Title of Invention

2-(PHENYL OR HETEROCYCLIC)-1H-PHENANTRHO[9,10-D]IMIDAZOLES AS MPGES-1 INHIBITORS

Abstract The invention encompasses novel compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme and are therefore useful to treat pain and/or inflammation from a variety of diseases or cbnditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute or chronic pain. Methods of treating diseases or conditions mediated by the mPGES-1 enzyme and pharmaceutical compositions are also encompassed.
Full Text

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
2-(PHENYL OR HETEROCYCLIC)-lH-PHENANTRHO[9s10-d]IMIDAZOLES AS mPGES-1
INHIBITORS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modulation of prostaglandin metabolism is at the center of current anti-inflammatory therapies. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors block the activity of cyclooxygenases and their ability to convert arachidonic acid (AA) into prostaglandin (PG) H2. PGH2 can be subsequently metabolized by terminal prostaglandin synthases to the corresponding biologically active PGs, namely, PGI2, thromboxane (Tx) A2, PGD2, PGF2a, and PGE2. A combination of pharmacological, genetic, and neutralizing antibody approaches demonstrates the importance of PGE2 in inflammation. In many respects, disruption of PGE2-dependent signalling in animal models of inflammation can be as effective as treatment with NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors. The conversion of PGH2 to PGE2 by prostaglandin E synthases (PGES) may therefore represent a pivotal step in the propagation of inflammatory stimuli.
Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible PGES after exposure to pro-inflammatory stimuli. mPGES-1 is induced in the periphery and in the CNS by inflammation and represents therefore a novel target for acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. The rationale for the development of specific mPGES-1 inhibitors revolves around the hypothesis that the therapeutic utility of NSAIDs and Cox-2 inhibitors would be largely due to inhibition of pro-inflammatory PGE2 while the side effect profile would be largely due to inhibition of other prostaglandins.
The present invention is directed to novel compounds that are selective inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 enzyme and would therefore be useful for the treatment of pain and inflammation in a variety of diseases or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute or chronic pain. Furthermore, by selectively inhibiting the pro-inflammatory PGE2, it is believed the compounds of the invention would have a reduced potential for side effects associated with the inhibition of other prostaglandins by conventional non-steoidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as gastrointestinal and renal toxicity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention encompasses novel compounds of Formula I


or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme and are therefore useful to treat pain and/or inflammation from a variety of diseases or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute or chronic pain. Methods of treating diseases or conditions mediated by the mPGES-1 enzyme and pharmaceutical compositions are also encompassed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention encompasses a genus of compounds represented by Formula I

or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug, wherein:
J is selected from the group consisting of-C(X2)- and -N-, K is selected from the group consisting of —C(X3)- and —N-, L is selected from the group consisting of -C(X4)- and -N-, and M is selected from the group consisting of —C(X5)- and —N-,

with the proviso that at least one of J, K, L or M is other than -IN-;
X2, X3, X4 and X$ are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) -CN; (3) F; (4) CI; (5) Br; (6) I; (7) -OH; (8) -N3; (9) CUcyl, C2_6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said Cj^alkyl, C2-6aIkenyl or C2-6alkynyl may be replaced with a flouro atom, and said Cj^alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl may be optionally substituted with a hydroxy group; (10) Ci_4alkoxy; (11) NR9Rl0-C(O)-C]-4alkyl-O-; (12) CMalkyl-S(0)k-; (13) -NO2; (14) C3_6cycloalkyl, (15) C3-6cycloalkoxy; (16) phenyl, (17) carboxy; and (18) Ci_4alkyl-0-C(0)-;
Rl, R2, R35 R49 R5, R6S R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) F; (3) CI; (4) Br; (5) I; (6) -CN; (7) Ci_6alkyl or C2-6alkenyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said Chalky I or C2-6alkenyl may be replaced with a fluoro atom, and wherein said Ci-^alkyl or C2-6a^kenyl may be optionally substituted with one to tliree substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: -OH, methoxy, R* 1-0-C(0)-, cyclopropyl, pyridyl and phenyl; (8) C3. 6cycloalkyl; (9) R12-0-; (10)Rl3-S(0)fr-, (H) R14-S(0)k~N(Rl5)-; (12) Rl6-C(0)-; (13) Rl7-N(Rl*)-; (14) R19_N(R20)-C(O>; (15) R21-N(R22)_S(0)k~; (16) R23_C(0)-N(R24)S (17) Z-C=C; (18) - pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl,
oxadiazolyl, thienyl or firryl, each optionally substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of: F, CI, Br, I, Ci_4alkyl, phenyl, methylsulfonyl, methylsulfonylamino, R25_O C(O)- and R26-N(R27)sajd C]-4alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups independently selected
from halo and hydroxy;
each Z is independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) Ci-galkyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said Ci-£alkyl m&y De replaced with a flouro atom, and wherein Ci„6alkyl is optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from: hydroxy, methoxy, cyclopropyl, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, R28-N(R29)- and R30-O-C(O)-; (3) -{CH3)C=N-OH or -(CH3)C=N-OCH3; (4) R3 l-C(O)-; (5) phenyl; (6) pyridyl or the N-oxide thereof; (7) C3_6cycloalkyl,
optionally substituted with hydroxy; (8) tetrahydropyranyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy; and (9) a five-membered aromatic heterocycle containing 1 to 3 atoms independently selected from O, N or S and optionally substituted with methyl;
each R9, Rl09 R15? R24 an(i R32 js independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; and

(2)CMalkyl;
each Rl 1, Rl25 R!3, R145 R16? R23, R25, R30 and R31 is independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) Ci^alkyl, (3) C3-6cycloalkyl; (4) phenyl, (5) benzyl; and (6) pyridyl; said C]-4alkyl, C3_6cycIoalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and pyridyl may each be optionally substituted with 1 to 3
substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: OH, F, CI, Br and I;
each Rl7, Rl8, Rl9s R20S R21, R22, R26, R27, R28 and R29 is independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) Ci-6alkyl; (3) Ci-6alkoxy; (4) OH and (5) benzyl or 1-phenylethyl; and Rl? and Rl Ss Rl9 and R20, R21 and R22, R26 and R27s and R28 and R29 may be joined together with the
nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a monocyclic ring of 5 or 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or two atoms independently selected from -0-s -S(0)k- and -N(R32)-; and
each k is independently 0, 1 or 2.
Within this genus, the invention encompasses a sub-genus of compounds represented by Formula A

or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug.
Within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula A wherein:
X2, x3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) -CN; (3) F; (4) CI; (5) Br; and (6) I.

Also within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula A wherein X2, X3 and X4 are H, and X5 is other than H. Within this class, the invention encompasses a sub-class of compounds of Formula A wherein X5 is -CN.
Also within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula A wherein at least one of R.1 or R8 is other than H.
Also within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula A wherein at least one of R2 or R7 is other than H.
Also within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula A wherein at least one of R4 or R5 is other than H.
Also within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula
A wherein: at least one of R3 or R6 is other than H; and Rl, R2, R4, R5S R7 and R8 are H. Within this
class, the invention encompasses a sub-class of compounds of Formula A wherein R3 and R6 are both
other than H. Within this sub-class, the invention encompasses compounds of Formula A wherein: one
of R3 or R6 is independently selected from the group consisting of: F, CI, Br and I; and the other of R3
or R6 is Z-C=C. Also within this class, the invention encompasses a sub-class of compounds of Formula
A wherein: R3 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methyl, ethyl, vinyl, cyclopropyl, -CO2 -P1", -CO2CH3, -SO2CF3, 3-pyridyl, acetyl,





with the proviso that at least one of R^ or R6 is other than H.
Within the genus previously described, the invention encompasses a sub-genus of compounds of Formula B:
or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug. Within this sub-genus, the invention encompasses a class of compounds of Formula B wherein: one of R3 or R6 is independently selected from the group consisting of: F, CI, Br and I; and the other of R^ or R6 is Z-C=C.
Within the genus previously described, the invention encompasses a sub-genus of compounds of Formula I in accordance with Formula C


or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:
Yl is selected from the group consisting of: (1) Ci_6alkyl; (2) P04-Ci-4alkyl-; (3) Ci-4alkyl-C(0)-0-CH2-, wherein the Chalky! portion is optionally substituted with R33-0-C(0)-; and (4) Cj^alkyl-O-
C(O)-; and
R33s selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) Ci_4alkyl, (3) C3_6cycloaIkyl; (4) phenyl; (5) benzyl; and (6) pyridyl; said Chalky!, C3_6cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and pyridyl may each be
optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: OH, F, CI, Br and I.
The invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Fonnula I in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The invention also encompasses a method for treating a microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 mediated disease or condition in a human patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient a compound according to Claim 1 in an amount effective to treat the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 mediated disease or condition. Within this emnodiment is encompassed the above method wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: acute or chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, ankylosing sponylitis and primary dysmenorrhea.
The following compounds exemplify the invention. These compounds were synthesized following the schemes and examples described below.














The invention includes, as appropriate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the aforementioned compounds. For purposes of this specification, the heading "R3/R6" means that the substituent indicated in that column is substituted at the position represented by either R.3 or R6. In the adjacent column, the heading "R6/R3a means the indicated substituent is substituted at the position R3 or R6 not substituted in the previous column. By way of example, Example 6 represents R3=CN and R6=H or R3=H and R6=CN, representing both tautomers.
The term "halogen" or "halo" includes F, CI, Br, and I.
The term "alkyl" means linear or branched structures and combinations thereof, having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Thus, for example, Ci-^alkyl includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-
propyl, s- and t-butyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and 1,1-dimethylethyl.
The term "alkenyl" means linear or branched structures and combinations thereof, of the indicated number of carbon atoms, having at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond, wherein hydrogen may be replaced by an additional carbon-to-carbon double bond. C2-6alkenyl, for example, includes
ethenyl, propenyl, 1-methylethenyl, butenyi and the like.
The term "alkynyl" means linear or branched structures and combinations thereof, of the indicated number of carbon atoms, having at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond. C3_6alkynyl, for
example, includes , propenyl, 1-methyletheny], butenyi and the like.
The term "alkoxy" means alkoxy groups of a straight, branched or cyclic configuration having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Cj^alkoxy, for example, includes methoxy, ethoxy,
propoxy, isopropoxy, and the like.

The term "cycloalkyl" means mono-, bi- or tri-cyclic structures, optionally combined with linear or branched structures, having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, cyclododecylmethyl, 2-ethyl-l-bicyclo[4.4.0]decyl, cyclobutylmethyl cyclopropylmethyl and the like.
Compounds described herein may contain an asymmetric center and may thus exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds according to the invention possess two or more asymmetric centers, they may additionally exist as diastereomers. The present invention includes all such possible stereoisomers as substantially pure resolved enantiomers, racemic mixtures thereof, as well as mixtures of diastereomers. The above Formula I is shown without a definitive stereochemistry at certain positions. The present invention includes all stereoisomers of Formula I and pharmaceutical^ acceptable salts thereof. Diastereoisomeric pairs of enantiomers may be separated by, for example, fractional crystallization from a suitable solvent, and the pair of enantiomers thus obtained may be separated into individual stereoisomers by conventional means, for example by the use of an optically active acid or base as a resolving agent or on a chiral HPLC column. Further, an}' enantiomer or diastereomer of a compound of the general Formula I may be obtained by stereospecific synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration.
Some of the compounds described herein contain oleflnic double bonds, and unless specified otherwise, are meant to include both E and Z geometric isomers.
Some of the compounds described herein may exist with different points of attachment of hydrogen, referred to as tautomers. The compound of Formula I exists in the following tautomeric

The individual tautomers as well as mixture thereof are encompassed within Formula I.
The present invention includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of this invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds of this invention which are readily convertible in vivo into the required compound. Thus, in the methods of treatment of the present invention, the term "administering" shall encompass the treatment of the various conditions

described with the compound specifically disclosed or with a compound which may not be specifically disclosed, but which converts to the specified compound in vivo after administration to the patient. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in "Design of Prodrugs," ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985. Metabolites of these compounds include active species produced upon introduction of compounds of this invention into the biological milieu. Exemplifying prodrugs of the invention are compounds of Formula C.
The tenn "treating a microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 mediated disease or condition" means treating or preventing any disease or condition that is advantageously treated or prevented by inhibiting the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme. The term includes the relief of pain, fever and inflammation of a variety of conditions including rheumatic fever, symptoms associated with influenza or other viral infections, common cold, low back and neck pain, dysmenorrhea, headache, migraine (acute and prophylactic treatment), toothache, sprains and strains, myositis, neuralgia, synovitis, arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis), gout and ankylosing spondylitis, acute, subacute and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as bursitis, burns, injuries, and pain following surgical and dental procedures as well as the preemptive treatment of surgical pain. In addition, the term includes the inhibition cellular neoplastic transformations and metastic tumor growth and hence the treatment of cancer. The tenn also includes the treatment of endometriosis and Parkinson's disease as well as the treatment of mPGES-1 mediated proliferative disorders such as may occur in diabetic retinopathy and tumor angiogenesis. The term "treating" encompasses not only treating a patient to relieve the patient of the signs and symptoms of the disease or condition but also prophylactically treating an asymptomatic patient to prevent the onset or progression of the disease or condition.
The term "amounts that are effective to treat" is intended to mean that amount of a drug or phannaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, a system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. The tenn also encompasses the amount of a pharmaceutical drug that will prevent or reduce the risk of occurrence of the biological or medical event that is sought to be prevented in a tissue, a system, animal or human by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. Suitable dosage levels of the compound of Formula I used in the present invention are described below. The compound may be administered on a regimen of once or twice per day.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a compound of Formula I as an active ingredient or a phannaceutically acceptable salt, thereof, and may also contain a phannaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. The term

"pharmaceutically acceptable salts" include salts prepared from bases that result in non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts, including inorganic bases and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N-dibenzyIethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorphoIine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like.
When the compound of the present invention is basic, salts may be prepared from acids that result in pharmaceutically acceptable salts, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include acetic, adipic, aspartic, 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic, ethanesulfonic, ethylenediaminetetraacetic, fumaric, glucoheptonic, gluconic, glutamic, hydriodic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, 2-naphthalenesuIfonic, nitric, oxalic, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, pivalic, propionic, salicylic, stearic, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid, undecanoic, 10-undecenoic, and the like.
By virtue of the mPGES-1 inhibitory activity of compounds of the present invention, the compounds of Formula I are useful for the relief of pain, fever and inflammation of a variety of conditions including rheumatic fever, symptoms associated with influenza or other viral infections, common cold, low back and neck pain, dysmenorrhea, headache, migraine (acute and prophylactice treatment), toothache, sprains and strains, myositis, neuralgia, synovitis, arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis), gout and ankylosing spondylitis, acute, subacute and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as bursitis, burns, injuries, and pain following surgical and dental procedures as well as the preemptive treatment of surgical pain. In addition, such a compound may inhibit cellular neoplastic transformations and metastic tumor growth and hence can be used in the treatment of cancer. Compounds of Formula I may also be useful for the treatment or prevention of endometriosis and Parkinson's disease.

Compounds of Formula I will also inhibit prostanoid-induced smooth muscle contraction by preventing the synthesis of contractile prostanoids and hence may be of use in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, premature labor and asthma.
By virtue of their selective inhibition of the mPGES-1 enzyme, the compounds of Formula I will prove useful as an alternative to conventional non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAJD'S) particularly where such non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be contra-indicated such as in patients with peptic ulcers, gastritis, regioal enteritis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or with a recurrent history of gastrointestinal lesions; GI bleeding, coagulation disorders including anemia such as hypoprothrombinemia, haemophilia or other bleeding problems (including those relating to reduced or impaired platelet function); kidney disease (e.g. impaired renal function); those prior to surgery or taking anticoagulants; and those susceptible to NSAID induced asthma.
Similarly, compounds of Formula I will be useful as a partial or complete substitute for conventional NSAIDs in preparations wherein they are presently co-administered with other agents or ingredients. Thus in further aspects, the invention encompasses phanuaceutical compositions for treating mPGES-1 mediated diseases as defined above comprising a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula I as defined above and one or more ingredients such as another pain reliever including acetominophen or phenacetin; opioid analgesics, such as codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphine, propoxyphene, buprenorphine, butorphanol, dezocine, nalbuphine and pentazocine; a potentiator including caffeine; an H2-antagonist; aluminum or magnesium hydroxide; simethicone; a decongestant including phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudophedrine, oxymetazoline, epinephrine, naphazoline, xylometazoline, propylhexedrine, or levo-desoxyephedrine; an antitussive including codeine, hydrocodone, caramiphen, carbetapentane, or dextramethorphan; a diuretic; a sedating or non-sedating antihistamine; and a proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole. For the treatment or prevention of migraine, the invention also encompasses co-administration with a 5-HT agonist such as rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and naratriptan. In addition the invention encompasses a method of treating mPGES-1 mediated diseases comprising: administration to a patient in need of such treatment a nontoxic therapeutically effect amount of the compound of Formula I, optionally co-administered with one or more of such ingredients as listed immediately above.
As indicated above, pharmaceutical compositions for treating mPGES-1 mediated diseases as defined may optionally include one or more ingredients as listed above.
The phanuaceutical compositions containing the active ingredient may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible

powders or granules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs. Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example, magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed. They may also be coated by the technique described in the U.S. Patent 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 to form osmotic therapeutic tablets for control release.
Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredients is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.
Aqueous suspensions contain the active material in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethy-cellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethylene-oxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n-propyl, p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose, saccharin or aspartame.

Liquid formulations include the use of self-emulsytying drug delivery systems and NanoCrystal® technology. Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes can also be utilized.
Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forth above, and flavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.
Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, may also be present.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of an oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example liquid paraffin or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavouring agents.
Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butane diol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

Compounds of Formula I may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols.
For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compound of Formula I are employed. (For purposes of this application, topical application shall include mouth washes and gargles.)
Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also utilize absorption enhancers such as tween 80, tween 20, Vitamin E TPGS (d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate) and Gelucire®.
Dosage levels of the order of from about 0.01 mg to about 140 mg/kg of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions, or alternatively about 0.5 mg to about 7 g per patient per day. For example, inflammation may be effectively treated by the administration of from about 0.01 to 50 mg of the compound per kilogram of body weight per day, or alternatively about 0.5 mg to about 3.5 g per patient per day, preferably 2.5 mg to 1 g per patient per day.
The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. For example, a formulation intended for the oral administration of humans may contain from 0.5 mg to 5 g of active agent compounded with an appropriate and convenient amount of carrier material which may vary from about 5 to about 95 percent of the total composition. Dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 1 mg to about 500 mg of an active ingredient, typically 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg, or 1000 mg. Dosage amounts of 4 mg, 8 mg, 18 mg, 20 mg, 36 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, 320 mg and 640 mg may also be employed. The following table exemplifies formulations that may be employed for the present invention.
It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.
Methods of Synthesis
The compounds of Formula I of the present invention can be prepared according to the synthetic routes outlined in Schemes 1 and 4 below and by following the methods described therein. The

imidazole of Formula I may be prepared in a multi-step sequence from the requisite phenanthrenequinone i. The phenanthrene imidazole iii is obtained by treating the phenanthrenequinone i and an appropriately substituted aldehyde ii with a reagent such as NH4OAC or NH4HCO3 in a solvent such as
acetic acid. Treatement of the imidazole iii with CuCN in a solvent such as DMF or DMSO produces the mono or bis-nitrile (M = CCN) la. Subsequent functional group interconversion can be done at any of the Rl to R.8 positions. For example, if one or more of the Rl to R$ substiruents equal CI, Br or I and if M is different from CBr or CI, la could be converted to lb by placing la in the presence of a monosubstituted alkynyl, a stannane, a boronic acid, a borane or a boronate under conditions that promote cross coupling reaction, such as heating in the presence of a catalyst, such as Pd(PPh3)4 and
Cul, in the presence of a base, such as sodium carbonate or diisopropylamine, and in an suitable solvent, such as THF, DMF or DME. This last exemplified step, or any other appropriate functional group transformation, can be iteratively repeated on R* to R8.

Phenanthrenequinone i can be prepared according to the sequences outlined in Scheme 2 and 3. Deprotonation of the phosphonium salt iv (Scheme 2) in the presence of a base, such as sodium hydride or sodium methoxide, in a solvent such as DMF followed by the addition of the aldehyde v produces the stylbene vi as a mixture of E and Z isomers. Intramolecular cyclisation of this mixture upon exposition to UV light in the presence of an oxidizing agent, such as iodine, and an acid scavenger, such as propylene oxide, in a suitable solvent such as cyclohexanne produces the phenanthrene vii. This

phenanthrene viia can be directly oxidized with an bxidizing agent, such as Cr03, in a suitable solvent,
such as acetic acid, to provide the phenanthrenequinone i, or optionally, phenanthrene viia could be further elaborated to phenanthrene viib by the apprppriate interconversion of any of the functional group R.1 to R8, such as transmetallation with an organonletallic reagent, such as butyl lithium, in a suitable solvent such as THF, followed by the addition of an electrophile, such as iodine or carbon dioxide. Alternatively (Scheme 3), phenylacetic acid viii caji be condensed with the aldehyde ix in the presence of
a base, such as potassium carbonate, and in the presence of acetic anhydride to afford the nitro stylbene
i
x. This nitro aryl x is then reduced with an appropriate reducing agent, such as iron or iron sulfate, in the presence of ammonium hydroxide in a suitable solvent, such as acetic acid, to produce the amine xi. Diazotization of this amine xi with sodium nitrite hi the presence of aqueous hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, followed by acidification with an acid, $uch as sulfuric acid and sulfamic acid, and cyclization in the presence of a catalyst, such as copper or a fe Tocene, generates the phenanthrene carboxylic acid xii. This phenanthrene can be oxidized and simultaneously decarboxylated using an appropriate oxidizing agent, such as chromium trioxide in suitable solvent, such as acetic acid, to afford the phenanthrenequinone i.



As shown in Scheme 4, protection of the halophenanthrene xiii with an appropriate protecting group such as 2-(trimethylsily)ethoxy methyl in the presence of a base, such as sodium hydride or diisopropylethylamine, in a suitable solvent, such as DMF or methylene chloride, affords the protected phenanthrene imidazole xiv. This phenanthrene imidazole xiv is then carbonylated with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst, such as Pd(OAc)2, and in the presence of a base, such as
triethylamine, in a mixture of an alcoholic solvent, such as methanol and DMF, or any other suitable
i
organic solvent. Treatment of the ester xv with a nuc|eophilic reagent such as an organolithium, organocerium or Grignard reagent in an organic solvent, such as ether, THF or methylene chloride (Grinard reagent), provides the tertiary alcohol xvi. Removal of the imidazole protecting group, for example by treating xvi with a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid or in the presence of a fluoride source such as TBAF, in an organic solvent such as IfHF, affords the unprotected imidazole xvii.
Treatment of this phenanthrene imidazole xvii with QuCN in a solvent, such as DMF or DMSO,
i
produced the mono or bis-nitrile (M = CCN) Id. Subsequent functional group interconversion can be done at any of the R* to R8 positions. For example, if one or more of the Rl to R8 substituents equal CI, Br or I and if M is different from CBr or CI, Id could be converted to Ie by placing Id in the presence of a monosubstituted alkynyl, a stannane, a boronic acid a borane or a boronate under conditions that promote cross coupling reaction, such as heating in th|e presence of a catalyst such as Pd(PPh3)4 and Cul,
and in the presence of a base, such as sodium carbonate or diisopropylamine, in a suitable solvent, such

as THF, DMF or DME. This last exemplified step, j or any other appropriate functional group transformation, can be iteratively repeated on Rl t
i The imidazole secondary amine can be substituted as described in Scheme 5 by treating
an appropriately functionalized phenanthrene imidazole I with a reagent such as an acylating agent or an
alkylating agent such as methyl iodide in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride in a suitable
solvent such as DMF.


EXAMPLES
The invention is exemplified by the following non-limiting examples:
EXAMPLE 14 2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbuty^^
fluorobenzonitrile

Step 1: 639-dibromo-2-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-liy-phenanthro[9,10-c()imidazole
To a solution of 30 g (82 mmol) of 3,6-dibromophenanthrene-9,10-dione (Bhatt, Tetrahedron, 1963, 20, 803) in 1.0 L of acetic acid was added 25.9 g (328 mmol) of NH4HCO3 followed
by 26 g (164 mmol) of 2-fluoro-6-chlorobenzaldeh>de. The solution was stirred overnight at 130 °C, cooled down to room temperature and poured into 2.5 L of water. The mixture was filtered, washed with water followed by hexane and diethyl ether. The resulting solid was refluxed in 1.0 L of toluene with a Dean-stark apparatus and approx. 100 mL of water was removed over 3 hrs. Upon cooling down to room temperature, a beige solid crystallized out of solution. This solid was filtered, washed with toluene and pumped under reduced pressure to afford 32 g (80%) of 6,9-dibromo-2~(2-chIoro-6-fluorophenyl)-177-phenanthro[9,10-t/]irnidazole.

Step 2: 2-(6-bromo-9-chloro-l^"-phenanthro[9,10^(]imidazoI-2-yI)-3-fIuorobenzonitrile
To a DMF (10 mL) solution of 3.d g 6,9-dibromo-2-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-li7-
i
phenanthro[9,10-|imidazole from Step 1, was added 587 mg of CuCN and the solution was stirred overnight at 130 °C. The solution was cooled down to room temperature followed by the addition of aqueous ammonium hydroxide and ethyl acetate. Layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulphate and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using a gradient of 30 % to 50 % ethyl
i
acetate/hexane to afford 500 mg of 2-(6-bromo-9-chloro-l/f-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazol-2-yl)-3-
fluorobenzonitrile. |
i
Step3:2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-me%
fluorobenzonitrile
To a DMF (2 mL) solution of 2-(6-bromo-9-chloro-17/-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazol-2-
yl)-3-fluorobenzonitrile (320 mg) from Step 2 was added 5 mL of triethylamine, 0.1 mL of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 20 mg of Cul and 82 mg of Pd(PPh3)4. The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at 80 °C,
cooled down to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate/water. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulphate and the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using a gradient of 30 % to 50 % ethyl
acetate/hexane to afford 85 mg of 2-[9-chloro-6-(3-)iydroxy-3-methylbutyI-l-yn-l-yI)-l//:
phenanthro[9510-^imidazol-2-yl]-3-fluorobenzonitHle. lHNMR(Acetone-d6): 5 8.89 (s, 2H), 8.71 (bs,
i
1H), 8.51 (bs, 1H), 7.93 (d, 1H), 8.88-8.72 (m, 4H), 4.55 (s, 1H), 1.65 (s, 6H).
EXAMPLE 25 2-(6-chloro-17/-phenanthro[9,10-(/|imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile

i
Step 1: H3-phenanthryl)ethanone oxime j
In 200 mL of absolute ethanol was tombined a mixture of 50 g (0.23 mol) of l-(3-
phenanthryl)ethanone and 40 g of hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The solution was heated to reflux
i

followed by the addition of 70 mL of pyridine. After 3 hrs, the reaction was cooled down to room
temperature and the solution rotovaped down. A mixture of ice/water was added to the residue and the
i
mixture was stirred for 1 hr. The resulting off-white solid was filtered, washed with water and air dried to afford, after recristallization in diethyl ether, 32 g of l-(3-phenanthryl)ethanone oxime.
Step 2: 3-phenanthrylamine
To 385 g of polyphosphoric acic atjlOO °C was added 32 g (0.14 mol) of l-(3-phenanthryl)ethanone oxime from Step 1 over 30 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 100 °C for 2 hrs, cooled down to room temperature followed by the addition of water/ice. Stirred 30 minutes, filtered and washed with water. This white solid was then placed in 500 mL of methanol and 40 mL of concentrated HO. The reaction was refluxed overnight, cooled down to room temperature and concentrated down. A mixture of ethyl acetate/water was added to the residue and the resulting solution was made basic with 10 N KOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and combined organic layers were washed with water, brine, dried over sodium sulphate and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to afford 25 g of 3-phenanthrylamine as a beige solid.
Step 3: 3-chlorophenanthrene j
CuCl2 (21 g) was dried under high \jacuum at 115 °C for 90 minutes then cooled down
to 65 °C followed by the addition of 250 mL of dry a|cetonitrile and 26 g of/-butyl nitrite. The 3-phenanthrylamine (25 g) from Step 2 was added over 30 minutes as a solution in 100 mL of acetonitrile. The reaction was stirred 45 minutes at 65 °C, cooled down to room temperature followed by the addition of 1 L of 1 N HO. The aqueous layer was extracted Svith methylene chloride and combined organic layers were washed with water, brine, dried over sodium sulphate and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using hexane as the eluent to afford a white solid which was recristallized from hexane to nmduce 14.4 g of 3-chlorophenanthrene as a white solid.
Step 4: 3-chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione
To a solution of 12.5 g (58.7 mmol) ff 3-chlorophenanthrene from Step 3 in 350 mL of
i i
acetic acid was added 23.5 g (0.23 mol) of Cr03. The; reaction was stirred 2 hrs at 100 °C, cooled down to room temperature and poured into 2 L of water. The suspension was stirred 1 hr, filtered and washed with water. The residue was dried under high vacuum to afford 12.5 g (88%) of 3-chlorophenanthrene-
9,10-dione.

Step 5: 6-chIoro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-lii/:phena:ithro[9310-fl]irnida2ole
This imidazole was prepared by following the procedure describe in Example 14, Step 1,
but substituting 3-chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione for 3,6-dibromophenanthrene-9,10-dione and
i
substituting 2,6-dibromobenzaldehyde for 2-fluoro-6-chlorobenzaldehyde to afford 27 g of 6-chloro-2-(2J6-dibromophenyl)-l//'-phenanthro[9,10-^/]imidaXole as an off-white solid.
i Step 6: 2-(6-chloro-li7-phenanthro[9,10-i/]imidazo^-2-yl)isophthalonitnle
To a DMF (300 mL) solution of 3^ g (65.7 mmol) of 6-chIoro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-
l//-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazole from Step 5 was ^dded 14.7 g of CuCN. The reaction was stirred
overnight at 80 °C, cooled down to room temperature, poured into a mixture of 1.5 L of water, 1.5 L of
ethyl acetate and 200 mL of concentrated ammoniujm hydroxide and stirred 1 hr at room temperature.
The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with
10 % ammonium hydroxide, water, brine, dried ovej sodium sulphate and volatiles were removed under
reduced pressure. The residue was swished in toluene (2X 200 mL) and ethyl acetate (1 L). The obtained
solid was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel in 5 portions using a gradient of 60% to 80% to
100% of ethyl acetate/hexane to afford 19.9 g of 2-(;6-chloro-l/f-phenanthro[9,10-rfJimidazol-2-
yl)isophthalonitrile as a pale yellow solid. lH NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 5 14.32 (s, 1H), 9.0-8.9 (m,
2H), 8.55-8.45 (m, 4H), 7.99 (t, 1H), 7.85-7.78 (m, 2H), 7.72 (t, 1H).

Stepl: l-bromo-4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)vinyl]benzene
To a solution of (4-bromobenzyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (396 g; 0.77 mol) in 2.5
L of DMF at 0 °C, was added 37g (0.92 mol) of Natp[ (60 % in oil) in four portions. The solution was
stirred 1 hr at 0 °C followed by the addition of 109 g (0.77 mol) of 4-chlorobenzaIdehyde in two portions.
This mixture was warmed up to room temperature, stirred 1 hr and quench by pouring the reaction into a 5 °C mixture of 10 L of water and 2.5 L of Et20. Adueous layer was extracted with Et20, combined

I
organic layers were washed with brine and dried oVer Na2S04. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in 1.5 L of eyclohexane and filtered through a pad of silica gel (wash with eyclohexane). 16 g of one isomer cristaillized out of the solution as a white solid and after evaporation of the volatiles, 166 g of the other isomer l-bromo-4-[2-(4-chIorophenyI)vinyl]benzene was isolated.

Step 2: 3-bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene
A 2 L vessel equipped with a pyrex

inner water-cooled jacket was charged wjth 5.16 g

I) of iodine. The stirring solution was degassed by 24 hrs by inserting a 450 W medium pressure
(17 mmol) of l-bromo-4-[2-(4-chlorophenyI)vinyl]benzene from Step 1, 2 L of eyclohexane, 25 mL of
THF, 25 mL of propylene oxide and 6.7 g (26 mmo bubbling nitrogen and was exposed to UV light for
mercury lamp in the inner. The reaction was quenched with 10% Na2S203 and aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. Combined organic layejrs were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and
volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The| residue was swished in a minimal amount of ethyl
i
acetate to afford approx. 5 g of 3-bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene as a solid.
Step 3: 3-Bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene-9,l 0-dione
To a solution of 3-bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene from Step 2 (1.71 g; 5.86 mmol) in 35 mL of acetic acid was added 2.3 g (23.5 mmol) of Q-O3. The mixture was stirred 2 hrs at 100 °C, cooled
down to room temperature, poured into 300 mL of water and stirred for 1 Iir. The suspension was filtered, washed with water and Et20 and pumped under reduced pressure to afford 1.67 g of 3-bromo-6-
chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione as a solid. j
1
Step4:9-bromo-6-chloro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-li^-phenanthro[9,10-^]imidazole
j
To a solution of 15.5 g of 3-bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene-9,l0-dione from Step 3 in 400 mL of acetic acid, was added 74.2 g of ammonium acetate and 19.1 g of 2,6-dibromobenzaldehyde. The mixture was stirred overnight at 120 °C, cooled down to room temperature diluted in 4 L of water and filtered. The resulting solid was refluxed 2 hrs in toluene with a Dean Stark apparatus. After cooling down to room temperature, the suspension was filtered, the solid washed with toluene and the resulting beige solid dried under high vacuum to produce 26 gjof 9-bromo-6-chloro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-li/-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole.

Step 5: 2-(9-bromo-6-chloro-lJ7-phenanthro[9J0-^imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitTile
i
To a solution of 26gof 9-bromo-6|chloro-2-(2a6-dibroniophenyl)-l//'-phenanthro[9s10-d] imidazole from Step 4 in 200 mL of dry DMF, wias added 14.2 g of CuCN. The reaction was stirred overnight at 85 °C, cooled down to room temperature, brine was added and the mixture stirred for 30
minutes. The solution was diluted in ethyl acetate, {washed with 10% ammonium hydroxide, brine, dried
i
over sodium sulphate and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to afford 26 g of 2-(9-bromo-6-chloro-177-phenanthrot9,10-(/limidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile as a solid. lH NMR (Acetone-d6): 9.19 (s,
1H), 9.02 (s, 1H), 9.71 (bs, 1H), 8.49 (bs, 1H), 8.3sf (d, 2H), 8.07 (t, 1H), 7.97 (d, 1H), 8.81 (d, 1H).

Stepl: (2£}-2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-chloro-2-nitrof|henyl)acrylic acid
i
A 2 L flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer was charged with 183 g of 2-nitro~4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 212 g of 4-bromophenylacetic acid and 233 mL of acetic anhydride. To this solution was added 82 g of potassium carbonate and the reaction was stirred overnight at 100 °C. The resulting dark mixture was cooled down to room temperature and 1.6 L of water was added followed by 800 mL of 10% HC1. The solution was decanted and taken up in water/ethyl acetate. Layers were separated, organic phase was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulphate and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated in EtOH and the mother liquor was triturated 4 more times with EtOHto afford 219g of the desired (2£)-2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-chloro-2-niti-ophenyl)acrylic acid.
i Step 2: (2£)-3-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-brom^phenyl)acrylic acid
To a 50 °C solution of 135 g of (2£J-2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-chloro-2-
i i
nitrophenyl)acry!ic acid from Step 1 in 1.2 L of acetic acid and 80 mL of water, was added 98 g of iron

(powder) portion wise maintaining the temperature below 50 c*C. The mixture was stirred 2 lirs at 50 °C,
cooled down to room temperature, diluted with etllyl acetate (1 L) and filtered through a plug of celite.
Water (1 L) was added, the layers were separated ind the organic layer was washed 2 times with water,
i brine, dried over magnesium sulphate and volatile^ were removed under reduced pressure. Residual
acetic acid was removed by the addition of 1L of H2O to the crude mixture, the solution was filtered and washed with an additional 1 L of H2O and finally the solid was dried under high vacuum to afford 130 g
of (2£)-3-(2-amino-4-chIorophenyl)-2-(4-bromophtnyl)acrylicacid.
Step 3: 3-Bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione
This quinone can be obtained by following the procedure describe in Example 36, Step 1

to 3, or by the using the following procedure: to a C

'C solution of 118 mL of concentrated sulphuric acid

in 1.0 L of water was added drop wise a solution prepared as follows: 65 g of (2£)-3-(2-amino-4-

Step 2 in 1 L of water followed by the addition of 11 of NaNC>2 (15 g) and stirring of the resulting
chlorophenyl)-2-(4-bromophenyl)acrylic acid from g ofNaOH, stirring for 10 minutes at 0 °C, addition.


solution at 0 °C for 20 minutes. After 30 minutes, sulfamic acid ( 12.5 g) was added to this mixture and
after the gaz evolution seized, 1.3 L of acetone was minutes. This mixture was then added to a solution

added and the solution was stirred at 0 °C for 10
of ferrocene (6.9 g) in 480 mL of acetone resulting in

the formation of a green precipitate. After stirring for 20 minutes, water (2.0 L) was added, the solid was
filtered and the 6-bromo-3-chIorophenanthrene-9-carboxyIic acid was obtained and allowed to air dry. This crude phenantlirene was placed in 2.0 L of acejic acid followed by the addition of 54 g of Cr03. The
reaction was placed at 110 °C and after stirring for J hr, 18 g of Cr03 were added. The reaction was

monitored by TLC and 18 g of C1O3 were added ev

;ry hour for 3 hours where 100% conversion was

observed by *H NMR. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted in water (2.0 L), filtered and washed with water (1.0 L) to afford, after drying, 37 g of 3-Bromo-6-chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione as a yellow solid.

-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole
ing the procedure describe for Example 36, Step 4.
Step 4: 9-bromo-6-chIoro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyI)--This imidazole was obtained follow

Step 5: 2-(9-bromo-6-chloro-l/f-phenanthrof9,10- midazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile
This imidazole was obtained following the orocedure

Step6:2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methyIbut-l-ynil-yl)- ltf-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazol-2-yl]isophthaIonitrile
To a solution of 13 g of 2-(9-bromo-6-chloro-l/f-phenanthro[9,10-£/]imidazoI-2-yl)isophthalonitrile in 240 mL of DMF is added 5.1 mL of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 2.0 g of tetrakis(triphenyIphosphine)paIladium, 1.1 g of cojjper iodide and 5.6 mL of diisopropyiamine. The mixture is stirred at 55 °C for 1 hi* then cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (250 mL). Water (250 mL) is added and the layers were separated, the organic phase is washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulphate and volatiles are removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture is liien purified on silica gel using 50% hexane/ethyl acetate. The product is then recrystallized in THF and triturated in hot ethyl acetate/ether mixture to affor^I 5.4 g of [9-chIoro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-1-yl)- l//"-phenanthro[9,10-^limidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitrile as a light yellow solid. 1HNMR (Acetone-
d6): 8.93 (s, 2H), 8.53 (m, 2H), 8.36 (d, 2H), 8.01 ^t, 1H), 7.78 (d, 2H), 4.53 (s, 1H), 1.61 (s, 6H).
i i
EXAMPLE 60
2-(l-{[dihydroxy(dioxido)phosphino]methyl}-17j-phenanthro[9,10-t/]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile

Step 1: 2-(2?6-dibromophenyl)-l//:-phenanthro[9,10-rf| imidazole
This imidazole was obtained followmg the procedure described in Example 36, Step 4, but substituting the phenanthrene-9,10-dione for the 3-bromo-6~chlorophenanthrene-9,10-dione to afford the 2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l//-phenantliro[9,10-c/]in!iidazole
Step 2: 2-(li/-phenanthro[9s10-^]imidazol-2-yl)isopiithalonitrile
This compound was obtained by usijig the procedure described in Example 36, Step 5, but substituting the 2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-li^-phen|nthro[9,10-^]imidazole for the 9-bromo-6-chloro-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-li^-phenanthro[9,10-^limidazQie to afford the desired 2-(l#-phenanthro[9,10-c/]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile.

Step 3: 2-[l-(chloromethyl)-17/-phenanthro[9,10-(flimidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitrile
2-(l//"-phenanthro[9,10-^]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile from Step 2 (1 g, 2.91 mmol) was mixed with cesium carbonate (1.14 g, 3.49 mmol) in chloroiodomethane (10 niL). The mixture was heated to 80°C overnight. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and poured into 200 mL water and 500 mL ethyl acetate. The layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with 200 mL water, 200 mL saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, 100 mL brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude solid was purified by flash column chromatography using 40% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 357 mg of 2-[l-(chIoromethyl)-l//-phenantliio[9s10-c/]imidazol-2-yI]isophthalonitrile (31%) plus 650 mg of a mixture of product and starting material.
Step 4: 2-(l-{[dihydroxy(dioxido)phosphino]methyI}-l//-phenanthro[9,10-^]imidazol-2-
i
yl)isophthalonitrile |
The2-[l-(chloromethyl)-l//'-phenanthro[9,10-i/limidazol-2-yI]isophthalonitriIe from Step 3 (200 mg, 0.509 mmol) was mixed with tetramethylammonium di(ter/-butyl)phosphate (288 mg, 1.02 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) and heated at 50°C for S hours. It was cooled to room temperature and poured into 15 mL water and 35 mL ethyl acetate. The layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with 10 mL water (twice), 10 mL saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude solid was purified by flash column chromatography using 50-70% ethyl acetate in hexane to give 221 mg of protected phosphate (77%). 155 mg of this solid was dissolved in 10% TFA/toluene (3 mL) and stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting crude product was purified by a semi-preparative RP-HPLC using a C18 column and eluting with a gradient of 44-49% acetonitrile + 0.2% TFA over 8 ruin. The fractions containing product were combined and lyophilized to give 80 mg of the desired 2-(l-{[dihydroxy(dioxido)phosphino]methyl}-17^-phenanthro[9,10-fi(]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile.
lH NMR (DMSO): 9.05 (d, 1H), 8.95 (d, 1H), 8.54-H.61 (m, 2H), 8.47 (d, 2H), 8.06 (t, 1H), 8.70-8.85
(m,4H),6.21(d,2H). j


Step 1: 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-lii/-pheiianthro[9,10-^]imidazole
A suspension of di-bromoquinone (IJ8.6 g, 0.1 mol), ammonium acetate (165 g, 2.1 mol) and dibromobenzaldehyde (45 g, 0.1 mol) in acetic Etcid (1.5 L) was heated at reflux for 16 h. The reaction mixture was quenched by pouring it into water (2.2 L), followed by stirring for 2 h. The resulting solid was filtered and rinsed successively with water and hexanes. The solids were then heated at reflux in toluene (600 mL) with a Dean Stark for 4h and then filtered to afford the desired 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l^/'-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazole as a beige powder (62.3 g, 97%).
Step 2: 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l-{[2-(t]-imethyIsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-l//-phenantliro[9,10-
^imidazole
To a suspension of 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6-dibrornophenyl)-lii/-phenanthro[9,10-J]imidazole
from Step 1 (61.8g, 0.1 mol) in THF (980 mL) at 0 C'C, was added sodium hydride (60% dispersion in
mineral oil, 10 g, 0.25 mol). The suspension was stirred at 0 OC for 15 minutes, followed by addition of
SEMCI (45 mL, 0.25 mol). The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 3 h, after which
it was poured into water. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer washed once with brine, dried over Na2S04, filtered and concentrated. The crude material was swished in
hexanes/diethyl ether for 4h, then filtered to obtain 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l-{[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-l-H-phenanthro[9,10-^/]imidazole as a beige powder (71.5 g, 95 %).
Step 3: methyl 6-bromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l-{[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-li/-phenanthro[9,10-αimidazole-9-carboxyIate
To a solution of 6,9-dibromo-2-(2,6^dibromophenyl)-l-{[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-l-H-phenanthro[9,10i^/|imidazole from Step 2 (22.8 g, 30.8 mmol) in DMF (150 mL) and MeOH (150 mL) in a 3-necked I L round-bottomed flask, was added Pd(OAc)2 (350

mg, 1.5 mmol) and dppf (1.7 g, 3.0 mmol). The mixture was degassed three times and back-filled with carbon monoxide. Triethylamine (9.5 mL, 43 mmol) was then added and the reaction mixture was heated

at 60 °C, under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide,

for 1 h. The reaction was quenched by pouring it

into water and ethyl acetate. It was then filtered through Celite, the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer washed once with brine, dried over Na2S04, filtered and concentrated. The
crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica (0-5 % ethyl acetate in toluene) to afford the isomers of the desired methyl 6-bromo-2-(2,6-dil?romophenyl)-l-{[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-l#-phenanthro[9,10-imidazole-9-carboxylate as bsige solids (9.8 g, 44%).
Step 4: 2-[6-bromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-177-pheniinthi*o[9s 10-^imidazoI-9-yl]propan-2-oI
To a -78 OC solution of isomeric methyl 6-bromo-2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l-{[2-
(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-17^phenanthro[9,10-^]imidazole-9-carboxylate from Step 3 (9.9 g, 13.8 mmol) in CH2CI2 (200 mL) was added methyl magnesium bromide (3.0 M in Et20,33 mL) via addition
funnel. The mixture was then warmed to -40 °C, stirred at this temperature for 0.5 h, then warmed to between -30 and -35 °C and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then wanned to -25 °C, stirred for 3 h, and then stirred at 0 °C for 1.5 h. The reaction was quenched by pouring it into water and ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer washed once with brine, dried over Na2S04, filtered and concentrated. The crude product was dissolved in THF

35 mL) was then added and the mixture heated at
(150 mL) and cooled to 0 OC. TBAF (1.0 M in THF,
reflux for 17 h, then quenched with 25 % NH4OAC, the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer washed once with brine, dried over Na^SO^ filtered and concentrated. The material
'2-(2,6-dibromophenyl)-l//-phenanthro[9,10-g, 56 %, 2 steps).
obtained after purification by flash chromatography on silica (5-30 % THF in toluene) was swished in toluene for 5 h and then filtered to afford 2-[6-bromo )imidazoI-9-yI]propan-2-ol as a white powder (4.53
Step 5: 2-[6-bromo-9-(l-hydroxy-l-methylethyl)- l-H+phenanthro[9,10-^]imidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitrile Copper cyanide (420 mg, 4.7 mmol) was added to a room temperature solution of 2-[6- from Step 4 (1.25 g, 2.1 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) and the mixture heated at 80 °C for 18 h, after which it was poured into a

mixture of NH4OH and ethyl acetate and stirred for 1

h. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl

acetate, the organic layer washed once with water, once with brine, dried over Na2S04, filtered and

concentrated. The material obtained after purification

by flash chromatography on silica (20-80% ethyl

acetate in toluene) was swished in ethyl acetate and THF for 2 h and then filtered to afford 2-[6-bromo-9-

(1 -hydroxy- 1-methylethyl)- 17f-phenantliro[9510-^)i:Tiidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitrile as a yellow solid (250 mg, 25%).
1H NMR 5 (ppm)(DMSO with added TFA): 9.08 (1 H, s), S.90 (1 H, s), 8.45-8.39 (4 H, m), 7.99-7.91 (3 H,m), 1.61 (6 H,s).
EXAJVtPLE 88 2-[6-(cyclopropylethynyl)-9-( 1 -hydroxy-1 -methylethyl)- 1 tf-phenanthro[9,10-^imidazol-2-
yl]isophtpalonitrile
i

i Step 1: 2-[6-(cyclopropylethynyl)-9-(l-hydroxy-l-methylethyl)- li7-phenanthro[9,10- yl] isophthalonitrile
! i
A round bottomed flask containing 2-[6-bromo-9-(l-hydroxy-l-methylethyl)-1//-phenanthro[9,10-iflimidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitriIe from Example 87(1.26 g, 2.62 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (190
mg, 0.27 mmol) and copper iodide (100 mg, 0.52 mfnol) was purged with nitrogen for 15 minutes, followed by addition of DMF (50 mL), cyclopropyl acetylene (1.4 mL, 21 mmol) and di-isopropylamine (560 u.L, 4 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 60-65 °C for 3.5 h, cooled to room temperature and then poured into a mixture of NH4OH and ethyl acetate and stirred for 1 h. The aqueous phase was
extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer washed once with water, once with brine, dried over Na2S04, filtered and concentrated. The material obtained after purification by flash chromatography on
silica (30-100% ethyl acetate in toluene) was swished in toluene for 2 h and then filtered to afford 2-[6-(cyclopropylethynyl)-9-(l-hydroxy-l-methylethyl)- l#-phenanthro[9s10-(^imidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitrile as a yellow solid (350 mg). The mother liquor was combined with the mixed fractions and re-purified by flash chromatography on silica (3-40% acetonitrile in toluene) to afford 286 mg the bis-nitrile (total yield 52%).

1H NMR 5 (ppm)(DMSO with added TFA): 8.92 (j H, s), 8.87 (1 H, s), 8.43-8.39 (4 H, m), 7.96 (1 H, t), 7.90 (1 H, d), 7.71 (1 H, d), 1-60 (7 H, s), 0.90 (2 Hj t), 0.84 (2 H, d).

Step 1: 2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyI)-l/i-phenanthro[9J0-^imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile
To a solution of 9-BBN in THF (24 ml, 12 mmol, 0.5 M) was added 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (345 mg, 4.0 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred under N2 at rt for overnight. In a second flask charged with PdCl2(dppf) (324 mg, 0.40mmol], CS2CO3 (2.4 g, 8.0 mmol) and PI13AS (124 rag, 0.4
mmol) was added 2-(6-bromo-9-chloro-l^T-phenantbro[9,10-£/)imida2ol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile from Example 36, DMF (24 ml) and H2O (0.88 ml) and the mixture was stirred under N2 for 5 minutes. The
hydroboration mixture was then transferred to the second flask and the resulting reaction suspension was stirred at rt under N2 for 5 days. After being treated with brine, the aqueous phase was extracted with
EtOAc and the combined organic solution was washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO.4. After
removing the drying agent by filtration, the solution pas concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (5D% EtOAc/Hexane) to yield 600 mg of 2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-li/-phenantliro[9,10-£/]imidazol-2-yI)isophthaIonitrile as a yellow solid. *H NMR (400 MHz, Acetone): 5 13.10 (s br, 1 H); 8.94 (s, 1 H); 8.77 (s, 1 H); 8.70-8.60 (m br, 2 H); 8.39 (d, 2 H); 8.03 (t, 1 H); 7.75 (dd, 1 H); 7.69 (dd, 1 E); 4.92 (s, 1 H); 3.05 (m, 2 H); 1.95 (m, 2 H); 1.33 (s, 6 H).


Step l:2~[6-chloro-9-(3-methylbut-3-^
To a stirred suspension of 2-[9-chloro-6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-l-yl)- IH-phenanthro[9,10- reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (20 mL). This EtOAc solution was washed with water, brine and dried over MgS04. After removing the drying agent via filtration, the organic solution was
concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluted with 50/50 EtOAc/hexane) to yield 90 mg of 2-[6-chloro-9-(3-methylbut-3-en-l-yn-l-yl)-li/-
phenanthro[9,10-]imidazoI-2-yl]isophthalonitrile as a yellow solid.
i
yl]isophthalonitrile
To a stirred suspension of 2-[6-chIoro-9-(3-methylbut-3-en-l-yn-l-yl)-l^T-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitnle from Step 1 (22 mg, 0.05 mmol) in 50/501-BUOH/H2O (0.5 mL) was added AD-mix-a (70 mg) at 0 OQ The mixture was left stirring at 0 °C for 24
hours. The resulting reaction mixture was treated with saturated Na2S203 aqueous solution and stirred
for 10 minutes, diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. This EtOAc solution was washed with water, brine and dried over MgS04. After removing the drying agent via filtration, the organic solution
was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluted with 50/50 EtOAc/hexane to 95/5 EtOAc/MeOH) to yield 19 mg of yellow solid. This same
procedure was repeated with AD-mix-P to yield another 19 mg of yellow solid. These two yellow solids
1

were combined to give the racemic 2-[9-chloro-6-(3,4-dihydroxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-l-yl)-l//-
(s, 1 H); 8.57 (d, 1 H); 8.47 (d, 1 H); 8.39 (d, 2 H); 4.56 (s, 1 H); 4.30 (s, 1 H); 3.67 (q, 2 H);
phenanthro[9,10-c/]imidazol-2-yl]isophthalonitnle.
lH NMR (400 MHz, Acetone): 5 8.84 (d, 1 H); 8.80
H); 8.03 (t, 1 H); 7.77 (dd, 8.6 Hz, 1 H); 7.71 (dd, 1
1.56 (s, 3 H).

ASSAYS FOR DETERMINING BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
Inhibition of prostaglandin E synthase activity
Compounds are tested as inhibitors of prostaglandin E synthase activity in microsomal prostaglandin e synthases, whole cell and in vivo assays. These assays measure prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis using either Enzymatic Immunoassay (EIA) or mass spectrometry. Cells used for microsomal preparation are CHO-K1 cells transiently transfected with plasmids encoding the human mPGES-1 cDNA. Cells used for cell-based experiments are huikian A549 (which express human mPGES-1). Guinea pigs are used to test the activity of selected compounds in vivo. In all these assays, 100% activity is defined as the PGE2 production in vehicle-treated samples. IC50 and ED50 represent the concentration or dose of inhibitor required to inhibit PGE2 synthesis by 50% as compared to the uninhibited control.

fractions are prepared from CHO-K1 cells mPGES-1 cDNA. Microsomes are then of 5u,g/ml microsomal PGES-1 with compound rature. The enzyme reactions are performed in educed form. The enzymatic reaction is then prepared in isopropanol (3.5% final in assay well) reaction is terminated by the addition of SnCl2 in in the enzyme reaction aliquots is done by #: 901-001 from Assay Designs).
compounds is shown in the table below. The is an average of at least n=3.
Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase assay
Prostaglandin E synthase microsoma
transiently transfected with plasmid encoding the huihan
prepared and the PGES assay begins with the incubatlion
or DMSO (final 1 %) for 20-30 minutes at room temp
200mM KPi pH 7.0, 2mM EDTA and 2.5mM GSH-r initiated by the addition of luM final PGH2 substrat^
The
and incubated at room temperature for 30 seconds.
IN HC1 (lmg/ml final). Measurement of PGE2 production
EIA using a standard commercially available kit (Cat
rve
Data from this assay for representati potency is expressed as IC50 and the value indicated


Human A549 whole cell prostaglandin E synthase assay
i Rationale
Whole cells provide an intact cellular environment for the study of cellular permeability
and biochemical specificity of anti-inflammatory compounds such as prostaglandin E synthase inhibitors.
i To study the inhibitory activities of these compounds, human A549 cells are stimulated with lOng/ml
recombinant human EL-1P for 24 hours. The production of PGE2 and PGF2a are measured by EIA at the

end of the incubation as readouts for selectivity and effectiveness against mPGES-1 -dependent PGE2
1
production. j

Methods 1
media containing lOng/ml EL-113 is then added to containing RPMI or 50% FBS containing RPML
Human A549 cells specifically express human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and induce its expression following treatment with IL-ip for 24 hours. 2.5x10^ cells seeded in lOOul/well (96-well plate) and incubated overnight under standard conditions. 100 ul of cell culture
Ihe cells followed by the addition of either 2% FBS 2pl of drugs or vehicle (DMSO) are then added and
samples are mixed immediately. Cells are incubaied for 24 hours and following the incubation 175|al of
medium is harvested and assayed for PGE2 and PtiF2a contents by EIA.
Human whole blood prostaglandin E synthase assay
Rationale
Whole blood provides a protein and cell-rich milieu for the study of biochemical efficacy
of anti-inflammatory compounds such as prostaglandin E synthase inhibitors. To study the inhibitory
activities of these compounds, human blood is stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours to induce mPGES-1 expression. The production of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2)
are measured by EIA at the end of the incubation las readouts for selectivity and effectiveness against
mPGES-1 -dependent PGE2 production. I
Methods Human whole blood assays for njPGES-1 activity reported (Brideau, et al., Inflamm. Res., vol. 45, p. 68, 1996) are perfonned as described below.
Freshly isolated venous blood from human volunteers is collected in heparinized tubes. These subjects have no apparent inflammatory conditions and have not taken any NSAIDs for at least 7 days prior to blood collection. 250 ul of blood is pre-incubated with 1 ul vehicle (DMSO) or 1 ul of test compound. Bacterial LPS at 100p.g/ml (E. Coli serotype 0111:B4 diluted in 0.1% w/v bovine serum albumin in phosphate buffered saline) is then added and samples are incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. Unstimulated control blood at time zero (no LPSf) is used as blanlc. At the end of the 24hr incubation, the

blood is centrifuged at 3000rpm for 10 min at 4°C. JThe plasma is assayed for PGE2 and TxB2 using an EIA kit as indicated above.
In vivo determination of antiinflammatory activity
Rationale The whole animal provides an integrated physiological system to confirm the antiinflammatory activity of test compounds characterised in vitro. To determine the activity of prostaglandin E synthase inhibitors in vivo, animals are dosed with compounds either prior or after inflammatory stimulus, LPS. LPS is injected into the hind paw of guinea pigs and hyperalgesia measurements are recorded 4.5 and/or 6 hrs after th$ injection.
Methods
Male Hartley guinea pigs, weighing 200-250 grams were used. LPS (30 mg/kg) is injected sub-plantarly into the left hind paw of the gjuinea pig to produce hyperalgesia in the injected paw. Rectal temperature and paw withdrawal latency, a measure of hypersensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia), are taken prior to LPS injection and used as the baseline. Paw withdrawal latency is determined using the thermal hyperalgesia instrument (Ugo Basile Corp.). During this determination, animals are placed in an 8"x8" plexiglas holding box atop of a glass base. A mild (223mW/cm2) infrared light is directed toward the underside of the hind pajw. The time it takes for the animal to remove its paw (indication that it feels the pain caused by the heat) is recorded. The infrared light immediately shuts off when the animal withdraws its paw from the area. The light will also shut off automatically when the time reaches 20 seconds.
Predose paradigm:
Test compounds are orally dosed a: 5ml/kg using an 18-gauge feeding needle. LPS (serotype 011LB4, 10 jig) or 0.9% saline is injected into the plantar region of the left hind paw at a volume of 100 p.1 using a 26 gauge needle 1 hour following compound administration. Rectal temperature and thermal paw withdrawal latency are taken 4.5 hours after LPS administration. The animals are euthanized following the measurement^ using CO2 and lumbar spinal cord, hind paw and
blood samples collected.

Reversal paradigm:
Thermal paw withdrawal of each animal is determined before and 3 hours following sub-

ed LPS and do not show a decrease in withdrawal
plantar injection of LPS. Animals which have receilatency at the 3 hour time point will be removed from study and euthanized. Test compounds are dosed p.o. at 5ml/kg immediately following the thermal paw withdrawal measurement. Thermal withdrawal

latency is taken 1.5 and 3hours following compound

administration (4.5 and 6 hours post-LPS

administration). After the final reading, the animals are euthanized using C02 and lumbar spinal cord and blood samples collected for prostaglandin determination by mass spectrometry and drug level, respectively.








WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug, wherein:
J is selected from the group consisting of-C(X2)- and -N-, K is selected from the group consisting of-C(X3)- and -N-, L is selected from the group consisting of -C(X4)- and -N-, and M is selected from the group consisting of-C(X5)- and -N-, with the proviso that at least one of J, K, L or M is other than -N-;
X2, X3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) -CN; (3) F; (4) C1; (5) Br; (6) I; (7) -OH; (8) -N3; (9) C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl may be replaced with a flouro atom, and said C1_6alkyl, C2-6alkenyI or C2-6alkynyl may be optionally substituted with a hydroxy group; (10) C^alkoxy; (11) NR9Rl0^(()>cMalkyl-O-; (12) C1-4alkyl-S(0)kS (13) -NO2; (14) C3_6cycloalkyI, (15) C3_6cycloalkoxy; (16) phenyl, (17) carboxy; and (18) C1_4alkyl-0-C(0)-;
Rl, R2, R^, R4, R5, R6} R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) F; (3) C1; (4) Br; (5) I; (6) -CN; (7) C1_6alkyl or C2-£.alkenyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said C1_6alkyl or C2-6a'kenyl may be replaced with a fluoro atom, and wherein said C1. galkyl or C2-6alkenyl may be optionally substituted with one to three substiruents independently selected from the group consisting of: -OH, methoxy, Rl l-O-C(O)-, cyclopropyl, pyridyl and phenyl; (8) C3.

6cycloalkyl; (9) R12-0-; (10) Rl3-S(0)k-, (11) Rl^(0)k-N(Rl5)s (i2) Rl6_C(0>; (13) Rl7-N(Rl8)s (14) Rl9-N(R20).C(O)-; (15) R21_N(R22)_S(0)k-; (16) R23-C(0)-N(R24)_; (17) Z_feC; (18) -(CH3)C=N-OH or-(CH3)0=N-OCH3; and (19) phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyradazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thienyl or furyl, each optionally substituted with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of: Fs CI, Br, I, C1_4alkyl, phenyl, methylsulfonyl, rnethylsulfonylamino, R25-0-C(O)- and R26JN(R27)_) said C1-4alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups independently selected from halo and hydroxy;
each Z is independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) Cj^alkyl, wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to said C]-6alkyl may be replaced with a flouro atom, and wherein C1-6alkyl is optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from: hydroxy, methoxy, cyclopropyl, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, R28.N(R29). and R30_O-C(O)-; (3) -(CH3)C=N-OH or -(CH3)C-N-OCH3; (4) R3 l-C(O)-; (5) phenyl; (6) pyridyl or the N-oxide thereof; (7) C3_6cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy; (8) tetrahydropyranyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy; and (9) a five-membered aromatic heterocycle containing 1 to 3 atoms independently selected from O, N or S and optionally substituted with methyl;
each R9, Rl0? R15S R24 and R32 \S independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; and (2)CMalkyl;

R31 is independently selected from the group ; (4) phenyl, (5) benzyl; and (6) pyridyl; said C1each be optionally substituted with 1 to 3
onsisting of: OH, F, CI, Br and I;
may
each Rl 1, Rl2, R13, R14 R16, R23? R25, R30 and consisting of: (1) H; (2) C1-4alkyl, (3) C3.6cycloalk|yl 4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and pyridyl substituents independently selected from the group

each Rl7, Rl8, Rl9, R205 R21, R22, R26, R27, R2S; and R29 independently selected from the group

consisting of: (1) H; (2) C1-6alkyl; (3) C1-4alkoxy;

(4) OH and (5) benzyl or 1-phenylethyl; and R7 and

R18, Rl9 and R20, R21 and R22, R26 and R27, anc R28 and R29 may be joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a monocyclic ring of 5 or 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or two atoms independently selected from -0-, -S(0)k- and -N(R32)_; and
each k is independently 0, 1 or 2.


Dr a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug.
3. The compound according to Claim 2 wherein:
K2, X3, X4 and X^ are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) -CN; (3) F; 4) CI; (5) Br; and (6) I.
4. The compound according tp Claim 2, wherein X2, X3 and X4 are H, and X5 is
;>ther than H.
5. The compound according to Claim 4, wherein X5 is -CN.
6. The compound according to Claim 2, wherein at least one of Rl or R8 is other than H.
7. The compound according to Claim 2 wherein at least one of R- or R7 is other
than H.
8. The compound according Claim 2 wherein at least one of R4 or R5 is other
than H. '

9. The compound according to Claim 2 wherein:
at least one of R3 or R6 is other than H; and
Rl, R2, R4, R5, R7 and R8 are H.
10. The compound according to| Claim 9, wherein R3 and R6 are both other than H.
11. The compound according to Claim 10, wherein:
one of R3 or R6 is independently selected from the group consisting of: F, CI, Br, and I; and the other of R3 or R6 is Z-C=C.
12. The compound according to Claim 9, wherein: R3 and R6 are independently
selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methyl, ethyl, vinyl, cyclopropyl, -CO2/-Pr, -CO2CH3, -SO2CF3, 3-pyridyI, acetyl,





with the proviso that at least one of R3 or R6 is other than H.
13. The compound according to Claim 1 according to Formula B:

or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or prodrug.
14. The compound according to Claim 13 wherein:
i one of R3 or R6 is independently selected from the group consisting of: F, CI, Br, and I; and
the other of R3 or R6 is Z-C=C.
15. A prodrug of a compound according to Claim 1 of Formula C


or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:
Yl is selected from the group consisting of: (1) C1-6alkyl; (2) P04-C1-4 alky]-; (3) C1-4alkyl-C(0)-0-CH2-, wherein the C1-4alkyl portion is optionally substituted with R33-0-C(0)-; and (4) C1-4aJkyl-0-C(O)-; and
R33 is selected from the group consisting of: (1) H; (2) C1-4alkyl, (3) C3_6cycloalkyl; (4) phenyl; (5) benzyl; and (6) pyridyl; said C1-4alkyl, C3_6cycloalkyl, phenyl, ben2yl and pyridyl may each be
optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: OH, F, CI, Br and I.















j
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any of the abbve.
17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to Claim 1 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.


Documents:

2319-CHENP-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 27-01-2014.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 27-01-2014.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 27-01-2014.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 OTHERS 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 POWER OF ATTORNEY 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED. 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 FORM-3 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-CHENP-2007 FORM-5 23-12-2013.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-abstract.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-assignement.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-claims.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-description(complete).pdf

2319-chenp-2007-form 1.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-form 3.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-form 5.pdf

2319-chenp-2007-pct.pdf

abs-2319-chenp-2007.jpg

abs-2319.jpg


Patent Number 259059
Indian Patent Application Number 2319/CHENP/2007
PG Journal Number 09/2014
Publication Date 28-Feb-2014
Grant Date 24-Feb-2014
Date of Filing 29-May-2007
Name of Patentee MERCK FROSST CANADA LTD.
Applicant Address 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 COTE, BERNARD 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
2 FRENETTE, RICHARD 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
3 GAGNON, MARC 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
4 MARTINS, EVELYN 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
5 WU, TOM 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
6 CHAU, ANH 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
7 DUCHARME, YVES 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
8 FRIESEN, RICHARD 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
9 GIROUX, ANDRE 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
10 YU, HONGPING 16711 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY, KIRKLAND, QUEBEC H9H 3L1 CA
PCT International Classification Number C07D 235/02
PCT International Application Number PCT/CA2005/001921
PCT International Filing date 2005-12-15
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/637,180 2004-12-17 U.S.A.
2 60/739,338 2005-11-23 U.S.A.