AU767993B2 - Heterocyclo-substituted imidazoles for the treatment of inflammation - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 REGULATION 3.2 Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor/s: Address for Service: G. D. SEARLE CO.

ISH K. KHANNA, RICHARD M. WEIER, PAUL W.

COLLINS, UI YU, XIANGDONG XU, RICHARD A.

PARTIS, FRANCIS J. KOSZYK and RENEE M.

HUFF.

E.F. WELLINGTON CO., Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, 312 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Southbank, Victoria, 3006.

Invention Title: "HETEROCYCLO-SUBSTITUTED IMIDAZOLES FOR

INFLAMMATION"

THE TREATMENT Details of Associated Provisional Applications Nos: The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us.

-1- HETEROCYCLO-SUBSTITUTED IMIDAZOLES FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is in the field of antiinflammatory pharmaceutical agents and specifically relates to compounds, compositions and methods for treating inflammation and inflammation-associated disorders, such as arthritis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prostaglandins play a major role in the inflammation process and the inhibition of prostaglandin production, especially production of PGG2, PGH 2 and PGE 2 has been a common target of antiinflammatory drug discovery. However, common non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are active in reducing the prostaglandin-induced pain and swelling associated with the inflammation process are also active in affecting other prostaglandin-regulated processes not associated with the inflammation process. Thus, use of high doses of most common NSAIDs can produce severe side effects, including life threatening ulcers, that limit their therapeutic potential. An alternative to NSAIDs is the use of corticosteroids, which have even more drastic side effects, especially when long term therapy is involved.

Previous NSAIDs have been found to prevent the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting enzymes in the human arachidonic acid/prostaglandin pathway, including the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). The recent discovery of an inducible enzyme associated with inflammation (named "cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)" or "prostaglandin G/H synthase II") provides a viable target of inhibition which more effectively reduces inflammation and produces fewer and less drastic side effects.

The references below that disclose antiinflammatory activity, show continuing efforts to find a safe and effective antiinflammatory agent. The novel imidazoles disclosed herein are such safe and also effective antiinflammatory agents furthering such efforts. The invention compounds are found to show usefulness in vivo as .antiinflammatory agents with minimal side effects.

The substituted imidazoles disclosed herein preferably selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 over cyclooxygenase-1.

Diaryl oxazoles have been described in WO patent publication W094/27980 as having antiinflammatory activity. Substituted 4,5-diarylimidazoles have been described in W095/00501 and in copending U.S.

application 08/281,903.

2-Alkylimidazoles have been described as having angiotensin II activity. For example, see U.S. Patent No. 5,185,351 and WO 91/00277.

U.S. Patent No. 5,207,820 to Wriede et al.

describes 1-arylimidazole carboxylic esters as herbicide safeners. Specifically, ethyl [1-[2,6-dinitro-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-methyl-lH-imidazol-3yl]carboxylate is described.

WO 93/14082, published July 22, 1993, describes 1pyridyl-2-phenyl-imidazole derivatives for the treatment of interleukin-1 mediated diseases. 1-(4-Pyridyl)-2-(4fluorophenyl)-4-methylimidazole is described. WO 95/02591, published January 26, 1995, describe tri-substituted imidazoles for the treatment of cytokine mediated diseases.

U.S. Patent No. 3,487,087, to Sarett et al., describes.a method of nitration of imidazoles and specifically 1-methyl-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5nitroimidazole.

U.S. Patent No. 5,112,532, to Ninomiya et al., describes imidazoles as an organic non-linear optical material. Specifically, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[2-formyl- 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]imidazole is described.

U.S. Patent Nos. 3,682,949 and 3,719,759, to Sarett et al., describe 2-aryl-nitroimidazoles as agents for the treatment of parasites and bacteria. Specifically, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(4-sulfonamidophenyl)-5nitroimidazole is described.

U.S. Patent No. 4,822,805, to Takasugi et al., describes pyridylimidazoles as antiinflammatory agents.

Specifically, 2-[2-methoxy-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)imidazole is described.

The invention's imidazolyl compounds are found to show usefulness in vivo as antiinflammatory agents with minimal side effects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A class of substituted imidazolyl compounds useful in treating inflammation-related disorders is defined by Formula I:

R

R3

N

R R 32 R2)

R

6

N

R

1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and heterocyclo, wherein

R

1 and R 2 are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals independently selected from alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, halo, alkylthio, alkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino and nitro; wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkyloxyalkyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, halo, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, azidoalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, Narylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyi, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkylcarbonyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylthioalkyl, aralkoxy, aralkylthio, heteroaralkoxy, heteroaralkylthio, heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylthio, aryloxy, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, aryl and heterocyclo; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl and fluoro; wherein R 5 is selected from hydroxyl and alkoxy; and wherein R 6 is hydrido; or wherein R and R 6 together form a double bond; provided at least one of R 1 and R 2 is substituted with alkylsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Compounds of Formula I would be useful for, but not limited to, the treatment of inflammation in a subject, and for treatment of other inflammation-associated disorders, such as, as an analgesic in the treatment of pain and headaches, or as an antipyretic for the treatment of fever.

For example, compounds of the invention would be useful to treat arthritis, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthopathies, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile arthritis. Such compounds of the invention would be useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, and skin-related conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis. Compounds of the invention also would be useful to treat gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, and for the prevention or treatment of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. Compounds of the invention would be useful in treating inflammation in such diseases as vascular diseases, migraine headaches, periarteritis nodosa, thyroiditis, aplastic anemia, Hodgkin's disease, sclerodoma, rheumatic fever, type I diabetes, neuromuscular junction disease including myasthenia gravis, white matter disease including multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, nephrotic syndrome, Behcet's syndrome, polymyositis, gingivitis, nephritis, hypersensitivity, swelling occurring after injury, myocardial ischemia, and the like. The compounds would also be useful in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases such as retinitis, retinopathies, uveitis, conjunctivitis, and of acute injury to the eye tissue. The compounds would also be useful in the treatment of pulmonary inflammation, such as that associated with viral infections and cystic fibrosis. The compounds would also be useful for the treatment of certain central nervous system disorders such as cortical dementias including Alzheimers disease. The compounds of the invention are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, such as for the treatment of arthritis, with the additional benefit of having significantly less harmful side effects. These compounds would also be useful in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, respiratory distress syndrome, endotoxin shock syndrome, atherosclerosis and central nervous system damage resulting from stroke, ischemia and trauma.

Besides being useful for human treatment, these compounds are also useful for veterinary treatment of mammals, including companion animals and farm animals, such as, but not limited to, horses, dogs, cats, cows, sheep and pigs.

The present compounds may also be used in cotherapies, partially or completely, in place of other conventional antiinflammatories, such as together with steroids, NSAIDs, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, LTB 4 antagonists and LTA 4 hydrolase inhibitors.

Suitable LTB 4 inhibitors include, among others, ebselen, Bayer Bay-x-1005, Ciba Geigy compound CGS-25019C, Leo Denmark compound ETH-615, Lilly compound LY-293111, Ono compound ONO-4057, Terumo compound TMK-688, Lilly compounds LY-213024, 264086 and 292728, ONO compound ONO- LB457, Searle compound SC-53228, calcitrol, Lilly compounds LY-210073, LY223982, LY233469, and LY255283, ONO compound ONO-LB-448, Searle compounds SC-41930, SC-50605 and SC-51146, and SK&F compound SKF-104493. Preferably, the

LTB

4 inhibitors are selected from ebselen, Bayer Bay-x- 1005, Ciba Geigy compound CGS-25019C, Leo Denmark compound ETH-615, Lilly compound LY-293111, Ono compound ONO-4057; and Terumo compound TMK-688.

Suitable 5-LO inhibitors include, among others, masoprocol, tenidap, zileuton, pranlukast, tepoxalin, rilopirox, flezelastine hydrochloride, enazadrem phosphate, and bunaprolast.

The present invention preferably includes compounds which selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 over cyclooxygenase-l. Preferably, the compounds have a cyclooxygenase-2 ICso equal to or less than about 0.2 pM, and also have a" selectivity ratio of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition over cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition of at least and more preferably of at least 100. Even more preferably, the compounds have a cyclooxygenase-1 IC 50 of greater than about 1.0 pM, and more preferably of greater than 10 pM. Such preferred selectivity may indicate an ability to reduce the incidence of common NSAID-induced side effects.

A preferred class of compounds consists of those compounds of Formula I wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and heteroaryl, wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals independently selected from lower alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl, halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkyl, cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower haloalkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino, arylamino and nitro; wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower aralkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, acyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower cycloalkyloxy, lower cycloalkyloxyalkyl, lower cycloalkylthio, lower cycloalkylthioalkyl, lower cycloalkylsulfonyl, lower cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, phenylsulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl, halo, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower azidoalkyl, lower haloalkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, lower cyanoalkyl, lower aminoalkyl, lower alkylaminoalkyl, lower N-arylaminoalkyl, lower N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylthioalkyl, aminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, lower aralkoxy, lower aralkylthio, lower heteroaralkoxy, lower heteroaralkylthio, lower heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, lower heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxyalkyl, lower heteroarylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxY, lower heteroarylthio, lower arylthioalkyl, lower aryloxyalkyl, lower arylthio, lower aryloxy, lower aralkylthioalkyl, lower aralkoxyalkyl, aryl selected from phenyl and naphthyl, and heteroaryl, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkyl, cyano, lower haloalkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl and lower haloalkoxy; wherein

R

4 is a radical selected from 5 i.

hydrido, lower alkyl and fluoro; and wherein R is selected from hydroxyl and lower alkoxy; wherein

R

6 is hydrido; or wherein

R

5 and R 6 together form a double bond; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of particular interest consists of those compounds of Formula I wherein

R

1 and R2 are independently selected from phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, benzofuryl, benzodioxolyl, furyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, pyrazinyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl and pyridyl, wherein

R

1 and R 2 are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals independently selected from methylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, fluoromethylsulfonyl, difluoromethylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methylthio, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, carboxyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichiorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichioroethyl, dichioropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, -ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, *methylamino, N,Ndimethylamino, phenylamino and nitro; wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichioromethyl, trichioromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochoronethyl, dichiorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenyipropyl, furylmethyl, morpholinomethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, piperazinylmethyl, piperidinylmethyl, pyridylmethyl, thienylmethyl, formyl, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, methylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfolyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethox-yiethyl, methylthiomethyl, isopropylthiomethyl, cyclohexylthiomethyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, azidomethyl, trifluoromethylcarbonyl, difluoromethylcarbonyl, f luorome thy lcarbonyl, benzylcarbonyl, cyanomethyl, cyanobutyl, aminomethyl, methylarninomethyl, N-phenylaminomethyl, N-methyl-Nphenylaminomethyl, acetyl, propanoyl, butanoyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, carboxymethyl, carboxypropyl, amino carbonyl, methylaminocarbonyl, N, N- die thyl amino carbonyl, N-* methylaminocarbonylmethyl, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, phenyloxy, 4 -chlorophenoxy, furylmethoxy, furylmethylthio, thienylnethoxy, quinolylmethoxy, pyridylmethoxy, 5-pheriylpyridyl-2 -methoxy, thienylmethylthio, pyridylmethylthio, beuzyithiomethyl, quinolylmethoxynethyl, furylbutoxyethyl, pyridyloxymethyl, pyridylmethoxymethyl, thienyloxyhexyl, thienyithiomethyl, pyridyithiohexyl, furyloxymethyl, furylmethylthiomethyl, quinolylmethylthioethyl, phenyithiomethyl, 2-chlorophenylthiomethyl, 2,6dichlorophenylthiomethyl, 4-methyiphenyithiomethyl, 2isopropylphenylthiomethyl, 2 -methylphenylthiomethyl, phenyloxymethyl, 4-chlorophenyloxymethyl, 4methyiphenyloxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 4methoxybenzyloxymethyl, naphthyl, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, pyridyl, wherein the thienyl, furyl, pyridyj. and phenyl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable.-position with one or more radicals selected from fluoro, chioro, bromo, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichioromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichioropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl and trifluoromethoxy; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, and fluoro; and wherein R 5 is selected from hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and n-butoxy; wherein

R

6 is hydrido; or wherein R5 and R6 together form a double bond; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Within Formula I there is a subclass of compounds of high interest represented by Formula II:

R

8

(II)

S0 2

R

7 wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, alkyithia, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkyloxyalkyl, cycloalkyithio, cycloalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, halo, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, azidoalkyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylthioalkyl, aralkoxy, aralkylthio, heteroaralkoxy, heteroaralkylthio, heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarythio, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylthio, aryloxy, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl and haloalkoxy; wherein R 7 is a radical selected from alkyl, haloalkyl and amino; and wherein R 8 is one or more radicals selected from hydrido, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, haloalkoxy, cyano, carboxyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, nitro and alkylthio; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A preferred class of compounds consists of those compounds of Formula II wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower aralkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, acyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl, lower cycloalkyloxy, lower cycloalkyloxyalkyl, lower cycloalkylthio, lower cycloalkylthioalkyl, lower cycloalkylsulfonyl, lower cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, halo, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower haloalkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, lower cyanoalkyl, lower azidoalkyl, lower alkylaminoalkyl, lower N-arylaminoalkyl, lower N-alkyl- N-arylaminoalkyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylthioalkyl, aminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, lower aralkoxy, lower aralkylthio, lower heteroaralkoxy, lower heteroaralkylthio, lower heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, lower heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxyalkyl, lower heteroarylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxy, lower heteroarylthio, lower arylthioalkyl, lower aryloxyalkyl, lower arylthio, lower aryloxy, lower aralkylthioalkyl, lower aralkoxyalkyl, aryl selected from phenyl and naphthyl, 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkyl, cyano, lower haloalkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl and lower haloalkoxy; wherein R 7 is a radical selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl and amino; and wherein R 8 is a radical selected from hydrido, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, lower haloalkoxy, cyano, carboxyl, hydroxyl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylamino, nitro and lower alkylthio; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of particular interest consists 'of those compounds of Formula II wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoronethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, furylmethyl, morpholinomethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, piperazinylmethyl, piperidinylmethyl, pyridylmethyl, thienylmethyl,- formyl, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, methylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, isopropylthiomethyl, cyclohexyithiomethyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio, methylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, trifluoromethylcarbonyl, difluoromethylcarbonyl, fluoromethylcarbonyl, benzylcarbonyl, cyanomethyl, cyanobutyl, azidomethyl, methylaminomethyl, Nphenylaminomethyl, N-methyl-N-phenylaminoethyl, acetyl, propanoyl, butanoyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, carboxymethyl, carboxypropyl, arinocarbonyl, N-methylaminocarbonylmethyl, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, phenyloxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, furylmethoxy, furylmethylthio, thienylmethoxy, quinolylmethoxy, pyridylmethoxy, 5 -phenylpyridyl-2 -methoxy, thienylmethylthio, pyridylmethylthio, benzylthiomethyl, quinolylmethoxymethyl, furylbutoxyethyl, pyridyloxymethyl, pyridylmethoxynethyl, thienyloxyhexyl, thienylthiomethyl, pyridylthiohexyl, furyloxymethyl, furylmethylthiomethyl, quinolylmethylthioethyl, phenylthiomethyl, 2-chlorophenylthiomethyl, 2,6dichiorophenythioethyl, 4-methyiphenyithiomethyl, 2isopropyphenythioethyl, 2 -methylphenylthiomethyl, phenyloxymethyl, 4-chiorophenyloxymethyl, 4methyiphenyloxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 4methoxybenzyloxymethyl, naphthyl, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, pyridyl, wherein the thienyl, furyl, pyridyl and phenyl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochioromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichioropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl and trifluoromethoxy; wherein R 7 is methyl or amino; and wherein R 8 is a radical selected from hydrido, methylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methylthio, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, carboxyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoroethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, rethylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxynethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, methylamino, N,Ndimethylaino, phenylamino and nitro; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A family of specific compounds of particular interest within Formula II consists of compounds and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof as follows: 2- (3,4-difluorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1-4- (trifluoromethyl) -11--imidazole; 2 (4 -chlorophenyl) 4- (4 -rethylphenoxy) methyl I 4 (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl]1 -4 [(methylthio)methyl] -lH-imidazole; 1, 2-bis[(4 (methylsul fonyl) phenyl]1-4 -(tri fluoromethyl) lH-imidazole; 4- 4-difluorophenyl) (trifluoromethyl) -lHimidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- [2 -bromo- 4-methoxy-phenyl) -4 -(trif luoromethyl) -1lHimidazol-l-yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 2 (4 -chlorophenyl) -1 4- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl -1Hirnidazole-4 -carboxaldehyde; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) C( [(4-methylphenyl) thiomethyll -1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole; 2- (3-rethoxyphenyl) (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1K-imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-fluoromethyl)-1- [4- Cmethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 2- (2-f luorophenyl) (methylsulf onyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl -1-imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (phenylmethoxymethyl) -1K-imidazole; 4- (2-f luorophenyl) (trif luoromethyl) -1K-imidazoll-yl] benzenesulfonamide; N,N-dirnethyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trif luoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yll benzenanine; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-f (1-methylethyl) thiolmethyll -1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1K-imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-[[(cyclohexyl) thiolmethyl] (4- (methylsulfonyl )phenyl-lH-imidazole; 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheny1]-2-[3- (trifluorornethyl)pheny1 (trifluoromethyl) -1Himidazole; 2-7 methoxymethyl)pheny1 [4- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trif luoromethyl) -lEimidazole; 2-fluoro-N,N-dimethyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4- (trif luoromethyl) -1H-iiidazol-2-yl Ibenzenamine; 2- (3-bromophenyl) (methylsulf onyl)phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazole; 4- (trifluorornethyl) (trif luoromethyl)phenyl] 1H-irnidazol-1-yl]I benzenesulf onamide; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) [(2-chiorophenyl) thio Imethyl] -1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1-[.4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -2-(3-nitrophenyl) -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-f [(2-methyiphenyl) thiolmethyll -1- (methylsul fonyl) phenyl] 1H- imidazole; N-me thyl -4 1- 4 (rethylsul fonyl) phenylI -4 (trif luorornethyl) -lH-imidazoJ-2 -yl Ibenzenamine; 3 4- (methylsul fonyl) phenyl -4 (tri fluoromethyl) 1Himidazol-2-y1] benzenamine; N, N-dimethyl 3- 1- 4- (methyl sulf onyl) phenyl -4 (tri fluorome thyl) 1H- imidazol1- 2-yl]I benz enamine; N-me thyl -3 (rethylsul fonyl) phenyl-4 (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yl] benzenaznine; 2-fluoro-N-methyl-4-[1- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yl] benzenamine; 2- (4-chloropheiyl) dichiorophenyl) thiolrnethyl] [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-f [(2-Clmethylethyl)phenyl] thiolrnethyl] 4- (methylsulfonyljphenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-[4-(xnethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1Kimidazol-4-yl] ethanone; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 (methylthio)phenyl] 4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazole; 4- (3-bromophenyl) (trif luoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamnide; 2- (3-chloro-5-methylphenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trifluoromethyl) -lHimidazole; 4- (3-chloro-5-methylphenyl) (trif luoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -liiimidazole-4-acetonitrile; 2- (3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trif luoromethyl) -lHimidazole; 2- (3-fluoro-5- methoxyphenyl) (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl] (trif luoromethyl) -lHimidazole; 4- (3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl) (trifluoromethyl) -1Hirnidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonamide; 2- 4 -chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lEimidazole-4-acetic acid; 4- (3-fJluoro-5-methoxyphenyl) (trif luoromethyl) -lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-difluoromethyl-l-(4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -lH-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-rnethyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -lE-irnidazole; 2 (4-chlorophenyl) -4-ethyl-l- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] iK-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-irnidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-fluorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-brornophenyl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -lH-irnidazole; 2- (4-chlorophefl (4-chlorophelYl) [4- (methylsulf ofYl) phenyl]I -1H-imtidazole; 2 (4 -chlorophelYl) 4- (2 -naphthy-) 1- [4 (me thylsu f ofl) phenyl I -imidaz o1 e; 2 4 -chloropheny 1)4[ 4 -(tri f uoromethoy) pheny (rethylsUlfoflyl)Pheny'I -lH-imfidazole; 2 (4 -chlorophelY 1) 4- (3 -chiorophelYl) 1- [4 (methylsu 1f ofYl) phenyl I 1H- imidaz ole; 2- (4-chlorophelYl) (3-fluorophelYl) (methylsllfoflyl)pheny'] -iK-irnidazole; 2- (4-chioropheflYl) (4-rethoxypheflyl) [4- (methylsulf ofyl) phenyl] -lH-iflidazole; 2 (4 -chiorophelYl) -4 -phenoxymethyl-l- [4 (methY1sulf ofl) phenyl I -l1H- iridazole; 2- (4-chiorophelYl) 4 -(4-chlorophefloxy)methyl-l( 4 (methylsUlfolYl) pheriyl] -1K-imidazo2le; 2- (4-chloropheflYl) (4-fluorophefloxy)methyl-l [4- (rethylsulfoflyl)phenyll -iK-imidazole; 2- (4-chloroPhelYl) -4-phenylthiomfethyl-l- [4- (methylsulfol2)phenyl] -iK-irnidazole; 2- (4-chloroPhelYl) (N-phefylyNmethylamino)methyl-l 4- (methylsulf ofl) phenyl -lH-imidazole; 2 -chlorophel) qioy)mtoyehll (rethylsulfofl) phenyl]- 1K- iridazole; 2- (4-chlorophel-4-Inethoxymethyl-l- [4- (methylsulfolYl) phenyl] -iK-irnidaZOle; 2 (4 -chiorophelYl) -4 (4 -methoxybeflYoxy) methyl-l [4 (methylsulfol))phenyl] -iH-irnidaZOle; 2 (4 -chlorophel) 4- (rtethYlsulf ofyl) phenyl I -1Hixidazole-41flethaflol; 2-(4-chlOropheylY-4formyll[ 4 (iethylsulfofl)phenyl- irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophelyl) -l-[4-(rethylsulfonlY)phell-1Kiridazole-4-carboflitrile; 2-(4-chloropheylY)4benzyl[ 4 (rethylsulfol2)phenyl] -ii-imidazole; 2 4 -chloropheny1) -4-phenylethyl-1[4.

(methylsulfonyl )phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyl-l- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] lH-irnida zole; 2 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbonyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylcarbonyl-l- [4- (methylsulfonyl.) phenyll -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzylcarbonyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hydroxy-l-phenyl-methyl) 4- (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hexanol) (methylsulfonyl )phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 2-(4-chlo'rophenyl) -1-f(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1Himidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-octyl-1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] lE-imidazole; 2- 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-methoxy-1- [4- (methyl sulfonyl)phenylj]-iK-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-1- [4- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyll -1H-iridazole; 2- 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-methylthio-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1K-irnidazole; 2 -(4-ch .lorophenyl) 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethylsulfonyl-lH imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethylcarbonyllH-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-thienyl) (methylsulforiyl)pheny1] -1H-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-furyl) [4- (methylsulfony1)pheny1] -1K-imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-pyridyl)-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 2

-C

4 -chlorophenyl)-4-chlorol[4- (methylsulfonyl)pheny1] -iK-irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-fluoro-1- [4- (methylsulforiyl )phenyl] -1H-imidazole; methyl (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] lI-IH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; [2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lHimidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; methyl (4-chiorophenyl) (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] lE-imidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl--lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-dif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methyl-lH-imidazol-1yll benzenesulfonamide; 4-[-2-C4-chlorophenyl) -4-ethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyl-lH-imidazol.-lyl] benzeriesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) (4-f luorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-bromophenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-chiorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyll benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) (2-naphthyl)-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) (trif luoromethoxy)phenyl] -lHimidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-chiorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-f luorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) (4-methoxyphenyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenoxymethyl-lH-imidazol-lyllIbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-chlorophenoxy)methyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) (4-f luorophenoxy)methyl-1Himidazol- 1-yl].benzenesulfonamide; S4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylthiomethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl) benzenesulfonamide; 4 2- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (N-phenyl -N -methyl1amino) methyl- 1H- imidazol 1-yl I benz enesul fonamide; 4 C[2- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (2 -quinoly1) methoxymethy 1Himidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4- [2 (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxymethyl-1H-imidazol-lyl] benz enesul.fonamide; 4 2- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (4 -methoxybenzyloxy) methyl -lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hydroxymethyl-1H-imidazol-1y1] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-formyl-lH-imidazol-lyl Ibenz enesul fonamide; 4 2- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4 -cyano -1H- imidazol -1 yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- [2 (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenylethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; (4 -chioropheny 1) 4-hexyl1- 1H- imidazol1-1 ylJ benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbonyl-1H-imidazol-1yll benzenesulfonamide; 4- [2 (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylcarbonyl-1E-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 [2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 4-benzylcarbonyl -1H -imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-methyl) -1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 4 -(1-hexanol) -1H-imidazol -1yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-octyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide;- 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxy-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-butoxy-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-rethylthio-1H-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-thienyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-furyl) -11--imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-pyridyl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-chloro-lH-imidazol-lyl Ibenzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-fluoro-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; (4 -chio rophenyl) 1- 4- (amino sul fonyl) phenyl) 1Himidazol-4-yl] carboxylic acid; methyl (4-chiorophenyl) (aminosulfonyl)phenyl) lH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; (4-chiorophenyl) (aminosulf onyl)phenyl) -1Himidazol -4 -yl carboxamide; methyl [2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 1- 4- (aminosul fonyl) phenyl) 1H-irnidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; 2 (3 -methylphenyl) -1 4- (methylsul fonyl) phenyl -4 trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2 (2 -methylphenyl) -1 (4 (methylsul fonyl) phenyl -4 tri fluoromethyl -iN-imidazole; 2- (4-f luoro-3-methylphenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trif luoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2 (4 -chloro-3 -methylphenyl) 4 (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2 luoro-3 -methoxyphenyl) C4 (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-1Himidazole; 2 (4 -chloro-3 -methoxyphenyl) 4 (methylsulfoiyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-1Himidazole; 2 (3 fluoro-4 -rethylphenyl) C4 (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2- (3-chloro-4-m ethylphenyl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2 (3 fluoro- 4-methylthiophenyl) -1 (methylsul fonyl) phenyl] -4-tri fluoromethyl -iKimidazole; 2 (3 -chloro-4 -methylthiophenyl) -1 4 (methylsul fonyl) phenyl -4 -trif luoromethyl -1Himidazole; 2 fluoro-3 -methylthiophenyl) -1 4 (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2 (4 -chloro-3 -methylthiophenyl) -1 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-iKimidazole; 2 5 -dirnethyl 4 -ethoxyphenyl) 1- (4 (methylsuJ f onyl) phenyl]I 4- tri fluoromethyl -1Hirnidazole; 2- 5-dichloro-4-nethoxyphenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2- 5-dif luoro-4-methoxyphenyl) (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole; 2- 4-dimethylphenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2- 5-dichiorophenyl) 4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4tri fluoromethy-lH--irnidazole; 4-[2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-trifluorornethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(2-methylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-f luoro-3-methylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesultonamide; 4- (4-chloro-3-methylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl} benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2.-(4-chloro-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-lH-' imidazol-1-yi] benzenesulfonamide; (3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl) -4-trifluoronethyl-Iimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide;" 4- (3-chloro-4-methylthiophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonanide; 4-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methylthiophenyl) -4-trifluorornethyl-lHimidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonanide; 4-[2-(4-fluoro-3-methylthiophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulforiamide; 4-[2-(4-chloro-4-nethylthiophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHirnidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonamide; 4- 5-dirnethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl- 1H- imidazol-1-yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl- 1H-imidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonanide; 4-[2-(3,5-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trifluorornethyl- 1H-imidazol-1-yi] benzenesulfonanide; 4- 4-dirnethyiphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; (3,5-dichiorophenyl) -4-trifluorornethyl-1H-irnidazoll-yl] benzenesulfonamide; ethyl (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 1H-imidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; ethyl [1-[4-(aminasulfonyl)phenyl] (4-chloropheiyl) 1-lH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheiyl] (4-methylphenyl)-4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (rethylsulfonyl)pheiyl] (3-chiorophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl -lH-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-methyl-3chiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazale; (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-iKimidazol-2-yl] 3-benzodioxole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)pheiyl] (4-methoxyphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl -iN-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (3-fluorophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-f luorophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-rnethoxy-3fluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -2-phenyl-4-trifluoronethyllE-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll (4-methoxy-3chilorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluorornethyl-iKimidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-brornophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; l-[4-Cmethylsulfonyl)phenyll-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-ethyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-butyJlphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-inidazole; 1- (methylsulfoiyl)pheiyl] [4- (dif luoromethyl) phenyl]I -4-trif luoromethyl-lHimidazole; l-[(4-.(methylsulfonyl)pheny~l (4-butoxyphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 (methylthio)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1-2- (4-methoxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(4-methyl-3,5dif luorophenyl) 4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 (2,4-dichlorophenyl) -4tri fluoromethyl H-imidazole; 1- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-dichiorophenyl) -4trifluoiromethyl-lH-imidazole; 1- (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl] [4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethoxy-1Himidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 (3,5-dirnethyl-4 -me thoxyphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 (3,4 4-dime thyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-iK-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 (4-aminophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4- (4-methylphenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonanide; (3-chiorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-rethyl-3-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1Himidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; (aminosulfonyl)phenyl I -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-2-yl] 3-benzodioxole; (4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4-[2-(3-fluorophenyl )-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1ylbenzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-f luorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1H-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonanide; (4-methoxy-3 -f luorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH- .imidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonanide; 4- [2-phenyl-4-trif luoromethyl-H-inidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-methoxy-3-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-iNimidazo1-1Ly11 benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-C(trif luoromethyl)phenyll-4-trif luoronethyl-1Himidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-bromophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-lylj benzenesulfonamide; 4- (2-chiorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-ethyiphenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-butyiphenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-1yll benzenesulfonamide; (difluorornethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-BIimidazol-1-yl] benzeriesulfonamide; (4-butoxyphenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; (4-methoxy-3, 5-dichloro-phenyl) -4-trif luoromethy.- 1H-imidazol-1-yll 'benzenesulfonamide;- 4- (4-methyl-3 ,5-difluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4-dichiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol- 1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- 4-dichiorophenyl) -4-trif luorornethyl-1H-imidazol- 1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl3 -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-phenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl- 1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4- dime thyiphenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; and 4- (4-aminophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imfidazol-lylI benzenesulfonamide.within Formula I there is a second subclass of compounds of high interest represented by Formula iii:

R

3 N2 0R'

R

9 wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkyithicalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkyloxyalkyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, halo, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocycloalkylcarbonYl, cyanoalkyl, azidoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,

N-

arylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkylcarboflyl,.

aminocarbonyl, N-alkylaminocarboflYlalkyl, heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylthioalkyl, aralkoxy, aralkylthio, heteroaralkoxy, heteroaralkylthio, heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylthio, aryloxy, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl; wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, alkylthio, alkylsulfilyl, alkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl and haloalkoxy; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl and fluoro; wherein R 9 is one or more radicals selected from hydrido, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, haloalkoxy, cyano, carboxyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, nitro and alkylthio; and wherein R 1 0 is a radical selected from alkyl, haloalkyl and amino; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.

A preferred class of compounds consists of those compounds of Formula III wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower aralkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, lower heteroaralkyl, acyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl, halo, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower haloalkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower cyanoalkyl, lower azidoalkyl, lower alkylaminoalkyl, lower N-arylaminoalkyl, lower Nalkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylthioalkyl, aminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, lower aralkoxy, lower aralkylthio, lower heteroaralkoxy, lower heteroaralkylthio, lower heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, lower heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxyalkyl, lower heteroarylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxy, lower heteroarylthio, lower arylthioalkyl, lower aryloxyalkyl, lower arylthio, lower aryloxy, lower aralkylthioalkyl, lower aralkoxyalkyl, aryl selected from phenyl and naphthyl, 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkyl, cyano, lower haloalkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl and lower haloalkoxy; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl and fluoro; wherein R 9 is a radical selected from hydrido, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, lower haloalkoxy, cyano, carboxyl, hydroxyl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylamino, nitro and lower alkylthio; and wherein R1 0 is a radical selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl and amino; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of particular interest consists of those compounds of Formula III wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlororethyl, dichiororethyl, trichioromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochioromethyl, djchlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl,- difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, furylmethyl, morpholinomethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, piperazinylmethyl, piperidinylmethyl, pyridylmethyl, thienylmethyl, formyl, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, methylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methyithiomethyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio, methylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, trifluoromethylcarboyl, difluororethylcarbonyl. fluoromethylcarbonyl, benzylcarbonyl, cyanomethyl, cyanobutyl, azidomethyl, methylaminomethyl, N-phenylaminomethyl, N-methyl-Nphenylaminomethyl, acetyl, propanoyl, butanoyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, methylaminocarbonylmethyl, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, phenyloxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, furylmethoxy, furylmethylthio, thienylmethoxy, quinolylmethoxy, pyridylmethoxy, 5-phenylpyridyl-2 -methoxy, thienylrethylthio, pyridylrethylthio, quinolylmethoxymethyl, furylbutoxyethyl, pyridyloxymethyl, pyridylmethoxymethyl, thienyloxyhexyl, thienyithiomethyl, pyridyithiohexyl, furyloxymethyl, furylmethylthiomethyl, quinolylmethylthioethyl, phenyithiomethyl, phenyloxymethyl, 4chiorophenyloxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 4methoxybenzyloxymethyl, naphthyl, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, pyridyl, wherein the thienyl, furyl, pyridyl and phenyl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from fluoro, chioro, bromo, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichioromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl and trifluoromethoxy; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl and fluoro; wherein R 9 is a radical selected from hydrido, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichiorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy, propoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy, methylenedioxy, amino, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, carboxyl, hydroxyl, nitro, hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methylamino, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio and butylthio; and wherein R 10 is methyl, fluoromethyl or amino, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

C-241 I3 32 A family of specific compounds of particular interest within Formula III consists of compounds and pharmaceutically -acceptable salts thereof as follows: 1- 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl.2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl I -lE-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-difluoromethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-methyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lE-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-ethyl-2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lE-imidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl )phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-bromophenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) (2-naphthyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; l-(4-chlorophenyl)-4- C3-chlorophenyl) -2-IA- (methylsulfonyl).phenyl] -1K-imidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-(3-fluorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-methoxyphenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; l-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenoxymethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1K-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) 4 -chlorophenoxy)methyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1K-imidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenoy)methyl>.[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylthiomethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -iK-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (N-phenyl-N-methylamino)methyl-2- (methylsulfonyl)pheny-l]-1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chloropheny) (2-quinolyl)methoxymethyl-2-[(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4-methoxymethyl -2 (4 (rethylsulfonyl) phenyl]I -1F{-imidazole; 1- (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (4 -methoxybenzyloxy) methyl -2 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-hydroxymethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-formyl-2- 14- (methylsulfonyl )phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1-(W4-chlorophEnyl) 4-cyano-2 4- (rethylsulf onyl) phenyl] 1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl )phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyl-2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 1H- imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbonyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -iK-irnidazole; 1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenylcarbonyl-2-[4- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -iK-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzylcarbonyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hydroxy-2-phenyl-methyl) -2-14- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (l-hexanol) [4- Cmethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-irnidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -2-1 (iethylsulfonyJ~phenyl] -lHimidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-octyl-2-[4-(rnethylsulfonyl)phenyll- 1H-imidazole; C-2818/3 34 1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-methoxy-2-[4- S(methylsulforiyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -iK-imidazole; 1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-methylthio-2-[4- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-(2-thienyl) [4- (methy lsulfonyl) phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-furyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-pyridyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole;.

1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-chloro-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -lH-imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-fluoro-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole; (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -1Himidazol-4-yll carboxylic acid; methyl (1-(4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) lH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -1Himidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; methyl [1-(4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) IH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-dif luoromethyl-1H-imidazo.-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methyl-1H-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonanide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-ethyl-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyl-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) (4-f luorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-2ylI benzenesulfonamide; C-2818/3 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-bromophenyl) -iH-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-chiorophenyl) -iH-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ri1- 4 -chiorophenyi) (2-naphthyi) -iH-imidazoi-2yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4- 4 -chiorophenyl) (trifiluoromethoxy)phenyi] -11imidazoi-2-yi) benzenesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-chiorophenyl) -iH-imidazoi-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-ri1- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-f luorophenyl) -iN-imidazoi-2yi] benzenestilfonamide; 4-ri1- 4 -chiorophenyl) (4-methoxyphenyl) -1H-imidazol-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ri1- 4 -chlorophenyi) -4-phenoxmethyliHimidazo-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ri1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-chiorophenoxy) methyl-iHimidazol-2-yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4-ri1- (4-chiorophenyl) 4 -filuorophenoxy)methyl-lHimidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonaide; 4-ri- (4-chiorophenyl) 4 -phenylthiomethyl-iH-imidazoi-2 ylI benzenesuifonamide; 4-ri1- 4 -chiorophenyi) (N-phenyl-N-methylamino) methyilH-irnidazoi-2-yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4 (4-chiorophenyl) 2 -quinoiyl) methoxymethyi-iH.

iridazoi-2-yij benzenesuifonamide; 4-fl- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxymethyl-iE-imidazoi-2yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4-[i1- (4-chiorophenyl) 4 4 -methoxybenzyioxy)methyi-iHimidazol-2-yi~benzenesuifonamide; 4 (4-chlorophenyl) 4 -hydroxymethy-H-inidazoi-2yiI benzenesulfonamide; 4-[l (4-chiorophenyl) 4 -formyi-iH-imidazol-2yi Ibenzenesuifonamide; 4-fl1- (4-chiorophenyl) 4 -cyano-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesuifonamide; Ch~,O/J 36 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-lH-imidazol-2yl Ibenzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenyiethyl-1H-imidazoi-2yiljbenzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyi) -4-hexyl-H-imfidazol-2yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyicarbonyi-1H-imidazol-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyicarbonyl-1H-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyicarbonyl-1H-imidazol-2yl] benzenesuifonanide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (i-hydroxy-2-phenyi-methyi) -lHimidazol-2 -yil] benzenesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyi) (i-hexanoi) -iH-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesulfonanide; (4-chiorophenyl) -iH-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-octyl-iH-imidazol-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxy-I--imidazol-2yi] benzenesulfona.mide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-lH--imidazol-2yl] benzenesuifonami de; 4-ti- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methylthio-iH-imidazo1-2yil benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-thienyl) -iE-imidazol-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-furyl) -1E-irnidazol-2.yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-t- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-pyridyl) -iH-imidazol-2yl] benz enesul fonarnide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-chloro-lH-imidazol-2yil benzenesulfonanide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyi) -4-filuoro-1H-imidazoi- 2 yi] benzenesulfonanide; C-2818/3 37 (4-chloropheiyl) (aminosulfoiyl)pheiyl) -1Himidazol-4-yl] carboxylic acid; methyl 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (aminosulfonyl)phenyl) l H'-imidazol-4-'yllcarboxylate; (l-(4-chlorophenyl) -2-[4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl) -1Kimidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; methyl (1-(4-chiorophenyl) (aminosulfonyl)phenyl) 1H-imidazol-4 -yl] carboxamide; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -1-(4-methyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (3-chiorophenyl) -4tri fluoromethyl -iK-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-methyl-3chiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 5S-[ 2 -[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheiyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-l{imidazol-l-yl] 3-benzodioxole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-methoxyphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyll lu orophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-l-inidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-fluorophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-methoxy-3fluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenylj-l-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyliK-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1-(4-methoxy-3chiorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-iKimidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-bromophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (2-chiorophenyl) -4trifluorornethyl-lH-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1-(4-ethyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl -lE-irnidazole; C-2818/3 38 (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -1-(4-butyiphenyl) -4tr:ifluoromethyl-lHaimidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)pheny1 [4- (difluo'rornethyl)phenyl] 4 -trifluoromethyl.1Hirnidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 4 -butoxyphenyl) -4tri fluoromethyl K- imidazol e; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll (methylthio)phenyl] -4tri fluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2 4 -(methysufony)pheny1](4methoy-,5dichloro phenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1.-(4-.methyl-3,S difluorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 4-dichiorophenyl) trifluoromethyllimidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 4-dichiorophenyl) -4- .trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 2- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl [4- (trifluoromethyl )phenyl] 4 -trifluorornethoxy-lHimidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll 5 -dimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 4-dirnethyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethy1l1E..imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-aminophenyl) -4trifluoromethyllH-imidazole; 4 4 -methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethy.Himidazo12yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4 3 -chlorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-H-imidazol>2 yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- [1-(4-methyl-3 -chiorophenyl) -4-trifluorornethyl-lHimidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 5-2(-aioufnlpenl--rfurmty-H imidazol-1-yl] 3-benzodioxole; 4 3 -fluorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol.>.

yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -fiuorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl.Himidazol- 2 yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -methoxy-3-fluorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH- .imidazo1-.2 y1 benzenesul-f onamide; 4- [l-pheny-4trifluormehyH-imidazol- 2 yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -methoxy-3-chlorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH.

imidazol-2 -yl] benzenesulf onamide; 4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl I 4 -trifluoromethyl.1H.

imidazoi-2-yiJ benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-bromophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyllH-imidazol- 2 ylj benzenesulfonamide; 4- 2 -chlorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyllHimidazol- 2 yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 (1-4etyl hnyl) )4triff uurometyl tH-iidl-2-d yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4 -butylphenyl) -4 -trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazo1 2 ylJ benzenesulfonamide..

4 4(dif uoromehy)pheny 4trifuorthl-l imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -butoxyphenyl) -4 -trif luoromethyl-lHimidazol-2yiI benzenesulfonamide; 4 1 (methylthio) phenyl] 4 -trif luoromethyl-H.

imidazol-2-ylI benzenesulfonamide; 4 (1-(4-methoxy-3, 5-dichloro-phenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyl.

1H-imidazol-2-yl1Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4

-C

1 (4-methyl-3,5-dif luorophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyl-1H imidazol-2-ylj benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -dichlorophenyl) -4ti urmthll-mdzl 2 -yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4-ri1- 4 -dichlorophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 2 -ylI benzenesulfonamide; 4 (trif luoromethoxy) phenyl] 4 -trif luoromehylJj{..

imidazol-2-yljbenzenesulfonamide; 4-(-(,-iehl4mtoypey)--rflooehl lH-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; C-2818/3 (3,4-dimethylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 2-yl]benzenesulfonamide; and (4-aminophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2yl]benzenesulfonamide.

Within Formula I there is a third subclass of compounds of high interest represented by Formula IV:

R

3 Ho 4 3 OR12

(IV)

R11 wherein R 3 is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, alkylsulfonylalkyl, cycloalkylthioalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, N-aryl-Nalkylaminoalkyl, heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, heterocyclocarbonyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, N-alkoxy-Nalkylaminocarbonyl, heteroaralkylthioalkyl, heteroarylthioalkyl and aryl optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halo, alkoxy and haloalkoxy; and wherein R 1 1 and R 12 are independently selected from hydrido, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl and sulfamyl; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.

A preferred class of compounds consists of those compounds of Formula IV wherein R 3 is selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower aralkoxyalkyl, lower aryloxyalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower arylthioalkyl, lower heteroaralkylthioalkyl, lower heteroarylthioalkyl, lower N-aryl-N-alkylaminoalkyl, lower heteroarylalkoxyalkyl and aryl selected from naphthyl, phenyl and biphenyl, wherein the aryl radical is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halo, lower alkoxy and lower haloalkoxy; and wherein R1 1 and R 1 2 are independently selected from hydrido, halo, lower alkyl', lower haloalkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl and sulfamyl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of particular interest cbnsists of those compounds of Formula IV wherein R 3 is selected from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, benzyloxymethyl, phenylthiomethyl, pyridylthiomethyl, pyridylmethylthiomethyl, phenyloxymethyl, 4chlorophenyloxymethyl, N-phenyl-N-methylaminomethyl, quinolyloxymethyl and aryl selected from naphthyl and phenyl, wherein the aryl radical is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, tertbutoxy, propoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy, methylenedioxy and trifluoromethoxy; and wherein R 1 1 and R12 are independently selected from hydrido, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, isobutyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, tertbutoxy, propoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy, methylenedioxy, methylsulfonyl, fluoromethylsulfonyl and sulfamyl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A family of specific compounds of particular interest within Formula IV consists of compounds and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof as follows: C-2818/3 42 2 4 -(dimethyiamino)-3-fluorophenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4 hydroxy-1- (methyisulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluorornethyl) -iN-imidazole; 2- (4 -chio'rophenyl) -4-triflu~oromethyi-i- £4- (rethyisulforiyl)phenyi] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-difluoromethyl-l- [4- (methyisulfonyi) phenyil -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methyl-i- [4- (rethyisulfonyi) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-ethyl-i- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-hydroxy-4, 2 -chl1o ropheny1) 4- ph eny 1-i1- C4 (methylsuifonyi) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2 (4 -ch 1o rophenyl1) 4 fluo roph enyl1) -i1- [4 (methylsulfonyi)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 4- (4 -brornophenyl) 1- [4 (me thyl sul fonyl) phenyl]I 4-hydroxy 5 -dihydro -lHimidazole; 2 chloropheny 1) 4- (4 -chio rophenyl) 1- [4 (methylsulfonyi)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-naphthyl) [4- (methyisulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-[4-(trifluoromethoy)phenyil-l[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -4-hydroxy-4, irnidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-fluorophenyl) [4- (methylsuifonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; C-2818/ 3 43 2- (4-chiorophelyl) (3-chiorophelYl) 4- (methylsulfonyl) pheny-)-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 2"(4'-chlorophely-l) -4-(4-methoxyphenlY)-1-IA- (methylsulfony-) phenyll -4-hydroxy-4 imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophelyl) -4-phenoxymethYl-l (4- (methylsulfony-) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4 imidazole; 2- (4-ch2-orophenyl) (4-chloropheloxy)methyl-- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phell -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lH imidazole;- 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (4-f luorophefloxy)methyl-l- [4- (methylsulfol) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4 ,5-dihydro-1H- imidazo-e; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylthiomfethyl-l- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4 1 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 2 (4 -chiorophenyl) -4 CN-pheny 1 -N-fe thyl amilo) ethy (methylsulfonyl)phelYll -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-quinly1) methoxym1ethyl-l- [4- (methylsulfofyl) phelyll -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2-(4-chlorophelYl) -4-ethoxymethyl-l-[ 4 (rethylsulfofYl) phefll -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophelyl) (4-methoxybezloy) methyl-l-[ 4 (methylsulfolyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2-(4-chlorophel)-4-hydroxymethy-l1 4 (methylsulfofl) Phell] -4-hydroxy- 4 imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophelyl) -4-formyl-l- [4- (methylsulfoflyl)phell -4-hydroxy- 4 1 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-cyano-1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl I 4-hydroxy-4, 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-l- [4- (methylsulfonyl).pheny1] :4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenylethyl-l- [4- (methylsulfony1) pheny1] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyl-l- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-hydroxy-4, 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbonyl-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2 (4 -chiorophenyl) 4-phenylcarbonyl 1- [4 .(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-' iinidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzylcarbonyl-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-methyl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hexanol) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) ((methylsulfonyl)pheny1] -4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-octy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheny1]- 4-hydroxy-4, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methoxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-l- [4- (rtethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; C-2818/3 2 4 -chlorophenyl) 4-methyl thio 1- [4 (me thyl sul fonyl) phenyl) 4-hydroxy 5 -dihydro -li{imidazole; 2 4 -chl 6 ropheny1) -4 theny-1 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4-hydroxv-4, imidazole; 2 4 -chlorophenyl) 4- (2 furyl) 1- [4 (me thyl sul1f onyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy 5 -dihydro

H-

imidazole; 2 4 -chloropheny 1) -1 4 -(me hy su 1 fony) phel] 4 pyridyl) -4-hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2 4 -chloropheny)-4chloro1.[4- (methylsulfolyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-fluoro-l- (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 4 -chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-lHEimidazol14.yljcarboxylic acid; methyl[2-(4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl)j 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4y1] carboxylate; 4 -chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-lH-imidazol.4-y1]carboxamide; Inethyl.(2- 4 -chlorophenyl)-1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl) 4-yrx-,-iyr-Hiiao--lcroaie 4 2 -(4-chloropheny)4trifluorometl4hy4dro 4

,S

dihydro-lH-imidazol1-1yl]benzenesulfonamide 4 2 -(4-chlorophenyl) 4 -difluoromethyl4hydroxy-4,S..

dihydro-Himidazo-1ybenzenesufaide 4- 4 -chlorophenyl) 4 -methy1-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-1-yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4 2 (4-chlorophenyl) 4 -ethyl- 4-hydroxy4, imidazol-1-ylj benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -chlorophen yl) 4 -phenyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1Hiridazol-1-ylI benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4 -chlorophenyl) (4-f luorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydrolH-imidazo1ybenzenesufaide 4- (4-chlorophelYl)-4- (4-bromfopheflYl) -4-hyaroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol1Ylbelzenesuloaie 4- (4-chloroPhelYl) (4-chlorophelYl)-4-hydroxy-4 1 '.dihydro-lH-imidazol1-yL]belzenesulfoaie 4 2 4 chloropheflY4-(naphthyl)-ydoy45 dihydro-lH{imidazo-1-yl]benzelesufolamIiae; 4- (4-chlorophelYl)-4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl) -4hydroxy- 4 y 1 1 benzelesulfoflamide; 4 -[2-(4-ch1orophenyl) 4 3 -chlioropheylY)4hydroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imfidazo11yll benzefeleUfoflmide; (4-chlorophelYl) (3-f luorophelyl) -4-hydroxy- 4 1 dihydro-lHimidazol11yll benzefeleUfoflmide; 4- (4-chiorophelYl)-4- (4-methoxyphel) -4-hydroxy- 4 dihydro-.1H-imidazo1yl1belzenesulfoaie 4- (4-chlorophelYl) 4 -phenox ymethy14-hydroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imfidazo-1-yl]benzelesufoflam!ide; 4 -[2-(4-ch-orophel) 4 4 -ch1orophefloxy)methYl- 4 hydroxy- 4 S-dihydrolH-imidazol-l yl] benzenesu]lfofamide; 4 -[2-(4-chlorophelyl) 4 4 -f1uorophenoxy)methyl- 4 hydroxy- 4 1 S-dihydro2IHimidazol-l yll benzenefleUfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophelYl) 4 -phenlthiorehy14-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol1yl1benzenesulfoaie 4- 2- (4-chlorophelYl) -4-(Npey Nmtyain~ehl 4-hydroxy- 4 1 S-dihydro-1H-imidazol-l yl] benzenesulfoflmide; 4- (4-chlorophelYl) 2 -quiflyl)mehoxymethyl- 4 hydroxy- 4 S-dihydro3lHimidazol yl] benzenesulfoflamide; 4 -[2-(4-chlorophenyl) 4 -methoxymethyl-4-hydroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imidazd-1-yllbelzenesuloaie 4- (4-chiloropheflYl)-4- (4-methoxybeflzyloxy) methylhydroxy- 4 Sdihydro-Himidazol-l yl] benzefeleUfoflmide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hydrbxymethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1I--imidazol-1-yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-formyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1Himidazol.-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-cyano-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yllbenzeiesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyl-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbonyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylcarbonyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-1H-irnidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzylcarbonyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-(l-hydroxy-1-phenyl-methyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (1-hexanol) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yljbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydz-o-1H-imidazol- 1-yll benzenesulfonamide; (4-chlorophenyl) -4-octyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxy-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro- 1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-meth-ythio-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-thienyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-furyl) -4-hydroxy-4, 1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; C-2s1d/i 48 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-pyridyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl I benzenesulf onamide; 47- (4-chloropheiyl) -4-chloro-4-hydroxy-4, Simidaz'ol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-fluoro-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-1-ylI benzenesulfonamide; 2 (4-chlorophenyl) 4 (amino sul fonyl) phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1E-imidazol-4-ylI carboxylic acid; methyl[2- 4 -chlorophenyl) (aminosulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yll carboxylate; (4-chiorophenyl) (amirlosulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; methyl (4-chiorophenyl) 4- (aminosulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-ylJcarboxamide; 2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-methyiphenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (3-chiorophenyl) -4trif luoromethy14 hydroxy-4 5 -dihydro-lH-imidazole; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll (4 -methyl-3chiorophenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroiN-imidazole; 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4trifluoromethyl4, 5dihydrolH-imidazo12..yl 1 3 benzodi'oxole; 1- 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-rethoxyphenyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy.4, 1- (methylsulf onyljphenyl] (3-f luorophenyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-fluorophenyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; l-[ 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-methoxy-3f luorophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro- 1H-irnidazole; 1-[ 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 2 -phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl- 4-hydroxy-4, S-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 1- (methylsulf ofyl)phel 1 (4-methoxy-3chiorophelyl) -4-trif luoromethy-4-hydroxy- 4 1H- imidazole; 1- (methylsulfpflyl)phelY)-]-2- [4- (trif luoromethyl) phell -4-trif luoromehy14-hydroxy- 4, 1- (methylsulf ofyl)Phel'1 (4-bromop~efl) -4trifluoromehy14-hydroxy- 4 i 1- (methylsulfolyl)phel 1 (4-ethyphenly) -4trif luoromehy14-hydroxy- 4 1- (methylsufol)phel1 (4-butyphenly) -4trif luoromethyl4hYdroxy- 4 (methylsulfofyl)Pheyll- 2 4 (dif luoronethyl) phenylI -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 1- (methylsufonlY)phely'l (4-butoxyphel) -4trif luoromethy14-hydrox- 4 5-dihydro-1H-imtidazole; 1- (methylsuf ofl)phel' (rethylthio)phelyll -4tri f uoromethy 4 -hydroxy- 4 5 -dihydro-1H- imidazole; 1 4- (methylsul f onl) phenlI 2- (4 -methoxy phenyl) -4-trif luoromethY-4-hydroxy- 4 imidazole; 1- (rethylsulf ofl-) phenl) (4-methyl-3 dif luorophelyl) -4-trif luoromfethyl14-hydroxy- 4 aihydro-1H-irnidazole; (rethylsulf ofyl)phelyll (2,4-dichloroPhelyl) -4trjf luoromethy1-4-hydroxy- 4 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 1- (methylsulf ofYl)phell 4-dichiorophelYl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4 5-dihydro-1H-imfidazole; (methy-suJlfofl1)phefyll 2 4 (trif luoromethyl) phelyll -4-trif luoromethoxy-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2- 5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-phenyl) [4- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl] -4-trif luoromethyl4hydroxy- 4, 2 4-dimethylphelYl) (rethylsulfofl) phefll -4trifluorornethyJl-4-hydroxy- 4 2- (4-aminopheiyl) 4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxY-4, 4- (4-methylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-irnidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (3-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luororaethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide;.

4-[2-(4-methyl-3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, yl] benzenesulfonamide; 5-[1-[4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyll-4-hydroxy-4trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl] -1,3benzodioxole; 4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; (3-fluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; (4-f Thorophenyl) -4-trifluoroznethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-methoxy-3-fluoropheny1) -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH--imidazolL-1y11 benzenesulfonanide; 4- [2-phenyl-4-trif luorornethyl-4-hydroxy-4, irnidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; (4 7 methoxy-3-chlorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-brornophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; chlorophenyl),-4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-ethylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide; (4-butylpheny1) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 -[4-(difluoromethyl)phenyl]I 4 -trifluorornethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-lylj benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 4 -b'utoxphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroy4..

dihydro-11{-imidazol-.1-yl benzenesulf onamide; 4 2 4 -(methylthio) phenyl] 4 -trif luromethyl-4-hydroxy.

4 ,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- [2 (4-methoxy-3, 5-dichloro-pheiyl) -4-trif luoromethyl- 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1yl) benzenesulfonamide; 4- [2 (4-methy1-3 5-dif luorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5- dihydro-1H-imidazol-lyl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4- (2,.4.-dichiorophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethy1-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4-dichiorophenyl) 4 -trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 4 (trif luoromethoxy)phenyl -4trif luoromethyl.4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- 5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-phenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl- 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-itnidazol-lylI benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4-dimethylphenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1E-irnidazol-1-yl Ibenzenesulfonamide; 4 2 (4-aminophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1- 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4-hydroxy-4 ,5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-difluoromethy1-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methyl-2= [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Hirnidazole; 4-hydroxy-4, 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyl-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenylI-4-.hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- 4 -chlorophe nyl) (4-fluorophenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 4- (4-bromophenyl) -1-(4-chiorophenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole;.

l-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl).2.[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- 4 -chlorophenyl) (4-methoxy-phenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1, 4-bis (4-chiorophenyl) (methylsulfonyljphenyll -4hydroxy-4, 1- 4 -chlorophenyl) C2-naphthyl) (4- (methaylsulfonyl )phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, irnidazole; 1-4clrpey)4[-tilooehx~hnl--4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Hirnidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenoxymethyl-2- [4- (ethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenyl) 4 4 -chlorophenoxy)methyl.2. [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H.imidazole; 1-4clrpey)4(-lurpeoymty--4 (Iethylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylthiomethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyjl) 4- (N-ph~enyl -N-rne tylamino) me thyl -2 (methylsulfonyl )phenyll 4 imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-quinolyl) methoxymethyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxymet-yl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; l-( 4 -chlorophenylV4- (4methoxybenzyox,)methy..2( 4 (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH7 imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hydroxymethyl-2- (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-formyl-2-(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-cyano-2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 1- (.4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzyl-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazole; 1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-phenylethyl-2-(4- (methylsulfony1)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Hirnidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-hexyl-2-[(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-hydroxy-4, 1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-hexylcarbanyl-2-[4- (rehylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, irnidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenylcarbonyl-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; ,.JdI 54 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-benzylcarbonyl-2- (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazole; 1- 4 -chlorophenyl) -A4-(1-hydjoxy-2 -phenyl-methyl) [4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, irnidazole; 1-(4-chloropheriyl)-4- (1-hexanol)-2-[4- (methy lsulfony1)pheny1I -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) [(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 1- (4 -chiorophenyl) -4 -octyl-2 4- (rethylsulf onyl) phenyl]- 4-hydroxy-4, 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-methoxy-2-f4- (me thy 1su 1f ony 1) pheny 1 -4 -hydroxy 5 -dihydro- 1H imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-butoxy-2- [4- (iehylsulfony1)pheny1I -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Hirnidazole; 1- 4 -chloropheny1)-4-methylthio-2-[4- (me thyl1s ulf onyl1) phenyl1 hydroxy 5 -dihydro- 1H imidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-thieriyl) (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; l1-(4-chloropheniyl)-4--(2-furYl)-2-(4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, irnidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-pyridyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazole; 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-chloro-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 1- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-flucro-2- [4- (Iethylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lHirnidazole; (4-chioropheiyi) (rethyisuifonyl)phenyi) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-Yi]carboxyic acid; methyl (1-(4-chiorophenyl) (methyisulfanyi)phenyi) hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-iH-Iimfidazol-4-yl] carboxylate; [i-(4-chlorophenyi)-2-(4- (rethysuifonyi)phenyl)-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazoi-4-yi] carboxamide; methyl [1-(4-chiorophenyl) (rethysulfonyi)phenyi) 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl] carboxamide; 4-ti-(4-chlorophenyi) -4-trifiuoromethyi-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-iH-imidazo-2-yl]belzelesulfoflamide; (4-chiorophenyl) -4-difjluoromethyi-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-Yl] benzeriesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-rnethyl-4-hydroxy-4, imidazoi-2-yi] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-chiorophenyi) 4-ethyl -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihYdro-.1Himidazoi-2-yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4-phenyl-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-2-yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-f luorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazo-2-ybezeesufoflamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-bromophenyl) -4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazo-2-y]belzelesulfolamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-chlorophenyl) -4-hYdroxy-4, dihydro-iH-imidazol-2-y1 belzelesuifofamide; 4- (1-(4-chiorophenyl) (2-faphthy) 4-hydroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-y]belzelesulfofamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (trifiluoromethoxy)phell -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-iH-irnidazoi-2yi] benzenesufolatide; 4- (1-(4-chlorophenyl) (3-choropheyl) 4hydroxy- 4 dihydro-iH-imidazol-2 -Yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (3-f luorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-iH-imidazoi-2 -yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) (4-rnethoxyphel) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-iH-imidazo-2-yJ-] benzenesufoflamfide; 4-ti1- (4-chiorophenyl) -4 -phenoxymethyi-4-hydrxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesuifoflamide; hydroxy-41 5-dihydro1lH-imidazol- 2 yl Ibenzenesulfolamide; hydroxy- 4 5 -dihydrolH-imiaazol>2 yl] benzenesul1foflamfide; 4- (4-chlorophelYl) -4-phenylthiomethy1-4-hyroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imfidazol1>yl]benzenesulfoamide; 4- (4-chlorophel) (Npey--ehlmn~ehl 4-hydroxy- 4 1 S-dihydro-lH-imidazol- 2 yll benzenesulf ofamide; 4- (4-chQrophenl) 4 (2.quinlyl)methoxymethyl- 4 hydroxy-4, 5-dihydrolH-imidazol>2 ylI benzenesulfoflmide; 4-[-(-hoohnl 4mtoyehl4hdoy45 dihydro-lH-imidazol1>yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chiorophelYl) (4-methoxybefzlYoxy)methyl- 4 hydroxy- 4 S-dihydro-lH-imidazol>2 yllbenzenesulfoflamide; 4-l(-hoohnl--ydoyehl4hdoy45 dihydro-1H-imfidazol1>yl] benzefelUfoflmide; 4-(2-(4-chiorophelyl) 4 -formy14-hydro~y-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazol 2 -yl I benzenefleUf oflmide; 4-Il1- (4-chiorophelYl) -4cao4hdoy-,-iyr-H imidazol-2-yl1]beflzefesuf onamide; 4- (4-chloroPhelyl) -4-benzy14-hydroxy- 4 imidazol-2-ylIbenzenesuffl~fonaide; 4- (4-chlorophel) -4-pheylyethy4hyaroxy- 4 dihydro-lH-imidazol12-ylIbenzenesulfoflamide; 4 4 -chloropheyly) 4hey>4-hydroxy-4,Idihydr-H imidazol 2 -yllbeznsl onmi 4- (4-chiorophelyl) -4-hexylcarbofyl-4hydroxy- 4 dihydro-1H-imidazol>2yl] benzeflesulfoflmide; 4- [1l- (4-chiorophelYl) -4-phenylcarbofyl-4hydoxy4-,5dihydro-lH-imidazol>y]benzelesufonanide; 4- Ill- (4-chlorophel) -4-benzylcarbofylY4hydoxy- 4 dihydro-lHimidazo 1-2yl] benzenesul1foflamtide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (i-hydroxy-2-pheriyl-methyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazoi-2yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4 *'[l-(4-chloropheny)-4-(-hexano)-4-hydroy4,5 dihydro-lH-imidazoi-2-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-chloropheiyl) -4-hydroxy-4, 2-yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-octyl-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-lH.

imidazoi-2-yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4 -r1- 4 -chlorophenyl) -4-methoxy-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro- 1H-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4-fl1- (4-chiora~phenyl) -4-butoxy-4-hydroxy-4, imidazoi-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 -fi-(4-chlorophenyi)-4-methyithio-4-hydroxy-4, dlihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-ri- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-thienyl) -4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1N-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4- (4-chiorophenyl) (2-furyl) -4-hydroxy-4 1K- iridazoi-2 -yl Ibenzenesul fonamide; 4 (4-chlorophenyl) -4-(3-pyridy) -4-hydroxy-4,5-.

dihydro-iH-imidazol-2 -yl Ibenzenesuifonamide; 4-ri1- (4-chloropheiyl) -4-chloro-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (4-:chlorophenyl) -4-f luoro-4-hydroxy-4, imidazol-2-yllbenzenesulfonamide; rl-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-r4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-irnidazol-4-yl] carboxylic acid; methyi 1- (4-chiorophenyl) -2-(4-(arninosulfonyi)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-irnidazol-4-yllcarboxyiate; 4 -chiorophenyl)-2-r4-(amiriosulfonyl)phenyl)-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazoi-4-yl] carboxamide; methyi(i- (4-chiorophenyl) -2-(4-(aminosuifonyl)phenyl) -4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-iH-imidazol-4-yllcarboxamide; (methyisulfonyl)phenyi] -l-(4-methylphenyl) -4trif luorornethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2 -[4-(methylsulfonyi)phenyi]-l-(3-chlorophenyl) -4trif luoromethyi-4-hydroxy-4, 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 (4-methyl-3chiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethy1-4-hydroxy-4, 1H-imidazole; [2-7 4- (rehysulf ony1) pheriy1 -4 -hydroxy-4 trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-1-yl] -1,3benzodioxole; 2 (methylsu f onyl) phenyl (4 -methoxyphenyl) -4 trif luoromethyl 4-hydroxy-4, 5 -dihydro-1H- imidazole; 2 [4 -(methylsul fonyl) phenyl]1-1- (3 fluorophenyl) -4 trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2- methylsulfonyl)phenyjj (4-fluorophenyl) -4tri fluoromethyl -4 -hydroxy-4, 5 -dihydro-1H- imidazole; 2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-methoxy-3f luorophenyl) -4 -trif luoromethyl -4 -hydroxy- 4, 5 -dihydro 1H-imidazole; 2 4 -(methylsul fonyl)phenyl I- 1-phenyl -4 -tri f uoromethyl 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2-[4-(methylsulfoniyl)phenyl]-1-(4-methoxy-3chiorophenyl) -4-trif luorornethyl-4-hydroxy-4, iN-imidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl [4- (tri fluoromethyl) phenyl]1 -4 -tri fluoromethyl -4 -hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-inidazole; 2- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-bromophenyl) -4trifluorornethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl (1-chiorophenyl) -4trifluorornethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2- (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl (4-ethyiphenyl) -4trifluororethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2-(4-(methylsujlfonyl)phenyl] -l-C4-butylphenyl)-4trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-iznidazole; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (difluorornethyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, 2 -(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyll-1-(4-butoxyphenyl)-4trifluororethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-irnidazole; 2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 (methylthio)pheiyl] -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2- (rehysulf onyl)phenyl] (4-rnethoxy-3, .phenyl).-4-trif luororethyl-4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (methylsulf onyl) pheny1] (4-rnethyl-3, dif luorophenyl) -4-trif luororaethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazole; 2- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl] 4-dichloropheiyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl] 4-dichiorophenyl) -4trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, (methysulfonyl)pheny1 [4- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethoxy-4-hydroxy- 5-dih ydro-IH-imidazole; 2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 5-dimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) -4-trif luoromethayl-4-hydroxy-4, imidazole; 2- (rethylsulf onyl) phenyl] 4 -dime thylphenyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 2- (4-C(mecthylsulf onyl) phenyl] (4-aminophenyl) -4trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 4- C4-nethylphenyl) -4-trif luoromethy1-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-2 -yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 (3-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-methyl-3 -chloropheny1) -4-trif luoromethy1-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 5-(2-f4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl] -4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-4trifluoromethy1-1H-imidazo1-1-y1] -1,3-benzodioxole; 4-[1-(3-fluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-f luorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-irnidazol-2-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-Cl -(4-methoxy-3-fluorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5 -dihydro-1H--imidazol-2ylJ benzenesulfonamide; 4-[1-pheny.1-4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1Himidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-f [1-(4-methoxy-3 -chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4-fl-f 4- (trifluorornethyl)phenyl]I -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5 -dihydro-1H-imidazol-2 yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-bromophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yll benzenesulfonamide; 4- (1-C1-chlorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro'-lH-imidazol-2-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-f 1-(4-ethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yllbenzenesulfonamide; (4-butylphenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4-f 1-[4-(difluoromethyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethy1-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-butoxyphenyl) -4-trif luoroftiethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yll benzenesulfonamide; 4-(l-f (methylthio)phenyl] -4-trif luoromethy1-4-hydroxy- 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl Ibenzeriesulfonamide;.

4-fl1- (4-methoxy-3, 5-dichioro-phenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl- 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazal-2yl] benzenesulfoiamide; (4-methyl-3, 5-dif luorophenyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-fl- (2,4-dichlorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]benzenesulfonamide;' 4-fl- (3,4-dichiorophenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yljbenzenesulfonanide; C-2818/3 61 4 4 (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl I -4-trifluoromethyl-4hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 3 dimethyl1-4-methox-y-phenyl) -4-trifluoromethyl- 4-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2ylI benzenesulfonamide; 4- 4- dime thyilphenyl) 4 -trifluorornethyl-4-hydroxy- 4, S-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-ylIbenzenesulfonamide; and 4-l- (4-aminophenyl) -4-trifluororethyl-4-hydroxy-4, dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl] benzenesulfonamjde.

Within Formula I there is a fourth subclass of compounds of high interest represented by Formula V:

R

3

N

RR4

(V)

I

R

1 3 wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, halo, hydroxyalkyl, aikoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heterocyclocarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-Narylaminoalkcyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkylcarbonyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkyl amino carbonyl alkyl, heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylthioalkyl, aralkoxy, aralkyithic, heteroaralkoxy, heteroaralkylthio, heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryl thio, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylthio, aryloxy, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl; Aqherein. R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, alkyl and halo; and wherein

R

1 3 and R 1 4 are independently selected from aryl and heterocyclo, wherein

R

13 and

R

1 4 are optionally substituted at a Substituta .ble position with one or more radicals independently selected from alkylsulfonyl, aininosulfonyl, halo, alkylthio, alkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino and nitro; provided at least one of R 13 and R 14 -is aryl substituted with alkylsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A preferred class of compounds consists of those compounds of Formula V wherein

R

3 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower aralkyl, lower heterocycloalk,~ lower heteroaralkyl, acyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, lower haloalkylsulfonyl, halo, lower hydroxyalkyl 'lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower haloalkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower cyanoalkyl, lower aminoalkyl, lower alkylaminoalky,~ lower

N-

arylaminoalkyl, lower N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalky, lower carboxyalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonylalky,~ lower a lkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, lower alkylthioalkyl, aminocarbonyl, lower- alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonylalk, lower aralkoxy, lower aralkylthio, lower heteroaralkoxy, lower heteroaralkylthio, lower heteroarylalkoxyalkyl, lower heteroarylalkylthioalkyl, lower heteroaryloxyalky, lower heteroarylthioalky,~ lower heteroaryloxy, lower heteroarylthio, lower arylthioalkyl, lower aryloxyalkyl, lower arylthio, lower aryloxy, lower aralkylthioalkyj, lower aralkoxyalkyl, aryl selected from phenyl and naphthyl, 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkyl, cyano, lower haloalkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl and lower haloalkoxy; where-in R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, lower alkyl and halo; and wherein R 1 3 and

R

1 4 are independently selected from phenyl and heteroaryl, wherein R 1 3 and R 14 are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals independently selected from lower methylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylthio, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower alkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, 'and lower haloalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of particular interest consists of' those compounds of Formula V wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, furylmethyl, morpholinomethyl, pyrrolidinylmethyl, piperazinylmethyl, piperidinylmethyl, pyridylmethyl, thienylmethyl, formyl, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, methylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, isopropylthiomethyl, cyclohexylthiomethyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, trifluoromethylcarbonyl, difluoromethylcarbonyl, fluoromethylcarbonyl, benzylcarbonyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, cyanomethyl, cyanobutyl, aminomethyl, methylaminomethyl, N-phenylaminomethyl, Nmethyl-N-phenylaminomethyl, acetyl, propanoyl, butarioyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, methoxycarboiyl, ethoxycarboiyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbony]., butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, carboxymethyl, carboxypropyl, arinocarbonyl, methylaminocarbonyl, N, N-diethylaminocarbonyl, Nmethoxy-N-methylaminocarbonyl, methylaminocarbonylmethyl, pyridyloxy, pyridyithia, phenyloxy, 4-chiorophenoxy, furylmethoxy, furylmethyithia, thienylmethoxy, quinolylmethoxy, pyridylmethoxy,. 5-phenylpyridyl-2 -methoxy, thienylmethyithia, pyridylmethylthio, quinolylmethoxymethyl, furylbutoxyethyl, pyridyloxymethyl, pyridylmethoxymethyl, thienyloxyhexyl, thienylthiornethyl, pyridyithiohexyl, furyloxymethyl, furylmer-hylthiomethy1, quinolylmethylthioethyl, phenyithiomethyl, 2chlorophenylthiomethyl, 2, 6-dichiorophenyithiomethyl, 4-rethylphenylthiomethyl, 2-isopropylphenylthiomethyl, 2 -me thyiphenyithiome thyl, phenyloxymethyl, 4chiorophenyloxymethyl, 4-methylphenyloxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 4-methoxybenzyloxyme thyl, naphthyl, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, pyridyl, wherein the thienyl, furyl, pyridyl and phenyl radicals are optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or.

more radicals selected from fluoro,' chloro, bromo, methyithia,.methylsulfinyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichioromethyl, pentaf luoroethyl, heptaf luoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl and trifluoromethoxy; wherein R 4 is a radical selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, fluoro, chioro and bromo; and wherein R 13 and R 1 4 are independently selected from phenyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl,, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, isoguinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, pyrazolyl and pyridyl, wherein R 13 and R14 are optionally substituted at a substitutable position-with one or more radicals independently selected from methylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, fluoromethylsulfonyl, difluoromethylsulfonyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyano, carboxyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichioromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochioromethyl, dichiorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, methylamino, N,N-diethylamino, phenylamino and nitro; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

A class of compounds of even more particular interest consists of those compounds of Formula V wherein R 3 is a radical selected from hydrido, cyano, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloroethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichioropropyl and 2-methylphenylthiomethyl; wherein R 4 is hydrido; wherein R 13 is phenyl substituted with methylsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl; and wherein R14 is selected from imidazolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, pyrazolyl and pyridyl, wherein R 1 4 is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals independently selected from methylthio, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tez-t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chioromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichioromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, methoxy, methylenedioxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, -ethoxymethyl, and trifluoromethoxy; or a pharmaceutical ly-acceptable salt thereof.

A family of specific compounds of particular interest within Formula V consists of compounds and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof as follows: 3 -t 4 -[[(methylphenyl)thiolmethyl--l-f4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -lH-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4- (pyrindin-3-yl) ((methyiphenyl) thiolmethyll lH-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 3 4 -methyl-l-jj4-(methylsulfony1)phenyl]-lH-imidazol- 2-yllpyridine; 4 2 -(6-methylpyrindin-2-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4-methyl-3-[1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-lH-irnidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4 -f 2 -(4-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 3-methyl-2- 4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2 -yl] pyridine; Cmethylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-2-yl] isoquinoline; C-2818/3 67 4- (3-methylpyrindin-2-yl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-trif luorornethyl-lHirnidazol-2-yl] quinoline; 4-[2-(2-thienyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (3-pyridinyl) imidazole-4-carbonitrile; 2- (2-methyloxazol-4-yl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4- (5-brornopyrindin-3-yl) -4-trif luoromethyl-1Himidazoi-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 2 -methylpyridin-3 -yl) C4- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl] 1H-imidazole-4-carbonitrile; 3 4 -dif luoromethyl-l- 4- (methylsulf onyl) phenyl]I -lHimidazol-2 -yl Ipyridine; 4 f uoromethyl-2 (pyrindin-3 -yl) -lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- [4-cyano-2- Cpyrindin-3-yl) -1H-imidazol-lyl] benzeriesul fonamide; 4-[(4-cyano-2- (5-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (2-quinoliny1) -4-trif luoromethy1-lH-imidazol-1- *yl] benzenesulfonamide; 1-methy1-4-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheny1]-4trif luorornethyl-1i--imidazol-2-yl] -1H-pyrazole; (1-rnethyl-lH-pyrazol-4-yl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2- (1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-tzrif luoromethyl-1Himidazole; 4- (1-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl) -4-trif luoromethy1-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 2- (1-methyl-1H-ixnidazol-5-yl) -1-44- (iethylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-1Hirnidazole; 4-12" (1-methyl-lH-imidazol-s-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-iHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 2- (1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) (mechylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluorotnethyl-1Hirnidazole; 4- (1-methyl-lH-imidazol-2 -yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-methylthiazol-2-yl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 4- (4-methylthiazol-2 -yl) -4 -trifluoromethyl-mHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(2-methythiazo15-yl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 4- (2-methylthiazol-5-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; thyl-3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenylp-4trifluorornethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl] isoxazole; 4- (5 -me thylisoxazol-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-trifluoromethyllH.

iiidazo1-2-y1] pyrirnidine; 4- (5-pyrimidinyl) -4-trif luoromethyl-lH-imidazol-iyl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (pyrazin-2-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (quinol-3-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -1Hiridazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 1-rnethyl-3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 -4trif luoromethyl-l-imidazol.2-yl] -lH-indole; 4- (1-methylindol-3-y1) (trif luoronethyl) -iNimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonanide; 4- (isoquinol-2-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -iNimidazoi-1-yl] benzenesulfonamnide; 4- (2-methyloxazol-4-yl) (trifluoromethYl) 1H-imidazol--Yl] benzenesulfoflamide; 4- (2-methylthiazol 4 yl) (trifluoromethYl) 1lH.-imidazol-l-yll benzenegufoflamfide; imidazol-1-y 1 )benzenesulfoflmide; 4- (l-methy2-pyrazol1>yl) (trif1luoromethyl) 1H-imi dazol--llbenzeelfoflam~ide; 4- (5-methylisoxazo1 3 -yl) (trifluoromethyl) lH-imidazol1-1yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4 -methylpyridif--lY)-4-(trifuoromethyl) 1H- imidazol-l-yi] benzefeslUfoflmide; 2 4 (IethylsulfofylY)phenyl14(trifluoromety) -lHimidazol- 2 -Yil thiophele; 3 4 (rethylsulfofylY)phenyl1]4-(trif luorometyl -lHimidazo]--2-yl] thiophele; 4- (5-methylpyridifl>-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfoflamide; 2-methyl-3- (methylsulfofl)phenyl 1 -4- (trifluoromethYl) -lH-imidazol-2-ylhpyridine; 4- (2-methylpyridifl>-yl) (trifluoromethyl)

-N-

imidazoi-1-y 1 ]benzefeleUfoflmide; 4- (pyridin- 3 (trif luaromethYl) -lH-imidazol-ly-lbenzenesu-fofamide; (trifluorotnethyl) IHiH~midazo1-2-ylpyridile; (methyJsulfoflJ)phenyl 1 -4- (trifluorotnethyl) -iH-imfidazol2-ylpyridine; (5-fluoropyridin-3>i) (trifluoromfethyl) -1Hiridazol-1-yl1beflzenesulfoamide; 4- (5-chloropyridin3yl) (trifluorottethYl) -iNimidazoi-i-yl IIbenzelesu~lfofamiae; 5-methyl-2- (methylsulfofli)phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromtethYl) -lH-iridazl12-ylpyridine; 4-ehl2 1 4 mtysloy~hnl 4 2 -mnethoxy-6- (methylsulfony1)pheny1~ -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2--yllpyridine; 5-methoxy-2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4 -methoxy-2-[(1-[(4- (methylsufonyl)pheny1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-iridazol-2-yllpyridine; 2-chloro-6- (methylsulfoiyl) phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 5-chloro-2- i- (methylsulforiyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -l--iridazol-2-yllpyridine; 4-chloro-2- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1I-im-idazol-2-yllpyridine; 2-fluoro-6- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4 -f luoro-2-[(1-[(4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl1 4- (trifluorornethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4-fluoro-2- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4 (5-methylpyridin-2-yl) -4-(trif luoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 -(4-methylpyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) irnidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 (6 -methoxypyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) -lHimidazol -1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4 2 (5-methoxypyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4- (4-methoxypyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) -lHimidazol-1-yl I benzenesulf onamide; 4 2 (6-chloropyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) -iNimidazol-1-yl]benzenesulf onamide; 4- (5-chloropyridin-2-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -iNimidazol-1-yl I benzenesulf onamide; 4- (4-chloropyridin-2-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -lH-.

irnidazol-1-yl]I benzene suif onamide; 4 2 (6-fluoropyridin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl) -iNimidazoi-1-yl I benzenesulf onamide; 4- (5-fluoropyridin-2-y1) (trif luoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4 2- (4 fluoropyridin- 2-y1) 4- (tri fluoromethyl) 1Hiridazol-1-yllbenzenesulfoflamfide; 3 -methoxy 5 4 (ethYisul f ofli) phenyl -4 (trif luoromethyl) -iH-imidazol-2-yI]pyridine; 4-methyl-3-[1- (methylsulfonYl)Phell]-4- (trif luoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2 -Yl I pyridine; 3 4- (rethylsulf onyl) phenlY- -4 (trif luoromethyl) -lHimidazol-2-yllpyridifle-1-oxide; 3 4- (4 -f luorophenyl) 4- (methylsulf ol) phenl -1Kimidazol-2-yll pyridine; 4- (mrethylsulf onyl) phell -4 (trif luoromethyl) -11imidazol-2-yl] (me thyl thi o) pyri dile; 3 (dif luoromethyl) (methylsulfofylY)phenyl iHimidazol-2-yi] pyridine; (5-methoxypyridil-3-yl) (trif luoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yi] benzenesulfolamide; 4-[4-methyi-2-(3-pyridilyl) -1K-irnidazol-1yi] benzenesuifonamide; 4- (3-pyridinyl) (trif luorornethyl) -iK-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonaride-i-oxide; 4- (4-f luorophenyl) (3-pyridinyl) -iH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[-(-yiiy)--(rflooehl l-mdzll ylbenzenesuifonamide 1-oxide; 4- (4-f luorophenyl) (3-pyridinyl) -1H-imidazol-lyl] benzenesuifonamide; 4- 6- (methyithio) pyridil-3-yJ-I -4-trif luoromethyl) -1Kimidazol-1-yil benzenesuifonaaide; 4- (dif luoromethyl) (3-pyridinyl) -lH-imidazoi-l- *yll benzenesufonamiide; 3 (methylsulf onyl)phelyl] (trif luorornethYl) -1K- *imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 2- (ethylsulf ol)phelyl] (trif luorornethyl) -1Kimidazol-2-yi] pyridine; 2-methyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 -4- (trif luoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yl Ipyridine; 4-El1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl 1 (trifluoromethyl) -liiimidazol-2-yljpyridine;- 2-methyl-6- (1-[(4-(methylsulfonyljphenyl]1-4- (trif luorornethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl]I pyridine; 4- (6-methylpyridin-3-yl) (trif luoromethyl) -lHimidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonanide; l-methyl-3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]1 -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] pyridinium iodide; (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine 1-oxide; 3 -methyl-5-(l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-Iimidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 2 -rethoxy-5-[l-[44-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl.>4- (trifluorornethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 2- (4-fluorophenyl-l- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 3-methyl-5-[1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoro methyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine 1-oxide; 3-methoxy-5-[1- (methylsulfonyl) phenylj -4- (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 4- (3-methoxypyridin-5-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -1Kimidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 2 -[l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyjj (trifluoromethyl) -1Kiridazol-2-yl] quinoline; (rethylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trifluoromethyl) -1Kimidazol-2 -yl] pyrazine; 2-methyl-4-[1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] thiazole; and 4- (5-methylpyridin-2-yl) (trif luoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yll benzenesulfonamide.

Compounds of Formula V, especially where R 1 4 is pyridyl, may form N-oxides, which may be active forms or prodrugs which would be 'converted to compounds of Formula V in vivo.

Compounds of Formula V would also be capable of inhibiting cytokines, such as TNF, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8.

As such, the compounds can be used in the manufacture of a-medicament or in a method for the treatment for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases mediated by cytokines, such as TNF, IL-1, IL-6, and IL- 8.

The term "hydrido" denotes a single hydrogen atom This hydrido radical may be attached, for example, to an oxygen atom to form a hydroxyl radical, or two hydrido radicals may be attached to a carbon atom to form a methylene radical. Where used, either alone or within other terms such as "haloalkyl", "alkylsulfonyl", "alkoxyalkyl" and "hydroxyalkyl", the term "alkyl" embraces linear or branched radicals having one to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, one to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkyl radicals are "lower alkyl" radicals having one to about ten carbon atoms. Most preferred are lower alkyl radicals having one to about six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, nbutyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isoamyl, hexyl and the like. The term "halo" means halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term "haloalkyl" embraces radicals wherein any one or more of the alkyl carbon atoms is substituted with halo as defined above. Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals. A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, may have either an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the radical. Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals. "Lower haloalkyl" embraces radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of haloalkyl radicals include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl. The term "hydroxyalkyl" embraces linear or branched alkyl radicals-having one to about ten carbon atoms any one of which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl radicals. More preferred hydroxyalkyl radicals are "lower hydroxyalkyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more hydroxyl radicals. Examples of such radicals include hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl and hydroxyhexyl. The terms "alkoxy" and "alkoxyalkyl" embrace linear or branched oxy-containing radicals each having alkyl portions of one to about ten carbon atoms.

More preferred alkoxy radicals are "lower alkoxy" radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and tert-butoxy. The term "alkoxyalkyl" embraces alkyl radicals having one or more alkoxy radicals attached to the alkyl radical, that is, to form monoalkoxyalkyl and dialkoxyalkyl radicals. More preferred alkoxyalkyl radicals are "lower alkoxyalkyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or two alkoxy radicals.

Examples of such radicals include methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, methoxybutyl and methoxypropyl. The "alkoxy" or "alkoxyalkyl" radicals -may be further substituted with.one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide "haloalkoxy" or "haloalkoxyalkyl" radicals. More preferred haloalkoxy radicals are "lower haloalkoxy" radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more halo radicals. Examples of such radicals include fluoromethoxy, chloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, fluoroethoxy and fluoropropoxy. The term "cyanoalkyl" embraces radicals having a cyano or nitrile radical attached to an alkyl radical as described above. More preferred cyanoalkyl radicals are "lower cyanoalkyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower cyanoalkyl radicals include cyanomethyl, cyanopropyl, cyanoethyl and cyanobutyl. The term "cycloalkyl" embraces saturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkyl radicals are "lower cycloalkyl" radicals having three to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The term "cycloalkenyl" embraces unsaturated cyclic radicals having three to ten carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkenyl radicals are "lower cycloalkenyl" radicals having about five to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl. The term "aryl", alone or in combination, means a carbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two or three rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused. The term "aryl" embraces aromatic radicals such as phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indane and biphenyl. Such aryl radicals may be substituted at a substitutable position with one or more substituents selected from halo, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl and halpalkoxy. The terms "heterocyclic" and "heterocyclo" embraces saturated, partially saturated and unsaturated heteroatom-containing ring-shaped radicals, where the heteroatoms may be selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Examples of saturated heterocyclo radicals include saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocylic group containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidino, piperazinyl, etc.]; saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms morpholinyl, etc.]; and saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms thiazolidinyl, etc.].

Examples of partially saturated heterocyclic radicals include dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran and dihydrothiazole. The term "heteroaryl" embraces unsaturated heterocyclic radicals. Examples of "heteroaryl" radicals include unsaturated 3 to 6 membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, for example, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazolyl 4H- 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1H-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2H-1,2,3-triazolyl, etc.) tetrazolyl 1H-tetrazolyl, 2H-tetrazolyl, etc.], etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclic group containing 1 to 5 nitrogen atoms, for example, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl (quinolinyl), isoquinolyl (isoquinolinyl), indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, tetrazolopyridazinyl tetrazolo etc.], etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6membered heteromonocyclic group containing an oxygen atom, for example, pyranyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing a sulfur atom, for example, 2-thienyl, 3thienyl, etc.; unsaturated 3- to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, etc.] etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms benzoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, etc.]; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl 1,2,4- thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, etc.] etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, etc.] and the like.

The term also embraces radicals where heterocyclic radicals are fused with aryl radicals. Examples of such fused bicyclic radicals include benzofuran, benzothiophene, and the like. Said heterocyclo may be substituted at a substitutable position with one or more substituents selected from halo, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl and haloalkoxy. More preferred heteroaryl radicals include five to six membered heteroaryl radicals. The term "heterocycloalkyl" embraces heterocyclic-substituted alkyl radicals. More preferred heterocycloalkyl radicals are "lower heterocycloalkyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms and a heterocyclic radical. Examples include such radicals as pyrrolidinylmethyl. The term "heteroarylalkyl" embraces heteroaryl-substituted alkyl radicals. More preferred heteroarylalkyl radicals are "lower heteroarylalkyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms and a heteroaryl radical. Examples include such heteroarylalkyl radicals such as pyridylmethyl and thienylmethyl. The term "alkylthio" embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent sulfur atom. More preferred alkylthio radicals are "lower alkylthio" radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylthio radicals are methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio and hexylthio. The term "alkylthioalkyl" embraces alkylthio radicals attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred alkylthioalkyl radicals are "lower alkylthioalkyl" radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms and an alkylthio radical as described above.

Examples of such radicals include methylthiomethyl. The term "arylthio" embraces radicals containing an aryl radical, attached to a divalent sulfur atom, such as a phenylthio radical. The term "arylthioalkyl" embraces arylthio radicals attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred arylthioalkyl radicals are "lower arylthioalkyl" radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms and an arylthio radical as described above. Examples of such radicals include phenylthiomethyl, where the phenyl radical may be substituted as described above. The term "alkylsulfinyl" embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent radical. More preferred alkylsulfinyl radicals are "lower alkylsulfinyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfinyl radicals include methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl and hexylsulfinyl. The term "sulfonyl", whether used alone or linked to other terms such as alkylsulfonyl, denotes respectively divalent radicals -SO 2 "Alkylsulfonyl".

embraces alkyl radicals attached to a sulfonyl radical, where alkyl is defined as above. More preferred alkylsulfonyl radicals are "lower alkylsulfonyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfonyl radicals include methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl and propylsulfonyl. The "alkylsulfonyl" radicals may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide "haloalkylsulfonyl" radicals. More preferred haloalkylsulfonyl radicals are "lower haloalkylsulfonyl"radicals having one or more halo atoms attached to lower alkylsulfonyl radicals as described above. Examples of such lower haloalkylsulfonyl radicals include fluoromethylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl and chloromethylsulfonyl. The term "arylsulfonyl" embraces aryl radicals as defined above, attached to a sulfonyl radical. Examples of such radicals include phenylsulfonyl. The terms "sulfamyl", "aminosulfonyl" and "sulfonamidyl" denotes NH20 2 The term "acyl" denotes a radical provided by the residue after removal of hydroxyl from an organic acid. Examples of such acyl radicals include formyl, alkanoyl and aroyl radicals.

The alkanoyl radicals may be substituted or unsubstituted, such as formyl, acetyl, propanoyl, butanoyl, isobutanoyl, valeryl, isovaleryl, pivaloyl, hexanoyl or the like. The terms "carboxy" or "carboxyl", whether used alone or with other terms, such as "carboxyalkyl", denotes -C0 2 H. The term "carbonyl", whether used alone or with other terms, such as "alkoxycarbonyl", denotes The term "alkoxycarbonyl" means a radical containing an alkoxy radical, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to a carbonyl radical. Preferably, "lower alkoxycarbonyl" embraces alkoxy radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such "lower alkoxycarbonyl" ester radicals include substituted or unsubstituted methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl and hexyloxycarbonyl.

The term "aralkyl" embraces aryl-substituted alkyl radicals. Preferable aralkyl radicals are "lower aralkyl" radicals having aryl radicals attached to alkyl radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such phenylalkyl radicals include benzyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl, phenylethyl and diphenylethyl. The aryl in said aralkyl radicals may be substituted at a substitutable position with one or more substituents selected from halo, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl and haloalkoxy. The terms benzyl and phenylmethyl are interchangeable. The terms "alkylcarbonyl", "arylcarbonyl" and "aralkylcarbonyl" include radicals having alkyl, aryl and aralkyl radicals, respectively, as defined above, attached to a carbonyl radical. More preferred alkylcarbonyl radicals are "lower alkylcarbonyl" radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methylcarbonyl and ethylcarbonyl. More preferred aralkylcarbonyl radicals are "lower aralkylcarbonyl" radicals having aryl radicals attached to alkyl radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such aralkylcarbonyl radicals include benzylcarbonyl. An example of an arylcarbonyl radical is phenylcarbonyl.

The term "alkoxycarbonylalkyl" embraces radicals having "alkoxycarbonyl", as defined above attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred alkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals are "lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl" having lower alkoxycarbonyl radicals as defined above attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals include methoxycarbonylmethyl. The term "haloalkylcarbonyl" embraces radicals having a haloalkyl radical as described above attached to a carbonyl radical. More preferred radicals are "lower haloalkylcarbonyl" radicals where lower haloalkyl radicals, as described above are attached to a carbonyl radical. The term "carboxyalkyl" embraces radicals having a carboxy radical as defined above, attached to an alkyl radical.

More preferred carboxyalkyl radicals are "lower carboxyalkyl" radicals having one or more carboxy radicals attached to an alkyl radical having one to six carbon atoms. The term "heteroaralkyl" embraces heteroaryl-substituted alkyl radicals. More preferred heteroaralkyl radicals are "lower heteroaralkyl" radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl radicals attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include pyridylmethyl, quinolylmethyl, thienylmethyl, furylethyl and quinolylethyl. The heteroaryl in said heteroaralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, halkoalkyl and haloalkoxy. The term "aryloxy" embraces aryl radicals, as defined above, attached to an oxygen atom. Examples of such radicals include phenoxy. The term "heteroaryloxy" embraces heteroaryl radicals as defined above attached to an oxygen radical. More preferred heteroaryloxy radicals are "lower heteroaryloxy" radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl radicals. The term "aralkoxy" embraces oxy-containing aralkyl radicals attached through the oxygen atom to other radicals. The term "aralkoxyalkyl" embraces alkyl radicals having one or more aralkoxy radicals attached to the alkyl radical, that-is, to form monoaralkyloxyalkyl and diaralkyloxyalkyl radicals. The "aralkoxy" or "aralkoxyalkyl" radicals may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the radical.

More preferred aralkoxyalkyl radicals are "lower aralkoxyalkyl" having an alkoxy attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of lower aralkoxyalkyl radicals include benzyloxymethyl. The term "cycloalkylthio" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkyl radical, of three to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent sulfur atom. More preferred cycloalkylthio radicals are "lower cycloalkylthio" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to. six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower cycloalkylthio radicals are cyclobutylthio, cyclopentylthio and cyclohexylthio. The term "cycloalkylthioalkyl" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkylthio radical, as described above, attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred cycloalkylthioalkyl radicals are "lower cycloalkylthioalkyl" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to six carbon atoms and alkyl radicals of one to six carbons. The term "cycloalkylsulfonyl" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkyl radical,, of three to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent sulfonyl radical. More preferred cycloalkylsulfonyl radicals are "lower cycloalkylsulfonyl" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower cycloalkylsulfonyl radicals are cyclobutylsulfonyl, cyclopentylsulfonyl and cyclohexylsulfonyl. The term "cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkylsulfonyl radical, as described above, attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl radicals are "lower cycloalkylsulfonylalkyl" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to six carbon atoms and alkyl radicals of one to six carbons. The term "cycloalkyloxy" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkyl radical, of three to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent oxygen atom. More preferred cycloalkyloxy radicals are "lower cycloalkyloxy" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower cycloalkyloxy radicals are cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy. The term "cycloalkyloxyalkyl" embraces radicals containing a cycloalkyloxy radical, as described above, attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred cycloalkyloxyalkyl radicals are "lower cycloalkyloxyalkyl" radicals having cycloalkyl radicals of four to six carbon atoms and alkyl radicals of one to six carbons. The term "heteroarylthio" embraces radicals having heteroaryl radicals attached to a sulfur radical. More preferred heteroarylthio radicals are "lower heteroarylthio" radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl radicals. Examples of such radicals include 2furylthio, 2-thienylthio, 3-thienylthio, 4-pyridylthio and 3-pyridylthio. The term "heteroarylalkylthio" denotes radicals having an heteroaryl radical attached to an alkylthio radical. More preferred heteroarylalkylthio radicals are "lower heteroarylalkylthio' radicals having heteroaryl radicals attached to lower alkylthio radicals as described above.

Examples of such radicals include furylmethylthio and quinolylmethylthio. The term "heteroarylalkylthioalkyl" denotes radicals having an heteroaryl radical attached to an alkylthio radical further attached through the sulfur atom to an alkyl radical. More preferred heteroarylalkylthioalkyl are "lower heteroarylalkylthioalkyl" radicals having lower heteroarylalkyl radicals as described above. Examples of such radicals include furylmethylthiomethyl and quinolylmethylthioethyl. The term "heteroarylthioalkyl" denotes radicals having an heteroaryl radical attached to a sulfur atom further attached through the sulfur atom to an alkyl radical. More prefered heteroarylthioalkyl radicals are "lower heteroarylthioalkyl" having lower heteroarylthio radicals as described above. Examples of such radicals include thienylthiomethyl and pyridylthiohexyl. The term "aralkylthio" embraces radicals having aralkyl radicals attached to a bridging sulfur atom. More preferred aralkylthio radicals are "lower aralkylthio" radicals having the aryl radicals attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include benzylthio and phenylethylthio. The term "aralkylthioalkyl" embraces radicals having aralkyl radicals attached to alkyl radicals through a bridging sulfur atom. More preferred aralkylthioalkyl radicals are "lower aralkylthioalkyl" radicals having the aralkylthio radicals attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include benzylthiomethyl and phenylethylthiomethyl. The term "heteroaryloxyalkyl" denotes radicals having an heteroaryl radical attached to an oxygen atom further attached through the oxygen atom to an alkyl radical.

More preferred heteroaryloxyalkyl radicals are "lower heteroaryloxyalkyl" radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl radicals. Examples of such radicals include furyloxyethyl, pyridyloxymethyl and thienyloxyhexyl. The term "aminoalkyl" embraces alkyl radicals substituted with amino radicals. More preferred aminoalkyl radicals are "lower aminoalkyl" having one to six carbon atoms.

Examples include aminomethyl, aminoethyl and aminobutyl.

The term "alkylaminoalkyl" embraces aminoalkyl radicals having the nitrogen atom substituted with at least one alkyl radical. More preferred alkylaminoalkyl radicals are "lower alkylaminoalkyl" having one to six carbon atoms attached to a lower aminoalkyl radical as described above. The term "alkylamino" denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one or two alkyl radicals. More preferred alkylamino radicals are "lower alkylamino" radicals having one or two alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms, attached to a nitrogen atom.

Suitable "alkylamino" may be mono or dialkylamino such as N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino,

N,N-

diethylamino and the like. TThe term "aminocarbonyl" denotes an amide group of the formula -C(=O)NH2. he term "alkylaminocarbonyl" embraces alkylamino radicals, as described above, to a carbonyl radical. More preferred alkylaminocarbonyl radicals are "lower alkylaminocarbonyl" having lower alkylamino radicals, as described above, attached to a carbonyl radical.

Examples of such radicals include N-methylaminocarbonyl and N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl. The term "arylamino" denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one or two aryl radicals, such as N-phenylamino. The "arylamino" radicals may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the radical. The terms "Narylaminoalkyl" and "N-aryl-N-alkylaminoalkyl" denote amino groups which have been substituted with one aryl radical or one aryl and one alkyl radical, respectively, and having the amino group attached to an alkyl radical.

More preferred arylaminoalkyl radicals are "lower arylaminoalkyl" having the arylamino radical attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include N-phenylaminomethyl and N-phenyl-Nmethylaminomethyl. The term "alkylaminocarbonylalkyl" denotes an alkylaminocarbonyl group which is attached to an alkyl radical. More preferred are "lower alkylaminocarbonylalkyl" having lower alkylaminocarbonyl radicals as described above attached to one to six carbon atoms. The term "aryloxyalkyl" embraces alkyl radicals having one or more aryloxy radicals, aryl radicals attached to a divalent oxygen atom, attached to the alkyl radical, that is, to form monoaryloxyalkyl and diaryloxyalkyl radicals. The more preferred aryloxyalkyl radicals are "lower aryloxyalkyl" radicals having aryloxy radicals attached to one to six carbon atoms. Examples include phenoxymethyl. The term "heteroarylalkoxy" embraces radicals having one or more heteroaryl radicals attached to an alkoxy radical. More preferred heteroarylalkoxy radicals are "lower heteroarylalkoxy" radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl.radicals. Examples of such radicals include 2-thienylmethoxy, 3-thienylmethoxy, 2-furylmethoxy, 3furylmethoxy and 2-pyridylmethoxy, 3-pyridylmethoxy, 4pyridylmethoxy. The term "heteroarylalkoxyalkyl" embraces alkyl radicals having one or more heteroaryl radicals attached to an alkoxy radical, further attached to the alkyl radical. More preferred heteroarylalkoxyalkyl radicals are "lower.

heteroarylalkoxyalkyl radicals having five to six membered heteroaryl radicals. Examples of such radicals include 2-thienylmethoxymethyl. The term "azidoalkyl" denotes alkyl radicals substituted with azido groups N3). More preferred azidoalkyl radicals are "lower azidoalkyl" having one to six carbon atoms. Examples include azidomethyl, azidoethyl and aminopropyl.

The present invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I in association with at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, adjuvant or diluent.

The present invention also comprises a method of treating inflammation or inflammation-associated disorders in a subject, the method comprising treating the subject having or susceptible to such inflammation or disorder with a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

With reference to the use of the word(s) "comprise" or "comprises" or "comprising" in the present specification, including the following claims, unless the context requires otherwise, those words are used on the basis and clear understanding that they are to be interpreted inclusively, rather than exclusively, and that we intend each of those words to be so interpreted in construing the description and/or the following claims.

C-2818/3 86 Also included in the family of compounds of Formula I are the stereoisomers thereof. Compounds of the present invention can possess one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and are thus capable of existing in the form of optical isomers as well as in the form of racemic or nonracemic mixtures thereof. Accordingly, some of the compounds of this invention may be present in racemic mixtures which are also included in this invention. The optical isomers can be obtained by resolution of the racemic mixtures according to conventional processes, for example by formation of diastereoisomeric salts by treatment with an optically active acid or base. Examples of appropriate acids are tartaric, diacetyltartaric, dibenzoyltartaric, ditoluoyltartaric and camphorsulfonic acid and then separation of the mixture of diastereoisomers by crystallization followed by liberation of the optically active bases from these salts. A different process for separation of optical isomers involves the use of a chiral chromatography column optimally chosen to maximize the separation of the enantiomers. Still another available method involves synthesis of covalent diastereoisomeric molecules by reacting an amine functionality of precursors to compounds of Formula I with an'optically pure acid in an activated form or an optically pure isocyanate. Alternatively, diastereomeric derivatives can be prepared by reacting a carboxyl functionality of precursors to compounds of Formula I with an optically pure amine base. The synthesized diastereoisomers can be separated by conventional means such as chromatography, distillation, crystallization or sublimation, and then hydrolyzed to deliver the enantiomerically pure compound. The optically active compounds of Formula I can likewise be obtained by utilizing optically active starting materials. These isomers may be in the form of a free acid, a free base, an ester or a salt.

Also included in the family of compounds of Formula I are the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. The term "pharmaceutically-acceptable salts" embraces salts commonly used to form alkali metal salts and to form addition salts of free acids or free bases. The nature of the salt is not critical, provided that it is pharmaceutically-acceptable. Suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid addition salts of compounds of Formula I may be prepared from an inorganic acid or from an organic acid. Examples of such inorganic acids are hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, carbonic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid. Appropriate organic acids may be selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic, carboxylic and sulfonic classes of .organic acids, example of which are formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, gluconic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, glucuronic, maleic, fumaric, pyruvic, aspartic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic, mesylic, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethylsulfonic, benzenesulfonic, pantothenic, toluenesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, sulfanilic, stearic, cyclohexylaminosulfonic, algenic, Phydroxybutyric, salicylic, galactaric and galacturonic acid. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts of compounds of Formula I include metallic salts made from aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc or organic salts made from N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine, choline, chloroprocaine, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine (Nmethylglucamine) and procaine. All of these salts may be prepared by conventional means from the corresponding compound of Formula I by reacting, for example, the appropriate acid or base with the compound of Formula I.

Racemic alcohol containing compounds may be resolved to their single enantiomers by the following procedure.

Treatment of the racemic alcohols with an acetylating agent, such.as vinyl acetate or isopropenyl acetate, in the C-2818/3 88 presence of an appropriate enzyme results in the selective acetylation of one of the constituent enantiomeric alcohols, leading to a crude product consisting of essentially enantiomerically pure alcohol. Appropriate enzymes include, but are not limited to, lipases (such as AMANO Lipase PS30), cholinesterases and proteases. The reaction may be monitored to complete acetylation of one of the enantiomers using HPLC. The enantiomerically pure alcohol may be separated from enantiomerically pure acetate by column chromatography. Saponification of the acetate using aqueous base provides the other enantiomerically pure alcohol.

Alternatively, alcohols can be resolved via procedures outlined in E. Eliel and S. Wilen, Stereochemistry of Organic compounds, 337-340 (1994).

89 GENERAL SYNTHETIC PROCEDURES The compounds of the invention can be synthesized according to the following procedures of Schemes I-XV, wherein the R 1

-R

14 substituents are as defined for Formula I-V, above, except where further noted.

Scheme I Alkylaluminum

NH

R

2 CN R1NH 2 Reagent2 H Solvent R 2

R

I

1 2 3

R

4 X R3 Alkylation; 0 base.

4

R

3

R

3 N

R

4 Acid

R

4 I Solvent R 1

R

1 6 Scheme I shows the three step preparation of the 5 and substituted imidazoles 6 of the present invention. In step 1, the reaction of substituted nitriles (R 2 CN) 1 with primary amines

(R

1

NH

2 2 in the presence of alkylaluminum reagents such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride in the presence of inert solvents such as toluene, benzene and xylene, gives amidines 3. In step 2, the reaction of amidine 3 with 2-halo-ketones 4 (where-X is Br or Cl) in the presence of bases, such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or hindered tertiary amines such as N,N'-diisopropylethylamine, gives the dihydroimidazoles 5 (where R 5 is hydroxyl and R 6 is hydrido). Some of the suitable solvents for this reaction are isopropanol, acetone and dimethylformamide. The reaction may be carried out at temperatures of about 20°C to about 90C. In step 3, the 4,5-dihydroimidazoles 5 may be dehydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst such as 4-toluenesulfonic acid or mineral acids to form the 1,2-disubstituted imidazoles 6 of the invention. Suitable solvents for this dehydration step are toluene, xylene and benzene. Trifluoroacetic acid can be used as solvent and catalyst for this dehydration step.

In some cases where R 3 methyl or phenyl) the intermediate 5 may not be readily isolable. The reaction,-under the conditions described above, proceeds to give the targeted imidazoles directly.

Scheme II

R

2

CO

2

H

R

1

NH

2

R

2

CONHR

1 1. Halogenating agent 2 7 2. NH 3 NH R2

NH

Ri R1ONHNH2

R

2 C(XAlk)NH 2 9

R

2

CN

1 Scheme II shows alternative methods of forming amidines 3. Amidines 3 are also available by the two step conversion of amide 7 (R 2

CONHR

1 formed by the conversion of primary amine In Step 1, the amide 7 is converted to the corresponding imidoyl chloride by treatment with a halogenating agent such as phosphorus oxychloride. In step two, treatment of the imidoyl chloride with ammonia forms the desired amidine 3. In addition, amidines 3 may also be obtained by conversion of primary amides 8 g.,

R

2

CONH

2 or nitriles 1 (R 2 CN) to their corresponding iminothioethers or iminoethers 9 (where X is sulfur and oxygen, respectively) followed by reaction with amine 2.

Scheme III Cl

C

1 R'YH Cl yR' Acetone/Base 11 Acetonitrile/H 20 halogenating agent X Y R' 12 Scheme III shows the two step method of preparing certain 2-halo-ketones 12 (compound 4 from Scheme I where X is bromo or chloro, R 3 is -CH2YR'[Y is oxygen, sulfur or -NH] and R 4 is hydrido) which are not commercially available, from 1,2-dihalopropenes In step 1, 2,3-dichloro-l-propene 10 is added to a mixture of alcohol, amine or mercaptan (R'YH) and base, such as potassium carbonate in acetone, to form the 2-chloropropene 11, where R' is an alkyl or aryl group and Y is an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom. In step 2, the 2-chloropropene 11 is converted to 2haloketones 12 via a method as described by H. E.

Morton and M. R.Leanna (Tet. Letters, 34, 4481 (1993)).

Scheme IV

OH

C1 J XR' r ^xto^ Acetone/K 2 C0 3 13 14 Scheme IV shows a method of forming 2chloropropenes 14 (compound 11 in Scheme III where Y is oxygen). The 2-chloro-2-propen-l-ol 13 is added to a mixture of an alkyl, aralkyl or heteroaralkyl halide and base, such as potassium carbonate in acetone, to form the 2-chloropropene 14.

Alternatively, 2-chloropropenes 14 can be formed from the corresponding 2,3-dichloro-l-propenes (Scheme III) by reaction with a metal alkoxide in an appropriate solvent. Sodium methoxide in methanol is an example of one such alkoxide and solvent.

Scheme V N NH 2 NH NH I A1 Alkylaluminum

I-

2 Solvent

R

1 0 io R

R

1 2 16 17 X"N R3 Alkylation; 18 0 base.

R

3 3

OH

Acid Solvent R 11 R 2 R 12 19.

Scheme V shows the three step preparation of 1,2diarylimidazoles 20 of the present invention. In step 1, the reaction of substituted benzonitriles with substituted anilines 16 in the presence of alkylaluminum reagents such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride gives amidines 17. In step 2, the reaction of amidines 17 with haloketones 18 (compound 4 in Scheme I where X is Br or Cl and R 4 is hydrido) in the presence of bases, such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or hindered tertiary amines such as N,N'-diisopropylethylamine, gives the 1,2-diaryl- 19. Some bf the suitable solvents for this reaction are isopropanol, acetone and dimethylformamide. The reaction may be carried out at a temperature between about 20°C to about 90 0

C.

In step 3, the 1,2-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-imidazoles 19 may be dehy.drated in the presence of an acid catalyst 94 such as 4-toluenesulfonic acid to form the 1,2diarylimidazoles 20 of the present invention.

Suitable solvents for this dehydration step are, for example, toluene, xylene and benzene. Trifluoroacetic acid can be used as solvent and catalyst for this dehydration step.

In some cases where R 3 is methyl or phenyl), the intermediate 19 may not be readily isolable. The reaction, under the conditions described above, proceeds to give the targeted imidazoles 20 directly.

Scheme VI

CO

2

R

S123 23 N N

R

OHe o l

OH

N N R2 oxidation R oxidation Scheme VI shows the formation of 4-hydroxymethyl imidazoles 22 and 4-formyl-imidazoles 23 from benzyloxy-protected imidazoles 21 and from 4carboalkoxy imidazoles 23. In step 1, the oxidative deprotection of 4-methoxybenzyl group in 21, such as with ceric ammonium nitrate, gives the hydroxymethyl imidazoles 22. Alternatively, the alkoxycarbonyl group of 23 may be reduced to the hydroxymethyl group. Suitable reducing agents include lithium borohydride. In step 2, the hydroxymethyl imidazoles 22 are oxidized, for example, with pyridinium chlorochromate, to give the 4-formyl-imidazoles 24.

Scheme

VII

F

N

F

N H Fluorination N R11 R11 i 12 R12 -R1 24 Scheme VII shows the formation of 4difluoromethyl-imidazoles 25 from 4-formyl-imidazoles.

24.- The 4-formyl-imidazoles 24 are converted to desired 4-difluoromethyl-imidazoles 25 by direct fluorination using the known reagents such as SF4 or diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST). For discussion of the reaction and the representative procedures, see Organic Reactions, 34, 319 (1987), Organic Reactions, 35, 513 (1988), Organic Reactions, 21, 319 (1974) and Chem. Soc. Reviews, 16, 381 (1987), Alternatively, the imidazoles 25 can be synthesized by reaction of hydrazones of 24 with Nbromosuccinimide/pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride).

This transformation.has been developed by Olah and .coworkers [see, Synlett, 594 (1990)].

C-2818/3 97 Scheme VIII 0

CN

H-

N

N R 1 1 1--R -2R12 24 26 Scheme VIII shows the conversion of the 4-formylimidazoles 24 to 4-cyanoimidazoles 26. The 4-formylimidazoles 24 are converted to the target nitrile derivatives 26.by following the literature procedures [see, Chem. Letters, 773 (1984), Synthesis, 510 (1984), Tetrahedron Lett., 1781 (1976), Synthesis, 739 (1981), Synth. Communications, 18, 2179 (1988), Bull.

Chem. Soc. Japan, 54, 1579 (1981), Synthesis, 201 (1985), Synthesis, 190 (1982), Synthesis, 56 (1979), and the references cited therein].

Scheme IX 0 12 RMgBr Oxidation 0 2 R

N

R11" 29 Reduction

SR

28 Scheme IX shows other 1,2-diarylimidazoles that can be synthesized from the 4-formyl-imidazoles 24 in two steps. In step 1, the 4-formyl-imidazoles 24 are converted to carbinol derivatives (where R is aralkyl .or alkyl) by addition of Grignard reagents (RMgBr). In step 2, the hydroxy derivatives 27 are reduced by catalytic hydrogenation (using Pd/C or Pt/C), preferably in the presence of a small amount of acid acetic acid or aqueous HC1) to form the alkyl or aralkyl derivatives 28. Alternatively, the ketones 29 are.synthesized by oxidation using pyridinium chlorochromate) of the hydroxy derivatives 27.

i--Zai0/j 99 Scheme X o o II 1. Base, THF, -78 0 C II Het-Ar-S-CH 3 Het-Ar- S-NH 2 SII 2. B(R) 3 A II O 0 3. H 2

NOSO

3

H,

NaOAc, H 2 0 31 1. Base, THF, -78 0

C

2. 0 0 C, (PhS0 2 2

NF

0

II

Het-Ar-S-CH 2

F

II

0 32 Synthetic Scheme X shows the three step procedure used to prepare sulfonamide antiinflammatory agents 31 and the two step procedure used to prepare fluoromethyl sulfone antiinflammatory agents 32 from their corresponding methyl sulfones 30. In step one, THF solutions of the methyl sulfones 30 at -78 0 C are treated with a base such as alkyllithium reagents, lithioamides and Grignard reagents. Examples of such bases include n-butyllithium, methyllithium, lithium* diisopropylamide (LDA), butylmagnesium chloride, phenylmagnesium bromide and methylmagnesium chloride.

In step two, the anions generated in step one are treated with an organoborane, triethylborane, tributylborane, etc., at -78 0 C then warmed to ambient temperature prior to stirring at reflux. An alternative to the boron chemistry involves room temperature alkylation, such as with haloalkyltrialkylsilanes, followed by treatment with silylalkyl-elimination agents. Examples of such haloalkyltrialkylsilanes include C-2sid/j 100 trimethylsilylmethylhalides such as (iodomethyl)trimethylsilane and (chloromethyl)trimethylsilane. Suitable silylalkylelimination agents include compounds which produce a fluoride ion. Examples of such compounds include alkylammonium fluorides and cesium fluoride.

Tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1M in THF) is preferred.

The deprotonation of sulfone is conveniently carried out in the temperature range of about -70 0 C to about 25 0 C, preferably at about 0 C. The formation of silylalkylsulfone is conveniently carried out in the temperature range of about 0°C to about 35 0

C,

preferably at about 20 0 C. In step three, an aqueous solution of sodium acetate and hydroxylamine-Osulfonic acid is added to provide the corresponding sulfonamide antiinflammatory agents 31 of this invention. Alternatively, the anion solutions generated in step one may be warmed to 0C and treated with N-fluorodibenzenesulfonamide to provide the corresponding fluoromethyl sulfone antiinflammatory agents 32 of this invention.

101 Scheme XI

NH

2

NH

MeAl, Toluene

R

1 4

N

14 Rb 34 35Rb 33 34 Rb *X V R, Alkylation

OH

(18) R3 R 4 pehydration RRb Rb 36 37 l-Phenyl-2-heterocycloimidazoles of the current invention 37 are synthesized by following the generic synthesis shown in Scheme XI. The reaction of a substituted heterocyclonitrile 33 with substituted anilines 34 (where Rb is as defined above for aryl and heteroaryl radicals) in the presence of alkylaluminum reagents such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride gives the amidine 35. The reaction of amidine 35 with a 2-halo-ketone derivative 18 Br or Cl) in the presence of bases such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or N,N'-diisopropylethylamine gives the alkylated product 36. Some of the suitable solvents for this reaction are isopropanol, acetone and dimethylformamide. The reaction may be carried out at 20 to 90 0 C. The intermediate 36 may be dehydrated in the presence of an 102 acid catalyst such as 4-toluenesulfonic acid to give the targeted 1,2-diarylimidazoles 37. Suitable solvents for this dehydration step are toluene, xylene and benzene. Alternatively, trifluoroacetic acid may be used both as solvent and catalyst in this dehydration step.

Scheme XII SNO0 1l)oxidation N2'

H

3 CS 2) reduction H3CO2S 38 39 Scheme XII shows a two step method of forming.

sulfonyl anilines 39 from nitro compounds 38. In step one, the 4-methylthio-nitrobenzene 38 is oxidized to the sulfone with an oxidizing reagent such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium peroxymonosulfate (Oxone®) or 3chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA). In step 2, the 4methylsulfonyl-nitrobenzene is reduced to the corresponding aniline 39.

103 Scheme XIII

A

33

NH

2 meA1, Toluene

SCH

3 40

NH

41

H

3

CS

0 (18)

R

3

N-

RaOH

SCH

3 _pehydrac ion oxidat ion S0 2

CH

3 Synthetic Scheme XIII describes an alternative method of forming l-aryl-2-pyridyl-inidazoles 44 from 4-alkylthioanilines 40. The reaction of a substituted cyanopyridine 33 (where Ra is as defined above for aryl and heteroaryl radicals) with substituted anilines 104 in the presence of alkylaluminum reagents such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride gives the amidine 41. Alternatively, amidine 41 may be synthesized by reaction of aniline 40 first with a suitable base, and then with nitrile 33. Examples of suitable bases include sodium hydride, sodium methoxide, nbutyllithium and lithium diisopropylamide. These reactions may be run in solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane and methanol or the like. The reaction of amidine 41 with a 2-halo-ketone derivative 18 Br or Cl) in the presence of bases such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or N,N'-diisopropylethylamine gives the alkylated product 42. Some of the suitable solvents for this reaction are isopropanol, acetone and dimethylformamide. The reaction may be carried out at 20 to 90 0 C. The intermediate 42 is dehydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst such as 4-toluenesulfonic acid to give the l-(4-alkylthio)aryl-2-pyridylimidazoles 43.

Suitable solvents for this dehydration step are e.g., toluene, xylene and benzene. Oxidation of the alkylthio 43, with an oxidizing reagent such as hydrogen peroxide, Oxone® or MCPBA, yields the sulfones 44.

105 Scheme XIV 1) N-BULi 2) S0 2 3) YR"

R

3

N-

S0 2 Ra Scheme XIV shows a method of forming sulf ones and sulfonamides 46 from the corresponlding

I-

phenylimidazoles 45, where X is a leaving group suc..

as halo. Treatment of 45 with base, such as butyl lithium, followed by addition of sulfur dioxide and a substituted alkyl or amine yields the correspondinlg sulf one or sulfonamide 46 (where Ra is alkyl or amino).

Scheme

XV

106 Scheme XV N0 2 acetcnylacetone, A tolueriesulfonic acid reduction baseI x .1yR3 0 A kylation IDehydration

R

3

R

14 N R 4

I'~

deprotection Synthetic Scheme XV describes an alternative method of forming 1-aryl-2-pyridyl-imidazoles 53 from 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide 47. Protection of 4- C-2i1.0/ 107 nitrobenzenesulfonamide 47, such as by reaction with acetonylacetone with p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst in a solvent such as toluene, forms the protected pyrrolylsulfonyl 48. A preferred protecting agent is 2,5-lower alkyl pyrrole, and more preferred is 2,5-dimethyl pyrrole. Reduction of the nitro compound 48, such as by Raney Nickel-catalyzed hydrogenation, yields the protected benzenamine 49.

Amidine 50 is synthesized by reaction of benzenamine 49 first with a suitable base, and then with nitrile 33. Examples of suitable bases include sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium hydride, sodium methoxide, n-butyllithium and lithium diisopropylamide. This reaction may be run in solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran; dimethoxyethane, methanol, or the like. The reaction of amidine 50 with a 2-halo-ketone derivative 18 Br or Cl) in the presence of bases such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or N,N'-diisopropylethylamine gives the hydroxyimidazole 51. Some of the suitable solvents for this reaction are isopropanol, acetone and dimethylformamide. The reaction may be carried out at 20 to 90 0 C. The intermediate 51 is dehydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst such as 4toluenesulfonic acid to give the protected 1-(4sulfonyl)aryl-imidazoles 52. Suitable solvents for this dehydration step are toluene, xylene and benzene. Acid deprotection of 52 such as with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at reflux temperature produces the sulfonamides 53.

The following currently pending applications are incorporated by reference: International Application PCT/US95/09506, Patent Application Serial No. 08/464,154, and Patent Application Serial No. 08/282,395.

The following examples contain detailed descriptions of the methods of preparation of compounds of Formula I-V. These detailed descriptions =-2818/3 108 fall within the scope, and serve to exemplify, the above described General Synthetic Procedures which form part of the invention. These detailed descriptions are presented for illustrativepurposes only and are not intended as a restriction on the scope of the invention. All parts are by weight and temperatures are in Degrees centigrade unless otherwise indicated. All compounds showed NMR spectra consistent with their assigned structures. In some cases, the assigned structures were confirmed by nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) experiments.

Example 1

CF

3 N OH K N So 2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5dihydro-IH-imidazole SteD 1: Preparation of 4-chloro-N-f4- (methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvllbenzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline (7 g, 41 mmol) in toluene (400 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 30.5 mL, 61 mmol) was added over minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 4chlorobenzonitrile (11.3 g, 82 mmol) in toluene (200 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 80-85 0 C. After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled'to room temperature and poured over -2818/3 109 a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated in -vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The intermediate was filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 4-chloro- N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (10.93 g, 86%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 191 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C14H13N2SO2Cl: C, 54.46, H, 4.24, N, 9.07. Found: C, 54.42, H, 4.30, N, 9.07.

Step 2: Preparation of 2-(4-chlorophenvl)-4-hvdroxv- 1-f4 (methvlsulfonvl) henvl 1-4- (trifluoromethvl) dihydro-lH-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide from Step 1 (8 g, 26 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (4.36 g, 52 mmol) in isopropanol (240 mL), 3-bromo-l,1,1trifluoroacetone (5.4 mL, 52 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80 0 C for 24 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (16.2 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 55/45) to give pure 2-(4chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazole (6.7 g, 62%) as a white solid: Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hl4N2SO3ClF3: C, 48.75, H, 3.37, N, 6.69. Found: C, 48.56, H, 3.22, N, 6.51.

:-2818/3 110 Exampl e 2

CF

3 2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenylj- 4-(trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazole A mixture of 2- (4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-4--- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] (trif luoromethyl) dihydro-lH-imidazole from Example 1 (6.2 g, 15.4 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate g, 4.7 mmol) intoluene (300 mL) was heated to reflux for 84 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentrating in vacuc, the crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give pure 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazole (4.21 g, 71%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 183 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for Cl7Hl2N2SO2F3Cl: C, 50.94, H, 3.02, N, 6.99. Found: C, 50.64, H, 3.03, N, 6.85.

2818/3 111 Example 3

CF

3 N OH l N

H

3

CO

2

S

F

1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy- 2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- Step 1: Preparation of 4-methvlsulfonvl-N-f4chlorochenvl1benzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4-fluoroaniline (4 mL, 40 mmol) in toluene (120 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 21 mL, 42 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 3 hours. A solution of 4- (methylsulfonyl)benzonitrile (7.65 g, 40 mmol) in methylene chloride (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 70-75 0 C. After 48 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and the resulting crude intermediate (7.7 g) was purified by chromatography [silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 25/75] to give 4-methylsulfonyl-N-[4chlorophenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (4.1 g, 35%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 182°C. Anal. Calc'd. for C14H13N2SO2F: C, 57.52, H, 4.48, N, 9.58, S, 10.97.

Found: C, 57.37, H, 4.69, N, 9.21, S, 10.69.

:-2918/3 112 Step 2: Prepration of 1-(4-fluorophenvl)-4-hdroxv- 2-r4-(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenll-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4.5dihvdro-lH-imidazole To a mixture of 4-methylsulfonyl-N-[4chlorophenyl]benzenecarboximidamide from Step 1 (1 g, 3.42 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (575 mg, 6.85 mmol) in isopropanol (30 rnL), 3-bromo-l,1,1-trifluoroacetone 25 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 80-90C for 24 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuc. The crude product (2.34 g) was purified by chromatography [silica gel, hexane/ethy acetate, 1/1] to give l-C4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-2- [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4--(trifluoromethyl)-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazole (650 mg, 47%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 209 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17H14N2S3F4: C, 50.75, H, 3.51, N, 6.96. Found: C, 51.11, H, 3.86, N, 6.57.

Example 4 N. N

H

3

CO

2

S

1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-lE-imidazole A mixture of l-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazole (Example 3) (770 mg, 1.9 mmol) and :-2818/3 113 p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (88 mg) in toluene mL) was heated to reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure; The crude-residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture (520 mg) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give pure 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (328 mg, 44%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 183 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17H12N2S02F4: C, 53.13, H, 3.15, N, 7.29. Found: C, 53.20, H, 3.22, N, 7.18.

Example Me C1 N ci SO2CH 3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-methyl-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (240 mg, 0.78 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (131 mg, 1.56 mmol) in isopropanol (20 mL), excess chloroacetone (1.5 mL) was added. After heating to reflux, the reaction mixture for 72 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over :-2818/3 114 sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (370 mg) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 25/75) to give pure 2--(4-chlorophenyl) -1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4methyl-lH-imidazole (160 mg, mp (DSC) 1660C. Anal Calc'd. for C17H15N2S02C1 C, 58.87, H, 4.36, N, 8.08 Found: C, 58.78, H, 4.62, N, 7.99.

Example 6

N

IO

SO

2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-phenyl-lH-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (400 mg, 1.29 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (216 mg, 2.59 mmol) in isopropanol (25 mL), 2bromoacetophenone (780 mg, 3.87 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 55°C for 20 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (1.2 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel with toluene/ethyl acetate (75/25) to give pure 2-(4chlorophenyl) [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-phenyl-H- :-2818/3 115 imidazole (300. mg, 57%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 202 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C22H17N2S02C1: C, 63.78, H, 4.28, N, 6.76, S, 7.74. Found: C, 63.69, H, 4.11, N, 6.68, S, 7.65.

Example 7

N

K N Cl

SO

2

CH

3 2- (4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (400 mg, 1.29 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (216 mg, 2.59 mmol) in isopropanol (25 mL), 2-chloro- 4'-fluoroacetophenone (670 mg, 3.87 mmol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 80-85 0 C for 48 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (800 mg) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 1/1) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4-(4-fluorophenyl) [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -Himidazole (200 mg, 36%) as a pale yellow solid: mp (DSC) 180 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C22H16N2SO2FC1: C, 61.90, H, 3.78, N, 6.56, S, 7.51. Found: C, 61.92, H, 3.74, N, 6.43, S, 7.62.

:-2818/3 116 Example 8 Br K N

SO

2

CH

3 4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl -1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (400 mg, 1.29 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (216 mg, 2.59 mmol) in isopropanol (30 mL), 2, 4'dibromoacetophenone (720 mg, 2.58 mmol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 80-85 0 C for 18 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (810 mg) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 4-(4-bromophenyl)-2- (4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1Himidazole (400 mg, 64%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 145- 48 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C22Hl6N2SO2BrCl: C, 54.17, H, 3.31, N, 5.74, S, 6.57. Found: C, 54.41, H, 3.33, N, 5.50, S, 6.52.

z-2818/3 117 Example 9

N

K N c16

SO

2

CH

3 2- (4-Chlorophenyl) [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(2-naphthyl)-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (400 mg, 1.29 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (216 mg, 2.59 mmol) in isopropanol (30 mL), 2-bromo-2'acetonaphthone (970 mg, 3.89 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 80-85 0 C for 20 hours, the solvent was removed The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (1.2 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-(2-naphthyl) -lH-imidazole (318 mg, 54%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 204-206 0

C.

Anal Calc'd. for C26H19N2S02C1: C, 68.04, H, 4.17, N, 6.10, S, 6.99. Found: C, 67.65, H, 4.19, N, 5.96, S, 7.10.

:-2818/3 118 Example

OCF

3

N

Cle~

SO

2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole" To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (700 mg, 2.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (376 mg, 4.48 mmol) in isopropanol (25 mL), 4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenacyl bromide (950 mg, 3.36 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 0 C for 22 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-[4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-lH-imidazole (467 mg, 42%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 95-97 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C23H16N2S03F3C1: C, 56.05, H, 3.27, N, 5.68, S, 6.51.

Found: C, 55.90, H, 3.04, N, 5.62, S, 6.74.

:-2818/3 119 Example 11 Cl C1 S0 2

CH

3 2,4-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (700 mg, 2.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (376 mg, 4.48 mmol) in isopropanol (30 mL), 4chlorophenacyl bromide (1.05 g, 4.48 mmol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 80-85 0 C for 18 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2,4-bis-(4chlorophenyl) [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-iH-imidazole .(545 mg, 55%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 169-171C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C22H16N2SO2C12: C, 59.60, H, 3.64, N, 6.32, S, 7.23. Found: C, 59.86, H, 3.80, N, 6.10, S, 7.27.

:-2818/3 120 Example 12 ci S0 2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1- 4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (700 mg, 2.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (376 mg, 4.48 mmol) in isopropanol (35 mL), 3chlorophenacyl bromide (1.05 g, 4.48 mmol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 80-85 0 C for 18 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4-(3-chlorophenyl) -1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -Himidazole (525 mg, 53%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 156- 159 0 C. Anal Calc'd. for C22H16N2S02C12: C, 59.60, H, 3.69, N, 6.32, S, 7.23. Found: C, 59.43, H, 3.59, N, 6.15, S, 7.16.

:-2818 /3 121 Example 13

OCH

3

SO

2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-r4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, .Step 1) (700 mg, 2.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (376 mg, 4.48 mnmol) in isopropanol (50 mL) 4methoxyphenacyl bromide (1.03 g, 4.48 nimol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80'C for hours, the- solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2- (4-chloropheny'l) 4- (4-methoxyphenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4methoxyphenyl)-lH-imidazole (695 mg, 71%) as a white solid: mp 110-113 0 C. Anal Calc'd. for C23Hl9N2S03C1:

C,

62.94, H, 4.36, N, 6.38, 7.30. Found: C, 62.54, H, 4.43, N, 6.17, S, 7.15.

=-2818/3 122 Example 14

N

SO

2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-fluorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (700 mg, 2.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (376 mg, 4.48 mmol) in isopropanol (30 mL), 3fluorophenacyl bromide (0.97 g, 4.48 mmol) was added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80 0 C for 18 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 6/4) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4-(3-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1Himidazole (481 mg, 50%) as a white solid: mp 194-196 0

C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C22H16N2SO2FC1: C, 61.90, H, 3.78, N, 6.56, S, 7.51. Found: C, 61.71, H, 3.59, N, 6.42, S, 7.69.

:-2818/3 123 Example

NN

N

2

CH

3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4- [(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl] 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenylj-1H-imidazole Steo 1: Prenaration of 1-(4-chloro-ohenoxv) -2-chioro- 2 -roroene To a mixture of 4-chiorophenol (6.1 g, 47.4 nunol) and potassium carbonate (13.1 g, 94.7 rnmol) in acetone (200 mL), 2,3-dichioropropene (6.6 rnL, 71 mmol) was added. After heating to reflux the reaction mixture for 48 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered.

The residue was washed with more acetone and the combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuc. The crude pale brown liquid (11.5 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 85/15) to give l-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-chloro-2-propene (8.9 g, 98%) as a white liquid: Anal. Calc t d. for C9H80012: C, 53.23, H, 3.97. Found: C, 53.09, H, 3.95.

Sten 2: Preoaration of 1-bromo-3-f(4chloroohenoxv) Dhenvll -2-Drotanone To a turbid solution of l-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2chloro-2-propene from Step 1 (3 g, 15.7 minol) in acetonitrile/water 100 rnL), N-bromosuccinimide (4.84 g, 31.4 rnmol) was added in one lot. A catalytic amount of 48% HBr (40 p.1) was added to the reaction and the yellowish orange mixture was stirred at room :-2818/3 124 temperature. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was diluted with ether and washed with 5% w/v of sodium thiosulfate. The organic layer was separated and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (MgS04), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude liquid (4.8 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 80/20) to give crude l-bromo-3-[(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-propanone (2.3 g, 54%) which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step 3: Preparation of 2-(4-chloroDhenvl)-4-hvdroxvl-f4-(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll-4-r(4- To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (1 g, 3.24 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (550 mg, 6.5 mmol) in acetone (100 mL), l-bromo-3-[(4chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-propanone from Step 2 (1.5 g, 5.8 mmol) was added. After heating to reflux for 24 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered, washed with acetone and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 1/1) to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-[(4- (565 mg, as a white solid.

Step 4: Preparation of 2-(4-chlorophenvl)-l-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4- (4-chlorophenoxv)methvl -1Himidazole A mixture of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]from Step 3 (750 mg, 1.5 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (135 mg) in toluene (100 mL) was heated to reflux for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was Z-2818/3 125 redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude-mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give 2- (4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-[ (4chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1H-imidazole as a white solid: mp (DSC) 173 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for C 2 3H 1 8

N

2 C1 2 S0 3 -0.25 C, 57.81; H, 3.90; N, 5.86; Cl, 14.84. Found: C, 57.67; H, 3.83; N, 5.52; Cl, 15.17.

Example 16

H

3

C'

ci

SO

2

CH

3 2-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-IHimidazole Step 1: Preparation of 3-chloro-4-methyl-N-r4- S(methvlsulfonvl) Dhenvl benzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline (2.82 g, 16.5 mmol) in toluene (150 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 12.5 mL, 24.7 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 3-chloro-4-methylbenzonitrile (5 g, 33 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 90-95 0 C. After 20 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of -2818/3 126 methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 700 mL). The intermediate was filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 3-chloro-4-methyl-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (4.7 g, 88%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 179 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C15H15N2SO2Cl: C, 55.81, H, 4.68, 8.68. Found: C, 55.65, H, 4.63, N, 8.59.

Step 2: Preparation of 2-(3-chloro-4-methvlphenvl)-4hvdroxv-l- 4-(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll-4- (trifluoromethvl)-4,5-dihvdro-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 3-chloro-4-methyl-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide from Step 1 (2.35 g, 7.3 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (1.23 g, 14.6 mmol) in isopropanol (100 mL), 3-bromo-1,l,1trifluoroacetone (5.4 mL, 52 mmol) was added. After heating to reflux the reaction mixture for 24 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture (7.3 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 1/1) to give 2-(3-chloro-4methylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (0.79 g, 25%) as a white solid: mp 201 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C18H16N2SO3F3Cl.0.5 PhCH3: C, 53.92, H, 4.21, N, 5.81.

Found: C, 54.20, H, 4.19, N, 5.67.

Step 3: Preparation of 2-(3-chloro-4-methvlphenvl)-1-

F

4 -(methylsulfonvl)phenvll-4-trifluoromethyl)-1Himidazole A mixture of 2-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4hydroxy-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- Z-2818 /3 127 (trifluoromethyl) 5-dihydro-1H-imidazole from Step 2 (725 mg, 1.7 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (150 mg) in toluene (40 rnL) was heated to reflux for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and -the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture (860 mg) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate 1/1 to give pure 2-(3-chloro-4methylphenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazole (660 mg, 95%) as a white solid: mp(DSC) 206'C. Anal. Calc'd. for Cl1Hj.4N2SO2F3Cl: C, 52.12, H, 3.40, N, 6.75, S, 7.73.

Found: C, 52.24, H, 3.45, N, 6.64, S, 7.83.

Exampl1e 17

CF

3

N

0 0 So 2

CH

3 4 -(Methyl sul fonyl) phenyl-4 (t ri fluoromethyl) -1H -imida zol1- 2-yl 1,3 benzodioxol e StT)1 Prenaration of 3,4-methvlenedioxv-N-r4- (methvlsulfonvl Dhell benzenecprboximidamide To a suspension of (4-methylsulfonyl) aniline (2.82 g, 16.5 rrmol) in toluene (150 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 12.5 mL, 24.7 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution Z-2818/3 128 of piperonylonitrile (4.85 g, 33 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 90-95 0 C. After 20^hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The product was filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 3,4methylenedioxy-N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (4.8 g, 91%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 214 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C15H14N2S04: C, 56.59, H, 4.43, N, 8.80. Found: C, 56.33, H, 4.28, N, 8.66.

Steo 2: Preparation of 5-l1-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)phenyll-4-hvdroxv-4-(trifluoromethvl)- 4, 5-dihvdro-lH-imidazol-2-vll -1,3-benzodioxole To a mixture of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide from Step 1 (2.32 g, 7.3 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (1.23 g, 14.6 mmol) in isopropanol (100 mL), 3-bromo-l,1,1trifluoroacetone (5.4 mL, 52 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture to reflux for 24 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture (7.1 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 1/1) to give (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-hydroxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]-l,3-benzodioxole (1.46 g, 47%) as a white solid: mp 200-202°C. Anal. Calc'd. for C18H15N2SO5F 3 .0.25 PhCH3: C, 52.55, H, 3.80, N, 6.21.

Found: C, 52.73, H, 3.78, N, 6.01.

z-2818/3 129 Ster) 3: Prelaration of 5-Fl-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)nhenvl 1 (trif luoroethvl) -lHimidazol-2-vll-1.3-benzodioxole A mixture of 5-[l-[4-n(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4hydroxy-4- (trifluoromethyl) 5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2yl]-1,3-benzodioxole from Step 2 (1.26 g, 2.9 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid ronohydrate (200 mg) in toluene rL) was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacua, the crude mixture (1.34 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate 1/1 to give pure (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trifluoromethyl) -1Himidazol-2-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole (940 mg, 80%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 165 0 C. Anal Calc'd. for C18Hl3N2SO 4

F

3 C, 52.68, H, 3.19, N, 6.83. Found: C, 53.05, H, 3.19, N, 6.65.

Example 18

CF

3

H

3

CO

F

SO

2

CH

3 2 -(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-l-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)1H imidazole Ste- 1i: Prepration of 3-fluoro-4-methoxv-N-r4- (methvlsul fonvi) henvl 1 benzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)-aniline (2.82 -2818/3 130 g, 16.5 mmol) in toluene (150 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 12.5 mL, 24.7 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 3 -fluoro-4-methoxybenzonitrile (5 g, 33 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 80-85 0 C. After 20 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The intermediate was filtered and washed with more hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 3-fluoro-4-methoxy-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (3.95 g, 74%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 195 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C15H15N2SO 3 F: C, 55.89, H, 4.69, N, 8.69. Found: C, 55.92, H, 4.74, N, 8.53.

Step 2: Preparation of 2 3 -fluoro-4-methoxvohenvl)- 4-hvdroxv-l-F4-(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll-4- To a mixture of 3-fluoro-4-methoxy-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide from Step 1 (4.15 g, 12.9 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.16 g, 25.8 mmol) in isopropanol (150 mL), 3-bromo-l,l,ltrifluoroacetone (4.8 mL, 45 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 70-75 C for 20 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture (7.8 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 7/3) to give 2-(3-fluoro-4- :-2818/3 131 methoxyphenyl) -4-hydroxy-l- 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-H-imidazole (3.54 g, 64%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 210 0 C. Anal. Calc'd.

for C18H16N2SO4F4-0.1 PhCH3: C, 50.86, H, 3.83, N, 6.34. Found: C, 50.61, H, 3.64, N, 6.16.

Step 3; Preparation of 2 -(3-fluoro-4-methox-ohenvl) l-f4-(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4-(trifluoromethvl)-1Himidazole A mixture of 2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4hydroxy-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4from Step 2 (3.4 g, 7.9 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (700-mg) in toluene (200 mL) was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture (3.6 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate to give pure 2-(3-fluoro-4methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-iH-imidazole (2.12 g, 65%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 182 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C18H14N2SO3F4: C, 52.17, H, 3.41, N, 6.76, S, 7.74. Found: C, 52.56, H, 3.65, N, 6.53, S, 8.01.

:-2818/3 132 Example 19 ci."

NI

S02 CH 3 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-4-E(phenylthio)methyl].1...4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole Stb1 Prevaration of l-bromo-3-rhenvlthio-2proganone l-Bromo-3-phenylthio-2-propanone is synthesized by reaction of thiophenol with 2 ,3-dichloropropene followed by treatment of the resulting product with aqueous NBS as described for Example Steip 2: Preoaration of 2 4 -chloroohenvl)-4-hydroxvl-f4-(methvlsulfonvl)ohenvll -4-f(Dohenvlthio)methvll- 4, 57dihvdro-lH-imidazole To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (rrethylsulfonyl) phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (1 rnmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2 mmol) in acetone (20 rnL), l-brorno-3-phenylthio-2-propanone rnmol) is added. After heating to reflux for 24 hours, the reaction mixture is filtered, washed with acetone and concentrated in vacuo. 'The crude product is purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate) to give 2- (4-chlorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-l-[4-.

(methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-4-( Z-2818/3 133 Steo 3: Preoaration of 2 4 -chlorprhenvl)-4r (henvlthio)methvlll-r4- (methvlsulfonlh 11 imidazole A mixture of 2 -(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-[4.

(methylsulfonyl)phenylj-4-[(phenylthio)methyl>4,5 dihydro-iH-imidazole (1 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (100 mg) in toluene (70 mL) is heated to reflux for 48 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2S04), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture is purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give 2 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-[(phenylthio) methyl]-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole.

Example

N'O

/7f CH3 N. N

NI

SO

2 cH 3 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[(N-methyl-N- Phenylamino)methyl]-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenylj-lE-imidazole SE~teo 1: Preparation of l-bromo-3-(N-methv-N- Dhenvlamine) -2-Drooanone l-Bromo-3-(N-methyl-N-phenylamine)-2-propanone is synthesized by reaction of N-methylaniline with 2,3dichioropropene followed by treatment of the resulting product with aqueous NBS as described for Example :-281813 134 Step 2:Preoaration of 2- (4-chiororphenvi) -4-hydroxy- 4-r (N-methvl-N-Dhenvlamino)methvll 4- To a mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4- (me thylsul fonyl) phenyl Ibenzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, step 1) (1 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2 mmol) in acetone (20 rnL), l-bromo-3- (N-methyl-N-phenylamine) -2propanone from Step 1 (1.5 inmol) is added. After heating to reflux for 24 hours, the reaction mixture is filtered, washed with acetone and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is'purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate) to give 2-(4chlorophenyl) -4 -hydroxy-4- [(N-methyl-Nphenylamine) methyl1- C L4 -(methylsulf onyl) phenyl 4 dihydro-lH-imidazole.

Ster 3: Preraration of 2- (4-chlororhenvl) r(Nme thyl -N-nhenvlpamino) methyl 1 f 4- (methvlsulfonl)phenvll -lH-irnidazole A mixture of 2 4 -chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-4-(

(N-

methyl-N-phenylamine) methyl] (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 5-dihydro-lH-imidazole (1 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (100 mg) in toluene (70 mL) is heated to reflux for 48 hours.

The reaction mixture is cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuc, the crude mixture is purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give 2-(4chlorophenyl) (N-methyl-N-phenylamine)methyll (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -lH-imidazole.

Z-28 18/3 135 Exampl1e 2 1 0

N

N1

N

SO

2

CH

3 2 4 -Chloropheny1) -4-[2-qui nolyl) me thoxymethyl] 1-[-(ehlufnlpey]- -mdzl Sten 1: Preoaration of 1-bromo-3-(2-cuinolvlmeth6xr)- 2 -vronanone The compound 1-bromo-3- 2 -quinolylmethoxy) -2propanone is synthesized by reaction of 2chioromethyiquinoline with 2-chloro-2-propen-l-o.

followed by treatment of the resulting guinolylether with aqueous NBS.

31- r2: Pre-oaration of 2- (4-chloroiohenvl)-4-hvdroxvl-r 4 -(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4-f (2auino lvlme thoxv) methyl I 4, 5 -dihydro -1H- imidazol e To a mixture of 4-chloro-N--[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, Step 1) (1 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2 mmol) in acetone (20 rnL), l-bromo-3-(2-quinolylmethoxy)-2propanone from Step 1 (1.5 mrnol) is added. After heating to reflux for 24 hours, the reaction mixture is filtered, washed with acetone and concentrated in vacua. The crude product is purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate) to give 2-C4chlorophenyl) -4-hydroxy-l- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-

C(

2 -quinolylmethoxy)methylj -41 Z-2818/3 136 Step 3: Prenaration of 2-(4-chloroohenvl)-1-F4.

(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvl-4-r( 2 -cruinolvlmethoxv)methvlllH-imidazole A mixture of- 2- (4-chlorfophenyl) -4-hydroxy-1- (4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]

C(

2 -quinolylmethoxy)methyl] 4 5 -dihydro-lH-imidazole (1 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (100 mg) in toluene (70 mL) is heated to reflux for 48 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuc, the crude mixture is purified by chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate to give 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-F( 2 -quinolylmethoxy)methyl]lH-imidazole.

Example 22

CF

3

N

F

SO

2

H

3 2-( 4 -Fluorophenyl)-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)pheny1] 4 -trifluoromethyl-1lHimidazole St-eD 1: Pregaration of 4-fluoro-N-r4- -(methvlsulfonvl) Dhenvl1benzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline (3.53 g, 20.2 mmol) in toluene (100 mL), trimethylaluminum (15.2 ml, 2M solution in toluene, 30.2 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to :-2818/3 137 room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 4 -fluorobenzonitrile (5 g, 40.3 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture heated to 80-850C. -After 20 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform.

After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The intermediate was filtered and concentrated. The pale yellow solid 4 -fluoro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (5.25 g, 87%) was.used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 206.2 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for C14H13N 2 FS031.2 5

H

2 0: C, 53.41; H, 4.91; N, 8.90.

Found: C, 53.08; H, 4.50; N, 8.61.

Ste Preparation of 2-( 4 -fluorohenv) hv- -r 4 (methvlsul fonvl )henvl 1 -4-trifl rome dihvdro-IH-imidazol1 To a mixture of 4 -fluoro-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (Step 1) g. 15.4 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.59 g, 30.8 mmol) in isopropanol (200 mL), 3-bromo-l,l,ltrifluoroacetone (3.2 mL) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80 0 C for 22 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture (7.2 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 1/1) to give 2 4 -fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-l- [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4 dihydro-lH-imidazole (3.28 g, 53%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 203 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for C17H 14

N

2

F

4

SO

3 C, 50.75; H, 3.51; N, 6.96. Found: C, 51.16; H, 3.69; N, 6.54.

z-2818/3 138 Steo 3: Preparation of 2-(4-fluoroohenvl)-1-r4- (methlsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4-trifluoromethvl-1H-imidazole A mixture of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-[4- (methlsulfoyl)phelyl -4-trifluoromethyl- 4 lH-imidazole (Step 2) (2.8 g, 7 mmol) and ptoluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (300,mg) in toluene (200 mL) was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture (3.2 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate to give pure 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lHimidazole (1.38 g, 52%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 205.5 0

C.

Anal. Calc'd for C 17

H

1 2 N2F4S2: C, 53.13; H, 3.15; N, 7.29; S, 8.34. Found: C, 53.18; H, 3.17; N, 7.26; S, 8.57.

Example 23

CF

3

N

S0 2

CH

3 l-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyll-2-phenyl-4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole Ster 1: preparation of N-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)TphenllbenzenecarboxiidaLfid To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline (12 g, 70 mmol) in toluene (400 mL), trimethylaluminum Z-2818/3 139 (52.5 ml, 2M solution in toluene, 0.1 mol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 3.5 hours. A solution of benzonitrile (14.5 g, 0.14 mol) in toluene (300 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture heated to 70-75 0 C. After 17 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue is washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid is stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The intermediate is filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The yellowish solid N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (16.7 g, 87%) was used in the next reaction without further purification.

SteD 2: Preparation of 4-hvdroxv-l-f4- (methvlsulfonv)ohenvll -2-ohenvl-4-trifluoromethvl-4,5dihvdro-1H-imidazole To a mixture of N-[4-(methylsulfonyllphenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (Step 1) (16.5 g, 60.1 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (10.1 g, 0.12 mol) in isopropanol (900 mL), 3 -bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone (8.7 ml, 84 *mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture-at -80 0 C for 20 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate, 45/55) to give 4 -hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 2 -phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazole (13.6 g, 59%) as awhite solid: mp 189 190 0 C. Anal.

Calc'd for C 1 7H 15

N

2 F3SO3: C, 53.12; H, 3.93; N, 7.29; S, 8.34. Found: C, 53.05; H, 3.90; N, 7.14; S, 8.38.

:-2818/3 140 at__ Preiparation of 1-f4-(methvlsulfonvl)phenvlIl 2-Dohenvl-4 -trifluorornethvl-1H-imidazole A mixture of 4-hydroxy-l-[4- -(methy'lsulfonyl)phenyl.]- 2 -ph~nyl-4-trifluoromethyl-4, dihydro-lH-imidazole (Step 2) (5.43 g, 14.1 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate* (1.63 g) in toluene (500 rnL). was heated to reflux for 96 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration an vacuo, the crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel -using hexane/ethyl acetate (65/35) to give,..pure (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -2-phenyl-4trifluoromethyl-lH.imidazole (3.12 g, 60%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 233'C. Anal. Calc'd for C17Hl 3

N

2

F

3 S0 2 C, 55.73; H, 3.58; N, 7.65; S, 8.75. Found: C, 55.49; H, 3.47; N,7.46; S,8.95.

Example 24

CF

3

KN

H

3

C

2-4Mtypey)l[-(ehlufnlpeyl 4 -trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole Step 1 Prenaration of 4-methvl-N-r4- (methvlsul f onvi) 3Dhenvl I benzenecarbxiidaid To a suspension of 4 (methylsulfonyl) aniline (3.57 g, 20.9 mmol) in toluene (150 mL), trirnethylaluminum, (15.6 ml, 2M solution in toluene, 31.4 mmol) was added :-2818/3 141 over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 4 -methylbenzonitrile (5 ml, 41.8 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture heated to 80-85 0 C. After 20 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform.

After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 600 mL). The intermediate was filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 4-methyl-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (5.3 g, 88%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 213 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for C15H16N 2

SO

2 C, 62.48; H, 5.59; N, 9.71. Found: C, 62.00, H, 5.52; N,9.60.

Ste D 2: Preparation of 2 4 -methvlhenvl)-4-hvdroxvl-f 4 -(methvlsulfonvl)ohenvll-4-trifluoromethvl-4,5 dihvdro-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-methyl-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyllbenzenecarboximidamide (Step 1) g, 17.4 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.9 g, 34.7 mmol) in isopropanol (200 mL), 3-bromo-l,l,1trifluoroacetone (3.6 ml, 34.7 mmol) was added. After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80°C for 20 hours, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture (8.9 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate 6/4) to give 2-(4methylphenyl)- 4 -hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4- (3.28 g, 47%) :-2818/3 142 as a white solid: mp 198 199 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for

C

1 8HI7N2F3SO3 -0.3 PhMe C, 56.67; H, 4.59; N, 6.58.

Found: C, 56.95; H, 4.68; N, 6.13.

Step 3: Preparation of 2-(4-methvlDhenvl)-1-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)ohenvll-4-trifluoromethvl-H-imidazole A mixture of 2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro- 1H-imidazole (Step 2) (0.9 g, 2.3 mmol) and ptoluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (150 mg) in toluene (100 mL) was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue was redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate to give pure 2-(4-methylphenyl)-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4 trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole (462 mg, 54%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 190°C. Anal. Calc'd for Ci 8 H15N 2 F3SO2: C, 56.84; H, 3.97; N, 7.36; S, 8.43. Found: C, 56.66; H, 3.82; N, 7.23; S, 8.45.

Example

CF

3 N N S02CH 3 1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-( 4 trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-IHimidazole :-2818/3 143 Step 1: Preparation of 4-(trifluoromethvl)-N-f4- (methvlsulfonvl) henvllbenzenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline mmol) in toluene (100 mL), trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 15 mmol) is added over 15 minutes.

The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 4trifluoromethylbenzonitrile (20 mmol) in toluene mL) is added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture is heated to 80-85 0 C. After 20 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue is washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol The combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo and the resulting yellowish solid is stirred with a mixture of hexane/ether 1000 mL). The intermediate is filtered and washed with more of hexane/ether The pale yellow solid 4- (trifluoromethyl)-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide is used in the next reaction without further purification.

Step 2: Preoaration of 4-hvdroxy-l-F4- (methvlsulfonvl)nhenvl1-2-(4-trifluoromethvlohenvl)- 4 trifluoromethvl-4,5-dihvdro-1H-imidazole To a mixture of 4-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[ 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzenecarboximidamide (10 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (20 mmol) in isopropanol (100 mL), 3-bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone (20 mmol) is added.

After heating the reaction mixture at 70-75 0 C for hours, the solvent is removed The residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water. The organic fractions are combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by chromatography (silica gel, toluene/ethyl acetate, 7/3) to give 4-hydroxy-l- :-2818/3 144 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (4-trifluoromethylphenyl) 4 -trifluoromethyl-4, S' Preoardtion of (methvlsi-fonvl)rhenvll 2- 4 tri fluoromethvlrhenvl) 4 -trif luoromethvl-lHimidazole A mixture of 4-hydroxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyll 4 -trifluoromethylphenyl) -4- (10 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (1 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) is heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine. After drying (Na2SO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the crude mixture is purified by chromatography on silica gel using toluene/ethyl acetate to give pure 1-I4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-( 4 -trifluoromethylphenyl)-4trifluoromethyl-1H imidazole.

Example 26

CF

3

N

NJ

S0 2

NH

2 4- (4-Chiorophenyl) (trifluoromethyl) -1Himidazol-1-yllbenzenesulfonamide To a clear solution of 2 -(4-chlorophenyl)-l-(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1Kimidazole from Example 2 (400 mg, 1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (TEF) (8 mL) at OOC, n-BuMgCl (2M solution in THF, 2 mL, 4 rmol) was added over minutes. After stirring for additional 10 minutes, ice :-2818/3 145 bath was removed and solution stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to 0 C and triethylborane (1M solution in THF, 5 mL, 5 mmol) was added. After stirring for 2 hours, the reaction was heated to reflux for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and treated with aqueous sodium acetate (1 g in 4 mL water). After stirring for minutes, solid hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (1 g) was added and the mixture stirred for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ether (2x250).The ethereal layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude solid (568 mg) was purified by chromatography [silica gel, ethyl acetate/toluene to give 4-[2- (4-chlorophenyl) (trifluoromethyl) -1H-imidazol-lyl]benzenesulfonamide (260 mg, mp (DSC) 225 0

C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C16HllN3SO2F3Cl: C, 47.83, H, 2.76 N, 10.46, S, 7.98. Found: C, 48.00, H, 2.83, N, 10.14, S, 7.94.

Example 27

CF

3

N

ci I SO2NH 2 4 2 3 -Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1yl]benzenesulfonamide To a clear solution of 2 3 -chloro-4-methylphenyl) -1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4-(trifluoromethyl)

-H-

imidazole (Example 16) (500 mg, 1.2 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) at 0 C, n-BuMgCl (2M solution in THF, 2.4 mL, 4.8 mmol) was added over 10 minutes. After stirring for additional 10 minutes, ice bath was removed :-2818/3 146 and solution stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was re-cooled to 0 0 C and triethylborane (1M solution in THF, 6 mL, 6 mmol) was added. After stirring for 2 hours, the reaction was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and treated with aqueous sodium acetate (1 g in 4 mL water). After stirring for 5 minutes, solid hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (1 g) was added and the mixture stirred for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ether (2x250).The ethereal layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product (710 mg) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/toluene 3/7) to give pure chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl) -H-imidazo-1yl]benzenesulfonamide (180 mg, 36%) as a white solid: mp(DSC) 222 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hl3N3SO2F3Cl: C, 49.10, H, 3.15, N, 10.11. Found: C, 49.42, H, 3.19, N, 9.75.

Example 28

CF

3

N'

S02CH 3 3-[l-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine Step 1: Preparation of N-f 4 -(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll -3-ovridinecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (6 g, 28.8 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) at 0 °C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 21.6 ml, 43.2 C-2818/3 147 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 3-cyanopyridine (6 g, 57.6 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 90-95 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with ethyl acetate (1000 ml) and filtered. The pale yellow amidine g, 34%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 265 0 C. Anal Calc'd. for C13H14N3S02Cl-0.5 H20: C, 48.67, H, 4.71, N, 13.10. Found: C, 48.34, H, 4.26, N, 12.77.

Steo 2: Preparation of 3-r4-hvdroxv-l-F4- (methylsulfonvl) phenvl (trifluoromethvl) 5-dihvdro-1Himidazol-2-vllpvridine To a mixture of the amidine of Step 1 (4.4 g, 16 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.68 g, 32 mmol) in isopropanol (400 ml), 3-bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone ml, 24 mmol) was added. After heating at 60-65 0 C for 36 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the .combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture (16.2 g) was purified by chromatography [silica gel, ethyl acetate/acetone to give the compound (3.7 g, 60%) as a white solid.

Anal Calc'd. for C16H14N3SO3F3-0.5 H20: C, 48.18, H, 3.92, N, 10.53. Found: C, 48.52, H, 3.61, N, 9.79.

Steo 3: Preparation of 3-fl-r4-(methvlsulfonvl)phenvl -4-trifluoromethvl-lH-imidazol-2-vl1ovridine A mixture of the compound of step 2 (3.6 g, 9.35 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate C-281 8 3 148 (0.52 g, 2.7 mmol) in toluene (280 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/acetone (98/2) to give pure 3-[1-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl -4-trifluoromethyl-

I

H-

imidazol-2-yllpyridine (790 mg, 23%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 193 0 C. Anal Calc'd. for C16H12N3SO2F3 C, 52.30, H, 3.29, N, 11.44,

S,

8.73. Found: C, 52.38, H, 3.26, N, 11.30, S, 8.76.

Example 29

CF

3

N

N

1 N

SO

2 Me 2- l-4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4-trifluoro m ethyl- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridi n e 1: Pr r i n f N I- (m ehv sulf nl 'henl r idinecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (6 g, 28.8 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) at 0 0

C,

rimethylaluminum (2 solution in toluene, 21.6 ml, 43.2 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours.

A

solution of 2-cyanopyridine (6 g, 57.6 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was heated to 85-90 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of C-2818/3 149 silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with ethyl acetate (1500 ml) and filtered. The pale yellow solid (5.2 g, 66%) was used in the next reaction without further purification.

Steo 2: Preparation of 2-F4-hvdroxv-l-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)nhenyl-4-(trifluoromethvi)-45-dihvdro-1Himidazol-2-vllDvridine To a mixture of the amidine of step 1 (4.4 g, 16 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.7 g, 32 mmol) in isopropanol (400 ml), 3-bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone ml, 24 mmol) was added. After heating at 75-80°C for 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product (16.2 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/toluene 1/1) to give 2 4 -hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (1.1 g, 18%) as a white solid: mp 195-198 0 C. Anal. Calc'd.

for C16H14N3SO3F 3 C, 49.87, H, 3.66, N, 10.90. Found: C, 50.13 H, 3.66, N, 10.30.

Step 3: Preoaration of 2-l1-f4-(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvl1-4trifluoromethvl-1H-imidazol-2-vllpvridine A mixture of 2-[4-hydroxy-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazol-2-yl]pyridine from step 2 (1.0 g, 2.6 mmol) and ptoluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.2 g, 2.7 mmol) in toluene (100 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (1.2 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/toluene C-2818/3 150 to give pure 2 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (620 mg, 65%) as a-white solid: mp (DSC) 18-4C. Anal. Calc'd. for C16H12N3SO 2

F

3 C, 52.30, H, 3.29, N, 11.44 Found:

C,

52.23, H, 3.23, N, 11.19.

Example N N N CF 3

NO

SO

2 Me 4- l- [4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine Steo 1: Prearation of N-4-(methvlsulfonvl) Dhenvll-4-Dvridinecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (10 g, 48.1 mmol) in toluene (250 ml) at 0°C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 36.1 ml, 72.2 Smmol) was added over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours.

A

solution of 4 -cyanopyridine (10 g, 96.2 mmol) in toluene (250 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was heated to 70 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with ethyl acetate and filtered. The pale yellow solid (4.8 g, 36%) was used in the next reaction without further C-2818/3 151 purification. Anal. Calc'd. for C13H14N 3 SC1O 2 H20:

C,

47.34, H, 4.89, N, 12.74, S, 9.72. Found C, 47.69,

H,

4.35, N, 12.77, S, 9.74.

Steo 2: Preparation of 4 -r 4 -hvdroxv-l-r4-(methvlsulfonV) phenYv1-4-(trifluoromethvl)-4 5-dihvdro-lH-imidazol-2_ vllDvridine To a mixture of the amidine of step 1 (4.75 g, 16 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.86 g, 34.4 mmol) in isopropanol (400 ml), 3 -bromo-1,l,l-trifluoroacetone (2.7 ml, 26 mmol) was added. After heating at 75-80°C for 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product (16.2 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/isopropanol to give 4-[4-hydroxy-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyll- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (1.55 g, 23%) as a white solid: mp 219 oC, Anal. Calc'd.

for C16H14N3SO3F 3 C, 49.87, H, 3.66, N, 10.90, S, 8.32.

Found: C, 49.93, H, 3.51, N, 10.79, S, 8.66.

Step 3: Prearation of 4 l- 4 methvlsulfonvl)ohenvll 4trifluoromethvl-lH-imidazol-2-vllDyridin A mixture of the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole of step 2 (0.85 g, 2.2 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.12 g) in toluene (150 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/acetone (96/4) to give pure 4-[1- [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2yl]pyridine (330 mg, 41%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 197 oC.

Anal. Calc'd. for C16H12N3SO 2

F

3 C, 52.30, H, 3.29, N, 11.44, S, 8.73. Found: C, 52.19, H, 3.26, N, 11.25, S, 8.99.

C-2818/3 152 Example 31

-CF

3

N

H

3 C N S0 2 CH3 2-Methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine Step 1: Preparation of 2-methvl-N-[4- (methylsulfonvl) henvll To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (8.8 g, 42.3 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) at 0°C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 42.3 ml, 84.6 mmol) was added over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2.5 hours. A solution of 6-methyl-4-cyanopyridine (10 g, 84.6 mmol) in toluene (150 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was heated to 80-85 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with ethyl acetate and filtered. The pale yellow solid (9.8 g, 80%) was used in the next reaction without further purification. Anal Calc'd. for C14H15N3S02-H20: C, 54.71, H, 5.57, N, 13.67. Found: C, 54.62, H, 5.24, N, 13.67.

Step 2: Preparation of 2-methvl-5-14-hydroxy-l-r4- (methylsulfonvl)ohenvll-4-(trifluoromethvl)-4,5-dihydro-1Himidazol-2-vllvridine C-2818/3 153 To a mixture of the amidine of Step 1 (9.8 g, 33.9 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (5.7 g, 67.8 mmol) in isopropanol (700 ml), 3 -bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone (5.3 ml, 50.8 mmol) was added. After heating at 80-85 0 C for 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude material (25.7 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/acetone, 98/2) to give 2 -methyl-5-[4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (6.3 g, 46%) as a white solid: Anal. Calc'd. for C17H16N3SO3F 3 C, 50.55, H, 4.12, N, 10.40. Found:-C, 50.51, H, 3.91, N, 10.25.

Step 3: Preara tion of 2-nmethy-l 4mthvlsul fonv henvli i iuoromethvmidazo -2 vllovridine A mixture of the 4,5-dihydro-imidazole of step 2 (6.2 g, 15.5 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (1.6 g, 8.4 mmol) in toluene (550 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (8.2 gJ was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/acetone (98/2) to give pure 2 -methyl-5-[1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2yl]pyridine (3.9 g, 66%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 163 0

C.

Anal Calc'd. for C17H14N3SO2F3 C, 53.54, H, 3.70,

N,

11.02, S, 8.41. Found: C, 53.12, H, 3.56, N, 11.00,

S,

8.50.

C-2818/3 154 Example 32

CF

3

N

CH3 S0 2 CH3 2 -Methyl-6- l- 4-(methylsulfonv1)phenvll-4trifluoromethvl-1H-imidazol-2-vl]vDridine Sten 1: Preparation of 2-methvl-N-f4- (methvlsulfonvl) henvl1 -6-ovridinecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (4.2 g, 20.3 mmol) in toluene (100 ml) at 0 C, was added trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 12 ml, 24 mmol) over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 6-methyl-2cyanopyridine (3.6 g, 30.5 mmol) in toluene (100 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was heated to 85-90 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol.

The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with hexane and ethyl acetate (1000 ml) and filtered. The white solid (5.1 g, 87%) was used in the next reaction without further purification. Anal. Calc'd. for C14H6N 3 SClO 2 0.2H20: C, 51.05, H, 5.02, N, 12.76.

Found: C, 50.97, H, 4.78, N, 12.80.

C-2818/3 155 Step 2: Preoaration of 2 -methv-i--4hv drov-Jr 4 (methvisulfonvl)orhenvli dihvdro-lH-imidaz-ol-2 -vli ovridine To a mixture of the arnidine of Step 1 (4.9 g, 16.95 rruol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.85 g, 33.9 mmol) in isopropanol (300 ml), 3-bromo-i,l,itrifluoroacetone (2.65 ml, 25.4 inmol) was added.

After heating at 80-85'C for 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture (9 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/ isopropanol /amonium hydroxide 95/5/0.5) to give 2 -methy1-6-[4-hydroxl.(4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyi] (trifluoromethyl) diyr-Hiiao--lprdn (1.4 g, 21%) as a white solid: Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hj6N3SO 3

F

3

C,

51.12, H, 4.02, N, 10.52. Found: C, 51.43, H, 3.96, N, 10.06.

Steo-3: Prearation of 2-methvl-6-ri-F4vlii vridine A mixture of the 4 ,5-dihydro-irnidazole of step 2 (1.3 g, 3.26 mmoi) and p-toiuenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.26 g, 1.36 mmoi) in toluene (200 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (1.56 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/acetone (98/2) to give pure 2 -methyl-6-[l- (methylsuJlfonyljphenyl] 4 -trifluoromethyi-lH.

imidazoi-2-yljpyridine (0.48 g, 38%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 205 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17H14N 3 S0 2

F

3 0.25H20: C, 52.91, H, 3.79, N, 10.89, C-2818/3 156 S 8.31. Found: C, 52.67, H, 3.55, N, 10.64,

S,

8.68.

Example 33

CF

3 H C

N

S

2 CH3 5-Methyl-2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4trifluoromethyl-IH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine I: reparation of m-ethv-2-anovridin To a solution of 2 -fluoro-5-methylpyridine (39 g; 351.5 mmol) in 141 ml of dimethylsulfoxide was added 17.23 g of sodium cyanide 351.5 mmol). After stirring for 3 days at 150 0 C, an additional 3 g of sodium cyanide was added and heating was continued for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 25 0 C then poured into 525 ml of ice water. The solution was filtered through a coarse fritted funnel and a dark brown solid was collected. The solid was air dried to give 17 g of the desired cyanopyridine: Anal Calc'd. for C7H6N 2 C, 71.17; H, 5.12; N, 23.71. Found: C, 69.91; H, 5.24; N, 23.26.

2: Prearation f -meh-.-N-r4- (methvlthiohenl1 -2-Dridineroxi ide To a solution of 4-thiomethylaniline (8.25 g; 59 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (164 ml) at 0 0 C, triethylaluminum (1.9M solution in toluene, 31.2 ml, 59 mmol) was added over minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1.5 hours. A solution of methyl-2-cyanopyridine (Step 1) (59 mmol) in 1,2dichloroethane (62 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the C-2818/3 157 mixture was heated to reflux. After 12 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and 50 g of silica gel were added. -The suspension was stirred for 1-2 hours at 25 0 C and 12 ml of methanol was added and stirred at 25°C. After filtration through Celite®, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting solid stirred with hexane/ethyl acetate (1000 ml) and filtered. The solid obtained (7g) was used in the next reaction without further purification: Anal Calc'd. for C14H15N3.0.3 H20: C, 63.99; H, 5.98; N, 15.99. Found: C, 64.05; H, 6.06; N, 16.11.

Step 3: Prenaration of 5-methyl-2-f4-hvdroxv-l- 4- (methvlthio)Dhenvll-4- IH-imidazol-2-vllovridine To a mixture of the amidine of step 2 (10 g, 52.41 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (8.6 g, 103 mmol) in isopropanol (1200 ml), 3-bromo-l,1,l-trifluoroacetone g, 52 mmol) was added. After heating at reflux for 22 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and washed water than brine. The organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography (silica gel, 100% ethyl acetate) to give the desired dihydro-imidazole (5.1 g) Anal Calc'd. for C17H16N3SOF3: C, 55.58; H, 4.39; N, 11.44. Found: C, 55.54; H, 4.35; N, 11.20.

Step 4: Preparation of 5-methvl-2-1l-F4- (methvlthio)phenvll-4-trifluoromethvl-lH-imidazol-2vlipvridine A mixture of the dihydro-imidazole of step 3 95 g, 13.9 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (785 mg, 4 mmol) in toluene (500 ml) was heated to reflux for C-2818/3 158 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and 10 ml of triethylamine was added and the solvent removed under reduced pressure.- The crude-mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate to give the desired product which was used in the next reaction without further purification.

Step 5: PreDaration of 5-methvl-2-r[-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvll 4 -trifluoromethvl-1H-imidazol-2vllpvridine To solution of the methylthio compound from step 4 (3.95 g, 11.5 mmol) in 45 ml of methanol was added an aqueous solution of Oxone® (6.94 g dissolved in 28 ml of water). After stirring at 25 0 C for 4-5 hours, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, redissolved in 50 ml of methylene chloride and extracted with 50 ml of an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. The organic extracts were dried (MgS04), filtered and concentrated. The crude material was purified by chromatography (silica gel; ethyl acetate/ toluene) to provide 1.6 g of the desired product: mp 196°C. Anal Calc'd. for C17H14N3S02F3:

C,

53.54; H, 3.70; N, 11.02; S, 8.41. Found: C, 53.09; H, 3.43; N, 10.75; S. 8.69.

Example 34

CF

3

NN

SO

2

CH

3 4-Methyl-2- [4-.(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine Steo 1: Prenaration of 2 -cvano-4-methvlpvridine C-2818/3 159 To a suspension of 4-picoline N-oxide (13.64 g, 0.124 mole) in 82 ml of THF, under an inert atmosphere, was added trimethylsilyl cyanide (20..1 ml, 0.15 mole) followed by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) (4.4 ml, 0.028 mole). After stirring at 25 OC for 12 hours, the reaction mixture was heated to reflux. After 4.5 hours, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude sample was eluted with methylene chloride through a pad of Florisil®.

The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to provide (8.7 g, 60%) of 2-cyano-4-methyl pyridine, a white crystalline solid: mp 88-89 oC Anal. Calc'd. for C7H6N2: C, 71.17; H, 5.12; N, 23.71. Found: C, 70.17; H, 5.12; N, 23.44.

Step 2: Preparation of 4-methvl-N-F4- (methvlsulfonvl) henvll-2-ovridinecarboximidamide To a solution of 4-methylsulfonyl aniline (7.62 g, 44.5 mmol) in 40 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane, was added 23.4 ml of a 1.9 M solution of triethylaluminum in toluene. After stirring for 1.5 hours at 0 OC, 2cyano-4-methyl-pyridine from step 1 (5.26 g, 44.5 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 20 hours and poured onto a pad of silica gel, in a fritted filter funnel, pre-wetted and washed with methanol/methylene chloride. The filtrates were evaporated under reduced pressure to provide 11.05 g of the desired amidine as a light brown solid: mp 180-184 0 C Anal. Calc'd...for C14H15N302S: C, 58.11; H, 5.23; N, 14.52. Found: C, 57.56; H, 5.15; N, 14.35.

Step 3: Preparation of 4-methyl-2-r4-hvdroxv-l-F4- (methvlsulfonvl) phenvl (trifluoromethyl) -4 dihvdro-lH-imidazol-2-vllDvridine To the amidine of step 2 (12.9 g, 44.67 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (7.15 g, 85.1 mmol) in 1L of C-2818/3 160 isopropanol, 3 -bromo-l,1,1-trifluoro-acetone (12.3 g, 64.4 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated to reflux.

After. 24 hours, the solvent- was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and brine. The organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to provide a dark brown oil which was purified by flash chromatography (SiO2, 5% isopropanol/methylene chloride) to provide 3.81 g of the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole as a brown solid.

Step 4: Preparation of 4-methvl-2-f1-F4- (methvlsulfonvl)ohenvl1- 4 -trifluoromethvl-H-imidazol-2vllvridine To a suspension of the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole of step 3 (3.82 g, 10.78 mmol) in 700 ml of toluene was added 0.62 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid. After heating at reflux for 12 hours, an additional 0.3 g of ptoluenesulfonic acid was added. After 12 hours, 2.7 ml of triethylamine was added and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to provide 5.17 g of crude compound. Crude compound was purified by chromatography twice (Si0 2 30% heptane/ethyl acetate) by HPLC to provide 263 mg of the targeted compound..

Impure fractions containing the desired product were recombined and repurified by chromatography using HPLC (SiO 2 50% ethyl acetate/toluene) to provide an additional 639.5 mg of the desired compound: mp (DSC) 195 oC. Anal. Calc'd. for C17H14F3N 3 0 2 S: C, 53.54; H, 3.70; N, 11.02; S, 8.41. Found: C, 53.21; H, 3.71; N, 10.77; S, 8.63.

C-2818/3 161 Example

CF

3

H

3 CO N S2 CH 3 2 -Methoxy-5- 1- 4- (methy sul fon-)heny -4trifluoromethvl-H-imidazol-2- 1pyridine SteD 1: Precaration of 2-methoxv-N-f4- (methv 1 fo nvl)henvl To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (1.8 g, 8.7 mmol) in toluene (50 ml) at 0°C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 5.2 ml, 10.4 mmol) was added over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 6-methoxy-3cyanopyridine (1.75 g, 13 mmol) in toluene (100 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was heated to 85-90 0 C. After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol and later with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellowish solid was stirred with ethyl acetate (1000 ml) and filtered. The white solid (2 g, 75%) was used in the next reaction without further purification. Anal. Calc'd. for C14H16N 3 SC103-0.5 H20: C, 47.93, H, 4.88, N, 11.98.

Found: C, 48.01, H, 4.82, N, 11.32.

C-2818/3 162 Steo) 2: Preparation of 2-methoxv-5-r4-hvdroxy.1-F4.

(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll (trifluoromethvl) dihvdro-lH-imidazol-2-vli vridine To a mixture of the amidine of step 1 (1.9 g, 6.23 inmol) and sodium bicarbonate '(1.05 g, 12.46 mmol) in isopropanol (150 ml), 3-bromo-l,l,ltrifluoroacetone (0.97 ml, 9.34 minol) was added.

After heating at 85-90'C for 48 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture (4.25 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride/methanol/ammonium hydroxide, 95/5/0.5) to give the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole (1.1 g, 42%) as a white solid: Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hj6N 3 ScJ 4

F

3 .0.5 EtOAc: C, 49.67, H, 4.39, N, 9.15.

Found: C, 49. 80, H, 4. 06, N, 9.33.

Steip-3: Preparation of 2-methoxv-5-rl-r4- (methvlsulfonvl) Thenvil 4 -trif luoromethvl-lH-imidazol-2.

A mixture of the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole of step 2 (0.8 g, 1.93 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.2 g, 1.04 rnmol) in toluene (150 ml) was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (1.1 g) was puri fied by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/toluene to give pure (methylsulfonyljphenyl] 4 -trifluoromethy.-lHimidazol-2-yljpyridine (0.38 g, 49%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 166 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17H1 4

N

3 S0 3

F

3 C, 51.38, H, 3.55, N, 10.57. Found: C, 51.38, H, 3.25, N, 10.41.

C-2818/3 163 Example 36 S CF 3

H

3 C "N S02NH 2 4- 2-( 6 -Methylpyridin-3-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl) -l-imidazol-lyl]benzenesulfonamide To a clear solution of Example 31 (2.4 g, 6.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (60 ml) at 0 C, n-BuMgCl (2M solution in THF, 15.7 ml, 31.5 mmol) was added over 10 minutes. After stirring for additional minutes, the ice bath was removed and the solution was stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was recooled to 0 C and triethylborane (IM solution in THF, 38 ml, 38 mmol) was added. After stirring for 1 hour, the reaction was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and treated with aqueous sodium acetate (5.5 g in 22 ml water). After stirring for minutes, solid hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (5.5 g) was added and the mixture stirred for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ethereal layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude solid (13.3 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/isopropanol, 7/3) to give 4-[2- (6-methylpyridin-3-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl)-lHimidazol-l-yljbenzenesulfonamide (298 mg, mp (DSC) 203 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C16HI 3

N

4

SO

2 F3-0.25 C-2818/3 164 C, 49.68, H, 3.52 N, 14.48, S, 8.29. Found:

C,

49.88, H, 3.39, N, 13.94, S, 8.47.

Example 37

CF

3

CH

3 soaNH 4-[ 2 -(6-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl) -H-imidazol-lyl]benzenesulfonamide To a clear solution of Example 32 (10 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (60 ml) at 0 C, n-BuMgCl (2M solution in THF, 25 ml, 50 mmol) is added over minutes. After stirring for an additional minutes, the ice bath is removed and the solution is stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is recooled to 0 C and triethylborane (1M solution in THF, 60 ml, 60 mmol) is added. After stirring for 1 hour, the reaction is heated to reflux for 72 hours..

The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and treated with aqueous sodium acetate (5.5 g in 22 ml water). After stirring for 5 minutes, solid hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (5.5 g) is added and the mixture stirred for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ethereal layer is dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude solid is purified by chromatography on silica gel using mixtures of hexane and isopropanol to give the desired product.

C-2818/3 165 Example 38

F

N

N

N

SO

2 Me 2-[ 4 -(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazol-2yl]pyridine Step 1: Preoaration of N-r4methvlsulfonvl) hnvl -2-vridinecarboximidamide To a suspension of 5.00 g (24.0 mmol) of 4methylsulfonylaniline hydrochloride in 150 ml of toluene stirring in an ice bath under nitrogen, was added dropwise 18.0 ml (containing 36.0 mmol) of a 2M solution of trimethylaluminum in toluene. After stirring.for 30 minutes, a solution of 3.75 g (36.0 mmol) of 2 -cyanopyridine in 20 ml of toluene. The resulting solution was stirred overnight at room temperature, and then at 850 for four hours. After cooling, the toluene was decanted and evaporated. The residue was taken up in 150 ml of methylene chloride and added back to the reaction flask. Methanol (150 ml) was cautiously added, and the mixture was filtered through a bed of silica gel using 50-50 methanol/methylene chloride as eluent. Evaporation of the solvent gave the amidine (6.85 g) as a yellow solid, which was used in the next reaction without further purification.

C-2818/3 166 S t r 2 s P r r o n o f 2 r 4 4 l o r o 1e n f 4 (me hv sul f l) o h n v i 1 l H-im ida zp 1 1 D r d n A mixture of the arnidine of Step 1 (2.00 g, 7.27 mmol), 2 -bromo-4s..fluoroacetophen (3.16 g, 14.5 nimol) and sodium~ bicarbonate (1.22 g, 14.5 'nmol) in isopropanol (70 ml) was stirred at reflux for two days. After cooling, the solvent was evaporated. The residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and aqueous sodium chloride, and the aqueous layer further extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated, Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 40% ethyl acetate/toluene followed by a second chromatography over silica gel using 40% ethyl acetate/methylene chloride as eluant gave 2-f 4- 4 -fluorophenyl)l1[ 4 (methylsulfonyl~phenyjj -lH-imidazol..2yljpriin (190.

mg) as a light tan solid: m.p. 8 8-91 0 C. Anal. Calc'd for C21H16FN 3

O

2 S 393.44): C, 64.11;, H, 4.10,

N,

10.68. Found: C, 63.80; H, 4.16, N, 10.23.

Example 39 N CF 3 I

I

N N-

NN

SO

2 CH3 3 -Me thyl5[1 4(mthylsuI nlpey (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazo1.2.yl 2 .riin Ste 1: Prnaration of -methvlnicotinic id: The 5-methylnicotinic acid was prepared by the method o~f E. P. Kyba et al., T. org. chemn., C-2818/3 167 53, 3513-3521 (1988)]. To a solution of KMnO 4 in water (1.1 L) was added lutidine .(25.0 g, 0.233 mol) and the mixture was stirred mechanically at overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered through Celite® to remove MnO 2 The filtrate was concentrated to about 150 mL and acidified with a 2N HCl solution. White solid precipitated and was removed by filtration and washed with water (2 x 50 mL). The filtrate and washings were evaporated to dryness. The residue was boiled with ethanol (200 mL) and filtered repeatedly. The combined filtrate was concentrated to give of 5-methylnicotinic acid as a white solid (14.8 g, mp 213-215 0

C.

Step 2: Preparation of A solution of 5-methylnicotinic acid from step 1 (14.5 g, 0.106 mol) in 125 mL of thionyl chloride was heated to reflux for 5 hours. Excess thionyl chloride was removed by distillation and the residue was suspended in 75 mL of dichloroethane. Ammonia was bubbled into the mixture at -30°C for half hour and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Solvent was evaporated and the residue was treated with methanol and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was extracted with boiling hot ethyl acetate (3 x 150 mL) to separate product from ammonium chloride. The extracts were filtered and concentrated to afford 10.6 g of methylpyridinylcarboxamide as a brown solid mp 160-163 0

C.

Step 3: Preparation of 3 To a suspension of methylpyridinylcarboxamide from step 2 (10.5 g, 0.077 mol) in triethylamine (23.3 g, 0.23 mol) and C-2818/3 168 400 mL of methylene chloride was added trifluoroacetic anhydride (21.0 g, 0.100 mol) rapidly at 0°C. .The reaction was completed after a few minutes. Water was added and the aqueous layer was extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were washed with water, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated to give 9.18 g of 3 -cyano-5-methylpyridine crude, which was used in the next step without purification.

SteD 4: Prearation of 3 -methvl-5-f4-hvdroxY--l4_ (methylsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4- trifluoromethvl) dihvdro-1H-imidazol-2-vlDovridine To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (10.5 g, 0.051 mol) in toluene (500 mL) was added trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 75.0 mL, 0.150 mol) over 15 minutes at 0°C. The reaction mixture was warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 3-cyano-5-methylpyridine from step 3 in 90 mL of toluene was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was stirred at 85-90°C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered through a slurry of silica gel.

After filtration, the residue was washed with methanol (800 mL). The combined filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was treated with a mixture of ether and hexane 1000 mL). The brownish solid was filtered and washed with more ether and hexane to give 11.8 g of methylnicotinamidine To a mixture of the above crude amidine (11.3 g, 0.039 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (9.83 g, 0.12 mol) in isopropanol (400 mL) was added 3-bromo-l,l,1-trifluoroacetone (11.2 C-2818/3 169 g, 0.059 mol) quickly at room temperature. After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80 0 C for 16 hours, the solvent was removed and the residue was partitioned between water and methylene chloride.

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/acetone, 98:2) to give pure 3methyl-5-[4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2yl]pyridine as a yellow solid (3.85 g, mp (DSC) 237-239 0 C; Anal. Calc'd. for C17H16F3N30 3

S:

C, 51.12, H, 4.04, N, 10.52, S, 8.03. Found:

C,

51.02, H, 3.94, N, 10.19, S, 8.11.

Steo 5: Preparation of 3-methvl-5-[1-F4- (methvlsulfonvl) henvll-4-(trifluoromethvl)-1Himidazol-2-vl pDvridine A mixture of 3 -methyl-5-[4-hydroxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine from step 4 (3.8 g, 9.5 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.91 g, 4.8 mmol) in 150 mL of toluene was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between water and methylene chloride.

The organic layer was washed with water, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/acetone, 98:2) to give 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine as a yellow solid (1.7 C-2818/3 170 g, mp (DSC) 196-198 0 C; Anal. Calc'd. for

C

1 7

H

1 4

F

3

N

3 0 2 S: C, 53.54, H, 3.70, N, 11.02, S, 8.41. Found: C, 53.50, H,-3.65, N, 10.82, S, 8.55.

Example

CF

3

N

H

3

C

N

SO

2

NH

2 4-[2-(4-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1yl]benzenesulfonamide To a stirred solution of the product of Example 34 (294.5 mg, 0.77 mmol) in 11 ml of freshly distilled THF at 0 °C was added 1.54 ml of butyl magnesium chloride M solution in THF) over a period of 6 minutes.

After stirring at 25 OC for 2.5 hours, the reaction was cooled to 0 oC and 3.85 ml of triethylborane (1.0 M.

solution in THF) was added over 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at 25 0 C for 1.5 hours and heated to reflux. After 72 hours, the reaction mixture was diluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate and washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2 x 50 ml). The organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to provide 359 of an orange solid, which was purified by chromatography (Si02; 40% toluene/ethyl acetate) to provide 68.1 mg of a light yellow solid. Preparative thin layer chromatography (Sio2; 50% ethyl acetate/toluene) of 22 C-2818/3 171 mg of this material yielded 14 mg of methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-1yl.]benzenesulfonamide: mp -(DSC) 283 OC. Anal. Calc'd.

for C16H13F3N402S: C, 50.26; H, 3.43; N, 14.65; S, 8.50. Found: C, 50.41; H, 3.37; N, 14.18; S, 8.51.

Example 41

C

F

3 -j~

SO

2 Me 2 -[l-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene Step 1: PreDaration of N-f4-(methvlsulfonvl) Phenvll- 2 -thioDhenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline (10.4 g, 61.1 mmol) in toluene (400 ml) at 0°C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 46.8 ml, 91.6 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 2 -thiophenecarbonitrile (10.0 g, 91.6 mmol) in toluene (200 ml) was added over minutes and the mixture was heated to 80-85 0 C. After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellow solid was stirred with ethyl acetate and filtered. The pale yellow solid (9.8 g, C-2818/3 172 57%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: m.p. (DSC) 182 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C12H12N2S 2 0 2 C,-51.41, H, -4.31, N, 9.99, S, 22.87.

Found: C, 51.02, H, 4.37, N, 9.80, S, 22.93.

Step 2: Preparation of 2-f4-hvdroxv-1-r4- (methvlsulfonvl)phenvl-4-(trifluoromethvl)-4 dihvdro-1H-imidazol-2-vllthioDhene To a mixture of the amidine of step 1 (2.0 g, 7.1 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (1.2 g, 14.3 mmol) in isopropanol (200 ml), 3 -bromo-l,1,1-trifluoroacetone 1.1 ml, 10.7 mmol) was added. After heating at 80-85 0

C

for 16 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture (25.7 g) was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/hexane 55/45) to give the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole (1.1 g, 38%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 214 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C15H13N 2 S203F 3

C,

46.15, H, 3.36, N, 7.18, S, 16.43. Found: C, 46.09, H, 3.26, N, 7.07, S, 16.71.

Step 3: Preparation of 2 -Fl-F4-(methylsulfonvl) phenvll-4-(trifluoromethvl) -H-imidazol-2vllthiophene A mixture of the 4 5 -dihydro-imidazole of step 2 (0.60 g, 1.54 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.12 g, 0.63 mmol) in toluene (100 ml) was heated to reflux for 4.5 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled.and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (1.2 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane 50/50 to give pure 2 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene (0.47 g, 82%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 182 0 C. Anal. Calc'd.

C-2818/3 173 for C15H11N 2 S20 2

F

3 C, 48.38, H, 2.98, N, 7.52,

S,

17.22. Found: C, 48.36, H, 3.02, N, 7.42, S, 17.47.

Example 42

CF

3

N

N'

SO

2 Me 3- [1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene Steo 1: Preparation of N-14- (methylsulfonvl) henv l- 2 -thiohenecarboximidamide To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline (3.3 g, 19.5 mmol) in toluene (200 ml) at 0°C, trimethylaluminum (2M solution in toluene, 14.7 ml, 29.3 mmol) was added over 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 3 -thiophenecarbonitrile (3.2 g, 29.3 mmol) in toluene (50 ml) was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was heated to 8 0-85 0 C. After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured over a slurry of silica gel in chloroform. After filtration, the residue was washed with a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol and later with methanol.

The combined filtrates were concentrated and the resulting yellow solid was stirred with ethyl acetate and filtered. The pale yellow solid (2.7 g, 49%) was used in the next reaction without further purification: mp (DSC) 213 Anal. Calc'd. for C 1 2 H12N 2 S20 2

C,

51.41, H, 4.31, N, 9.99, S, 22.87. Found: C, 51.28,

H,

4.06, N, 9.86, S, 23.14.

C-2818/3 174 SteTp 2: Pre-oaration of 3-r4-hvdroxv-1-f4- (methvlsulfonvl)p~henvll-4.trifluoromethvl)..4,5 dihvdro-1H-imidazol-2.vli thiophene To a mixture of the ainidine of step 1 (3.5 g, 12.5 rnmol) and sodium bicarbonate (2.1 g, 25.0 mmol) in isopropanol (200 ml), 3-bromo-1,1, l-trifluoroacetone( 1.96 ml, 18.7 mniol) was added. After heating at 80-85*C for 16 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered. The residue was washed with methylene chloride and the combined organic fractions were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude material was purified by chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/toluene to give 3-[4-hydroxy- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (trifluoromethyl) dihydro7lH-imidazol-2-.yllthiophene (1.7 g, 35%) as a white solid: mp (DSC) 226'C. Anal. Calc'd. for Cj5H13N 2 S20 3

F

3 46.15, H, 3.36, N, 7.18, S, 16.43.

Found: C, 46.56, H, 3.39, N, 7.01, S, 16.88.

Steo 3: Preraration of 3-fl-f4- (methvlsulfonvl)phenyll 4 -(trifluoromethvl)-lHimnidazol-2-yll thiorphene A mixture of the 4 ,5-dihydro-imidazole of step..2 g, 3.8 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.30 g, 1.5 mmol) in toluene (250 ml) was heated to reflux fo r 40 hours. An additional ptoluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.15 g, 0.78 mmuol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux f or 18 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture (3.5 g) was purified by chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/toluene (55/45) to give pure 3 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenyl].4- (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-2-yl] thiophene (0.90 g, C-2818/3 175 64%) as a white solid: mp 194-197 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C15H1 1

N

2 S20 2

F

3 C, 48.38, H, 2.98, N, 7.52, S, 17.22.

Found: C,..48.74, 2.98, N, 7.56, S, 17.45 s Example 43

CF

3 N N

-I

CH

3 1

SO

2 N

H

2 4- 2-(5-Methylpyridin-3-yl) (trifluoromethyl)-1Himidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide To a solution of 3-methyl-5-[1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2yl]pyridine (Example 39) (1.9 mmol) in 25 mL of dry THF was added n-BuMgCl (3.8 mL of 2.0 M THF solution, 7.5 mmol) slowly at 0 After stirring for additional 15 minutes, the solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours.

The reaction mixture was re-cooled to 0 0 C and triethylborane (9.5 mL of 1.0 M THF solution, 9.5 mmol) was added. After stirring at for 2 hours, the mixture was heated to reflux for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and treated with a solution of sodium acetate (2.3 g) in 10 mL of water. After stirring for 5 minutes, hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (2.3 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ether (2 x 100 mL).

The ethereal layer was dried over MgS0 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography on silica gel (isopropanol/toluene, 5:95) to give 0.07 g of 4 2 -(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide as a C-2818/3 176 colorless solid mp 242-243 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. For

C

1 6

H

1 3

F

3

N

4 0 2 S: C, 50.26, H, 3.43, N, 14.65, S, 8.39.

Found: C, 50.02, H, 3.63, N, 14.26, S, 8.41.

Example 44 CF3

CH

3

CF

N' N

SO

2

CH

3 2 -Methyl-3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine Step 1: Preoaration of 2-methvlnicotinamide: To a stirred mixture of 2-methylnicotinic acid (15.0 g, 0.111 mol) and l,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (36.0 g, 0.222 mol) was added 300 mL of methylene chloride dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight.

Ammonia gas was distilled into the reaction mixture for minutes using a dry ice condenser and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for an additional hour.

Solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue was dissolved with 500 mL of acetonitrile. The solution was concentrated to half volume at low temperature and the product precipitated out as white solid. The crude mixture was recrystallized from ethanol/ether to give 11.5 g of 2methylnicotinamide as a colorless crystal mp 160- 163 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. For C 7

H

8

N

2 0: C, 61.75, H, 5.92, N, 20.57. Found: C, 61.44, H, 6.14, N, 20.66.

Step 2: Preoaration of 3 -cvano-2-methvlovridine: C-2818/3 177 To a suspension of 2 -methylnicotinamide from step 1 (11.1 g, 0.081 mol) in triethylamine (24.8 g, 0.243 mol) and 400 mL of methylene chloride was added trifluoroacetic anhydride (21.0 g, 0.100 mol) rapidly at 0 The reaction was complete after a few minutes at this temperature.

Water was added and the aqueous layer was extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were washed with water, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate.

After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane, 1:1) to give 7.2 g of 3-cyano- 2 methylpyridine as a pale yellow solid mp(DSC) 56- 58 0

C.

S 3: reartin of 2 -mehvl -3-4-hdrox -l-r 4 (mehvlulfonv) ohenvll-4-(trifluorm ehvl-4 imidazol- 2 -vl vridine To a suspension of 4 -(methylsulfonyl)aniline hydrochloride (6.85 g, 0.040 mol) in dichloroethane (400 mL) was added triethylaluminum (1.9M solution in toluene, 32.0 mL, 60 mmol) over 15 minutes at 0°C. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours. A solution of 3-cyano-2-methylpyridine, from step 2, in 70-mL of dichloroethane was added over 10 minutes and the mixture was stirred at 75C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and treated with g of silica gel. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and filtered. The filtrate and washings were concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was washed with ether to give 7.3 g of crude 2-methyl-N-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-pyridinecarboximidamide To a mixture of the above crude amidine (7.0 g, 0.024 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (4.0 g, 0.048 mol) in isopropanol (350 mL) was added 3 -bromo-l,l,l-trifluoroacetone (6.9 g, 0.036 mol) rapidly at room temperature. After heating the reaction mixture at 75-80 0 C for 16 hours, the solvent was C-2818/3 178 removed and the residue was partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/acetone, 98:2) to give 4.02 g of pure 2-methyl-3- [4-hydroxy-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine as a yellow solid mp (DSC) 237-239 0 C. Anal. Calc'd.

for C 1 7

H

1 6

F

3

N

3 0 3 S: C, 51.12, H, 4.04, N, 10.52, S, 8.03.

Found: C, 50.92, H, 4.12, N, 10.04, S, 7.83.

Step 4: Preparation of 2-methyl-3-l-f4- (methvlsulfonvl)Dhenvll-4-(trifluoromethvl)-1H-imidazol-2 vllvridine: A mixture of 2-methyl-3-[4-hydroxy-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-lHimidazol-2-yl]pyridine from step 3 (3.97 g, 0.01 mol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.60 g, 0.0032 mol) in 250 mL of toluene was heated to reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer was washed with water, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the crude product was purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate/hexane to give 2.8 g of 2-methyl-3-[1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-2yl]pyridine mp 160-161 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for

C

1 7

HI

4

F

3

N

3 0 2 S: C, 53.54, H, 3.70, N, 11.02, S, 8.41.

Found: C, 53.58, H, 3.88, N, 11.02, S, 8.51.

C-2818/3 179 Example CF3

CH

3

N-

I I N N

I-

S0 2

NH

2 4 -[2-(2-Methylpyridin-3-yl)- 4 -(trifluoromethyl)-1Himidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide Step 1: PreDaration of 2-methvl-3-[1-F4-r[ 2- (trimethvlsilvl) ethyll sulfonvllDhenvll (trifluoromethvl) iH-imidazol-2-vl nyridine To a solution of diisopropylamine (0.7 mL, 0.005 mol) in 9 mL of dry THF was added butyllithium (BuLi) (2.83 mL of 1.62M solution in hexane, 4.6 mmol) at 0°C. The solution was stirred at this temperature for 5 minutes and cooled to -78 0 C with a dry ice/isopropanol bath. A solution of 2 -methyl-3-[l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (Example 44) (1.46 g, 3.8 mmol) in 12 mL of dry THF was added over minutes and the reaction mixture was stirred at -78 0 C for 1 hour. (Iodomethyl)trimethylsilane (1.23 g, 57 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and was stirred overnight. The reaction was quenched with 50 mL of 1 N HC1 and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 60 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane, 65:35) to give 1.30 g of 2-methyl-3-[1-[4-[[2- (trimethylsilyl)ethyl] sulfonyl]phenyl] -4-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine as a white solid mp(DSC) C-2818/3 180' 155-157 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C21H 24

F

3 N30 2 SSi: C, 53.94;

H,

5.17; N, 8.99; S, 6.86. Found: C, 53.77; H, 4.94; N, 8.75; S, .6.98.

Step 2: Preparation of 4 -f 2 -(2-methvlovridin-3-vl)-4- (trifluoromethyl) -H-imidazol-1-vllbenzenesulfonamide: To a solution of 2-methyl-3-[l-[4-[[ 2 (trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfonyl phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl) 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine from Step 1 (0.234 g, 0.5 mmol) in 1.5 mL of dry THF was added n-Bu 4 NF (1.5 mL of 1.OM THF solution, 1.5 mmol). The mixture was heated to reflux for 1 hour and cooled to room temperature. A solution of sodium acetate (0.19 g, 2.3 mmol) in 3 mL of water and hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (0.28 g, 2.5 mmol) were added sequentially and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Water (7 mL) and ethyl acetate (7 mL) were added. The organic phase was separated and washed with sat. NaHCO 3 solution, water, and brine, dried over MgSO 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/acetone, 95:5) to give 0.16 g of 4 2 2 -methylpyridin-3-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-l-yljbenzenesulfonamide as a colorless solid mp 235-237oC. Anal. Calc'd. for C1 6 H13F 3

N

4 0 2 S: C, 50.26; H, 3.43; N, 14.65; S, 8.39.

Found: C, 50.06; H, 3.29; N, 14.44; S, 8.52.

Example 46

CF

3 SO2NH 2

SO

2 NH2 C-2818/3 181 4-[2-(Pyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol- 1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (Trimethylsilyl)ethyl]sulfonyl]phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine was prepared with the product of Example 28 with a method similar to that described in Example 45, Step 1. To a solution of (trimethylsilyl)ethyl]sulfonyl]phenyl]-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (0.200 g, 0.46 mmol) in 1.0 mL of dry THF was added n-Bu 4 NF (1.38 mL of 1.0 M THF solution, 1.38 mmol). The mixture was heated to reflux for 1 hour and cooled to room temperature. A solution of sodium acetate (0.17 g, 2.1 mmol) in 3 mL of water and hydroxylamine-0-sulfonic acid (0.26 g, 2.3 mmol) were added sequentially and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Water (7 mL) and ethyl acetate (7 mL) were added. The organic phase was separated and washed with saturated NaHCO 3 solution, water, brine, dried over MgSO 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/acetone, 95:5) to give 0.147 g of 4-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide as a colorless solid mp(DSC) 213-215 OC. Anal.

Calc'd. for C 15

H

11

F

3

N

4 0 2 S: C, 48.91; H, 3.01; N, 15.21; S, 8.71. Found: C, 48.58; H, 2.99; N, 14.87; S, 8.85.

The following imidazole derivatives could be prepared by the procedure described in Example 26 or Example 47: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1Himidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide; Example 48: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-phenyl-lHimidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide; C-28 18/3 182 Example 49: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4fluoraphenyl) -lH-imidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; Example 50: 4-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4bromophenyl) -1H-imidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; Example 51: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2-naphthyl)- 1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; Example 52: 4-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4- (trifluoromethoxy)phenylI -1H-imidazol-lylj benzenesulfonamide; Example 53: 4-[2,4-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-lH-.

imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; Example 54: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(3chiorophenyl) -1H-imidazol-1-yl] beuzenesulfonamide; Example 55: 4-r2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-[4- (methoxy)pheny1] -1H-imidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; Example 56: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) fluorophenyl) -lH-imidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; Example 57: 4-t2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-[(4chlorophenoxy)methyl] -lH-imidazol-1yl] benzenesulfonamide;.

Example 58: 4-(2-(3,4-methylenedioxypheny.) -4- Ctrifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; Example 59: 4 -(2-(3-fluoro-4--methoxyphenyl) -4- (tr iflu'oromethyl) -lH-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide;' Example 60: 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4- [(phenylthio)methylj -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; Example 61: 4-f2-(4-chlorophenyl) (N-methyl-Nphenylamine) methyl] -lH-imidazol-lyl] benzenesulfonamide; Example 62: 4-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-((2quinolylmethoxy)methyl] -lH-imidazol-lylI benzenesulfonamide; Example 63: 4 2 -C4-chlorophenyl) -4-methoxymethyl- 1H-imidazol-l-yllbenzenesulfonamide; C-2818/3 183 Example 64: 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl) -4- (trifluoromethyl) -H-imidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide; Example 65: 4-[2-phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1Himidazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide; and Example 66: 4-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide.

The following imidazole derivative was prepared by the procedure described in Example 28: Example 67: l-methyl-3-[l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 2-yl]-lH-indole.

The following imidazole derivatives in Tables -I-IV were obtained according to procedures of Schemes I-XV.

Many of these were synthesized by using the experimental conditions given in Examples 1-5, and 44. The sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized from the corresponding sulfones using experimental procedure given for Examples 26-27, and 45 and from protected nitrobenzenes as in Example 179.

C-2018/3 184 Table I: Characterization of Compounds

~*CF

3

SO

2

NH

2 Example X MP Elemental Analysis DSC 0

C)

Calc'd Found C H N S C H N S 4-CH 3 3 -CH 3 3-Cl 4-OCH 3

H.

3,4-diF 3-C1, 4-OCH 3 3-F 4-C1, 5-OCH 3 3-F, 5-OCH 3 263 222.9 204.1 245.1 23 4-235 215.9 212.0 2 04-2 05 208 -209 208.8 53 .54 53 .54 47 .82 57.27 52.31 47 .65 47.29 49.74 47.29 49 .16 3.70 3.70 2.76 3.85 3.29 2.50 3 .03 3 .13 3.03 3 .15 11.02 11 .02 10.46 10 .02 11.44 10 .42 9.73 10.88 9.73 10 .12 8.41 8.41 7.98 7 .64 8.71 7.95 7 .43 8.30 7.43 7.72 53.91 53.81 48.09 56.94 52.40 47 .68 47 .41 49.99 47.21 49.31 3 .62 3.56 2.50 3.77 3.27 2.44 2.76 2.95 2.95 2.95 10.71 10 .89 10.09 9.78 11.06 10.25 9.49 10.49 9 .62 9.84 8 .57 8.54 8.16 7.50 8.44 8.07 7 .48 8.45 7.73 7 .88 C-2818/3 185 Table I: Characterization of Compounds (cont.) Example X mp Elemental Analysis DSC (oC) Calc'd Found C H N S C H N S 78 3-Br, 4-OCH 3 208-210 41.69 2.98 8.58 6.55 41.52 2.9 7.81 6.14 79 2-F 169-171 49.87 2.88 10.9 8.32 49.5 2.83 10.34 8.61 3-Br 203-205 43.07 2.48 9.42 7.19 42.71 2.44 8.94 6.68 81 3-C1, 4-SCH 3 205-207 45.59 2.93 9.38 14.32 46.00 3.11 8.96 14.29 82 3-cl, 5-CH 3 219-221 49.1 3.15 10.11 7.71 49.44 3.11 9.7 7.89 83 3-F, 5-CH 3 230-231 51.13 3.28 10.52 8.03 51.49 3.51 10.00 8.15 84 3-CF 3 208.8 46.90 2.55 9.65 7.37 47.30 2.54 9.47 7.49 C-28J18/3s 186 Tabl e II:. Characterization of Compounds

SO

2

CH

3 E.xamnple M~p DSC 0

C)

Elemental Analysis C H N Found C H N S

S

3, 4-diF 3 -CH 3 3-Cl 3-F 4-F, 3-C H 3 3-CF 3 4-OCH3 159 .5 169 .8 175 .4 189.3 166.9 168.2 174.7 50.75 56.84 50.94 53 .13 54.27 49.77 50.00 2.76 3 .97 3 .02 3 .15 3.54 2.78 3 .03 6.96 7.36 6.99 7 .29 7 .03 6.45 6.48 8.80 8.43 8.00.

8.34 8.05 7.38 7 .42 50.66 56.88 51.06 53.50 54.47 49.91 50.00 2 .82 3.76 3.06 3.16 3.40 2.60 3 .03 6.87 8.30 7.26 8.81 6.93 8.13 7.22 8.46 6.88 8.31 6.34 7.68 6.33 7.44 C-2818/3 187 Table II: Characterization of Compounds (cont.) Example X mp Elemental Analysis DSC (C) Calc'd Found C H N S C H N S 92 3-CH 2 0CH 3 101.9 55.60 4.18 6.83 7.81 55.50 4.14 6.72 8.06 93 3-C1, 4-OCH 3 193.3 50.18 3.28 6.50 7.44 49.78 3.32 6.39 7.42 94 3,4-diCH 3 187-188 57.86 4.34 7.10 8.13 57.59 4.23 7.20 8.05 4-OCH3 167.5 54.54 3.81 7.07 8.09 54.32 3.88 6.90 8.24 96 3-OCH 3 143.2 54.54 3.81 7.07 8.09 54.27 3.82 6.91 8.31 97 4-C1, 5-OCH 3 215.3 50.18 3.28 6.50 7.44 50.20 3.20 6.23 7.76 98 3-F, 5-OCH 3 178-179 52.17 3.41 6.76 7.74 52.07 3.29 6.66 7.87 99 4-SCH 3 193-195 52.42 3.67 6.79 15.55 52.19 3.63 6.61 15.55 100 4-S02CH 3 215-216 48.64 3.4 6.3 14.43 48.87 3.47 6.24 14.36 101 3,5-CH 3 4-OCH 3 167-169 56.6 4.51 6.6 7.55 56.04 4.61 6.44 7.72 102 2,5-CH 3 4-OCH 3 193-194 56.6 4.51 6.6 7.55 56.63 4.65 6.47 7.99 103 2-F 191-192 53.13 3.15 7.29 8.34 53.55 3.55 6.89 8.55 104 2-C1 201-203 50.94 3.02 6.99 8.00 50.86 3.06 6.88 7.83 105 4-N(CH 3 2 219-221 55.74 4.43 10.26 7.83 55.19 4.00 10.06 7.81 106 3-F, 4-N(CH 3 2 163-164 53.59 4.01 9.83 7.5. 53.48 3.79 9.73 7.67 107 3-Br 163-165 45.86 3.73 6.29 7.2 45.84 2.59 6.16 7.37 108 3-NO 2 207-209 49.64 2.94 10.21 7.79 49.48 3.01 10.07 7.81 C-2818/3 188 Table II: Characterization of Compounds (cont.) Example X mp Elemental Analysis DSC (oC) Calc'd Found C H N S C H N S 109 4-NH(CH 3 200-202 54.68 4.08 10.63 8.11 54.74 3.98 10.42 7.96 110 3-NH 2 218-200 53.54 3.7 11.02 8.41 52.92 3.58 10.67 8.6 111 3-NH(CH 3 90-92 54.68 4.08 10.63 8.11 54.56 4.12 10.28 8.09 112 3-F, 4-NH(CH 3 205-206 52.3 3.66 10.16 7.76 51.74 3.51 9.96 7.99 113 3-SCH3 135-137 52.42 3.67 6.79 15.55 52.29 3.57 6.74 15.22 114 3-C1, 5-CH 3 171-173 52.12 3.4 6.75 7.73 51.95 3.22 6.69 7.9 115 3,5-Cl, 4-OCH 3 198-202 46.47 2.82 6.02 15.24 46.49 2.77 5.8 14.73 116 3-F, 4-CH 3 173-176 54.27 3.54 7.03 8.05 54.65 3.64 6.74 8.14 117 3-F, 5-CH3 178-181 54.27 3.54 7.03 8.05 53.85 3.29 6.81 8.3 118 4-cl, 3-CH 3 182-184 52.12 3.4 6.25 7.73 52.36 3.49 6.78 7.95 119 3-C1, 4-N(CH 3 2 178-179 51.41 3.86 9.47 7.22 51.44 3.65 9.34 7.28 120 3-C1, 4-SCH 3 181-184 48.38 3.16 6.27 14.35 47.9 3.05 5.97 13.84 121 2-CH 3 132-134 56.84 3.97 7.36 8.43 56.75 3.82 7.28 8.59 122 3-N(CH3) 2 170-171 55.74 4.43 10.26 7.83 55.66 4.66 9.95 7.7 C-2018/3 189 Table III: Characterization of Compounds S02 CH 3 Example X mp Elemental Analysis DSC 0

C)

Calc'd Found C H N S C H N S 3-C1, 4-OCH3i 3-CH- 3 4-OCH 3 4-OCH 3 3-OCH 3 4-Cl, 5-OCH 3 3-F, 5-OCH 3 4-SCH 3 3-F, 4-N(CH 3 2 222.1 173.7 168.5 176.4 137 -138 185-18 6 187-190 212-214 48 .17 54.85 52.17 52 .17 46.85 50.00 50.22 51.23 3 .59 4.70 4 .13 4.13 3 .80 3.73 3 .98 4.3 6.24 6.73 6.76 6.76 6.07 6.48 6.51 9.43 7.14 7.71 7.74 7.74 6.95 7 .42 14.9 7.2 48.11 54.65 52.32 51.80 46.45 50.12 49 .99 50.58 3 .83 4.45 4.20 4 .12 3 .72 3.78 3 .88 4.38 5.80 6.58 6 .52 6.55 5.84 6.36 6.32 9.09 7.21 8.30 7 .84 8.02 7.25 7.70 14.95 7.23 18 3 190 Table IV: Characterization of Compounds rX. A- Y mp DSC 0

C)

Elemental Analysis Caic Id C H N Found S C H N

NH

2

CH

3

CH

3

CH

3

CH

3

NH

2 CH 3 NH 2 CH 3

CF

3

CF

3

CF

3

CF

3

CF

3

H

CH

3 CF 3 CF 3 3 -methoxy-5-pyridyl 3-me thoxy-5-pyridyl 2-isoquinoly.

2-pyrazinyl 2-methyl-4-thiazolyl 5-methyl-2-pyridyl 3 -pyridyl 6-methyl-2-pyridyl 4-methyl-3 -pyridyl 262-264 207-208 2Q 6 i97. .2 216 130-131 260 192-19 3 264 .5 48.24 51.38 48.91 46.51 50.26 57.99 50.26 53.54 3.29 3 .55 57 .55 3.01 3 .12 3 .43 4.56 3 .43 3.70 14.06 8.05 10.57 8.07 3.38 10.07 15.21 10.85 1*6.35 14 .65 12 .68 14. 65 11.02 8.41 7 .68 48.49 50.98 48.79 46.53 50.58 57 .84 50.33 53.40 3.34 3.31 57 .52 2.84 3.28 3.49 4.83 3 .60 3 .62 13.55 8.01 10.38 8.15 3.36 9.98 1 5 .00 10.62 16.6 14 12.49 14.39 10.68 8.60 7 7 C-2818/3 191 Table IV: Characterization of Compounds 1nx. R- Y mp, DSC 0

C)

Elemental Analysis Caic Id C H N Found S C H 140 NH 2 CF3 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 NH 2 CH 3 CH 3 NH 2 CH 3 NH 2 CH 3 CH 3 NH 2 NH 2 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 NH 2 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 3 CF 2

H

CN

CN

CN

2-rethyl-4-thiazolyl 4-'Methyl-3 -pyridyl 3 -methyl-2-pyridyl 1-isoquinolyl 3 -methyl-2-pyridyl 3-quinolyl 2-thienyl 5-bromo-3-pyridyl 2-methyl-4-oxazolyl 5-brorno-3 -pyridyl 2-quinolyl 3 -pyridyl 3 -pyridyl 5-methyl-3 -pyridyl 5-methyl-3 -pyridyl 250.8 224 -2 27 178 200 -2 01 235 221 225. 5-226 .5 23 5-237 234.9 266 -2 68 245 212-213.5 193 .9 184.3 280 -283 43.30 50 .26 53 .54 57 .55 50.26 57.28 45.04 43 .07 48 .52 40.28 54 .54 55.01 58.44 60.34 54.46 2 .85 3.43 3.70 3.38 3 .43 3 .47 2.70 2.48 3.26 2.25 3 .13 3.75 3 .68 4 .17 3.71 14 .43 14.65 11.02 10.07 14 .65 9 .66 11.25 9.42 11.32 12.53 13.39 12.03 17 .04 16.56 19 .85 16.51 8.39 17.18 7.19 8 .63 7.17 43 .28 49 .94 53.44 57 .58 49 .92 57 .16 44.92 42 .64 48.51 40.16 54 .35 54.86 58.37 60 .08 54.84 2.79 3 .49 3.49 3.38 3.34 3 .39 2.62 2.34 3.19 2.26 2.92 3 .87 3 .55 4.22 3.83 14.14 14.44 10.92 10.03 14 .43 9 .59 11.09 9.22 11.22 12.35 13.38 11.78 16.78 16.23 19 16.48 8.58 17.48 7 .69 8.89 7.20 9.45 155 C H 3 3-pyridyl 155 CH 3 3-pyridylND 62.14 4.76 94 21 .0 92 62.11 4.70 9.25 192 Example 156 COOEt N- OH

N

C I

SO

2 Me Ethyl [2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4yl] carboxylate A mixture of 4-chloro-N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, step 1) (1.00 g, 3.34 mmol), sodium bicarbonate (544 mg, 6.47 mmol), and ethyl bromopyruvate (1.40 g, 7.19 mmol) in 50 ml of isopropanol was stirred at reflux for 7 hours. After cooling, the mixture was evaporated. The residue was partitioned between dichloromethane and water, and the aqueous layer further extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chrcmatography of the residue over silica gel using mixtures of ethyl acetate and toluene as eluents gave the title compound as a pale yellow solid: mp (DSC) 162°C. Anal. Calc'd. for C 19

H

1 9 C1N 2 0 5 S (MW 422.89): C, 53.96; H, 4.53; N, 6.62. Found: C, 53.99; H, 4.49; N, 6.42.

C-2818 9 3 193 Example 157 COOEt

N-

C1 S0 2 Me Ethyl 2 -(4-cb.orophenyl)-l[ 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -iH-imidazol-4-Yl) carboxy)late A mixture o .f 4-chloro-N-[ 4 -(methylsulfonyl)phenylI benzenecarboximidamide (Example 1, step 1) (12.1 g, 39.2 mmol) sodium bicarbonate (6.58 g, 78.3 tnmol) and ethyl bromopyruvate (16.9 g) in 480 ml of 2-propaflol was stirred at ref lux overnight. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated. The residue was partitioned between dichiorom~ethafle and water and the aqueous layer further extracted with dichioromethale. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Triturationi of the residue with ethyl acetategave the title compound as a pale beige, crystalline solid '(6.61 g) mp (DSC) 218"C. Anal. Calc'd. for C 19

H

17 C1N204S (MW 404.87): C, 56.37; Hi, 4.23; N, 6.92. Found:

C,

56.28; H, 4.13; N, 6.80.

C-2818/3 194 Example 158 N OH Cl SO2Me 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 1H-imidazole-4-methanol To a solution of 4.00 g (9.88 mmol) of Example 157.

in 125"ml of dichloromethane stirring in a dry ice/isopropanol bath was added 24.7 ml of 1M diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene (containing 24.7 mmol). The mixture was warmed to room temperature overnight. Excess reagent was quenched with methanol, and the resulting mixture was washed with 15% aqueous acetic acid. The aqueous layer was further extracted with dichloromethane, and the combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and evaporation, the residue was triturated with 50% ethyl acetate/hexane, and the alcohol was obtained as a white solid: m.p. 205-208 0 Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hl5ClN 2 0 3 S.l/2

H

2 0 (MW 371.84): C, 54.91; H, 4.07; N, 7.53. Found: C, 54.75; H, 3.96; N, 7.17.

C-2818/3 195 Example 159

N

SO

2 Me 2 4 -Chlorophenyl) -4 (4 methylphenoxy) methyl -I 4 -(methylsulfony)pheny)]1H...imidazole Steo Preonaration of 4-chlorrnethvl-2-(4chloronhenyl) r4- (methylsulfonvl) ohenvil -1H-imidazole A suspension of the title product of Example 158 (1.82 g, 4.96 mmol) in 10 ml of chloroform was treated with thionyl chloride 18 g, 9.92 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at reflux for 1 hour.

Another 1.18 g of thionyl chloride was added, and ref lux continued for 1 hour. After cooling, the mixture was evaporated and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate/hexane as eluent to give the chloromethyl compound as a very pale yellow crystalline solid (1.26 g) m.p. 166-169 0

C.

Step 2: Preparation of 2 -(4-Chlorophenvl)-4-f (4methyl henoxv,)methvll -l-r 4 -(methvlsulfonvl)phenvll-1Himidazole A mixture of 122 mg (0.32 mmole) of 4-chloromethyl- 2- 4 -chlorophenyl)-l-r4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -litimidazole (Step 1) p-cresol (69 mg, 0. 64 mmole) and potassium carbonate (110 mg, 0.8 mmole) in 5 ml of dimnethyl forrnamide was stirred at 85-90 OC for 6 hours.

After cooling, the mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and aqueous sodium chloride, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic C-281 8 3 196 extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using mixtures of ethyl acetate -and hexane gave 2 -(4-chlorophenyl)-4-[( 4 methylphenoxy)methyl]-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1Himidazole as a pure white solid (118 mg): m.p. (DSC) 193 oC. Anal. Calc'd. for C 2 4

H

2 1ClN203S (MW 452.96): C, 63.64; H, 4.67; N, 6.18. Found: C, 63.42; H, 4.64; N, 5.79.

Example 160

N

CI

SO

2 Me 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[[(4methylphenoxy)thio]methyl]-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of 4 -chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) in 5 ml of dimethylformamide was added pthiocresol (98 mg, 0.79 mmole) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (136 mg, 0.985 mmole), and the mixture was stirred rapidly overnight. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent gave the title compound as a glassy solid: m.p. (DSC) 51 *C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C 2 4

H

2 1 C1N202S2 (MW 469.03): C, 61.46;

H,

4.51; N, 5.97. Found: C, 61.38; H, 4.68; N, 5.81.

C-2818/3 197 Example 161 N S- K N

SO

2 Me 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-1- [4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- [(4-methylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of 4-chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (150 mg, 0.394 mmole) in 5 ml of dimethylformamide was added sodium thiomethoxide (55 mg, 0.79 mmole) and the mixture was stirred for three days. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated.

Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluents gave the title compound as a pale yellow oil (64 mg): Anal. Calc'd.

for C 1 8

H

17 C1N 2 0 2 S2.1/2 H 2 0 (MW 401.93): C, 53.79; H, 4.26; N, 6.97. Found: C, 53.97; H, 4.43; N, 6.84.

C-2818/ 3 198 Example 162 N 0-

N

CI

SO

2 Me 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-methoxymethyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -1H-imidazole To a solution of 46 mg (2.0 mmol) of sodium metal in 2 ml of methanol was added a solution of 4-chloromethyl-2- (4-chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -H-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (167 mg, 0.438 mmole) and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated.

Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using ethyl acetate as the eluent gave the title compound as a white crystalline solid mp 171-172 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C1 8 H17ClN203S (MW 376.86): C, 57.37; H, 4.55; N, 7.43..

Found: C, 57.29; H, 4.42; N, 7.33.

C-2818/3 199 Example 163

CHO

N

SO

2 Me 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] 1H-imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde To 8 ml of a 1:1 mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and dichloromethane stirring in a dry ice/isopropanol bath under nitrogen was added dropwise oxalyl chloride (321 pl, 3.69 mmol). After stirring for 10 minutes, a solution of 2-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1Himidazole-4-methanol (Example 158) (670 mg, 1.85 mmol) in ml of a 1:1 mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and dichloromethane. Stirring was continued while warming to 0 where it was maintained for 15 minutes.

Triethylamine (1.87 g, 18.5 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight while warming to room temperature. The mixture was partitioned between dichloromethane and water, the organic layer was washed with water and then brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane gave the title compound as an off-white solid (330 mg): mp (DSC) 203 Anal. Calc'd. for C17HI 3 C1N 2 0 3 S (MW 360.82): C, 56.59; H, 3.63; N, 7.76. Found: C, 56.24; H, 3.62; N, 7.50.

C-2818/3 200 Example 164 N F SOzMe 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-4-fluoromethyl-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a suspension of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazole-4-methanol (Example 158) (250 mg, 0.689 mmole) in 5 ml of dichloromethane was added dropwise a solution of diethylamino sulfur trifluoride (DAST) (166 mg, 1.03 mmole) in 1 ml of dichloromethane. As the addition proceeded, the mixture became homogeneous. After stirring for two hours, water was added, the layers separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 60% ethyl acetate in hexane gave the title compound as a very slightly yellow solid (106 mg): mp (DSC) 165 °C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C17H14ClFN 2 0 2 S1./4 H 2 0 (MW 369.33):

C,

55.29; H, 3.82; N, 7.59. Found: C, 55.15; H, 3.82; N, 7.42.

C-2818/3 201 Example 165 N N C I SOMe 4 -Azidomethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole A mixture of 4-chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (500 mg, 1.31 mmol) and sodium azide (256 mg, 3.94 mmol) in 5 ml of dimethylformamide was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was warmed to 80 °C for one hour and then cooled. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent gave the title compound as a pure white crystalline solid (496 mg): mp (DSC) 186°C. Anal. Calc'd. for C17Hi 4 C1N 5 0 2 S (MW 387.85): C, 52.64; H, 3.64; N, 18.06. Found: C, 52.46; H, 3.77; N, 17.84.

C-2818/3 202 Example 166

F

N F 1 N

CI

SO

2 Me 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-l-[ 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a suspension of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (Example 163) (150 mg, 0.416 mmole) in 5 ml of dichloromethane was added dropwise a solution of DAST.(201 mg, 1.25 mmol) of in'l ml of dichloromethane, producing a homogeneous solution. After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, the mixture was partitioned between dichloromethane and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent, followed by crystallization from ethyl acetate and hexane gave the title compound as very small pale beige plates (21 mg): m.p. 179-180 oC. Anal. Calc'd. for C1 7

HI

3 ClF2N202S (MW 382.82): C, 53.34; H, 3.42; N, 7.32. Found: C, 53.42; H, 3.26; N, 7.08.

C-2818/3 203 Example 167

CI

SOMe 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-

S[(

4 -phenylmethyl)thio]methyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of benzyl mercaptan (195 mg, 1.6 mmol)in 5 ml of dimethylformamide was added 63 mg of a dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil. After gas evolution ceased, 4-chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl) [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (300 mg, 0.787 mmole) was added as a solid and stirring continued overnight. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Radial chromatography.

of the residue over a 2 mm layer of silica gel using ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent gave the title compound as a pale yellow solid (343 mg): mp(DSC) 41 0

C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C24H2 1 C1N 2 0 2

S

2 (MW 469.03): C, 61.46; H, 4.51; N, 5.97. Found: C, 61.06; H, 4.34; N, 5.80.

C-2818/3 204 Example 168

SO

2 Me 2- 4 -Chloropheny1) (1methylethy1)thiojmethyl] [4- (methylsulfonyl )phenyl]lHimidzle The title compound was prepared as a white solid by the method of Example 167 except that 2 -mercaptopropane was used in place of benzyl mercaptan: nip (DSc) 118 *C.

Anal. Calc'd. for C20H2jC1N 2 0 2

S

2 (MW 420.98): C, 57.06;

H,

5.03; N, 6.65. Found: C, 56.72; H, 4.89; N, 6.42.

Example 169 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-4- C [(cyc1ohexy1thi~ehy1.

[4(ehlufnlpey]I-mdzl The title compound was prepared as a white solid by the method of Example 167 except that cyclohexyl mercaptan C-2818/3 205 was used in place of benzyl mercaptan, and that 40% ethyl acetate in hexane was used as the chromatography eluent: mp (DSC) 48 Anal. Calc'd. for C23H25C1N 2 0 2

S

2

(MW

-461.05): C, 59.92; H, 5.47; N, 6.08. Found: C, 59.63; H, 5.52; N, 5.96.

Example 170 C ,I SOMe 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[[(2chlorophenyl)thio]methyl]-l-[ 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of 4 -chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole (Example 159, Step (250 mg, 0.656 mmol) and 2 -chlorothiophenol (190 mg, 1.31 mmol) in 5 ml of dimethylformamide was added potassium carbonate (226 mg, 1.64 mmol). The mixture was stirred rapidly overnight at room temperature and partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts were washed with brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solution was filtered and then concentrated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent followed by crystallization gave the title compound as a pure white crystalline solid (147 mg): mp (DSC) 153 oC.

Anal. Calc'd. for C23H 1 8 Cl 2

N

2 0 2

S

2 (MW 489.44): C, 56.44; H, 3.71; N, 5.72. Found: C, 56.51; H, 3.54; N, 5.57.

C-2818/3 206 Example 171 N S

N

CI

SO

2 Me 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4- methylphenyl)thio]methyl]-1-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of 4-chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (250 mg, 0.656 mmol) and o-thiocresol (163 mg, 1.31 mmol) in 5 ml of dry dimethylformamide was added anhydrous potassium carbonate (226 mg, 1.64 mmol). The mixture was stirred rapidly overnight at room temperature.

The mixture was then partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aqueous layer was further extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts washed with brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solution was filtered and concentrated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 40% ethyl acetate in hexane gave the title compound as a very pale yellow solid (210 mg): mp (DSC) 51 Anal. Calc'd. for C 2 4

H

21 C1N202S2 (MW 469.03): C, 61.46; H, 4.51; N, 5.97. Found: C, 61.16; H, 4.50; N, 5.86.

Example 172 C-2818/3 207 CI Cl SOMe 2 -(4-Chlorophenyl)-4- (2,6dichlorophenyl)thio]methyl]-1- [4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole To a solution of 4 -chloromethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl.-)- 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-iH-imidazole (Example 159, Step 1) (250 mg, 0.656 mmole) and 2 ,6-dichlorothiophenol in 5 ml of dimethylformamide (235 mg, 1.31 mmol) was added 226 mg (1.64 mmol) of potassium carbonate. The resulting mixture was stirred rapidly at room temperature for two days. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water and the aqueous layer was further extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated; Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane gave the title compound, 282 mg, as a pure white solid: mp (DSC) 202 OC. Anal.

Calc'd. for C23H 1 7 C1 3

N

2 0 2

S

2 (MW 523.89): C, 52.73;

H,

3.27; N, 5.35. Found: C, 52.55; H, 2.98; N, 5.19.

C-2818/3 208 Example 173 N

S

*C1 S02 Me 2 4 -Chlorophenyl)-4-[([ 2 1 methyl ethyl) phenyl Ithiomthyl] 1 4 (methylsulfonyl)phenyllHiidazl The title compound was prepared as a white solid by the method of Example 172 except that 2isopropylthiophenol was used in place of 2,6dichiorothiophenol and that 40% ethyl acetate in hexane was used as chromatography eluent: in.p. 68-70 0 C. Anal.

Calc'd. for C26H25ClN 2

O

2

S

2 .1/4H 2 0 (MW 501.58): C, 62.26; H, 5.02; N, 5.59. Found: C, 62.36; H, 5.11; N, 5.45.

Example 174 N: C So 2

CH

3 2- 4 -Chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenylJ C-2818/3 209 A solution of 82 mg (0.23 mmole) of 2-(4chlorophenyl)-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl -lH-imidazole-4carboxaldehyde (Example 163) and 51 mg (0.45 mmole) of -hydroxylamine O-sulfonic acid in 10 ml of absolute ethanol and 1 ml of pyridine was stirred at reflux overnight.

After cooling, the mixture was evaporated, and the residue was taken up in dichloromethane. The solution was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent gave the title compound, 71 mg, as a pure white crystalline solid: mp (DSC) 205 Anal. Calc'd.

for C17H 1 2 C1N 3 0 2 S.l/4 H 2 0 (MW 362.32): C, 56.36; H, 3.34; N, 11.60. Found:.C, 56.49; H, 3.27; N, 11.45.

Example 175 N rCN

CI

SOMe 2- (4-Chlorophenyl) 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 1H-imidazole-4-acetonitrile A mixture of 250 mg (0.656 mmole) of 4-chloromethyl- 2-( 4 -chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1Himidazole (Example 159, Step 1) and 86 mg (1.3 mmol) of potassium cyanide in 4 ml of dimethylformamide was stirred at 85 °C for 24 hours. An additional 86 mg of potassium cyanide was added, and-stirring continued for 8 hours.

After cooling, the mixture was partitioned between dichloromethane and water and the aqueous layer further extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic C-2818/3 210 extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 60% ethyl acetate in toluene, followed by trituration with ethyl acetate gave the title compound, 59 mg, as a very pale yellow crystalline solid: mp (DSC) 197 Anal. Calc'd. for C18H1 4 ClN 3 0 2 S (MW 371.85): C, 58.14; H, 3.80; N, 11.30.

Found: C, 57.92; H, 3.57; N, 11.01.

Example 176

N

ci H S0 2

CH

3 2-( 4 -Chlorophenyl)-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl- H-imidazole-4-acetic acid A mixture of 50 mg (0.13 mmole) of the title product of Example. 175 and 5 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid was stirred at reflux for one hour. After cooling, the mixture was evaporated and the residue taken up in water.

The mixture was basified with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and the pH then adjusted to 4 with acetic acid.

The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane and the combined organic extracts dried over sodium sulfate.

After filtration, the solution was evaporated and the residue azeotropically distilled with toluene.

Trituration of the residue with ethyl acetate gave the title compound, 31 mg, as a white solid: m.p. 263-264

OC.

Anal. Calc'd. for C18H15C1N 2 0 4 S-./4H 2 0 (MW 395.35):

C,

54.69; H, 3.82; N, 7.09. Found: C, 54.39; H, 3.88;

N,

6.72.

C-2818/3 211 Example 177 0 N CH 3

SO

2

CH

3 1- (4-Chiorophenyl) (methyJlsulfonyl) Step 1- Preoparaticn of 2 -(4-chloro-henL-1-r4.

(methvlsuilfonvl)Dhenvll -lH-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid A suspension of ethyl 2 4 -chlorophenyl) (methylsulfonyljphenyl] -lH-imidazol-4-yl) carboxylate (Example 159) (929 mg, 2.29 mmol) in 16 ml of methanol and 16 ml of 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide was stirred at ref lux for one hour. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated, water was added, and the resulting mixture was acidified with acetic acid. The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane, and the combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated.

Acetic acid was removed by azeotropic distillation with toluene to give the title compound; 520 mg, as a white crystalline solid: mp (DSC) 121 Anal. Calc'd. for C17H13ClN 2

O

4

S-H

2 0 (MW 394.83): C, 51.71; H, 3.32; N, 7.10.

Found: C, 51.89; H, 3.29; N, 6.97.

SterD 2 PreDaration of 2 4 -chlororhev-l)-N-methoxy-N.

methvl-1.-F4-(methvlsulfonvl)Dhenl -Himidazole-4carboxami de Oxalyl chloride (0.34 g, 2.65 mmole) in 5 ml acetonitrile was added to 16 ml acetonitrile containing dime thyl formamide (0.25 g, 3.46 mxnole) cooled to 0 0

C.

After 15 minutes, 2- (4-chlorophenyl)-l-[4- C-2818/3 212 (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid from step 1 (1.0 g, 2.65 mmole) was added with 20 ml acetonitrile. After warming to room temperature N,0dimethylhydroxylamine HC1 (0.28 g, 2.92 mmole) and pyridine (0.42 g, 5.31 mmole) were added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for three days. The reaction mixture was concentrated to give an oily solid.

The amide was purified by silica gel chromatography: Anal.

Calc'd.

C

19

H

18 N304SC1 (419.89); C, 54.35; H, 4.32; N, 10.01. Found: C, 53.96; H, 4.30; N, 9.68.

Ste 3 Preparation of 1-r2-(4-chloroDhenvl)-l-f4- (methvlsulfonvl)Ohenvll1-H-imidazol-4-vl1-1-ethanone Methyl-lithium.LiBr complex (1.5 M in ethyl ether) (0.47 ml, 0.7 mmol) was added by syringe to a cold (-70 0

C)

solution of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-l-[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-lH-imidazole-4-carboxamide from step 2 (250 mg, 0.6 mmol) in 50 ml tetrahydrofuran. The reaction was warmed to 0°C and re-cooled to -60 0 C before additional methyl lithium (0.47 ml) was added. The reaction was warmed to room temperature. After stirring for two days, 50 ml of 10% acetic acid was added and the mixture was concentrated to a gum. The gum was dissolved in 50 ml ethyl acetate, washed with water (2 x 50 ml), dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified by silica gel chromatography: Anal. Calc'd.

C

18 H15N 2 03SC1.l/ 4 H20: C, 56.99; H, 4.12; N, 7.38. Found: C, 56.88; H, 4.05; N, 7.6838 Example 178

N

C1

SO

2 Me C-2818/3 213 2-( 4 -Chlorophenyl)-l-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- (phenylmethoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole To a suspension of 58 mg of 60% sodium hydride in mineral oil (containing 35 mg, 1.4 mmol) in 2 ml of dimethylformamide was added a solution of 142 mg (1.31 mmol) of benzyl alcohol in 0.5 ml of dimethyl formamide.

The mixture was stirred while heating to 40 0 C. After minutes, 250 mg (0.656 mmole) of the title product of Example 158 was added as a solid and stirred while heating to 85 0 C. The temperature was maintained for 6 hours and then the mixture was cooled. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water and the aqueous layer further extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue over silica gel using 50% ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent gave the title compound, 60 mg, as pure white crystalline solid, m.p. 64-65 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for

C

2 4

H

2 1ClN 2 0 3 S.1/4H20 (MW 457.56) C, 63.01; H, 4.63; N, 6.12. Found: C, 62.76; H, 4.43; N, 6.20.

Example 179

CF

3

CH

3 N- F3 N N S0 2

NH

2 4- 2 2 -Methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl) -1imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide C-2818/3 214 Steo 1: Preaaration of 4-r(2.5-dimethvl-1H-pvrrolvl)sulfonvllnitrobenzene A mixture of 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide (30.3 g, 0.15 mol), acetonylacetone (34.2 g, 0.30 mol) and 4-toluenesulfonic acid (3.0 g, catalyst) in 200 mL of toluene was heated at reflux under nitrogen using a Dean-Stark trap for 18 hours.

The reaction was cooled and filtered through silica gel (700 eluting with mixtures of ethyl acetate and hexane.

Removal of solvent in vacuo gave a crude brown solid. The crude product in ethyl acetate was treated with activated charcoal, and recrystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to afford 4-((2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-l-yl)sulfonyl]nitrobenzene (32.5 g, 77%) as a light yellow solid: mp (DSC): 101-103 OC.

Anal. Calc'd. for C 1 2

H

1 2

N

2 0 4 S: C, 51.42; H, 4.32; N, .9:99; S, 11.44. Found: C, 51.62; H, 4.18; N, 9.96; S, 11.31.

Stea 2: Pre-aration of 4-r(2,5-dimethvl-1H-Dvrrol-lvl)sulfonvllbenzenamine A mixture of (2,5-dimethyl-lH-pyrrol-1yl)sulfonyl]nitrobenzene (Step 1) (7.3 g, 26 mmol) and Raney Nickel (0.7 g) in 70 mL of methanol was hydrogenated in a Parr apparatus at a pressure of 50 psi. After 3 hours, the catalyst was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to give 4-[(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-l-yl)sulfonyl]benzenamine (6.4 g) as a pale yellow solid: mp (DSC): 110-111 0 oC. Anal. Calc'd.

for C 1 2

H

1 4

N

2 0 2 S: C, 57.58; H, 5.64; N, 11.16; S, 12.81.

Found: C, 57.44; H, 5.78; N, 11.11; S, 12.30.

Steo 3: Preoaration of 1-F4-F(25-dimethvl-H-ovrrol-lvl)sulfonvllohenvll -4,5-dihvdro-2-(2-methvlovridin-3-vl) -4- (trifluoromethvl)-1H-imidazol-4-ol To a solution of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (120 mL of 1.0 M in tetrahydrofuran, 0.12 mol) was added dropwise a solution of 4-((2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1yl)sulfonyl]benzenamine (Step 2) (28.43 g, 0.114 mol) in 35 mL of tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. The dark solution was stirred for 10. minutes. A solution of 3-cyano-2- C-2818/3 215 methylpyridine in 20 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added rapidly.

The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, poured into 1 L of water and extracted with ethyl acetate (500 mL). The -organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to give 22.0 g of crude amidine as a pale yellow solid which was used in next step without purification. To a suspension of the crude amidine (21.9 g, 0.065 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (8.20 g, 0.098 mol) in 600 mL of isopropanol at 50 oC, was added a solution of 3 -bromo-1,,ll-trifluoroacetone (18.6 g, 0.098 mol) in 30 mL of isopropanol over 30 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 80 oC for 4 hours, cooled and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was treated with ethyl acetate/hexane to give 28.6 g of 1 -[4-[(2,5-dimethyl-1Hpyrrol-1-yl)sulfonyl]phenyll-4,5-dihydro-2-(2-methylpyridin-3yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-ol as a yellowish solid mp (DSC) 213-216 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C 22

H

19

F

3

N

4 0 3

S

C, 55.46, H, 4.02, N, 11.76, S, 6.73. Found: C, 54.71,

H,

4.40, N, 11.21, S, 6.78.

Step 4: Preparation of 3-_l-r4-[(2,5-dimethvl-lH-Dvrrol-lvl)sulfonvllThenvl -4-(trifluoromethvl )-H-imidazol-2-vl -2methvlovridine A-mixture of 1-[4-[(2,5-dimethyl-lH-pyrrol-lyl)sulfonyl]phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4- (trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-4-ol (Step 3) (18.0 g, 38 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (1.8 g) in 400 mL of toluene was heated at reflux with a Dean-Stark trap under a nitrogen atmosphere for 36 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The filtrate was basified with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with ethyl acetate (400 mL).

The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane, 95:5) to give 3-[1-[4-[2,5-dimethyl-lH-pyrrol- 1-yl)sulfonyl]phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-2-yl]-2methylpyridine as a white solid (11.86 g, mp (DSC): 141- C-2818/3 216 143 0 C. Anal. Calc'd. for C 22

H

19

F

3

N

4 0 2 S: C, 57.64; H, 3.74; N, 12.22; S, 6.99. Found: C, 57.27; H, 4.03; N, 11.79; S, 7.05.

Step 5: Prenaration of 4-F2-(2-methvlovridin-3-vl)-4- (trifluoromethvl)-lH-imidazol-l-vllbenzenesulfonamide A mixture of 2 ,5-dimethyl-lH-pyrrol-1yl)sulfonyl]phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1Himidazol-2-yl]-2-methylpyridine (Step 4) (4.6 g, 0.01 mol) in mL of TFA and 25 mL of water was heated at reflux for 2 hours. The solution was cooled, treated with 400 mL of water and basified with sodium bicarbonate to pH 8. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (400 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the crude was purified by chromatography on silica gel.(ethyl acetate/acetone, 95:5) to afford 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide as white solid (3.0 g, mp (DSC): 235-237 0 C. Anal. Calc'd.

for C 16

H

1 3

F

3

N

3 0 2 S: C, 50.26; H, 3.43; N, 14.65; S, 8.39.

Found: C, 50.06; H,3.29; N, 14.4; S, 8.52.

BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION Rat Carrageenan Foot Pad Edema Test The carrageenan foot edema test was performed with materials, reagents and procedures essentially as described by Winter, et al., (Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 111, 544 (1962)). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected in each group so that the average body weight was as close as possible. Rats were fasted with free access to water for over sixteen hours prior to the test. The rats were dosed orally (1 ml) with compounds suspended in vehicle containing 0.5% methylcellulose and 0.025% surfactant, or with vehicle alone. One hour later a subplantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% solution of carrageenan/sterile 0.9% saline was administered and the volume of the injected C-2818/3 217 foot was measured with a displacement plethysmometer connected to a pressure transducer with a digital indicator. Three hours after the injection of the carrageenan, the volume of the foot was again measured.

The average foot swelling in a group of drug-treated animals was compared with that of a group of placebotreated animals and the percentage inhibition of edema was determined (Otterness and Bliven, Laboratory Models for Testing NSAIDs, in Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Lombardino, ed. 1985)). The inhibition shows the decrease from control paw volume determined in this procedure and the data for selected compounds in this invention.are summarized in Table V.

Rat Carrageenan-induced Analgesia Test The rat carrageenan analgesia test was performed with materials, reagents and procedures essentially as described by Hargreaves, et al., (Pain, 32, 77 (1988)).

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated as previously described for the Carrageenan Foot Pad Edema test. Three hours after the injection of the carrageenan, the rats were placed in a special plexiglass container with a transparent floor having a high intensity lamp as a radiant heat source, positionable under the floor. After an initial twenty minute period, thermal stimulation was begun on either the injected foot or on the contralateral uninjected foot. A photoelectric cell turned off the lamp and timer when light was interrupted by paw withdrawal.

The time until the rat withdraws its foot was then measured. The withdrawal latency in seconds was determined for the control and drug-treated groups, and percent inhibition of the hyperalgesic foot withdrawal determined. Results are shown in Table V.

C-2818/3 218 TABLE V.

RAT PAW EDEMA ANALGESIA Inhibition Inhibition 3Omca/kcr body weight l0mcr/kar body weigrht Example 2 9 21 6 23.5 7 27 18 36 13 23 38 24 24 19 26 51 47 27 40 21 28 57 51 29 37 31 28 36 32 36 68 40 42 43 45* 18 49 47 59 34 27 69S 43 32 70 34* 72 55 28 74 48 83 84a 36 8 86 36 7 87 28* 91 16 93 16 4 117 51 *10 mg/kg Evaluation of -COX-1 and CQX-2 activity in vitro C-2818/3 219 The compounds of this invention exhibited inhibition in vitro of COX-2. The COX-2 inhibition activity of the compounds of this invention illustrated in the Examples was determined by the following methods.

a. Prearation of recombinant COX baculoviruses Recombinant COX-1 and COX-2 were prepared as described by Gierse et al, Biochem., 305, 479-84 (1995)]. A 2.0 kb fragment containing the coding region of either human or murine COX-1 or human or murine COX-2 was cloned into a BamH1 site of the baculovirus transfer vector pVL1393 (Invitrogen) to generate the baculovirus transfer vectors for COX-1 and COX-2 in a manner similarto the method of D.R. O'Reilly et al (Baculovirus Expression Vectors: A Laboratory Manual (1992)).

Recombinant baculoviruses were isolated by transfecting 4 pg of baculovirus transfer vector DNA into SF9 insect cells (2x10 8 along with 200 ng of linearized baculovirus plasmid DNA by the calcium phosphate method. See M.D.

Summers and G.E. Smith, A Manual of Methods for Baculovirus Vectors and Insect Cell Culture Procedures, Texas Agric. Exp. Station Bull. 1555 (1987). Recombinant viruses were purified by three rounds of plaque purification and high titer (107 108 pfu/ml) stocks of virus were prepared. For large scale production, SF9 insect cells were infected in 10 liter fermentors (0.5 x 6 /ml) with the recombinant baculovirus stock such that the multiplicity of infection was 0.1. After 72 hours the cells were centrifuged and the cell pellet homogenized in Tris/Sucrose (50 mM: 25%, pH 8.0) containing 1% cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). The homogenate was centrifuged at 10,000xG for minutes, and the resultant supernatant was stored at -80 0 C before being assayed for COX activity.

C-2818/3 220 b. Assay for COX-1 and COX-2 activity COX activity was assayed as PGE 2 formed/±g protein/time using an ELISA to detect the prostaglandin released. CHAPS-solubilized insect cell membranes containing the appropriate COX enzyme were incubated in a potassium phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 8.0) containing epinephrine, phenol, and heme with the addition of arachidonic acid (10 pM). Compounds were pre-incubated with the enzyme for 10-20 minutes prior to the addition of arachidonic acid. Any reaction between the arachidonic acid and the enzyme was stopped after ten minutes at 37 0 C/room temperature by transferring 40 g1 of reaction mix into 160 gl ELISA buffer and 25 pM indomethacin. The

PGE

2 formed was measured by standard ELISA technology (Cayman Chemical). Results are shown in Table VI.

TABLE VI.

Human COX-2 Human COX-1 Exa mp le ID50__M 1 4 >100 2 0.1 23 3 40 >100 4 4.7 >100 5 0.2 >100 6 0.3 >100 7 0.1 >100 9 0.3 >100 0.5 >100 12 0.2 >100 13 1.6 >100 14 0.2 >100 16 <0.1 >100 17 0.2 18 0.2 49 23 0.1 >100 24 0.2 26 26 <0.1 1.6 C-2818/3 221 TABLE VI. (cont.) Example 27 28 29 31 32 34 36 4-1 43 56 57 59 67 68 69 72 73 74 76 78 79 81 82 Human COX-2 I D 5 4L--M <0.1 1.8 1.5 >100 1.8 2.9 0.5 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 9.6 0.1 <0.1 <0.-1 1.1 0.2 <0 .1 1 1 <0.1 1 <0 .1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Human COX-1 I:D50.41.M_ 0.6 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 49 88.5 >100 >100 >100 >100 3.6 0.9 3.6 >100 4.6 2.8 6.2 19.3 29.8 5.8 67.7 8.6 2.7 31.2 3.6 >100 c-2818/ 3 222 TABLE VI. (cont.) Human COX-2 Human COX-1 Example IDq-0- nM 1D50.im- 83 <0.1 82.0 85 0.1 >100 86 <0.1 78.1 87 <0.1 >100 88 <0.1 >100 89 0.2 24.1 90 0.2 >100 91 0.2 >100 93 0.1 >100 94 0.2 29.9 0.6 96 0.4 >100 97 0.3 >100 98 .1.0 >100 99 0.2 2.1 101 0.7 >100 103 0.5 >100 104 0.9 >100 105 0.8 106 0.3 17.1 107 <0.1 >100 108 0.6 >100 109 1.48 53.5 112 0.7 >100 113 0.3 >100 114 <0.1 >100 115 0.1 >100 116 0.1 >100 117 0.1 >100 118 7.9 119 0.3 1.6 120 <0.1 >100 122 3.0 42.2 129 ,9.7 >100 C-2818/3 223 Example 130 132 133 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 149 151 152 153 155 161 162 163 165 166 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 TABLE VI. (cont.) Human COX-2 Human COX-1 I D -5OLM 49.4 >100 37.6 >100 1.2 32 1.0 >100 0.7 >100 79 >100 0.4 >100 54 >100 0.5 >100 51 >100 5.8 >100 1.71 >100 1.5 >100 0.6 82 <0.1 47 1.0 >100 <0.3 >100 33 >100 24.4 >100 45 >100 10.7 >100 <0.1 >100 <0.1 >100 0.6 >100 1.6 >100 0.4. >100 0.6 >100 0.1 >100 0.6 >100 0.1 >100 1 >100 1 >100 1 13.7 1 >100 C-2818/3 224 TABLE VI. (cont.) Human COX-2 Human COX-1 Example ID5o M 176 0.3 >100 177 1.5 >100 180 0.5 100 Biological paradigms for testing the cytokine-inhibiting activity of these compounds are found in W095/13067, published 18 May 1995.

Also embraced within this invention is a class of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the active compounds of this combination therapy in association with one or more nontoxic, pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers and/or diluents and/or adjuvants (collectively referred to herein as "carrier" materials) and, if desired, other active ingredients. The active compounds of the present invention may be administered by any suitable route, preferably in the form of a pharmaceutical composition adapted to such a route, and in a dose effective for the treatment intended. The active compounds and composition may, for example, be administered orally, intravascularly, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or topically.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of, -for example, a tablet, capsule, suspension or liquid. The pharmaceutical composition is preferably made in the form of a dosage unit containing a particular amount of the active ingredient. Examples of such dosage units are tablets or capsules. The active ingredient may also be administered by injection as a composition wherein, for example, saline, dextrose or water may be used as a suitable carrier.

The amount of therapeutically active compounds that are administered and the dosage regimen for treating a disease condition with the compounds and/or compositions of this invention depends on a variety of factors, including the age, C-2818/3 225 weight, sex and medical condition of the subject, the severity.

of the disease, the route and frequency of administration, and the particular compound employed, and thus may vary widely.

-The pharmaceutical compositions may contain active ingredients in the range of about 0.1 to 2000 mg, preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 500 mg and most preferably between about 1 and 100 mg. A daily dose of about 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight, preferably between about 0.5 and about 20 mg/kg body weight and most preferably between about 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight, may be appropriate. The daily dose can be administered in one to four doses per day.

In the case of psoriasis and other skin conditions, it may be preferable to apply a topical preparation of compounds of this invention to the affected area two to four times a day.

For inflammations of the eye or other external tissues, mouth and skin, the formulations are preferably applied as a topical ointment or cream, or as a suppository, containing the active ingredients in a total amount of, for example, 0.075 to 30% w/w, preferably 0.2 to 20% w/w and most preferably 0.4 to 15% w/w. When formulated in an ointment, the active ingredients may be employed with either paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base. Alternatively, the active ingredients may be formulated in a cream with an oil-in-water cream base. If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, for example at least 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol such as propylene glycol, butane-l,3-diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

The topical formulation may desirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration of the active ingredient through the skin or other affected areas. Examples of such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethylsulfoxide and related analogs. The compounds of this invention can also be administered by a transdermal device. Preferably topical administration will be accomplished using a patch either of the reservoir and porous membrane type or of a solid matrix variety. In either case, the active agent is delivered C-2818/3 226 continuously from the reservoir or microcapsules through a membrane into the active agent permeable adhesive, which is in contact with the skin or mucosa of the recipient. If the active agent is absorbed through the skin, a controlled and predetermined flow of the active agent is administered to the recipient. In the case of microcapsules, the encapsulating agent may also function as the membrane.

The oily phase of the emulsions of this invention may be constituted from known ingredients in a known manner. While the phase may comprise merely an emulsifier, it may comprise a mixture of at least one emulsifier with a fat or an oil or with both a fat and an oil. Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with a lipophilic emulsifier which acts as.a stabilizer. It is also preferred to include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with or without stabilizer(s) make-up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the wax together with the oil and fat make up the socalled emulsifying ointment base which forms the oily dispersed phase of the cream formulations. Emulsifiers and emulsion stabilizers suitable for use in the formulation of the present invention include Tween 60, Span 80, cetostearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate, among others.

The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based on achieving the desired cosmetic properties, .since the solubility of the active compound in most oils likely to be used in pharmaceutical emulsion formulations is very low.

Thus, the cream should preferably be a non-greasy, nonstaining and washable product with suitable consistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight or branched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as diisoadipate, isocetyl stearate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, 2 -ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters may be used. These may be used alone or in combination depending on the properties required. Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as C-2818/ 3 227 white soft paraffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used.

Formulations suitable for topical administration to the eye also include eye drops wherein the active ingredients are dissolved or suspended in suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent for the active ingredients. The antiinflammatory active ingredients are preferably present in such formulations in a concentration of 0.5 to advantageously 0.5 to 10% and particularly about 1.5% w/w.

For therapeutic purposes, the active compounds of this combination invention are ordinarily combined with one or more adjuvants appropriate to the indicated route of administration. If administered per os, the compounds may be admixed with lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration.

Such capsules or tablets may contain a controlled-release formulation as may be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Formulations for parenteral administration may be in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions or suspensions. These solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders or granules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned for use in the formulations for oral administration. The compounds may be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, the details of these embodiments are not to be construed as limitations.

Claims (10)

1. A compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof selected from the group consisting of

4-[2-(2-Methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4,5- dihydro-imidazol-l-yl]-benzenesulfonamide; and 4-[2-(5-Bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro- imidazol-l-yl]-benzenesulfonamide. 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound, said compound selected from a compound of claim 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 3. Use of a compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for preparing a medicament for treating inflammation or an inflammation-associated disorder in a subject. 4. A method of treating inflammation or an inflammation-associated disorder in a subject, said method comprising treating the subject having or susceptible to said disorder with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or salt according to claim 1 or a composition of claim 2. I 5. The use of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof selected from the group consisting of 4-[2-(2-Methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4,5- dihydro-imidazol-l-yl]-benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(5-Bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro- imidazol-l-yl]-benzenesulfonamide; 229 3- [[(methyiphenyl) thiol methyl) (methylsulfoiyl) phenyl] -lH-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 4- (pyrindin-3-yl) ([(methylphenyl)thio] methyl] -lH- imidazol -lyl] benzenesul fonamide; 3- [4-methyl-l{4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazol-2- yl] pyridine; 4- (6-methylpyrindin-2-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H- imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-methyl-3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 4- (4-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol -1-yl] benzenesul fonamide; 3-methyl-2- (methylsulfonyl) phenylL-4- trifluoromethyl-lH--imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-2-yll isoquirioline; 4- (3-methylpyrindin-2y1) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H- imidazol-2-yl] quinoline; 3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-2-yl] quinoliie; 4- (2 -thienyl) -4-trifluoromethyl -1H-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 3-bromo-5-(l-(4-(methylysulfonyl)phenyll)-4- trifluoromethyl H- imidazol -2 -yl] pyridine; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (3-pyridinyl) -lH- imidazole-4 -carbonitrile; (2-methyloxazol-4-yl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifituoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 4- (5-bromopyrindin-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 2- (5-methylpyridin-3-yl) 4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH- imidazole-4 -carbonitrile; 230 3 (4 -di fluoromethyl 1- (4 (methylsul fonyl) phenyl] 1H- imidazol -2 -yJ. pyridine; 4- (4-difluoromethyl-2- (pyrindin-3-yl) -lH-imidazol-l- yl] berizenesulfonamide; 4- [4-cyano-2- (pyridin-3-yl) -1H-imidazol-l- yl] benzenesul fonamide; 4- [4-cyano-2- (5-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -1H-imidazol-1- yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4- (2-quinolinyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1- yl] benzenesulfonamide; 1-methyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl] -lH-pyrazole; 4- (l-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-lH imidazol-1-ylI benzenesulfonamide; 2- (1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl) (methylsulfoiyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4- (l-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 2- (l-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 4- (l-methyl-lH-imidazol-5-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H- imidazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 2- (l-methyl-lH--imidazol-2-yl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyll -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazole; 4- (l-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) -4 -trifluoromethyl-iK- imidazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; (methylsulfonyl)pheiyl-2-(4-methylthiazol-2-yl) -4- trifluoromethyl--1H-imidazole; 4- (4-methylthiazol-2y1) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- benzenesulfonamide; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2- (2-methylthiazol-5-yl) -4- tri fluoromethyl H- imiclazole; 231 4-[2-(2-methylthiazol-5yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- l-yl) benzenesulfonamide;

5-methyl-3-[1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4- trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl]isoxazole; 4-[2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-l-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 5-(1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-2-yl]pyrimidine; 4-[2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; and 4-[2-(quinol-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl) benzenesulfonamide, for preparing a medicament for treating asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, skin-related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis, gastrointestinal conditions selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, ophthalmic diseases selected from the group consisting of retinitis, retinopathies, uveitis, S conjunctivitis, and acute injury to the eye tissue, and Alzheimer's disease.

6. The use according to claim 5, wherein the medicament is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, skin-related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis, and gastrointestinal conditions selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. 232

7. The use according to claim 5, wherein the medicament is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, menstrual-cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, and skin-related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis.

8. The use of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof selected from the group consistihg of 4-[2-(2-Methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-4,5- dihydro-imidazol---yl] -benzenesulfonamide; 4- (5-Bromo-pyridin-3-yl) -4-methyl-4,5-dihydro- imidazol-l-yl] -benzenesulfonamide; 3- [[(methylphenyl) thiol methyl) (methylsulfonyl)phenyll -lH-imidazol-2-yllpyridine; 4- (pyrindin-3-yl) ([(methylphenyl)thio] methyl] imidazol -lyl] benzenesul fonamide; 3- [4-methyl-l{4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -lH-imidazol-2- yl] pyridine; 4- (6-methylpyrindin-2-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; 4-methyl-3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl-I--imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 4- (4-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-l{- imidazol -1 -yll benzenesulfonamide; 3-methyl-2-[1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl-lI{-imidazol-2-yl] pyridine; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-2-yllisoquinoline; 4- (3-methylpyrindin-2y1) -4-trifluoromethyl-l- imidazol-2-yl] quinoline; 3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl.]-4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-2-ylI quinoline; 233 4- (2 -thienyl) -4 -trifluoromethyl -lH-imidazol -yl] benzenesul fonamide; (methylysulfonyl)phenyll) -4- trifluoromethyl H-imidazol ylllpyridine; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] (3-pyridinyl) -lH- imidazole-4 -carbonitrile; 2- (2-methyloxazol-4-yl) (methylsuifonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl H- imidazole; 4- (5-bromopyriridin-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-1H- imidazol -1-yi Ibenzenesulfonamide; 2- (5-methylpyridin-3-yi) (methyisulfonyl)phenyll -1H- imidazoie-4 -carbonitrile; 3- [4-difluoromethyi-i- (methyisuifonyl)phenyi] -JH- imidazol -2 -yiIpyridine; 4- [4-difluoromethyl-2- (pyrindin-3-yl) -lH-imidazol-l- yi] benzenesulfonamide; 4- [4-cyano-2- (pyridin-3-yl) -lH-imidazol-l- yl] benzenesuifonamide; 4- [4-cyano-2- (5-methylpyrindin-3-yl) -lH-imidazol-1- yllbenzenesulfonamide; 4- (2-quinolinyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazoi-l- yi] benzenesuifonamide; 1-methyl-4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyil -4- trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl] -lH-pyrazole; 4- (l-methyl-lH-pyrazoi-4-yi) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH imidazol -1-yi IIbenzenesui fonamide; (l-methyi-iH-imidazol-4-yl) (rethyisuifonyi) phenyll -4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4- (l-methyl-lH-irnidazol-4-yl) -4-trifiuoromethyl-iH- imidazoi-i-yi) benzenesuifonamide; 2- (l-methyl-lH-imidazol-5-yl) (methyisuifonyl) phenyl] -4-trifiuoromethyi-lH-imidazole; 234 4- (l-methyl-lH-imidazol-5-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-l-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 2- (l-methyl-JA{-imidazol-2-yl) (methylsulfonyl) phenyl] -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-irnidazole; 4-12- (l-methyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 1- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2- (4-methylthiazol-2-yl) -4- tri f luoromethyl H- imidazole; 4- (4-methylthiazol-2y1) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 1 -yl) benzenesulfonamide; 1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2- (2-methylthiazol-5-yl) -4- trifluoromethyl i- imidazole; 4-112- (2-methylthiazol-5y1) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol- 1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; 5-methyl-3- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl] -4- trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-2-yl] isoxazole; 4- (5-methylisoxazol-3-yl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH- imidazol-l-yl) benzenesulfonamide; (methylsulfonyl)phenylj -4-trifluoromethyl-1H- imidazol-2-yllpyrimidine; 4- (5-pyrimidinyl) -4-trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-l-yl] S benzenesulfonanide; ~4-12- (pyrazin-2-yl) -4-(trifluoromethyl-lH-imidazol-l-yl] benzenesulfonamide; and 4- 12- (quinol-3-yl) (trifluoromethyl) -lH-imidazol-l-y1) benzenesul f onamide, in a co-therapy with one or more other agent selected from the group consisting of steroids, NSAIDs, inhibitors, LTB 4 antagonists and LTA 4 hydrolase inhibitors. A use according to claim 8, wherein the LTB 4 inhibitors is selected from the group consisting of ebselen, Bayer Bay-x-1005, Ciba Geigy compound CGS-25019C, Leo 235 Denmark compound ETH-615, Lilly compound LY-293111, Ono compound ONO-4057, Terumo compound TMK-688, Lilly compounds LY-213024, 264086 and 292728, ONO compound ONO-LB457, Searle compound SC-53228, calcitrol, Lilly compounds LY-210073, LY223982, LY233469, and LY255283, ONO compound ONO-LB-448, Searle compounds SC-41930, SC-50605 and SC-51146, and SK&F compound SKF-104493. The use according to claim 8, wherein the LTB 4 inhibitors are selected from ebselen, Bayer Bay-x-1005, Ciba Geigy compound CGS-25019C, Leo Denmark compound ETH-615, Lilly compound LY-293111, Ono compound ONO-4057, and Terumo compound TMK-688.

11. The use according to any one of claims 8 to wherein the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors are selected from masoprocol, tenidap, zileuton, pranlukast, tepoxalin, rilopirox, flezelastine hydrochloride, enazadrem phosphate, and bunaprolast. 9*

12. The use according to any one of claims 8 to 11, S wherein the co-therapy is used for treating asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, skin- related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis, gastrointestinal conditions selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, ophthalmic diseases selected Sfrom the group consisting of retinitis, retinopathies, uveitis, conjunctivitis, and acute injury to the eye tissue, fe and Alzheimer's disease. 236

13. The use according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the medicament is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, skin-related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis, and gastrointestinal conditions selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

14. The use according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the medicament is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, and skin-related conditions selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, eczema, burns and dermatitis. DATED this 7 day of October 2003 G. D. SEARLE CO., By its Patent Attorneys, E. F. WELLINGTON CO., (Bruce Wellington) BA.4328 r