Title of Invention

SUBSTITUTED INDOLEALKANOIC ACID COMPOUND .

Abstract The invention provides substituted indolealkanoic acids of Formula I useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and methods of treating or preventing chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus employing the compounds. The invention also provides methods for the synthesis of the compounds of Formula I.
Full Text "SUBSTITUTED INDOLEALKANOIC ACIDS COMPOUND"
Background of Invention:
The use of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) for the
treatment of diabetic complications is well known. The
complications arise from elevated levels of glucose in tissues
such as the nerve, kidney, retina and lens that enters the
polyol pathway and is converted to sorbitol via aldose
reductase. Because sorbitol does not easily cross cell
membranes, it accumulates inside certain cells resulting in
changes in osmotic pressure, alterations in the redox state of
pyridine nucleotides (i.e. increased NADH/NAD+ ratio) and
depleted intracellular levels of myoinositol. These
biochemical changes, which have been linked to diabetic
complications, can be controlled by inhibitors of aldose
reductase.
The use of aldose reductase inhibitors for the treatment
of diabetic complications has been extensively reviewed, see:
(a) Textbook of Diabetes, 2nd ed.; Pickup, J. C. and Williams,
G. (Eds.); Blackwell Science, Boston, MA 1997.; (b) Larson, E.
R.; Lipinski, C. A. and Sarges, R., Medicinal Research Reviews,
1988, 8 (2), 159-198; (c) Dvornik, D. Aldose Reductase

Inhibition. Porte, D. (ed), Biomedical Information Corp., New
York, NY. Mc Graw Hill 1987; (d) Petrash, J. M., Tarle, I.,
Wilson, D. K. Quiocho. F. A. Perspectives in Diabetes, Aldose
Reductase Catalysis and Crystalography: Insights From Recent
Advances in Enzyme Structure and Function, Diabetes, 1994, 43,
955; (e) Aotsuka, T.; Abe, N.; Fukushima, K.; Ashizawa, N.and
Yoshida, M., Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Letters, 1997, 7, 1677, (f),
T., Nagaki, Y.; Ishii, A.; Konishi, Y.; Yago, H; Seishi, S.;
Okukado, N.; Okamoto, K., J. Med. Chem., 1997, 40, 684; (g)
Ashizawa, N.; Yoshida, M.; Sugiyama, Y.; Akaike, N.; Ohbayashi,
S.; Aotsuka, T.; Abe, N.; Fukushima, K.; Matsuura, A, Jpn. J.
Pharmacol. 1997, 73, 133; (h) Kador, P. F.; Sharpless, N. E.,
Molecular Pharmacology, 1983, 24, 521; (I) Kador, P. F.;
Kinoshita, J. H.; Sharpless, N. E., J. Med. Chem. 1985, 28 (7),
841; (j) Hotta, N., Biomed. & Pharmacother. 1995, 5, 232; (k)
Mylar, B.; Larson, E. R.; Beyer, T. A.; Zembrowski, W. J.;
Aldinger, C. E.; Dee, F. D.; Siegel, T. W.; Singleton, D. H.,
J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108; (1) Dvornik, D. Croatica Chemica
Acta 1996, 69 (2),613.
Previously described aldose reductase inhibitors most
closely related to the present invention include those sighted
in: (a) U.S Pat. No. 5,700,819: 2-Substituted benzothiazole
derivatives useful in the treatment of diabetic complications,
(b) U.S Pat. No. 4,868,301: Processes and intermediates for the
preparation of oxophthalazinyl acetic acids having


benzothiazole or other heterocyclic side chains, (c) U.S Pat.
No. 5,330,997; 1H-indazole-3-acetic acids as aldose reductase
inhibitors, and (d) U.S Pat. No. 5,236,945; 1H-indazole-3-
acetic acids as aldose reductase inhibitors. Although many
aldose reductase inhibitors have been extensively developed,
none have demonstrated sufficient efficacy in human clinical
trials without significant undesirable side effects. Thus no
aldose reductase inhibitors are currently available as approved
therapeutic agents in the United States; and consequently,
there is still a significant need for new, efficacious and safe -
medications for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Summary of the Invention:
This invention provides compounds that interact with and
inhibit aldose reductase. Thus, in a broad aspect, the
invention provides compounds of Formula I:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein
A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C1-C2
alkyl or mono- or disubstituted with halogen, preferably
fluoro or chloro;
Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or C1-C3 alkylene optionally
substituted with C1-C2 alkyl;
R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, 3-,
or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is
optionally substituted with up to three groups selected
from halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, nitro,
amino, or mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently
hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon
atoms (which may be substituted with one or more
halogens);

OR,, SR7, S(O)R7, S(O)2(R7)2, C(O)N(R7)2, or N(R7)2, wherein
each R7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-
6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or
more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is
optionally substituted with up to three groups
independently selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C6
alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino; phenyl
or heteroaryl such as 2-, 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-, 3-,
or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is
optionally substituted with up to three groups -
independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6
alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkylamino; or
a group of the formula

where
J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and
each r is independently 2 or 3;
R6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group;
Ra is hydrogen, C1-C6, alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and


Ar represents aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is optionally
substituted with up to five groups.
In another aspect, the invention provides methods for
preparing such compounds.
The compounds of the invention inhibit aldose reductase.
Since aldose reductase is critical to the production of high
levels of sorbitol in individuals with diabetes, inhibitors of
aldose reductase are useful in preventing and/or treating
various complications associated with diabetes. The compounds
of the invention are therefore effective for the treatment of
diabetic complications as a result of their ability to inhibit
aldose reductase.
Thus, in another aspect, the invention provides methods
for treating and/or preventing chronic complications associated
with diabetes mellitus, including, for example, diabetic
cataracts, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
In still another aspect, the invention provides
pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I.

Detailed Description of the Invention
The numbering system for the compounds of Formula I is as
follows:
As noted above, the invention provides novel substituted
indole alkanoic acids useful in treating and/or preventing
complications associated with or arising from elevated levels
of glucose in individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus.
These compounds are represented by Formula I above.
In compounds of Formula I, the aryl and heteroaryl groups
represented by Ar include:
a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to 5 groups
independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6
carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more
halogens), nitro, 0R7, SR7, S(O)R7, S(O)2R7 or N(R7)2 wherein
R7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which
may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl,
where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up
to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6
alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-
C6) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with

benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one
or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trif luoromethyl,
perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C1-C6)alkanoyl,
hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio,
trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-
C6) alkylsulfinyl, (C1-C6) alkylsulfonyl;
a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or
sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by
oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be
replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered
ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (C1-
C6)alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or
substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said
phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo,
cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C1-
C6)alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy,
(C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, (C1-C6) alkylthio,
trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-
C8) alkylsulf inyl, (C1-C6) alkylsulf onyl or trif luoromethyl,
or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or
one (C1-C6) alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and
one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl
or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by
fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6) alkoxy;

a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen
atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or
sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by
one or two (C1-C6)alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with
benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl,
said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo
or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro,
bromo, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, (C1-
C6) alkylsulf inyl, (Cl-C6)allcylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl,
and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted -
in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-
C6) alkoxy;
said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered
rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-
membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro,
bromo, methoxy, of trifluoromethyl;
oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group
containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or
with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro,
chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or
methylsulfinyl;
imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by
one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or
(C1-C6) alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro;

thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of
fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole
optionally substituted by one of chloro or
trifluoromethyl;
naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole.
More specific compounds of the invention are those of
Formula I wherein Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazolyl,
benzoxazolyl, isoquinolyl, benzothiophen-yl, benzofuran-yl on
benzimidazolyl, or substituted oxadiazolyl or indolyl. Other'
more specific compounds are of Formula I those wherein Ra is
trifluoromethyl, Z is a covalent bond or CH2, R6 is hydroxy,
and each of R2-R5 are independently hydrogen, halogen, more
preferably bromo or chloro, C1-C2 alkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, or
C1-C2 alkoxy, and Rl is hydrogen or methyl.
Preferred compounds of the invention are those wherein Z
is a covalent bond, R6 is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted
benzothiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-5-yl, benzoisothiazol-3-yl,
benzoxazol-2-yl, 2-quinolyl, 2-quinoxalyl, oxazolo[4,5-
b]pyridine-2-yl, benzothiophen-2-yl, benzofuran-2-yl, or
thazolo[4,5-pyridine-2-y, thieno[2,3-b]pyridine2-yl,
imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-2-yl, or indol-2-yl, or substituted
1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, isothiazol-5-yl,
isothiazol-4-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl,
oxazol-2-yl, thiazol-2-yl, or thiazol-4-yl, R2_R5 are

independently hydrogen, halogen, more preferably bromo or
chloro, C1-C2 alkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy or phenyl where each
phenyl portion is optionally substituted with C1-C6 alkyl,
halogen, C1-C6 alkoxy, hydroxy, amino or mono- or di (C1-C6)
alkylamino Ra is hydrogen, fluro or C1-C6 alkyl, and R1 is
hydrogen or methyl.
Other preferred compounds are those wherein the methylene
bridge connecting the indolyl group with Ar is located alpha
with respect to a nitrogen atom in Ar, e.g. wherein Ar is
benzoxazol-2-yl or l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl mentioned above.
Other more specific compounds of the invention are those
wherein Z is a covalent bond, R6 is hydroxy, Ra is hydrogen, Ar
is optionally 4,5,6 or 7 benzo-substituted benzothiazolyl,
benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzofuranyl, or
indolyl, or Ar is 2-benzothiazolyl substituted on benzo by one
trifluoroacetyl or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro
chloro, bromo, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, trif luoromethyl,
trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, or one or, preferably,
two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two
trif luoromethyl with one methoxy, or three fluoro, or by 6,7-
benzo, and those wherein one of R2 and R3 is hydrogen, fluoro,
chloro, bromo or methyl, and one of R4 and R5 is hydrogen, or
chloro, bromo, methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, nitro or
trif luoromethyl; or R3 and R4 is 5, 6-difluoro, Ra is hydrogen;
and those wherein Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-
-i i -

yl or quinoxalyl and R3 and R4 are each chloro, and R1 is
hydrogen or methyl.
Further more specific compounds are those wherein Z is a
covalent bond, R6 is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted
benzothiazol-2-yl, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, and R5 is methyl;
those wherein Z is a covalent bond, R6 is hydroxy, R3, R4 and R5
are hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, bromo or C1-C6 alkyl, Ra is
hydrogen, and Ar is optionally 4,5,6 or 7 benzosubstituted
benzothiazolyl - 2- trifluoromethyl, benzoxazolyl - 2 -
trifluoromethyl, benzimidazolyl-2-trifluoromethyl, benzofuran-
2-trifluoromethyl, benzofuran-3-trifluoromethyl, benzothiophen-
2-trifluoromethyl, benzothiophen-3-trif luoromethyl, indolyl-2-
trif luoromethyl, or indolyl-3-trifluoromethyl; and those
wherein Z is CH2, R6 is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted
benzothiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-5-yl, benzoisothiazol-3-yl,
benzoxazol-2-yl, 2-quinolyl, 2-quinoxalyl, oxazolo[4,5-
b]pyridine-2-yl, or thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-yl, or
substituted 1,2,4- oxadiazol3-yl, l,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl,
isothiazol-5-yl, isothiazol4-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,5-
thiadiazol-3-yl, oxazol-2-yl, thiazol-2-yl, or thiazol-4-yl,
and R3, R4 and Rs are independently hydrogen, chloro, fluoro,
bromo, C1-C2 alkyl, or trifluoromethyl, and Ra is hydrogen.
Generally, R3 in the specific compounds described above is
hydrogen, halogen, preferably chloro or fluoro, C1-C6 alkyl, or
phenyl optionally substituted with with up to three groups


independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,
amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino. Preferred R1 groups
are hydrogen and methyl.
Preferred compounds of the invention include those where
Ar in Formula I is substituted phenyl, i.e., compounds of
Formula II:
wherein
A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C1-C2
alkyl;
Z is a bond, or C1-C3 alkylene optionally substituted with C1-C2
alkyl;
Ra is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, or
trifluoromethyl;
R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, or phenyl optionally
substituted with up to three groups independently selected
from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-
or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently
hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms
(which may be substituted with one or more halogens),


nitro, 0R7, SR7, S(O)R7, S (O)2N(R7)2, C (O)N(R7)2,or
N(R,)2, wherein each R7 is independently hydrogen, an
alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be
substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl,
where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
phenyl or heteroaryl such as 2-, 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-,
3-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl'
is optionally substituted with up to three groups
independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6
alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkylamino; or
a group of the formula

where
J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and
each r is independently 2, or 3;

R6 is hydrogen, an alkoxy group of 1-6 carbon atoms, or -O-M+
where M+ is a cation forming a pharmaceutically acceptable
salt; and
R8, R9, and R10 are independently hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, trifluoromethyl or nitro.
Other preferred compounds of the invention are those where
Ar is a substituted benzothiazole, i.e., compounds of
Formula III:

wherein
A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C1-C2
alkyl;
Z is a bond, or C1-C3 alkylene optionally substituted with C1-C3
alkyl;
Ra is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, or
trifluoromethyl;
R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halogen, preferably chloro or
fluoro, or phenyl optionally substituted with with up to
three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6

alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-
C6)alkylamino;
R2, R3, R, and R5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, an
alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted
with one or more halogens), nitro, OR7, SR,, s(O)R7,
S(O)2N(R7)2 C(O)N(R7)2 or N(R,)2, wherein each R7 is
independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms
(which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or
benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from'
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkyl amino;
phenyl or heteroaryl such as 2-, 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-,
3-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl
is optionally substituted with up to three groups
independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6
alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C1-C6)alkylamino;
phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkyl amino; or
a group of the formula


J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and
each r is independently 2 or 3;
R6 is hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, or -O-M+ where M+ is a cation
forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and
R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro,
hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio,
trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, C1-C6 alkylsulfinyl, or
C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl.
In preferred compounds of Formula III, the R2, R3, R4 and
R5 substituents, in combination, represent one of bromo, cyano-
or nitro, one or two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, (C1-C6) alkyl,
(C1-C6) alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two methyl
with one hydroxy or one (C1-C6) alkoxy, or one or, preferably,
two fluoro and one methyl, or three fluoro groups.
Particularly preferred R2, R3, R4 and R5 substituents are,
independently, fluoric, chlorine, nitro, and trifluoromethyl.
In preferred compounds of Formulas II and III, A is
preferably methylene, methylene substituted with a methyl
group, or ethylene.
Preferred compounds according to Formula II above include
those wherein Ra is fluorine, R9 is hydrogen and R10 is bromine
or those wherein R8 and R10 are hydrogens and R9 is nitro.
Preferred compounds of Formula III above are thosewherein
the benzothiazole moiety is substituted with nitro, one, two,
or three of fluoro, one or two of chloro, or at least one

trifluoromethyl group. More preferred compounds of Formula II
are those where A is methylene, Rt is hydrogen or methyl, Z is
a bond, and R6 is hydroxy or C1-C6 alkoxy.
Still more preferred compounds of Formula II are those
wherein R11, R12 and R14 are fluorines and R13 is hydrogen. Other
more preferred compounds of Formula II are those where Ra is
methyl or hydrogen, Z is methylene or, more preferably, a bond,
A is CHF or C1 or C2 alleylene, preferably methylene, R1 is
methyl or hydrogen, and R11, R12 and R14 are halogens or Cl-C3
alkyl. Still other more preferred compounds of Formula III are -
those where Ra is methyl or hydrogen, Z is methylene or, more
preferably, a bond, A is CHF or C1 or C2 alkylene, R1 is methyl
or hydrogen, and R11, R12 and R14 are fluorines or chlorines.
Particularly preferred compounds of Formula I are those
where R1 and R4 are independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6
alkoxy, or halogen, and Ra is methyl or hydrogen, Z is a bond,
A is methylene, methyl substituted methylene, or ethylene, R1
is methyl or hydrogen, and R11, R12 and R14 are fluorines or
chlorines.
The term "prodrug group" denotes a moiety that is
converted in vivo into the active compound of formula I wherein
R6 is hydroxy. Such groups are generally known in the art and
include ester forming groups, to form an ester prodrug, such as
benzyloxy, di(C1-C6) alkylaminoethyloxy, acetoxymethyl,

pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidoyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl, 5-
methyl-2-oxo-l,3-dioxol-4-yl methyl, and (C1-C6) alkoxy
optionally substituted by N-morpholino and amide-forming groups
such as di (C1-C6) alkylamino. Preferred prodrug groups include
hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, and O-M+ where M+ represents a cation.
Preferred cations include sodium, potassium, and ammonium.
Other cations include magnesium and calcium. Further preferred
prodrug grops include 0+M++ where M++ is a divalent cation such
as magnesium or calcium.
In certain situations, compounds of Formula I may contain -
one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, so that the compounds can
exist in different stereoisomeric forms. These compounds can
be, for example, racemates or optically active forms. In these
situations, the single enantiomers, i.e., optically active
forms, can be obtained by asymmetric synthesis or by resolution
of the racemates. Resolution of the racemates can be
accomplished, for example, by conventional methods such as
crystallization in the presence of a resolving agent, or
chromatography, using, for example a chiral HPLC column.
Representative compounds of the present invention include
the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of
compounds where R6 includes basic nitrogen atom, i.e, an
alkylamino or morpholino group. In addition, if the compound
or prodrug of the invention is obtained as an acid addition
salt, the free base can be obtained by basifying a solution of


the acid salt. Conversely, if the product is a free base, an
addition salt, particularly a pharmaceutically acceptable
addition salt, may be produced by dissolving the free base in a
suitable organic solvent and treating the solution with an
acid, in accordance with conventional procedures for preparing
acid addition salts from base compounds.
Non-toxic pharmaceutical salts include salts of acids such
as hydrochloric, phosphoric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfinic,
formic, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, nitric, benzoic,
citric, tartaric, maleic, hydroiodic, alkanoic such as acetic,
HOOC-(CH2)n-ACOOH where n is 0-4, and the like. Non-toxic
pharmaceutical base addition salts include salts of bases such
as sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, and the like. Those
skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of non-toxic
pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts.
As used herein, the terms 2-benzothiazolyl and
benzothiazol-2-yl are synonymous.
Representative groups of the formula

include those where J is oxygen and each r is 2 (morpholinyl),
J is nitrogen and each r is 2 (piperazinyl) or one r is 2 and
the other 3 (homopiperazinyl), or J is CH2 and each r is 2
(piperidinyl) or one r is 2 and the other 3 (homopiperidinyl).

Preferred groups of this formula are morpholinyl and
piperazinyl.
The heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one to three
nitrogen atoms, one of which may be replaced by oxygen or
sulfur includes imidazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl,
oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, and triazolyl.
The heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three
nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or
sulfur includes triazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, oxazinyl and
triazinyl.
The heterocyclic ring may be condensed with benzo so that
said ring is attached at two neighboring carbon atoms to form a
phenyl group. Such benzoheterocyclic ring may be attached to Z
either through the heterocyclic group or through the benzo
group of the benzoheterocyclic ring. Specific wherein said
heterocyclic ring is condensed with a benzo include
benzoxazolyl, quinazolin-2-yl, 2-benzimidazolyl, quinazolin-4-
yl and benzothiazolyl. The oxazole or thiazole condensed with
a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen
atoms include positional isomers such as oxazolo[4,5-
b]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolo[4,5-
c]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo [4,5-c]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolo[5,4-
b]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolo[5,4-
c] pyridine-2-yl, and thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-yl.

The following compounds of the invention are provided to
give the reader an understanding of the compounds encompassed
by the invention:
3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
5-chloro-3- (4, 5,7-trif luorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
2-methyl-3- (4,5, 7-trif luorobenzothiazol - 2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
5-methyl-3- (4, 5,7- trif luorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
7 -methyl -3 - (4,5,7- trif luorobenzothiazol - 2 -yl) methyl - indole-N-
acetic acid
6 -chloro- 3 -(4,5,7- trif luorobenzothiazol -2 -yl) methyl - indole- N-
acetic acid
5-benzyloxy-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-
N-acetic acid
6-fluoro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
5-fluoro-3- (4,5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
6-methyl-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid
3-methyl(4, 5, 7- trifluorobenzothiazol -2 -yl) methyl-indole-N-2
propionic acid

3-methyl (4,5, 7-trif luorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-3
propionic acid
3 - (5 - trif luoromethylbenzothiazol - 2 -yl) methyl - indole-N-acetic
acid
5 -methyl - 3 - (5 - trifluoromethylbenzothiazol - 2 -yl) methyl - indole -N-
acetic acid
3- (3-nitrophenyl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid
The above compounds, further described in the Examples and -
other description of the invention below, are illustrative but
are not meant to limit in any way the scope of the contemplated
compounds according to the present invention.
The compounds of general Formula I may be administered
orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation or spray or
rectally in dosage unit formulations containing conventional
non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and
vehicles. The term parenteral as used herein includes
subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular,
intrasternal injection or infusion techniques. In addition,
there is provided a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a
compound of general Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. One or more compounds of general Formula I may be
present in association with one or more non-toxic
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents and/or


adjuvants and if desired other active ingredients. The
pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of general
Formula I may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example,
as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions,
dispersible powders or granules, emulsion, 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.
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 ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for
example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.
Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in
admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of
aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents,
for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose,
hydropropylmethylcellulose, 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 heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, 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 or saccharin.
Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the
active ingredients in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil,
olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a 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 palatable oral -
preparations. 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.
Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be
in the form of 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 gums,

for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring
phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or
partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol,
anhydrides, for example sorbitan monoleate, and condensation
products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for
example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoleate. The emulsions may
also contain sweetening and flavoring 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 oleaginous 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 sterile injectable solution or
suspension in a non-toxic parentally acceptable diluent or
solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. 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.
The compounds of general 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.
Compounds of general Formula I may be administered
parenterally in a sterile medium. The drug, depending on the
vehicle and concentration used, can either be suspended or
dissolved in the vehicle. Advantageously, adjuvants such as
local anesthetics, preservatives and buffering agents can be
dissolved in the vehicle.
Dosage levels on the order of from about 0.1 mg to about
140 mg per kilogram of body weight per day are useful in the
treatment of the above-indicated conditions (about 0.5 mg to
about 7 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. Dosage unit
forms will generally contain between from about 1 mg to about
1000 mg of an active ingredient.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose
level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of
factors including the activity of the specific compound
employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time
of administration, route of administration, and rate of
excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular
disease undergoing therapy.
The compounds of the present invention may be prepared by
use of known chemical reactions and procedures. General
methods for synthesizing the compounds are presented below. It
is understood that the nature of the substituents required for
the desired target compound often determines the preferred
method of synthesis. All variable groups of these methods are
as described in the generic description if they are not
specifically defined below. More detailed procedures for
particular examples are presented below in the experimental
section.
Methods of Preparation
The compounds of the invention where Ar is benzothiazolyl
can be conveniently prepared from a substituted indole moiety
using general Scheme A set forth below.


Treatment of a nitrile indole IV with a strong base such
as, for example, sodium hydride, butyl lithium or sodium tert-
butoxide, in a polar aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile,
tetrahydrofuran or N,N-dimethylformamide followed by an
treatment with an alkylating agent, e.g., ethyl or tert-butyl
bromoacetate, provides the desired N-alkylated product V.
Alternativly, phase transfer catalysis can be used in a
biphasic solvent system. A general review of such alkylations
can be found in Sundberg, R. J. Indoles; Chapter 11, Academic
Press Inc., San Diego, CA, 1996. Condensation with a suitable
2-amino thiophenol hydrochloride salt VI provides

benzothiazole intermediate VII. These reactions are most often
carried out in an alcohol solvents at elevated temperatures;
however, other solvents like N,N-dimethylformamide and N-
methylpyrrolidone can be used or the reactions can be carried
out in the absence of solvents altogether. The scope of the
reaction conditions useful for this transformation have been
described previously (U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,819). General
methods for the preparation of various substituted 2-amino
thiophenols are also well known (J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108
and Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1994, 42, 1264). In general, the best
method of synthesis is determined by such factors as
availability of starting materials and ease of synthesis.
Deprotection of the alkanoic acid moiety VII can be carried out
by methods common to those skilled in the art to result in
compounds of Formula III. The method used in the deprotection
depends on the type of protecting group. A description of such
protecting groups and methods for deprotecting them may be
found in: Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second
Edition, T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts, John Wiley and Sons,
Ney York, 1991. When a methyl or ethyl ester is used, an
aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in ethanol or dimethoxyethane
is conveniently employed for its removal.
If not commercially available, nitrile IV can be prepared
substantially as described below in Scheme B depicting the
formation of 3-acetonitrile substituted indoles of Formula IV

where Z is a bond. Thus, an indole moiety in a weak acid
solution, for example, acetic acid in ethanol, is treated with
aqueous formaldehyde and dimethyl amine in an alcohol solvent.
The 3- (dimethylamino) methyl indole product can then be treated
with sodium or potassium cyanide in N,N-dimethylformamide at
elevated temperatures to provide the 3-acetonitrile substituted
indole intermediate. Alternatively, an iminium salt like N,N-
dimethylmethyleneammonium chloride can be used to prepare the
3-(dimethylamino)methyl indole intermediate.

The 3-(dimethylamino) methyl indole intermediate can also
be converted to the the 3-acetonitrile substituted indole
intermediate via the trimethyl ammonium salt. The salt can be
prepared by treating the gramine intermediate with an

alkalating agent like methyl iodide. The trimethyl ammonium
salt intermediate can then be converted to the nitrile by
treatment with sodium or potassium cyanide in a solvent like
N,N-dimethylformamide. In general, the conversion to the
acetonitrile occurs under more mild conditions when the
trimethyl ammonium salt is used.
Alternatively, other compounds, such as those where Z-Ar
represents a wide variety of substituted hetercycles, may be
prepared using the general method outlined in Scheme C. Here,
substituted indole intermediates where X is an activating group -
like hydroxyl, halogen, dialkyl amino, trialkyl ammonium or
benzotriazole are coupled with Q-Z-Ar groups using methods
well-established in indole chemistry. Examples of these
methods where Q is Na or H and Z is sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen
carbon or a bond are described in (A) Tidwell, J.H.; Peat,
A.J.; Buchwald, S.L. J. Org. Chem. 1994, 59, 7164; (B) Bruneau,
P.; Delvare, C; Edwards, M.P.; McMillan, R.M. J. Med. Chem.
1991, 34, 1028; (C) Gan, T.; Cook, J.M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997,
38, 1301; (D) Cerreto,F.; Villa, A.; Retico, A.; Scalzo, M.
Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1992, 27 701; (E) Majchrzak, M.W.; Zobel,
J.N.; Obradovich, D.J.; Synth. Common. 1997, 27, 3201; (F)
DeLeon, C.Y.; Ganem, B. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 8730; (G)
Katritzky, A.R.; Toader, D; Xie, L. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61,
7571.

It is understood that, depending on the specific chemistry
used, a protecting group, P, may be required. In general, p
represents groups such as acyloxy, alkyl, sulfonyl or A-COOR.
The use of these general methods is illustrated in Protective
Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second Edition, T. W. Green and P.
G. M. Wuts, John Wiley and Sons, Ney York, 1991.

In general, the intermediate compounds wherein R2-6 is aryl
or heteroaryl can be synthesized by the chemistry illustrated
in reaction Scheme D below. For example, treatment of the
potassium salt of an optionally substituted bromoindole with
tert-butyllithium at low temperature in an ethereal solvent
such as ether or tetrahydrofuran followed by the addition of an
electrophile represents a general method for obtaining
substituted indoles, as described by Rapoport, H. (J. Org.
Chem. 1986, 51, 5106). For a discussion of a synthesis where R
is acyl, see Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1999, 9, 333; where R is,
thiomethyl, see Heterocycles, 1992, 34, 1169; and where R is
cycloalkyl, see J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 526.


More specifically the addition of a trialkyl borate
followed by an acidic work-up provides the desired indole
boronic acids (Heterocycles, 1992, 34, 1169). Indole boronic
acids can be used in well established transition metal
catalyzed coupling reactions like the Suzuki reaction to
provide aryl and heteroaryl indoles. These reactions are most
often carried out in a mixture of ethereal or alcohol solvents
with aqueous base in the presence of palladium catalyst, such
as Pd(OAc)2, Pd(OAc)2 w/ PPh3 or Pd(PPh3)4 as described in
Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 4467, J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 1372
and Heterocycles 1992, 34, 1395.
Alternatively, an optionally substituted bromoindole can
be treated with an arylboronic acid and a palladium catalyst
to provide arylindoles in large quantities (Synlett 1994, 93).
A general review of Suzuki cross-couplings between boronic
acids and aryl halides can be found in Miyaura, N; Suzuki, A.
Chem. Rev. 1995, 95, 2457.


For example, treatment of the advanced intermediate indole
X with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid using Pd-mediated
coupling conditions provides the desired aryl and heteroaryl
indole product XI as shown in scheme (E). In general the
utility of this method is determined by the ease of synthesis
of advanced intermediates of type X and the commercial
availability of aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids.

In addition, certain organometallic reactions eliminate
the need for de novo construction of the indole nucleus. For
example, the Stille reaction serves as a general method for the
synthesis of regiocontrolled substitution of indole
intermediates as described by Farina, V.; Krishnamurthy, V;
Scott, W., Organic Reactions, 1998, 50, 1-652. As indicated in
the scheme below, the indole may serve as the organotin species
or the aryl halide. The stannylindole (XII), where P is a
suitable protecting group such as [2-(trimethyl)ethoxy]methyl
(SEM) or an alkyl substituent, is treated with a variety of
partners (i.e., vinyl/allylic halides, vinyl triflates,
aryl/heteroaryl halides and acyl halides) in the presence of a


Pd(O)Ln catalyst to provide the desired indoles (XII) (
Synnlett 1993, 771, Helv. Chim. Acta 1993, 76, 2356 and J. Org.
Chem. 1994, 59, 4250). Conversely, a haloindole (XIV) is
treated with a variety of tin reagents under Stille conditions
to provide the desired substituted indoles (XV) as described in
Heterocycles 1988, 27, 1585 and Synth. Comm 1992, 22, 1627).

A general procedure for the synthesis of intermediate
compounds using amines of the formula NRxRx2 (NR1R2 in the scheme
below) is given in scheme F below. In Scheme F, Rx and Rx2 are
the same or different and represent hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, or Rx
and Rx2 together represent a group of the formula:

where J and each r is as defined above for formula I.
As shown in Scheme F, nucleophilic substitution of X (X is
halogen, preferably fluorine) in an aromatic system is a method


often used to substitute aromatic rings with amine and ether
functionalities. Both 4- and 5- fluoro-2-nitrotoluene are
sufficiently activated to undergo substitution with amines in
the presence of K2CO3 in a polar aprotic solvent such as, for
example, DMSO as described in J. Med. Chem. 1993, 36, 2716.
The Leimgruber -Batcho two-step method is a general process for
the construction of the indole ring system from the appropriate
o-nitrotoluene. This reaction involves the condensation of an
o-nitrotoluene with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal
followed by a reductive cyclization under suitable conditions -
such as hydrogen over a palladium catalyst or Zn/HOAc as
described in Sundberg, R.J. Indoles; Chapter 2, Academic Press
Inc., San Diego, CA, 1996. A representative description of the
process can also be found in Organic Synthesis, 1984, 63, 214.


A general procedure for the synthesis of intermediate
compounds wherein R is an aromatic, heteroaromatic or alkyl
group is indicated in Scheme G below. As previously described,
nucleophilic substitution of halogen, preferably fluorine, in
an aromatic system is a method often used to substitute
aromatic rings with amine and ether functionalities. Both 4-
and 5-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene are sufficiently activated enough
to undergo substitution with alcohols- or phenols in the
presence of K2CO3 in a polar aprotic solvent such as DMSO. A
similar system using KOH and phenol is described in J. Med.
Chem. 1994, 37, 1955. Alternatively, solid-liquid phase
transfer catalysis (PTC) methods have been used to prepare
intermediate ethers of this type as described in Synth. Comm.
1990, 20, 2855. The appropriately substituted o-nitrotoluene
can then be converted to the appropriate indole by the
Leimgruber-Batcho method previously desribed.


The preparation of intermediate alkoxy indole compounds
wherein R is C1-C6 alkyl is outlined in Scheme H below.
Commercially available nitrophenols can be alkylated under mild
conditions with a base such as, for example, K2CO3 or Cs2CO3, in
a polar aprotic solvent, e.g. CH3CN, with a variety of
suitable alkyl halides. See Synth. Comm. 1995, 25, 1367. The
alkoxy o-nitrotoluene can then be converted to the desired
indole as described above.

Alternatively, some examples of the invention where Z is a
bond and Ar is a substituted heterocycle such as a thiazole; or
2 is amide and Ar is a substituted phenyl can be conveniently
prepared from an indole 3-acetic acid derivative as illustrated
in Scheme I. Using this method, the carboxylic acid moiety is
activated and coupled with an aryl amine. Some examples of
activating methods well-known to those skilled in the art
include formation of acid chloride, mixed anhydrides and
coupling reagents such as 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiinide (DCC).


A review of such method can be found in Bodanszky, M.
Principles of Peptide Synthesis; Springer-Verlag: New York,
1984. For the examples where Z is a bond and Ar is a
substituted benzothiazole or benzoxazole, the intermediate
amide or thioamide can be cyclized into the aromatic ring.
Examples of these types of hetercycle forming reactions are
described in Mylar, B. L. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108.
In addition, the carboxylic acid can be converted to a chloro-
or bromomethyl ketone and condensed with nucleophiles like
thioamides or 2-aminothiophenols to produce thiazole or
benzothiazine derivatives. Examples of methods to prepare the
chloro- and bromomethyl ketones are illustrated in Rotella,
D.P.; Tetrahedron Lett. 1995, 36, 5453 and Albeck, A.; Persky,
R.; Tetrahedron 1994, 50, 6333. Depending on the reaction
conditions in a given synthetic sequence a protecting group may
be required. It is also understood that the specific order of
steps used in the synthesis depends on the particular example
being prepared. P may represent H, A-COOH, A-COO-lower alkyl
or a simple protecting group that can be removed at a late
stage of the synthesis. When such a protecting group is used,
the A-CO2R6 group can be introduced near the end of the
synthesis after the Z-Ar group has been assembled. Method of
introducing the Z-Ar group are similar to those already
described.


Another strategy involves the synthesis of substituted
indoles via an intramolecular cyclization of an aniline


nitrogen onto a substituted alkyne as shown in Scheme J.
Typical approaches utilize commercially available o-iodoaniline
derivatives. When these intermediates are unavailable, the
regioselective ortho iodination of aromatic amines is used to
generate the required intermediate (J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61,
5804). For example, Iodophenyl intermediates are treated with
trimethylsilylacetylene in the presence of a Pd catalyst and a
Cu(I) source, such as cupric iodide, to produce o-
alkynylanilines. See Heterocycles, 1996, 43, 2471 and J. Org.
Chem. 1997, 62, 6507. Further elaboration of the o-.
alkynylaniline to the desired indole can be done by a copper-
mediated cyclization or a base-induced amine ring closure onto
the alkyne functionality (J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 892).
Alternative modifications have been made in the acetylenic
derivatives to generate more elaborate indole structures as
described in J. Am-. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 6689, Tetrahedron
Lett. 1993, 24, 2823 and Tetrahedron Lett. 1993, 34, 6471.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the
starting materials may be varied and additional steps employed
to produce compounds encompassed by the present invention, as
demonstrated by the following examples. In some cases.


protection of certain reactive functionalities may be necessary
to achieve some of the above transformations. In general, the
need for such protecting groups will be apparent to those
skilled in the art of organic synthesis as well as the
conditions necessary to attach and remove such groups.
The disclosures in this application of all articles and
references, including patents, are incorporated herein by
reference.
The preparation of the compounds of the present invention-
is illustrated further by the following examples, which are not
to be construed as limiting the invention in scope or spirit to
the specific procedures and compounds described in them.

2-Methyl-3-(4,5,7-Trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 2-methylindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: 178-180,°C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300
MHz)  7.75-7.62 (m, 1 H), 7.45 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.39 (d,


J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (t, J = 9 Hz, 1 H), 6.99 (t, J= 9.0 Hz,
1 H), 5.00 (s, 2 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H), 2.38 (s, 3 H); LRMS calcd
for C19H11F3N202S: 390.0; found 391.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C19H13F3N2O2S : C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21. Found: C,
58.47; H, 3.29, N, 7.12, S, 8.18.

5-chloroindole-3-acetonitrile :
A solution of aqueous formaldehyde (37%, 2.95 mL, 66.0
mmol) and dimethylamine (40%, 5.30 mL, 66.0 mmol) in 20 mL EtOH
was cooled to O°C. 5-Chloroindole (4.0 g, 26.4 mmol) was
dissolved in a HOAc:EtOH mixture (1:1, 40 mL) and added
dropwise to the reaction mixture. After stirring at this
temperature for 2 h, the mixture was allowed to warm to room
temperature and stir overnight. The mixture was added to a
sat'd solution of NaHCO3. 1 N NaOH was added until the pH was
between 9-10. The resulting mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2
(3X). The organics were combined and washed with a sat'd aq.
NaCl, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to


give 4.65 g (85%) of 5-chloro-3-[ (dimethylamino)methyl] indole
as a yellow powder. Without further purification, 5-chloro-3-
[(dimethylamino) methyl] indole (4.65 g, 22.4 mmol) was
dissolved in dimethylformamide (80 mL) at room temperature with
stirring. To this was added KCN (2.18 g, 33.5 mmol) in H20 (10
mL). The mixture was warmed to 140 °C and stirred for 14 h. H20
was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2X). The
organics were combined and washed with sat'd brine, dried over
MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was
purified by SiO2 flash chromatography (3:2, Heptane: EtOAc) to-
give 2.65 g (63%) of 5-chloroindole-3-acetonitrile. 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6, 300 MHZ)  11.30 (br S, 1 H), 7.63 (s, 1 H), 7.42-
7.38 (m, 2 H), 7.05 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 1 H), 5.70 (s, 2 H),
5-chloro-3-(4,5.7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl)methvl-indole-N-
acetic acid :
5-chloro-3-(4,5,7 - trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 3 (steps 1-7), except 5-chloroindole-3-
acetonitrile was used instead of 3-indolyl acetonitrile in step
5: mp 188-189 °C; 1 NMR (DMSO-d6 300 MHz) 7.73-7.68 (m, 1
H), 7.63 (d, J= 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.51 (s, 1 H), 7.45 (d, J = 9.0
Hz, 1 H), 7.14 (dd, J, = 9.0, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 5.04 (s, 2 H),
4.65 (s, 2 H); LRMS calcd for C18Hl0F3N2O2SCl: 410.0; found 411.0

{M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SCl: C, 52.63; H, 2.45; N,
6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.56; H, 2.40, N, 6.71, S, 7.72.

2 ,3,5,6-tetrafluoroacetanilide:
A solution of 2,3,5,6-tetrofluoroaniline (200 g, 1.21
mol) in anhydrous pyridine (103 mL, 1.27 mol) was treated with
acetic anhydride (120 mL, 1.27 mol) and heated to 120 °C for 2
h. After cooling to room temperature, the solution was poured
into ice-cold water (500 mL). The resulting precipitate was
filtered, dissolved in ethyl acetate, dried over MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated. The solid material was washed with
heptane (200 mL) and dried to give 2,3,5,6-
tetrafluoroacetanilide as a white crystalline solid (206 g,
82%): mp 136-137 °C; Rf 0.48 (50% ethyl acetate in heptane); 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz)  10.10 (s, 1 H), 7.87-7.74 (m, 1 H),
2.09 (S, 3 H). Anal. Calcd for C8H5F4NO : C, 46.39; H, 2.43; N,
6.67. Found C, 46.35; H, 2.39; N, 6.68.


2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorothioacetanilide;
A flame-dried, 4-necked 5,000 mL round-bottomed flask was
charged with phosphorous pentasulfide (198 g, 0.45 mol) and
diluted with anhydrous benzene (3,000 mL, 0.34 M). 2,3,5,6-
tetrafluoroacetanilide (185 g, 0.89 mol) was added in one
portion and the bright yellow suspension was heated to a gentle
reflux for 3 h. The solution was cooled to 0 °C and filtered.
The insoluble material was washed with ether (2 x 250 mL) and
the combined filtrate was extracted with 10% aq. NaOH (750 mL,
500 mL). After cooling the aqueous layer to 0°C, it was
carefully acidified with cone. HCl (pH 2-3). The precipitated
product was collected by filtration and washed with water (500
mL). The yellow-orange material was disolved in ethyl acetate
(1,000 mL), dried over MgSO4 and activated charcoal (3 g),
filtered through a short pad of silica (50 g), and
concentrated. The resulting solid was triturated with heptane
(500 mL) and filtered to give 2,3,5,6-
tetrafluorothioacetanilide (174.9 g, 88%): mp: 103-104ºC; Rf
0.67 (50% ethyl acetate in heptane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz)
 .20 (s, 1 H), 8.00-7.88 (m, 1 H), 2.66 (s, 3 H). Anal.
Calcd for C85F4NS: C, 43.05; H, 2.26; N, 6.28. Found C,
43.10; H, 2.23; N, 6.19.
4,, 5,7-Trifluoro-2-methylbenzothiazole :


A flame-dried 5,000 mL round-bottomed flask equipped with
over-head stirrer was charged with sodium hydride (15.9 g, 0.66
mol) and diluted with anhydrous toluene (3,000 mL, 0.2 M). The
suspension was cooled to 0 °C, and treated with 2,3,5,6-
tetrafluorothioacetanilide (134 g, 0.60 mol) in one portion.
The solution was warmed to room temperature over 1 h, then
heated to a gentle reflux. After 30 min, dimethylformamide
(400 mL) was carefully added and the mixture was stirred for an
additional 2 h. The solution was cooled to 0 °C and added to
ice-water (2,000 mL). The solution was extracted with ethyl
acetate (1,500 mL) and washed with sat'd. aq. NaCl (1,000 mL).
The organic layer was concentrated to dryness, diluted with
heptane and successively washed with water (300 mL) and sat'd.
aq. NaCl (1,000 mL). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated to give 4,5,7-trifluoro-2-
methylbenzothiazole (116.8 g, 96%) as a light brown solid: mp:
91-92 °C; Rf 0.56 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); 1H NMR (DMSO-
d6, 300 MHz)  7.76-7.67 (m, 1 H), 2.87 (s, 3 H);. Anal. Calcd
for C8H4F3NS: C, 47.29; H, 1.98; N, 6.82; S, 15.78. Found C,
47.56; H, 2.07; N, 6.82; S, 15.59.
2-Amino-3,4, 6-trifluorothiophenol Hydrochloride :
A solution of 4,5,7-trifluoro-2-methylbenzothiazole (25.0
g, 123 mmol) in ethylene glycol (310 mL, 0.4 M) and 30% aq.
NaOH (310 mL, 0.4 M) was degassed using a nitrogen stream then


heated to a gentle reflux (125 °C) for 3 h. The solution was
cooled to 0 °C and acidified to pH 3-4 using cone. HCl (appox.
200 mL). The solution was extracted with ether (750 mL) and
washed with water (200 mL). The organic layer was dried over
Na2SO4, filtered and treated with 2,2-di-tert-butyl-4-
methylphenol (0.135 g, 0.5 mol%). After concentrating to
dryness, the crude product was dissolved in anhydrous methanol
(200 mL) and treated with an HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (37
mL, 4 N, 148 mmol). The resulting mixture was concentrated to
dryness, triturated with isopropylether (100 mL) and filtered
to give 2-amino-3,4,6-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride (19.3
g, 73%) as a light brown solid that was used without further
purification. mp. 121-124 C; Rf 0.43 (30% ethyl acetate in
heptane); Anal. Calcd for C8H5ClF3NS: C, 33.42; H, 2.34; N,
6.50; S, 14.87. Found C, 33.45; H, 2.27; N, 6.48; S, 14.96.
3-cvanomethyl-indole-N-acetic acid. Ethyl Ester:
Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of 3-indolyl
acetonitrile (25.0 g, 160 mmol) in dry acetonitrile (530 mL,
0.3 M) was treated with sodium hydride (95%, 4.2 g, 168 mmol)
and stirred for 30 min. Ethyl bromoacetate (21.3 mL, 192 mmol)
was added in a dropwise manner over 10 min and the solution was
stirred at room temperature for 16 h. After concentrating
under reduced pressure, the resulting residue was dissolved in
ethyl acetate and washed with sat'd. aq. NaCl. The organic


extracts were dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The
crude product was recrystalized from heptane and ethyl acetate
to give the target compound as a white crystalline solid (19 g,
49%): mp 98-99 °C; Rf 0.29 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz)  7.59 (dd, J, = 7.8 Hz, J2 = 0.6 Hz, 1
H), 7.40 (dd, J1 = 8.1 Hz, J3 = 0.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.36 (s, 1 H),
7.18 (b t, J - 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.10 (b t, J - 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 5.12
(s, 2 H), 4.14 (q, J - 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 4.06, (s, 2 H), 1.20 (t, J
- 7.2 HZ, 3 H); ); LRMS calcd for C14H14N2O2: 242.3; found 243.0
(M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for C14H14N2O2: C, 69.49; H, 5.82; N,
11.56. Found C, 69.39; H, 5.89; N, 11.59.
3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic
acid. Ethyl Ester: Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a
solution of 3-acetonitrile-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester
(11.0 g, 45.4 mmol) in anhydrous ethanol (90 mL, 0.5 M) was
treated with 2-amino-3,4,6-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride
(12.7 g, 59.0 mmol) and heated to a gentle reflux for 16 h.
After cooling to room temperature, the solution was
concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate
and washed with 2N HCl and sat'd. aq. NaCl. The organic layer
was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. Purification
by MPLC (10-50% ethyl acetate in heptane, 23 mL/min, 150 min)
to give 3- (4, 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid, ethyl ester (6.0 g, 36%) as a white crystalline


solid: mp 110-111 °C; Rf 0.41 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane);
1H NMR (DMSO-d6i 300 MHz) δ 7.74-7.66 (m, 1 H), 7.54 (d, J = 7.8
Hz, 1 H), 7.46 (8, 1 H), 7.40 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.15 (br t,
J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.04 (br t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H), 5.14, s, 2 H),
4.66 (s, 2 H), 4.14 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 3 H); LRMS calcd for
C20Hl5F3N2O2S: 404.4; found 405.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C20H15F3N2O2S; C, 59.40; H,3.74; N, 6.93; S, 7.93. Found C,
59.52; H, 3.721 N, 6.92; S, 8.04.
3- (4, 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic
acid:
A solution of give 3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester (5.91 g, 14.6 mmol)
in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (73 mL, 0.2 M) was cooled to 0 °C and
treated with aq. NaOH (1.25 N, 58 mL, 73.1 tnmol) in a dropwise
manner over 15 min. After the addition was complete, the
solution was stirred for an additional 30 min, acidified to pH
3 with 2N HCl, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The
residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 mL) and washed with
sat'd. aq. NaCl (30 mL). The organic extract was dried over
Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. The resulting material was
stirred as a supension in heptane, filtered and dried to give
3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
(5.38 g, 98%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 177-178 °C; Rf 0.44
(20% methanol in dichloromethane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ


7.74-7.65 (m, 1 H), 7.53 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.46 (S, 1 H),
7.40 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.15 (b t, J - 6.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.03 (b
t, J - 7.2 HZ, 1 H), 5.03 (S, 2 H), 4.65 (s, 2 H); LRMS calcd
for C18H11F3N2O2S: 376.4; found 375.0 (M - D". Anal. Calcd for
C18H11F3N2O2S: C, 57.44; H, 2.95; N, 7.44; S, 8.52. Found C,
57.58; H, 2.99; N, 7.38; S, 8.51.

5-Methyl-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 5-methyl indole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 131-133 °C; lH NMR (DMSO-d6,
300 MHz) δ 7.73-7.62 (m, 1 H), 7.39 (s, 1 H), 7.30 (s, 1 H),
7.27 (d. J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 6.96 (dd, J, = 9.0 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz,
1 H), 4.98 (s, 2 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H), 2.32 (s, 3 H); LRMS calcd
for C19H13F3N2O2S: 390.0; found 391.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C19H13F3N2O2S: C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21. Found: C,
58.36; H, 3.30, N, 7.10, S, 8.20.


Example 5:
Preparation of 7-methyl-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl )methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
7-Methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 7-methylindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 216-218 °C; lH NMR (DMSO-d6,
300 MHz) δ 7.73-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.32 (m, 2 H), 6.92-6.88 (m,
2 H), 5.17 (s, 2 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H), 2.55 (s, 3 H); LRMS calcd
for C19H13F3N2O2S: 390.0; found 3 91.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C19H13F3N2O2S : C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21. Found: C,
58.37; H, 3.37; N, 7.11; S, 8.13.
Example 6:
Preparation of 6-chloro-3- (4. 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
6 -Chloro- 3 - (4,5,7 - trifluorobenzothiazol -2 -yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 6-chlorolindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 194-195°C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6,
300 MHz) δ 7.73-7.63 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.46-
7.42 (m, 2 H), 7.00 (dd, J, . 8.4 Hz, J2 = 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 4.76
(s, 2 H), 4.62 (s, 2 H); LRMS calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SCl: 410.0;
found 411.0 (M + l)+. Analysis calculated for C18H10F3N2O2SCl: C,

52.63; H, 2.45; N, 6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.50; H, 2.44, N,
6.74, S, 7.69.

5 -Benzyloxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 5-benzyl oxy indole was used
instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 165-168°C; 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.73-7.65 (m, 1 H) 7.40-7.30 (m, 3 H),
7.28-7.10 (m, 4 H), 7.10 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.87-6.80 (m, 1
H), 5.05 (8, 2 H), 4.95 (s, 2 H), 4.57 (s 2 H); LRMS calcd for
C25H17F3N2O2S : 482.0; found 483.0 (M + 1)+.
Example 8:
Preparation of 6-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
6-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 6-fluoroindole was used instead


of 5-chloroindole in step 1: rap 200-203 C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6,
300 MHz) δ 7.73-7.65 (m, 1 H), 7.53 (dd, J1 = 8.4 Hz, J2 = 3.3
Hz, 1 H), 7.44 (s, 1 H), 7.34 (dd, J1 = 10.5 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1
H), 6.93-6.68 (m, 1 H), 5.11 (s, 2 H), 4.64 (s, 2 H); LRMS
calcd for C18H10F4N2O2S: 394.0; found 395 (M + 1).

5-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 5-fluoroindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 193-195°C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6,
300 MHZ) δ 7.65 (m, 1 H), 7.51 (s, 1 H), 7.42 (br dd, J2 = 9.0
Hz, J2 = 4.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.34 (br dd, J1 = 9.9 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1
H), 7.02-6.96 (m, 1 H), 5.03 (s, 2 H), 4.62 (s, 2 H); LRMS
calcd for C18H10F4N2O2S: 394.0; found 395 (M + 1).
Example 10:

Preparation of 6-methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)n)ethyl-indole-N-acetic acid
6 -methyl - 3 - (4,5,7- trifluorobenzothiazol- 2 -yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 6-methylindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 211-213 °C, Rf0.50 (10%
methanol in diehloromethane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) 7.72-
7.63 m, 1 H), 7.37 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.35 (s, 1 H), 7.18
(s, 1 H), 6.85 (d, J-8.4 Hz, 1 H), 5.08 (s, 2 H), 4.60 (s, 2
H), 2.37 (s, 3 H).
Example 11:
Preparation of 3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic acid
3 - (5 -trifluoromethylbenzothiazol -2 -yl) methyl - indole-N-
acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set
forth in Example 3 (steps 5-7), except 2-amino-4-
(trifluoromethyl)-benzenethiol hydrochloride was used instead
of 2-amino-3,4,6-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride in step 6:
mp 233-234 °C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 8.29 (s, 1 H), 8.19
(br d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.68 (br d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.49 (br
d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.41 (s, 1 H), 7.38 (br d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1
H), 7.12 (br t, J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.00 (br t, J= 6.9 Hz, 1 H),
5.01 (s, 2 H), 4.60 (s, 2 H).

Preparation of 5-Methyl-3- (5-Trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
5 -Methyl - 3 - (5 - trifluoromethylbenzothiazol - 2 -yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except 5-methylindole was used instead
of 5-chloroindole in step 1 and, 2-amino-4-(trifluoromethyl) -
benzenethiol hydrochloride was used instead of 2-amino-3,4,6-
trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride in step 2 (Example 3, step
6): mp 248-249°C; lH NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 8.27 (s, 1 H),
8.20 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.35 (s,
1 H), 7.27 (s, 1 H), 7.25 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 6.95 (d, J =
8.1 Hz, 1 H), 4.96 (s, 2 H), 4.57 (s, 2 H), 2.31, (s, 3 H);
LRMS calcd for C20H15F3N2O2S:; found 405 (M + H).

Preparation of indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester
Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of indole
(15.0 g, 128 mmol) in dry acetonitrile (300 mL, 0.4 M) was


treated with sodium hydride (95%, 3.69 g, 153 mmol) and stirred
for 30 min. Ethyl bromoacetate (17.0 mL, 153 mmol) was added
in a dropwise manner over 10 min and the solution was stirred
at room temperature for 16 h. After concentrating under
reduced pressure, the resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl
acetate and washed with sat'd. aq. NaCl. The organic extracts
were dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The crude
product was purified by flash column chromatography (50% ethyl
acetate in heptane): Rf0.25 (40% ethyl acetate in heptane) 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.53 (d, J. 6.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.38-7.31.
(m, 2 H), 7.11 (br t, J - 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.02 (br t, J = 7.2 Hz,
1 H), 6.45-6.43 (m, 1 H), 5.10 (s, 2 H), 4.12 (q, J- 7.2 Hz, 2
H), 1.19 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3 H).
Preparation of 3- (3-nitirophenyl)methyl-indol-N-acetic acid,
ethyl ester
Indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester ( 0.500 g, 2.50 mmol)
was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) at room temperature with
stirring. To this solution was added Ag2CO3/Celite (50% by
weight, 0.500 g, 0.9 mmol). The mixture was warmed to 90°C and
maintained overnight. H20 was added to the reaction mixture
followed by extracted with EtOAc (2X). The organics were
combined and washed with a sat'd brine solution, dried over
MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was


purified by SiO2 flash chromatography (3:2 Heptane: EtOAc) to
give 180 mg (22%) as a pale yellow oil. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300
MHz) δ 8.10 (s, 1H), 8.02 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.75 (d, J =
7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.59-7.57 (m, 1 H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 1 H), 7.33 (d,
J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 7.13-6.89 (m, 2 H), 5.06 (s, 2
H), 4.19 (s, 2 H), 4.13 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.18 (t, J = 7.2
HZ, 3 H).
Preparation of 3- (3-nitrophenyl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid
3-(3-Nitrophenyl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid, ethyl ester.
(0.175 g, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in THF: EtOH (1:4, 5 mL) at
room temperature with stirring. The mixture was cooled to 0°C
and treated with IN NaOH (1.55 mL, 1.6 mmol). The mixture was
allowed to stir at this temperature for 2 h. 1 N HCl was added
and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (2X). The organics were
combined and washed with a sat'd brine solution, dried over
MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was
triturated with heptane and vacuum- filtered with several
heptane washings to give 110 mg (69%) the desired compound as
an off-white powder, mp 163-165 °C; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
8.11 (s, 1 H), 8.03 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.75 (d, J = 8.1 Hz,
1 H), 7.53 (t, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.45 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1 H),
7.33 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 7.11 (t, J = 7.2 Hz,
1 H), 6.97 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 4.96 (s, 2 H), 4.18 (s, 2 H);
LRMS calcd for C17H14N204S: 310.0; found 311 (M + 1)+.



2 -phenyl -3 - (4,5,7 - trifluorobenzothiazol -2 -yl) methyl -
indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except that 2-phenylindole was used
instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 238-239°C; Rf 0.60 (10%
methanol in chloroform); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.60-7.70
(m, 1H), 7.39-7.58 (m, 7H), 7.20 (t, J = 9 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (t, J
= 9 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (s, 2H), 4.45 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for
C24H15F3N2O2S: 452.0; found 453.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C24H15F3N2O2S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S, 7.09. Found: C,
63.46; H, 3.32; N, 6.11; S, 6.96.
Example 15
Preparation of 5-phenyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl- indole-N-acetic acid
3-cvanomethyl-5-phenyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester
5 -Bromo- 3 -cyanomethyl- indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester
(1.0 g, 3.1 mmol) and phenylboronic acid (0.418 g, 3.4 mmol)
were dissolved in anhydrous DME at room temperature under a


nitrogen atmsophere and treated with Pd(OAc)2 (2.1 mg, 0.0093
mmol) and PPh3 (7.4 mg, 0.02 8 mmol). This mixture was heated
to reflux and 2 M Na2CO3 (3.11 mL, 6.2 mmol) was added via
syringe. After 12h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature
and added to H20 (50mL). The resultant mixture was extracted
with EtOAc (2X, 100mL) and the organics were combined and
washed with a sat'd aqueous NaCl solution, dried over MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by
SiO2 flash chromatography (heptane to 1:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to
give the desired material as a white solid (445 mg, 45%); 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.64-7.74 (m, 4H), 7.39-7.44 (m, 4H),
7.29-7.34 (m, 1H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 4.15 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 4.08
(s, 2H), 1.20 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H).
5-phenyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl indole-N-
acetic acid
5-phenyl-3 - (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except that 5-phenylindole was used
instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 156-159 °C; Rf 0.55
(10% methanol in chloroform); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.66-
7.69 (m, 4H), 7.57-7.60 (m, 1H), 7.39-7.47 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.35
(m, 2H), 5.06 (s, 2H), 4.66 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for
C24H15F3N2O2S: 452.0; found 453.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for
C24H15F3N2O2S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S, 7.09. Found: C,
63.54; H, 3.32; N, 6.13; S, 7.01.


Example 16
Preparation of 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
Step 1: 6-Phenylindole
A solution of 6-bromoindole (2.0 g, 10.20 mmol) in
anhydrous toluene (20mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was
treated with Pd[P(Ph3)]4 (10% mol). After stirring the mixture
for 30 min., phenylboronic acid (1.87 g, 15.30 mmol) in
anhydrous EtOH (10 mL) was added followed by the addition of
sat'd NaHCO3 (6mL). The bi-phasic mixture was heated to reflux
for 24 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was
added to a sat'd brine solution and extracted with EtOAc (2X).
The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column
chromatography (1:1 CH2Cl2/ heptane) to give the desired
material as white powder (900 mg, 45%) : 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300
MHz) δ 11.15 (br S, 1H), 7.58-7.66 (m, 4H), 7.41-7.47 (m, 2H),
7.36 (m, 1H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 2H), 6.42 (m, 1H).
Preparation of 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid was
prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2,
except that 6-phenylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole
in step 1: mp 156-159°C; Rf 0.50 (10% methanol in chloroform);


1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.65-7.75 (m, 4H), 7.57-7.62 (m,
1H), 7.41-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.26-7.38 (m, 2H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 4.68
(S, 2H); LRMS calcd for C24H15F3N2O2S: 452.0; found 453.0 (M +
1) +. Anal. Calcd for C24H15F3N2O2S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S,
7.09. Found: C, 63.46; H, 3.33; N, 6.10; S, 6.96.

5-Morpholino-2-nitrotoluene
A mixture of 5-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (5.11 g, 32.9 mmol),
morpholine (4.31 mL, 49.4 mmol) and K2CO3 (6.83 g, 49.4 mmol)
was diluted in anhydrous DMSO (80 mL) at room temperature with
stirring. The mixture was heated to 80 °C for 24 h. After
cooling to room temperature, H20 was added and the resultant
mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3X, 50 mL ). The organic
layer was washed with sat'd aqueous NaCl (100 mL), dried over
MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The remaining solid
was triturated in heptane (200 mL) and filtered to give the
desired material (7.10 g, 97%) as a yellow powder: Rf 0.40 (75%
heptane/ 25% ethyl acetate). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.96


(d, J= 9.9 Hz, 1H), 8.85-8.88 (m, 2H), 3.70 (t, J= 5.0 Hz,
4H), 3.35 (t, J = 5.0 Hz, 4H), 2.53 (s, 3H).
Preparation, of 5-Morpholinoidole
Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of 5-
morpholinyl-2-nitrotoluene (7.0 g, 31.5 mmol) in DMF (100mL)
was treated with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (4.81 mL,
36.2 mmol) and pyrrolidine (2.62 mL, 31.5 mL). The mixture was
heated to 100ºC and maintained for 12 h. After cooling, the
mixutre was concentrated in vacuo to give the desired
intermediate as a brick-red solid.
The intermediate enamine was dissolved in EtOAc (200 mL)
and added to a pre-charged Parr bottle with 10% Pd/C (600 mg)
in EtOAc (40 mL). The mixture was hydrogentated on a Parr-
shaker at 55 psi for 2.5 h. The catalyst was filtered through a
Celite plug with several washings with EtOAc and the remaining
filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by
SiO2 flash chromatography (1:1 Hept/EtOAc) to give 2.0 g (31%
over 2 steps) of the desired indole as a cream powder: Rf 0.30
(10% methanol in chloroform); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
10.77 (br s, 1H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 7.18-7.20 (m, 1H), 6.97 (d, J =
1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (dd, J1 = 8.7 Hz, J2 = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd,
J1 = 3.0 Hz, J2 = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.7 (t, J = 4.50 Hz, 4H), 2.96
(t, J = 4.50 Hz, 4H).

Preparation of 5-morpholino-3(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid
5-morpholino-3- (4,5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to
that set forth in Example 2, except that 5-morpholinoindole was
used instead of 5-chloroindole. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
7.64-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.34 (s, 1H), 7.26 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.06
(d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (dd, J1 = 9.0 Hz, J2= 2.4 Hz, 1H),
4.95 (S, 2H), 4.60 (s, 2H), 3.70-3.73 (m, 4H), 2.97-3.00 (m,
4H); LRMS calcd for C22Hl8F3N3O3S: 461.0; found 462 (M + 1)+.
Anal. Calcd for C22H18F3N3O3S.1H2O: C, 55.11; H, 4.20; N, 8.76; S,
6.69. Found: C, 55.11; H, 4.05; N, 8.57; S, 6.50.
Example 18
Preparation of, 6-morpholino-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
Preparation of 4-Morpholino-2-nitrotoluene
A mixture of 4-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (15.34 g, 98.9 mmol),
morpholine (12.94 mL, 49.4 mmol) and K2CO3 (6.83 g, 148.3 mmol)
were diluted in anhydrous DMSO (250 mL) at room temperature
with stirring. The mixture was heated to 120°C for 24 h.
After cooling to room temperature, H20 was added and the
resultant mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3X, 75 mL). The
organic layer was washed with sat'd brine (100 mL), dried over

MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The remaining solid
was triturated in hepatane (200 mL) and filtered to give the
desired material (8.00 g, 36.4%) as a yellow powder: Rf 0.40
(25% ethyl acetate in heptane). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
7.40 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (dd,
J1 = 8.7 Hz, J2 = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.70 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.35
(t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 2.36 (s, 3H).
Preparation of 6-Morpholinoindole
Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of 4-morpholino-2-
nitrotoluene (7.1 g, 31.9 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) was treated
with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (4.92 mL, 37.1 mmol) and
pyrrolidine (2.67 mL, 31.9 mL). The mixture was heated to
100°C and maintained for 12 h. After cooling, the mixture was
concentrated in vacuo to give the desired intermediate as a
brick-red solid. The crude intermediate was dissolved in
glacial HOAc (250 mL) and warmed to 85°C. Zn (18.17 g, 0.278
mol) was added to the solution portionwise over 30 min. The
mixture was heated for 4h. After cooling to room temperature,
the mixture was neutralized with sat'd NaHCO3 and extracted
with Et20 (3X, 300 mL). The combined organics were washed with
sat'd brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in
vacuo. The residue was purified by SiO2 flash chromatography
(heptane to 2:1 heptane/EtOAc) to give the desired material as


a white crystalline powder (1.0 g, 11% over 2 steps): Rf 0.50
(2:1 Heptane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (DMSO)-d6, 300 MH2) δ 10.73 (br s,
1H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.80
(s, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J, = 8.4 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (d, J =
2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.72 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.02 (t, J = 4.8 Hz,
1H).
Preparation of 6-morpholino-3- (4. 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid
6-morpholino-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that
set forth in Example 2, except that 6-morpholinoindole was used
instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 178-180°C; 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.66-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.37 (d, J = 8.4 Hz,
1H), 7.29 (s, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J = 8.4
Hz, 1H), 4.96 (s, 2H), 4.58 (s, 2H), 3.37-3.75 (m, 4H), 3.09-
3.13 (m, 4H); LRMS calcd for C22H18F3N3O3S: 461.0; found 462
(M+1)+. Anal. Calcd for C22H18F3N3O3S CH2Cl2 0.50H2O: C, 4 9.74; H,
3.72; N, 7.57; S, 5.77 Found C, 49.73; H, 3.36; N, 7.69; S,
5.58
Example 19
Preparation of 5-phenoxy-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid



5-Phenoxy-2-nitrotoluene
A solution of phenol (12.16 g, 0.129 mol) in anhydrous
DMSO was treated with K2CO3 (17.88 g, 0.129 mol) and stirred at
room temperature for 15 min. 5-Fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (13.38 g,
0.086 mol) was added to the solution via syringe. The resultant
mixture was heated to 80°C for 12 h. After cooling to room
temperature, the mixture was poured into H20 (100mL). After
extraction with EtOAc (2X, 100mL), the organics were combined
and washed with a sat'd brine solution, drieds over MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by
flash column chromatography (heptane to 8:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to
give the desired material as a yellow crystalline solid (12.50
g, 63%): Rf 0.60 (85% heptane/ 15% EtOAc); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300
MHz) δ 8.05 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.29
(m, 1H), 7.12-7.16 (m, 2H), 7.04 (d, J =2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (dd,
J1 = 9.0 Hz, J2 = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (s, 3H).
5-Phenoxvindole
A solution of 5-phenoxy-2-nitrotoluene (10.03 g, 0.042 8
mol) in anhydrous DMF was treated with N,N-dimethylformamide


dimethyl diacetal (6.73 mL, 0.0508 mol) and pyrrolidine (3.63
mL, 0.0438 mol) and heated to 110 C for 2.5 h. After cooling to
room temperature, the mixture was diluted with EtOAc (500 mL)
and washed H2O (500 mL). The organics were dried over MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude intermediate was
dissolved in glacial HOAc (250 mL) and warmed to 85°C. Zn
(24.62 g, 0.377 mol) was added to the solution portion wise
over 30 min. The mixture was heated for 4h. After cooling to
room temperature, the mixture was neutralized with sat'd NaHCO3
and extracted with Et20 (3X, 3 00 mL). The combined organics.
were washed with sat'd brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and
concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by SiO2 flash
chromatography (heptane to 2:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to give the
desired material as a white crystalline powder (3.1 g, 34% over
2 steps): Rf 0.50 (2:1 Heptane/ EtOAc); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300
MHz) δ 11.12 (br s, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.30-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.25-
7.29 (m, 2H), 7.17 (d, J - 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.89-7.02 (m, 1H),
6.86-6.88 (m, 2H), 6.80 (dd, J1 = 8.7 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1H),
6.37 (m, 1H).
Preparation of 5-ohenoxy-3-(4, 5, 7-triflurobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid
5-phenoxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to
that set forth in Example 2, except that 5-phenoxyindole was

used instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 128-130°C; Rf
0.45 (10% methanol in chloroform ); lH NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
7.65-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.47 (s, 1H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H),
7.21-7.27 (m, 3H), 6.98 (m, 1H), 6.83-6.90 (m, 3H), 5.02 (s,
2H), 4.60 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for C24H15F3N2O3S: 468.0; found
467.0 (M - 1)-. Anal. Calcd for C24H15P3N2O3S: C, 55.11; H, 4.20;
N, 8.76; S, 6.69. Found: C, 55.11; H, 4.05; N, 8.57; S, 6.50.
Example 20
Preparation of 7-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
7-Fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to
that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-fluoroindole was
used instead of 5-chloroindole in step l: mp 194-196°C; Rf 0.60
(10% methanol in chloroform ); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ
7.67-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.35 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H),
6.89-6.99 (m, 2H), 5.06 (s, 2H), 4.64 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for
C18H10F4N2O2S.H2O: C, 50.23; H, 3.28; N, 6.51; S, 7.45. Found C,
50.70; H, 2.52; N, 6.60; S, 7.57. 394.0; found 395.0 (M + 1)+.
Anal. Calcd for C18H10F4N2O2S
Example 21

Preparation of 7-bromo-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
7-bromo-3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to
that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-bromoindole was used
instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 228-230°C; Rf 0.40 (10%
methanol in chloroform); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.65-7.74
(m, 1H), 7.57 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.49 -(s, 1H), 7.32 (d, J =
7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.29 (s, 2H), 4.65 (s,
2H); LRMS calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SBr: 454.0 for (79Br and 456.0 for
81Br); found 453.0 (M - 1)- and 455.0 (M - 1)-. Anal Calcd for
C18H10F3N2O2SBr: C, 47.49; H, 2.21; N, 6.15; S, 7.04. Found: C,
47.65;H, 2.27; N, 6.15; S, 6.98.
Example 22
Preparation of 7-chlor~-3-(4. 5. 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
7-chloro-3-(4,5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl
indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to
that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-chloroindole was
used instead of 5-chloroindole in step 1: mp 228-230°C; R£ 0.38
(10% methanol in chloroform ); lH NMR (DMSO-d6, 3 00 MHz) 5
7.62-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.52 (d, J- 7.5Hz, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 7.15
(d, J - 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (t, J - 7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (s, 2H),
4.65 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for C18H10F3N202SC1: 410.0; found 409.0
-72-

(M - 1)-. Anal. Calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SCl: C 52.63; H, 2.45; N,
6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.60; H, 2.54; N, 6.66; S, 7.59.

3- [5-fluorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example
3, except 2-amino-4-fluorothiophenol hydrochloride was used
instead of 2-amino-4,5,7-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride in
step 6: mp 208°C (decomp); Rf 0.10 (10% methanol in
diehloromethane) 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 12.91 (s, 1 H), 7.98
(dd, J = 8.9, 5.6 Hz: 1 H), 7.78 (dd, J = 10.0, 2.6 Hz, 1 H),
7.50 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.40 (s, 1 H), 7.37 (d, J - 7.8 Hz,
1 H), 7.26 (dt, J = 8.9, 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1
H), 7.01 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H), 5.01 (s, 2 H), 4.56 (s, 2 H);
LRMS m/z 341.0 (M + 1)+, 339.0 (M-1). Anal. Calcd for
C18H13FN2O2S: C, 63.52; H, 3.85; N, 8.23; S, 9.42; Found: C,
63.40; H, 3.80; N, 8.37; S, 9.43.


Example 24
3- r6-Fluorbenzothiazole-2-ylTmethyl-indole-N-acetic Acid
3- [6-f luorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl-indole-N-acetic acid
was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example
3, except 2-amino-5-fluorothiophenol hydrochloride was used
instead of 2-amino-4,5,7-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride in
step 6: mp 203 °C (decomp) Rf 0.13 (10% methanol in
diehloromethane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 12.91 (s, 1 H),
7.95 (dd, J = 8.9, 5.0 Hz: 1 H), 7.86 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.8 Hz, 1
H), 7.50 (d, J- 7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.40-7.35 (m, 2 H), 7.32 (dt, J.
= 8.9, 2.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.00 (t, J =
7.6 Hz, 1 H), 5.01 (s, 2 H), 4.54 (s, 2 H); LRMS m/z 341.0 (M +
1) +, 339.0 (M-1. Anal. Calcd for C18H13FN2O2S: C, 63.52; H, 3.85;
N, 8.23; S, 9.42. Found: C, 63.52; H, 3.86; N, 8.35; S, 9.53.
The compounds of Examples 25-32 were prepared essentially
according to the procedures set forth above in examples land/or
2 with appropriate substitution of starting materials.
Example 25
3- (4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2 -yl) methyl-indole-N-2 -propionic
acid


mp 176-177°C; Rt 0.34 (20% methanol in dichlormethane); 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.60-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.52 (d,
J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H),
7.02 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (q, J= 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (s, 2H),
1.72 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 3H); LRMS calcd for C19H13F3N2O2S: 390.0;-
Found 391.0 (M + 1)+. Anal. Calcd for C19H13F3O2SH2O: C, 55.88;
H, 3.70; N, 6.86; S, 7.85 Found: C, 56.09; H, 3.31; N, 6.89; S,
7.99.

mp 200-201°C; Rf. 0.50 (20% methanol in dichloromethane); 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.63-7.71 (m, 1H), 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.47 (d,


J = 3.0 HZ, 2H), 7.14 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (t, J- 7.5 Hz,
1H), 4.61 (s, 2H), 4.39 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.75 (t, J = 6.6
Hz, 2H); LRMS calcd for C19H13F3N2O2S: 390.0; Found 391.0 (M +1)+.
Anal Calcd for C19H13F3N2O2S : C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21
Found: C, 58.63; H, 3.40; N, 7.20; S, 8.30.
Example 27
Preparation of 6-Bromo-3- (5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-
yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid: mp 265-267°C; Rf 0.19 (20%
methanol in dichloromethane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 8.28
(S, 1H), 8.22 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.67-7.69 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.47
(m, 2H), 7.14 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (s, 2H), 4.61 (s, 2H);
LRMS calcd for C19H12F3N2O2SBr:469.0; Found 469.0 (M + 1)+ for Br
« 79. Anal. Calcd for C19H12F3N2O2SBr: C, 48.63; H, 2.58; N,
5.97; S, 6.83. Found: C, 48.60; H, 2.63; N, 5.88; S, 6.91.
Example 28
6-Methoxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid: mp 118-120°C; Rf 0.27 (20% methanol in
dichloromethane); lH NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.63-7.73 (m, 1H),
7.39 (s, 1H), 7.28 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.78 (d,
J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.97 (s, 2H), 4.61 (s, 2H); 3.07 (s, 3H); LRMS
calcd for C19H13F3N2O3S: 406.0; Found 407.0 (M + )+. Anal. Calcd
for C19H13F3N2O3SH2O: C, 53.77; H, 3.56; N, 6.60; S, 7.56 Found:
C, 53.87; H, 3.56; N, 6.67; S, 7.67.



mp 203-206 °C; Rf 0.24 (20% methanol in dichloromethane); 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.63-7.71 (m, 1H), 7.57 (s, 1H), 7.33
(d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (dd, J (J= 9.0, J (2)= 7.8 Hz, 1H),
7.03 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 4.78 (s, 2H); LRMS
calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SCl: 410.0; Found 411.0 (M+l)+ and 409.0 (M-
1)-.


mp 165-167 °C; R£ 0.37 (20% methanol in dichloromethane); 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.61-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.35 (d, J = 9.0
Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.64 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H),
4.79 (s, 2H); 4.56 (s, 2H), 3.72 (s, 3H); LRMS calcd for
C10H13F3N2O2S: 406.0; Found 407.0 (M+1)+ and 405.0 (M-1)-.
Example 31
5-Bromo-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid: mp 209-294 °C; Rf 0.18 (20% methanol in
dichloromethane); 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) δ 7.78 (d, J = 1.8
Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 7.61 (d, J = 9.0 Hz,
1H), 7.25 (dd, J (1)= 9.0 Hz, J (2)= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (s, 2H);
4.64 (s, 2H); LRMS calcd for C18H10F3N2O2SBr: 455.0; Found 455.0
(M+1)+ for Br 79 and 457 (M+1)+ for Br 81.

Representative compounds of the invention were tested for
their potency, selectivity and efficacy as inhibitors of human
aldose reductase. The potency or aldose reductase inhibiting


effects of the compounds were tested using methods similar to
those described by Butera et al. in J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32,
757. Using this assay, the concentrations required to inhibit
human aldose reductase (hALR2) activity by 50% (IC50) were
determined.
In a second assay, a number of the same compounds were
tested for their ability to inhibit aldehyde reductase (hALRl),
a structurally related enzyme. The test method employed were
essentially those described by Ishii, et al., J. Med. Chem.
1996 39: 1924. Using this assay, the concentrations required to
inhibit human aldehyde reductase activity by 50% (IC50) were
determined.
From these data, the hALRl / hALR2 ratios were determined.
Since high potency of test compounds as inhibitors of aldose
reductase is desirable, low hALR2 IC50 values are sought. On
the other hand, high potency of test compounds as inhibitors of
aldehyde reductase is undesirable, and high hALRl IC50s values
are sought. Accordingly, the hALRl / hALR2 ratio is used to
determine the selectivity of the test compounds. The
importance of this selectivity is described in Kotani, et al.,
J. Med. Chem. 40: 684, 1997.
The results of all these tests are combined and
illustrated in Table 1.




The results show the superior potency, selectivity and
efficacy of representative compounds of the invention. Such
compounds are useful in the treatment of chronic complications
arising from diabetes mellitus, such as diabetic cataracts,
retinopathy and neuropathy. Accordingly, an aspect of the
invention is treatment of such complications with the inventive
compounds; treatment includes both prevention and alleviation.
The compounds are useful in the treatment of, for example,
diabetic cataracts, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.
In a third, optional, set of experiments, the compounds
can be assayed for their ability to normalize or reduce
sorbitol accumulation in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-
induced diabetic rats. The test methods employed to determine
the efficacy are essentially those of Mylari, et al., J. Med.
Chem. 34: 108, 1991.
The invention and the manner and process of making and
using it, are now described in such full, clear, concise and
exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which
it pertains, to make and use the same. It is to be understood
that the foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the


present invention and that modifications may be made therein
without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
invention as set forth in the claims. To particularly point
out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as
invention, the following claims conclude this specification.

We claim:
1. Substituted indolealkanoic acid compound of the
formula:
wherein
A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C1-C2
alkyl or mono- or disubstituted with halogen;
Z is a bond, O, S, C(O)NH, or C1-C3 alkylene optionally
substituted with C1-C2 alkyl;
R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, 3-,
or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is
optionally substituted with up to three groups selected
from halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, nitro,
amino, or mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently
hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon
atoms, the alkyl group being optionally substituted
with one or more halogens;
OR7, SR7, S(O)R7, S(O)2N(R7)2, C(O)N(R7)2, or N(R7)2, wherein
each R7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-
6 carbon atoms, the alkyl group being optionally

substituted with one or more halogens or benzyl, where
the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up
to three groups independently selected from halogen,
C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6)
alkylamino;
phenyl or heteroaryl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is
optionally substituted with up to three groups
independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6
alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C1-C6) alkylamino;
phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted
with up to three groups independently selected from
halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or
di (C1-C6) alkylamino; or
a group of the formula
where
J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and
each r is independently 2 or 3;
R6 is hydroxy, benzyloxy, di (C1-C6) alkylaminoethyloxy,
acetoxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidoyl,
ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl, 5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-
ylmethyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or O-M+ where M+ represents a cation

selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and
calcium;
Ra is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl;
and Ar represents
a benzothiazole ring optionally substituted on the benzo
portion by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl,
trifluoroacetyl, or (C1-C6) alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro,
chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, (C1-C6)
alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-C6)
alkyl-sulfinyl, (Ci-C6)alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl,
or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or
one (C1-C6) alkoxy, or one or two fluoro and one
trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro.
2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Ar is a
substituted benzothiazole of Formula III

wherein R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently hydrogen,
fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl or nitro, and A,
Ra, R6, and Z are as defined in claim 1.


3. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein A is
methylene and Z is a bond.
4. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein Ra is
hydrogen and Z is a bond.
5. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein A is
methylene,Ra is hydrogen, and Z is a bond.
6. A compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least
one of Rn, R12, R13, and R14 is trifluoromethyl.
7. A compound as claimed in claim 6, wherein R12 is
trifluoromethyl.
8. A compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein R11, R12,
and R14 are fluorines and R13 is hydrogen.
9. A compound as claimed in claim 8, wherein R6 is
hydroxy.
10. A compound as claimed in claim 8, wherein R6 is C1-C6
alkoxy.


11. A compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein R13 is
hydrogen.
12. A compound as claimed in claim 11, wherein R6 is
hydroxy.
13. A compound as claimed in claim 11, wherein R6 is C1-C6
alkoxy.
14. A compound as claimed in claim 1, selected from the
group consisting of 3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-W-acetic acid, ethyl ester; 3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-W-acetic acid; 5-
chloro-3-(4,5,7-Trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-W-
acetic acid; 5-chloro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-W-acetic acid; 2-methyl-3-(4,5,7
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-W-acetic acid; 5-
methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid; 7-methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-W-acetic acid; 6-chloro-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-W-acetic acid; 5-
benzyloxy-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-W-
acetic acid; 6-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)-


methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 5-fluoro-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 6-
methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid; 3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-
indole-N-acetic acid; 5-Methyl-3-(5-
Trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid;
2-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid; 5-phenyl-3-(4, 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 5-
morpholino-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-
N-acetic acid; 6-morpholino-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-
yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 5-phenoxy-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 7-
fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid; 7-bromo-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 7-chloro-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 3-[ [ 5-
Fluorobenzothiazole-2-yl] methyl] -indole-N-acetic acid; 3-[ [ 6-
Fluorobenzothiazole-2-yl] methyl] -indole-W-acetic acid; 3-
(4,5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-2-propionic
acid; 3-(4-5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-3-
propionic acid; 6-Bromo-3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 6-methoxy-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 4-
-g8-

chloro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2yl)methyl-indole-N-
acetic acid; 5-methoxy-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)
methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 5-bromo-3-(4,5,7-
trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; and 3-
(6-chlorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid.
15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective
amount of a compound as claimed in claim 1.
16. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 15,
for preventing or alleviating chronic complications arising
from diabetes mellitus, which comprises administering to a
mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a
compound as claimed in claim 1.
17. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim
16 wherein the complications are selected from the group
consisting of diabetic cataracts, retinopathy, nephropathy and
neuropathy.
18. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein Ar is a
substituted benzothiazole of Formula III,


R12 is trifluoromethyl, A is methylene, methylene substituted
with a methyl group, or ethylene, and R2, R3, R4 and R5, in
combination, represent one of bromo, cyano or nitro, one or
two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, or
trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two methyl with one hydroxy
or one (C1-C6) alkoxy, or one or two fluoro and one methyl, or
three fluoro groups.

The invention provides substituted indolealkanoic acids of Formula I useful in the
treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. The invention also provides
pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and methods of treating
or preventing chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus employing the compounds.
The invention also provides methods for the synthesis of the compounds of Formula I.

Documents:

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-assignment.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-claims.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-correspondence.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-examination report.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-form 1.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-form 13.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-form 18.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-form 3.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-form 5.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-gpa.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-specification.pdf

in-pct-2000-457-kol-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 231439
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2000/457/KOL
PG Journal Number 10/2009
Publication Date 06-Mar-2009
Grant Date 04-Mar-2009
Date of Filing 31-Oct-2000
Name of Patentee THE INSTITUTES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL DISCOVERY, INC.
Applicant Address 23, BUSINESS PARK DRIVE, BRANFORD, CT
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 GUNN DAVID 40 WOOD STREET, HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT 06517
2 JONES JOHN HOWARD 3893 MAIN STREET STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT 06497
3 VAN ZANDT MICHAEL C. 56, BARKER HILL DRIVE, GULFORD, CONNECTICUT 06437
4 JONES MICHAEL LEE 3710 STONEY CREEK ROAD, CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, 27514
PCT International Classification Number A61K 31/337, 47/48
PCT International Application Number PCT/US99/07116
PCT International Filing date 1999-03-31
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/080,143 1998-03-31 U.S.A.