4-Triazol-4-vI)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-r2-(4- methoxypyridin-3-yl)propyl]piperidine Oxalate

Prepared according to the method of Example 4, using the compound from Description 2 and 2-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)propanal. *H NMR (360MHz, d _G -DMSO) δ 1.18-1.56 (8H, m), 1.60-1.82 (4H, m), 2.60- 2.86 (4H, m), 3.10-3.50 (5H, m), 3.87 (3H, s), 7.05 (IH, d, J=2.0Hz), 7.25- 7.32 (2H, m), 7.47 (IH, d, J=5.7Hz), 7.76 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 8.35-8.39 (2H, m), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.08 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) 459 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 56.78; H, 6.82; N, 12.99%. C27H34NGO. 1.6(CO ₂ H) ₂ . 2(H ₂ O) requires: C, 56.79; H, 6.50; N, 13.15%.

EXAMPLE 34

Chiral separation of the enantiomers of 4-[3-(5-(l,2.4-triazol-4-yl)-lH- indol-3-yI)propyn-l-r2-(pyridin-3-yl)propyl piperidine

4-[3-(5-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyl]-l-[2-( pyridin-3- yl)propyl]piperidine (100 mg, 0.23 mmol) was dissolved in 20% EtOH in hexane (12 mg/ml). 50 μl of solution was injected onto a Chiralpak AS column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d., 10NM) per run, using 20% EtOH in hexane as the mobile phase. Using a flow rate of 2.5 ml/min and UV detection at 235 nm, the two enantiomers were efficiently separated. The fractions containing each separate enantiomer were combined and evaporated in vacuo. Peak A (25 mg): Retention time 27.8 mm. mp=89°C (dec). Purity A:B >99.5:0.5

Peak B (27 mg): Retention time 17.8 mm. mp=92°C (dec).

Purity B:A >99.5:0.5.

EXAMPLE 35

(S)-4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l- (2- phenylpropyDpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

a) 5-(N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-4-piperidinyl)pent-l-vI benzoate

The alcohol from Description 2d (116 g, 448 mmol) was dissolved in dry pyridine (11) and cooled to 0°C. Benzoyl chloride (96 g, 80 ml), 683 mmol) was added, maintaining the internal temperature of the reaction at below 5°C. The reaction was stirred for 16 hours and

3-dimethylaminopropylamine (48 g, 60 ml, 470 mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred for a further 0.5h, before diluting with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 10% citric acid solution until the washings were acidic and then the organic layer was washed with brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried (MgS04), filtered and evaporated to yield an oil which crystallised on standing (168 g). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.45 (9H, s), 0.98-1.84 (13H, m), 2.65 (2H, dt, J=13 and 2.6Hz), 4.04-4.09 (2H, m), 4.32 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.27-7.59 (3H, m), 8.02-8.06 (2H, m).

b) 5-(4-Piperidinyl)-l-pentyl benzoate

The foregoing product (25 g, 67 mmol) was added to trifluoroacetic acid (200 ml) portionwise, at 0°C. The reaction was stirred for one hour and the solution was evaporated and the residue was taken up into ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate until the aqueous washings were alkaline. The organic extract was dried (M Sθ4), filtered and evaporated to yield an oil (18.33 g). Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.34-1.49 (9H, ), 1.73-1.81 (2H, m), 1.85-1.88 (2H, m), 2.80-2.84 (2H, m), 3.30-3.40 (2H, m), 4.31 (2H, t, J=6.6Hz), 7.44 (2H, t, J=6.5Hz), 7.53-7.58 (IH, m), 8.02-8.04 (2H, m).

c) (S)-5-[l-(2-phenylpropyl)piperidin-4-yll-l-pentanol

The foregoing product (17.4 g, 66.7 mmol) and (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid (10 g, 66.7 mmol) were dissolved in dichloromethane and cooled to 0°C. Triethylamine (185 ml, 133 mmol) and bis(2-oxo-2- oxazolidinyl)phosphinic chloride (17 g, 66.7 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue was taken up into ethyl acetate and washed with potassium carbonate solution, 10% citric acid solution, water, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and then dried (MgSO4), filtered and evaporated to yield an oil (16.5 g) which was dissolved in borane THF complex (400 ml of a IM solution in tetrahydrofuran) and heated to reflux for 16 hours. The reaction was cooled, and the solvent was removed. The residue was taken up into acetone (500 ml), 2N hydrochloric acid solution (100 ml) was added and the reaction was stirred for one hour. The acetone was evaporated and the aqueous solution was washed with ethyl acetate, basified with ammonium hydroxide solution and then extracted to dryness to yield an oil which was purified by column chromatography on silica using 10% methanol/dichloromethane as eluant to yield an oil (9.1 g). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.27 (3H, d, J=7Hz), 1.06-2.00 (14H, m), 2.35- 2.51 92H, m), 2.81-3.03 (4H, m), 3.62 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.14-7.37 (5H, m).

d) (S)-4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-propyll-l-(2 - phenylpropyDpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

The foregoing product was dissolved in dry dimethylsulfoxide (11 ml) and triethylamine (74.5 g) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred vigorously while adding sulfurtrioxide pyridine in portions for one hour. The mixture was then poured into ice/water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was washed with water (3x), dried (M S04), filtered and evaporated to yield an oil which was dissolved in ethanol (100 ml) and was added dropwise to a solution of 4-(l,2,4-triazol-4- yl)phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (Description 1) (9.0 g) in 200 ml of 4%

sulphuric acid solution at 70°C over a period of one hour. The reaction was then heated to reflux and was stirred for 16 hours. The reaction was cooled and basified with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with butanol. The organic extract was washed with water and evaporated to yield an oil which was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with 5% methanol-dichloromethane to give an oil which was converted to the hydrochloride salt. 98.6% e.e. by hplc using a Chiralpak Ad column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d.) at 40°C eluting with 5% ethanol in hexane with 0.1% diethylamine at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Η NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.29 (3H, d, J=6.7Hz), 1.28-1.72 (10H, m), 2.52-3.41 (8H, m), 7.23-7.42 (8H, m), 7.54 (IH, d, J=8.6Hz), 7.93 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 9.82 (2H, s), 10.28 (IH, bs), 11.33 (IH, s), MS (ES ⁺ ) 428 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 59.93; H, 7.30; N, 12.85; C27H33N5. 2HC1. 2.25(H ₂ O) requires: C, 59.94; H, 7.36; N, 12.94%.

EXAMPLE 36

(R)-4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l- (2- phenylpropyppiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

Prepared according to the method of Example 35 using (R)-2- phenylpropionic acid. 98.2% e.e. by h.plc using the methods described in Example 35. MS (ES ⁺ ) 428 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 60.33; H. 7.42; N, 12.99; C27H33N5. 2HC1. 2H ₂ 0 requires C, 60.44; H, 7.33; N, 13.05%.

EXAMPLE 37

4-l3-(5-(l,2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indoI-3-vI)propyn-l-r2-(2 - fluorophenyl)propyl]piperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

Prepared from 2-fluoroacetophenone according to the method of Example 4. NMR (360MHz, DMSO) δ 1.33 (3H, d, J=7Hz), 1.28-1.75 (10H, m), 2.85-3.61 (8H, m), 7.17-7.53 (7H, m), 7.88 (IH, d, J=2.2Hz), 8.24

(1H, s), 8.49 (2H, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 446 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 56.64; H, 7.04; N, 12.23; C27H32N5F. 2HC1. 3H ₂ 0 requires C, 56.93; H, 6.84; N, 12.07%.

EXAMPLE 38

4-[3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl -lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-f2-(3- fluorophenvDpropyllpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

Prepared from 3-fluoroacetophenone according to the method of Example 4. Η NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.16 (3H, d, J=6.8Hz), 1.00-2.01 (10H, m), 2.20-3.10 (8H, m), 6.90-7.08 (3H, m), 7.20-7.33 (3H, m), 7.46 (IH, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.76 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 9.02 (2H, s), 11.06 (IH, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 446 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 56.74; H, 5.87; N, 10.62; C27H32N5F. 2(C0 ₂ H) ₂ . 1.5(H ₂ 0) requires: C, 57.03; H, 6.03; N, 10.73%.

EXAMPLE 39

4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyn-l-[2-(4 - fluorophenvDpropyllpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

Prepared from 4-fluoroacetophenone according to the method of Example 4. W NMR (360MHz, DMSO) δ 1.27 (3H, d, J=6.9Hz), 1.28-1.80 (10H, m), 2.60-3.45 (8H, m), 7.15-7.20 (2H, m), 7.20 (IH, d, J=lHz), 7.35- 7.42 (3H, m), 7.52 (IH, d, 8.6Hz), 7.86 (IH, d, J=lHz), 9.55 (2H, s), 11.22 (IH, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 446 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 55.39; H, 6.89; N, 12.04; C27H32N5F. 2HC1. 3V ₂ H ₂ 0 requires: C, 55.84; H, 7.12; N, 12.07%.

EXAMPLE 40

4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-f2-( 2-chloro-5- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propyllpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride Prepared from 2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)acetophenone according to the method of Example 4. Η NMR (360MHz, CDCh) δ 1.27 (3H, d,

J=6.8Hz), 1.05-1.38 (6H, m), 1.60-1.80 (3H, m), 1.90-2.06 (2H, m), 2.40- 2.58 (2H, m), 2.73 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.70-2.84 (IH, m), 2.96-3.00 (IH, ), 3.52-3.60 (IH, m); MS (ES ⁺ ) 531 (M+l) ⁺

DESCRIPTION 5

(S)-2-(4-Fluorophenyl)propιonic acid

a) (R)-4-Benzyl-(R and S)-3- 2-(4-fluorophenyl)propιonamιdo1-2- oxazolidinone

(R)-(+)-4-benzyl-2-oxazohdmone (9.0 g, 50.8 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) was cooled to -78°C and buty lithium (32 ml of 1.6M in hexane, 50.8 mmol) was added dropwise to the solution maintaining the temperature below -70°C. After 0.5 hours (R,S)-2-(4- fluorophenyl)propιonyl chloride (8.6 g, 46.2 mmol) m tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was added below -70°C and the reaction was stirred for 0.5 h. Saturated ammonium chloride was added and the reaction was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried (MgS0 ₄ ), filtered and evaporated. The two diastereomers were separated by column chromatography on silica using ethyl acetate/hexane (1:4) to yield the less polar diastereomer tentatively assigned as (R)-4-benzyl-(R)-3-[2-(4-fluorophe yl)propιonamιdo]-2- oxazohdmone (7 5 g), and the more polar isomer, tentatively assigned as (R)-4-benzyl-(S)-3-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)propιonamιdo]-2-oxaz ohdmone (6.5 g)

b) (S)-2-(4-Fluorophenyl)propιonιc acid

The more polar diastereomer obtained from step a (silica, ethyl acetate/hexane (1:4)) (6.5 g, 19.2 mmol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran/water (4:1) (100 ml) and cooled to 0°C. Hydrogen peroxide (30% aqueous solution, 7.9 ml, 77 mmol) was added dropwise below 5°C, followed by lithium hydroxide (0.74 g, 31 0 mmol) The

reaction was allowed to warm to 20°C over 1.5 hours and then quenched with sodium sulfite (12.6 g) in water (75 ml). The reaction was washed with dichloromethane (x3) and the aqueous was acidified to pH 1 at 0°C with hydrochloric acid and then extracted with ethyl acetate (3x) and the organic extract was dried (MgSO4), filtered, and evaporated to yield an oil, which crystallised on standing (3.11 g). ^l H NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.35 (3H, d, J=7.1Hz), 3.70 (IH, q, J=7.1Hz), 7.10-7.19 (2H, m), 7.29-7.36 (2H, m); [αl∞D CHCh (C=1.2) = +57.1°

EXAMPLE 41

(S)-4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l -12-(4- fluorophenvDpropyllpiperidine. Bis Hydrochloride

Prepared according to the method of Example 35 Step c using (S)-2- (4-fluorophenyl)propionic acid. Obtained in >99.5% e.e. by hplc.

Η NMR (360MHz, DMSO) δ 1.28 (3H, d, J=6.8Hz), 1.29-1.80 (IH, m), 2.60-3.45 (8H, m), 7.16-7.20 (2H, m), 7.20 (IH, d, J=lHz), 7.35-7.41 (3H, m), 7.53 (IH, d, J=8.8Hz), 7.88 (IH, d, J=lHz), 9.59 (2H, s), 9.99 (IH, bs), 11.23 (IH, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 446 (M+l) ⁺ .

EXAMPLE 42

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-(2-h vdroxy-2- phenylpropyDpiperidine -Methyl styrene epoxide (Org. Prep. Proced. Int., 1989, 757-761)

(0.26 g, 2 mmol) and the product of Description 2 (0.309 g, 1 mmol) were heated to 100°C in methanol (5 ml) in a sealed tube for 16 hours. The solvent was removed and the residue was purified by silica chromatography eluting with 2-propanol/dichloromethane (1:20) with 0.1% ammonium hydroxide. The pure fractions were converted to the hydrochloride salt (0.065 g). Η NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.63 (3H, s),

1.20-1.80 (9H, m), 2.69-3.62 (8H, m), 7.25-7.59 (8H, m), 7.95 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 9.95 (2H, s), 11.39 (IH, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 444 (M+l) ⁴ . Found: C, 54.56; H, 6.81; N, 11.55; C27H33N5O. 3HC1. 2.5(H ₂ 0) requires: C, 54.34; H, 6.93; N, 11.74%.

EXAMPLE 43

4-f3-(5-(N-(Methyl)aminosulphonylmethyl)-lH-indol-3-yl)pr opyll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine Hydrochloride Prepared from 4-(N-(methyl)aminosulphonylmethyl)- phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (DE 3320521) using the method of Description 2f. Η NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.28 (3H, d, J=6.3Hz), 1.26- 1.76 (10H, m), 2.52 (3H, d, J=6Hz), 2.62-3.60 (8H, m), 4.34 (2H, s), 6.78- 6.84 (IH, m), 7.04-7.36 (8H, m), 7.48 (IH, s), 9.60-9.80 (IH, bs), 10.86 (IH, s), MS (ES ⁺ ) 468 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 62.58; H, 7.66; N, 8.22. C27H37N3O2S. HCl. 0.75(H ₂ O) requires: C, 62.58; H, 7.69; N, 8.12%.

EXAMPLE 44

4-[3-(5-(N-(Methyl)aminosulphonylethyl)-lH-indoI-3-yl)pro pyll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine Hydrochloride

Prepared from 4-(N-(methyl)aminosulphonylethyl)phenylhydrazine hydrochloride using the method of Description 2f. Η NMR (250MHz,

DMSO) δ 1.28 (3H, d, J=6.4Hz), 1.27-1.78 (10H, m), 2.61 (3H, d, J=5Hz), 2.60-3.42 (12H, m), 6.94-7.36 (10H, m), 9.65-9.75 (IH, bs), 10.72 (IH. s);

MS (ES ⁺ ) 482 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 63.46; H, 7.92; N, 7.87; C28H39N3O2S. HCl.

0.75(H ₂ O) requires C, 63.26; H, 7.87; N, 7.90%.

EXAMPLE 45

4-r3-(5-(2-Ethylιmidazol-l-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll-l-( 2- phenylpropyDpiperidine Hydrochloride Prepared from 4-(2-ethylimidazol-l-yl)phenylhydrazme using the method of Description 2f which was in turn prepared from 4-(2- ethylimidazol-l-yl)aniline (BE 880020) using the method of Description 1(d). Η NMR (500MHz, DMSO + trifluoroacetic acid) δ 1.17 (3H, t, J=7.6Hz), 1.26 (3H, d, J=5.5Hz), 1.15-1.78 (10H, m), 2.67 (2H, t, J=7.2Hz), 2.83 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 2.74-3.46 (6H, m), 7.19-7.26 (2H, m), 7.33 (IH, s), 7.78 (IH, s), 7.82 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 11.28 (IH, s); MS (ES ⁺ ) 455 (M+l) ⁺ ; Found: C, 64.11; H, 7.73; N, 9.96. C30H38N4. 2HC1. 2H ₂ 0 requires C, 63.93; H, 7.87; N, 9.94%.

EXAMPLE 46

4-r3-(5-((S)-2-Oxo-1.3-oxazolidin-4-ylmethyl)-lH-indol-3- yl)propyll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine Hydrochloride

a) 4-[3-(5-((S)-2-Oxo-l,3-oxazolidm-4-ylmethyl)-lH-mdol-3- vPpropyllpiperidine Hydrochloride

(S)-4-(4-Hydrazinobenzyl)-l,3-oxazolid-2-one hydrochloride (J. Med. Chem., 1995, 38(18), 3566-3580) (0.8 g) and the product of Description 2(e) (1 g) were dissolved in acetic acid (10 ml), water (30 ml) and ethanol (15 ml) and heated at 60°C for one hour and then at reflux for 16 hours. The reaction was cooled and then evaporated and the residue basified with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with butanol. The organic phase was washed with water and evaporated and used unpuπfied for the next step.

b) 4-r3-(5-((S)-2-Oxo-l,3-oxazolidιn-4-ylmethyl)-lH-ιndol-3-y l)propyn-l- |YR,S)-2-phenylpropyl1piperιdιne Hydrochloride

Prepared from the foregoing product using the method of Example 4 Η NMR (250MHz, DMSO) δ 1.28 (3H, d, J=6.3Hz), 1.29-1.80 (10H, m), 2.50-2.86 and 3.27-3.60 (10H, m), 3.98-4.15 (2H, m), 4.16-4.28 (IH, m), 6.92 (IH, dd, J=2 and 7.5Hz), 7.05 (IH, d, J=2Hz), 7.24 (IH, d, J=8Hz), 7.23-7.37 (5H, m), 7.79 (IH, s), 9.50-9.65 (IH, bs), 10.71 (IH, s), MS (ES ⁺ ) 460 (M+l) ⁺ . Found: C, 66.73; H, 7.65; N, 7.97. C29H37N3O. HCl. 1.5(H 0) requires: C, 66.58; H, 7.90; N, 8.03%.

EXAMPLE 47

4-Fluoro-4-f3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl)propy ll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidme oxalate Prepared according to the method of Example 4 using the compound from Description 4 and (±)-2-phenylpropιonaldehyde ^J H NMR (DMSO, 360MHz) δ 1.28 (3H, d), 1.66-1.70 (4H, m), 1.94 (4H, m), 2.73 (2H, t), 2.97 (2H, m), 3.32 (2H, m), 7.24-7.35 (7H), 7.47 (IH, d), 7.78 (IH, d), 9.01 (2H, s), 11.12 (IH, br s) MS (ES ⁺ ) (446, M+l)

EXAMPLE 48

4-r2-Fluoro-3-(5-(1.2,4-trιazol-4-yl)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)pro pyll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidme oxalate

a) 3-[N-[(tert-butyloxy)carbonyl]pιperιdmyl-4-vπ-l,2-propyle ne oxide To sodium hydride (1.2 g, 0.03 mol of a 60% dispersion in oil) and trimethylsulfoxomum iodide (6.6 g, 0.03 mol) at 0°C under N2 was added anhydrous DMSO dropwise. The ice-bath was removed after complete addition and the reaction stirred at 25°C for 30 mm The reaction was then cooled to 0°C, and a solution of 2-[N-[(tert-

butyloxy)carbonyl]piperidin-4-yl]ethyl aldehyde (prepared according to J. Med. Chem., 1994, 37, 2537-2551) (6.8 g, 0.03 mol) was added in a steady stream as a solution in anhydrous DMSO (15 ml). The ice-bath was removed, the reaction stirred at 25°C for 15 min and then at 50°C for lh. The reaction mixture was cooled, quenched with H2O (40 ml) then poured into H2O (100 ml) and ethyl acetate (50 ml). The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x) and the organic layer washed with H ₂ O (3 x 20ml). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO ₄ , evaporated and the residue chromatographed on sihca eluting with ethyl acetate: petrol (10:90 to 20:80) to obtain the epoxide as a colourless oil (4.7 g, 49% yield). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.14-1.28 (3H, ), 1.45 (9H, s), 1.63-1.78 (4H, m), 2.44 (IH, dd), 2.71 (2H, t), 2.77 (IH, t), 2.95 (IH, m), 4.12 (2H, m).

b) (±)-5-fN-(tert-Butyloxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yll-4-hydroxy-l - triethylsilyl-1-pentyne

A dry flask under N2 was charged with THF (50 ml) and n- butyllithium (13 ml, 0.021 mol, 1.6 M solution in hexanes) and cooled to -78°C. Triethylsilylacetylene (3.0 ml, 0.021 mol) was added dropwise and the reaction stirred for 0.5h. Distilled boron trifluoride etherate (3.03 ml, 0.025 mol) was then added and the reaction stirred at -78°C for a further 10 min. The epoxide (step a) was then added as a solution in THF (20 ml) and the reaction stirred for 0.75h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of saturated NH4CI and extracted into ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over M SO4 and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was taken up in dioxane:water (1:1, 100 ml) and triethylamine (2.0 ml, 0.0145 mol) added followed by tert-butyldicarbonate (3.0 g, 0.0145 mol). The reaction was stirred for lh, the dioxane evaporated and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated NH ₄ C1. The organic layer was collected, dried over MgS0 ₄ and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with ethyl acetate :hexanes (l:9- 2:8) to

obtain the alcohol as a colourless oil (2.4 g, 49%). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 0.58 (6H, q), 0.95 (9H, t), 1.08-1.16 (3H, m), 1.45 (9H, s), 1.59- 1.78 (4H, m), 2.35 (IH, dd), 2.47 (IH, dd), 2.73 (2H, t), 4.12 (3H, m).

c) (±)-5-[N-(tert-ButvIoxycarbonyl)p peridin-4-yn-4-fluoro-l- trιethylsilyl-1-pentyne

The alcohol from step b (1.0 g, 0.003 mol) was dissolved in CH ₂ CI ₂ and cooled to -78°C. Diethylaminosulfurtrifluoride (0.8 ml, 0.0057 mol) was added dropwise and the reaction was stirred at -78°C for 15 min and warmed to 0°C over 0.5h. The reaction was quenched by pouring into cold saturated NaHCO (20 ml) and extracted mto ethyl acetate (2 x 20 ml). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried over MgS04 and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with petroleum ether:ether (20:1) to obtain the fluoride as a colourless oil (0.250 g, 22%). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 0.59 (6H, q), 0.96 (9H, t), 1.08-1.28 (3H, m), 1.64-1.78 (4H, m), 2.47-2.75 (4H, m), 4.12 (2H, m), 4.60 (0.5H, m), 4.81 (0.5H, m).

d) (±)-4-r2-Fluoro-3-(5-(1.2,4-trιazol-4-vI)-lH-ιndol-3-yl)p ropyn-N-(tert- butyloxycarbonvDpiperidme

The fluoroalkyne from step c (0.250 g, 0.652 mmol) was dissolved anhydrous DMF (10 ml) and 2-iodo-4-(l,2,4-tπazol-4-yl)anιlιne (0.186 g, 0.652 mmol) was added, together with sodium carbonate (0.276 g, 2 6 mmol), magnesium sulfate (0.090 g, 0.72 mmol) and anhydrous lithium chloride (0.028 g, 0.652 mmol). The reaction mixture was de-gassed using a stream of N for 10 mm and palladium acetate (0 016 g, 0.071 mmol) added. After de-gass g the reaction for a further 5 mm, the reaction was heated at 105°C for 16h. The reaction mixture was cooled, the DMF removed in vacuo and the residue partitioned between butanoL/water. The organic layer was collected, dried over MgS0 ₄ and evaporated. The crude residue was dissolved in MeOH (10 ml) and 5M HCl (6 ml) and the

reaction stirred at 25°C for 72h. The solvents were removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in dioxane:water (1: 1, 10 ml) and basified to pH 9 with solid K2CO3. Di-tert-butyldicarbonate (0.285 g, 1.3 mmol) was then added and the reaction stirred for 12h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between 5% MeOH/EtOAc and H ₂ O, the organic layer collected, dried over MgSO ₄ and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with a gradient consisting of CH ₂ CI ₂ then 1-5% MeOH:CH2Cl2 to obtain the product as a colourless oil (0.120 g, 43%). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.09-1.16 (3H, m), 1.44 (9H, s), 1.63- 1.74 (4H, m), 2.70 (2H, m), 3.02 (IH, t), 3.09 (IH, d), 4.12 (2H, m), 4.79 (0.5H, m), 4.94 (0.5H, m), 7.15 (IH, dd), 7.25 (2H, d), 7.50 (IH, d), 7.58 (IH, s), 8.48 (2H, s), 8.63 (IH, br s).

e) 4-f2-FIuoro-3-(5-(1.2.4-triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)propyll- l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine oxalate

The compound from step d (0.120 g) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (3 ml) and the excess acid removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in MeOH (5 ml) and sodium methoxide (0.165 g) added. The resulting amine was reacted with (±)-2-phenylpropionaldehyde according to the procedure described for Example 4 to obtain the title compound as a pale yellow solid. Η NMR (free base, 250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.26 (3H, d), 1.30-2.20 (10H, m), 2.49 (2H, d), 2.90-3.00 (3H, m), 3.08 (IH, d), 4.73 (0.5H, m), 4.93 (0.5H, m), 7.13-7.31 (7H, m), 7.48 (IH. d), 7.56 (IH, d), 8.34 (2H, s), 8.46 (IH, br s). Oxalate salt MS (ES ⁺ ) (446, M+l).

EXAMPLE 49

4-r3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-vi)-lH-indol-3-yl)-2-hvdroxyprop yll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine oxalate

a) 4-[3- ⁽ 5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indoI-3-yl)-2-hvdroχypropyn -N-(tert- butyloxycarbonyDpiperidine

Prepared according to the procedure described for Example 49 step d, using (±)-5-[N-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)piperidm-4-yl]-4-hydroxy-l- triethylsilyl-1-pentyne (Example 49, step b) and 2-iodo-4-(l,2,4-triazol-4- yl)anιline. Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.04-1.19 (3H, m), 1.44 (9H, s), 1.68 (4H, ), 2.69 (2H, bt), 2.82 (IH, dd), 3.0 (IH, dd), 4.08 (3H, m), 7.17 (IH, dd), 7.25 (2H, m), 7.50 (IH, d), 7.59 (IH, d), 8.44 (2H, s), 8.46 (IH, s).

b) 4-[3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-2-hvdroxypropyll -l-(2- phenylpropyPpiperidine oxalate

Prepared according to the procedure described for Example 48, step e, using the product from step a, and (±)-2-phenylpropionaldehyde. ^l H NMR (360MHz, DMSO) δ 1.26 (3H, d), 1.27- 1.44 (4H, m), 1.74 (3H, m), 2.68 (2H, m), 2.80 (2H, d), 3.07-3.20 (5H, m), 3.86 (IH, m), 7.24-7.35 (7H, m), 7.47 (IH, d), 7.74 (IH, d), 8.85 (2H, s), 10.89 (IH, br s). MS (ES ⁺ ) (444, M+l) Found: C, 58.98%; H, 6.35%; N, 11.16%. C27H34N5O. 2(C2H ₂ 0 ₄ ). 0.5H ₂ O requires C, 58.78%; H, 6.20%; N, 11.05%.

EXAMPLE 50

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-2-oxopiOpyll- l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine hydrochloride

Prepared according to the procedure described in Description 2, step e, using the compound from Example 49, step b, and sulfur trioxide pyridine complex. Η NMR (free base, 250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.23 (3H, d),

1.58 (3H, d), 1.83-1.88 (4H, m), 2.42 (5H, m), 2.78-3.00 (2H, m), 3.81 (2H, s), 7.17-7.30 (7H, m), 7.48 (IH, d), 7.52 (IH, d), 8.46 (2H, s), 8.70 (IH, br s).

EXAMPLE 51

4-r3-(5-(1.2.4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-l-hvdroχypr opyll-l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine hydrochloride

a) (N-tert-Butoxycarbonylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-keto- diethylmethylphosphonate

Diethylmethylphosphonate (4.96 g, 32.6 mmol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (60 ml) and cooled to -78°C. n-BuLi (1.6M solution in hexanes, 20.3 ml, 32.6 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction stirred under N2 for lh. Ethyl (N-tert-butoxycarbonyl)isonipecotate (3 g, 13.0 mmol) in THF (2 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction stirred at -78°C for 0.5h. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH4CI and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSθ4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica eluting with ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:1) to obtain the product as a colourless oil (0.530 g). Η NMR (250MHz, CDCh) δ 1.33 (6H, t), 1.44 (9H, s), 1.51 (4H, m), 1.70 (2H, m), 2.70-2.82 (3H, m), 3.13 (2H, d), 4.02-4.20 (4H, m).

b) 4- 3-(5-(1.2,4-Trιazol-4-yl)-lH-mdol-3-yl)-l-hvdroxypropyll-N- (tert- butoxycarbonvDpiperidine

(i) Sodium hydride (0.084 g, 2.083 mmol, 60% dispersion in oil) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (5 ml) under N ₂ and cooled to 0°C. (N- tert-Butoxycarbonylpiperidm-4-yl)-4-keto-diethylmethylphosph onate (step a, 0.530 g, 1.5 mmol) in DMF (3 ml) was added dropwise and the reaction stirred for lh. 5-(l,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-l-(N-p-toluenesulfonyl)-indole-3- carboxaldehyde (0.500 g, 1.37 mmol) in hot DMF (5 ml) was then added

and the reaction stirred at 25°C for 16h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of water (30 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x). The organic layer was washed with water (3x) and dried over MgSO ₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified on silica eluting with CH2CI2, then 1-3% MeOH/CH ₂ Cl ₂ to give 0.300 g of a colourless oil.

(ii) The compound from above was hydrogenated over freshly prepared Wilkinson's catalyst (0.025 g) in 5 ml of ethyl acetate for 16h. The solvent was removed and the residue dissolved in ethanol (10 ml) and cooled to 0°C. Sodium borohydride (0.0368 g) was added and the reaction stirred at 0°C for lh. The solvent was removed and the reaction partitioned between n-butanol water. The organic layer was evaporated and the residue chromatographed on silica eluting with CH2CI2, then 1- 10% MeOH/CH ₂ Cl ₂ to obtain 0.212 g of a colourless oil.

c) 4-f3-(5-(1.2,4-Triazol-4-yl)-lH-indol-3-yl)-l-hvdroxypropyn- l-(2- phenylpropyDpiperidine hydrochloride

Prepared according to the method described for Example 48, step e using the compound from above (step b) and (±)-2-phenylpropionaldehyde.

The resulting compound was refluxed with KOH (0.034 g) in MeOH (5 ml) for 16h. The compound was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography. Η NMR (360MHz, DMSO) δ 1.27 (3H, d), 1.40 (IH, m),

1.42-1.90 (9H, m), 2.73 (2H, m), 2.87 (2H, m), 3.26 (2H, m), 3.38 (IH, m).

MS (ES ⁺ ) (445, M+l).