The present invention relates amino-5-(6-membered)heteroary!imidazolone compounds and the use thereof for ß-seC1-etase modulation
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to 2-amino-5-heteroaryl-5-phenylimidazolone compounds and to methods for using them to modulate (and, preferably, inhibit) ß-seC1-etase (BACE) and to treat ß-amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
ß-Amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles are two major pathologic characterizations associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinically, AD is characterized by the of loss of memory, cognition, reasoning, judgment, and orientation. Also affected, as the disease progresses, are motor, sensory, and linguistic abilities until global impairment of multiple cognitive functions occurs. These cognitive losses take place gradually, but typically lead to severe impairment and eventual death in 4-12 years.
Amyloidogenic plaques and vascular amyloid angiopathy also characterize the brains of patients with Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome), Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), and other neurodegenerative disorders. Neurofibrillary tangles also occur in other neurodegenerative disorders including dementia-inducing disorders disorders (Varghese, J., et al, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, 46, 4625-4630).
ß-amyloid deposits are predominately an aggregate of AP peptide, which in turn is a product of the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein (APR). More specifically, Aß peptide results from the cleavage of APP at the C-terminus by one or more y-seC1-etases, and at the N-terminus by (3-seC1-etase enzyme (BACE), also known as aspartyl protease, as part of the p-amyloidogenic pathway.
BACE activity is correlated directly to the generation of AP peptide from APP (Sinha, et al, Nature, 1999, 402, 537-540), and studies inC1-easingly indicate that the inhibition of BACE inhibits the production of AP peptide (Roberds, S. L, et al, Human Molecular Genetics, 2001, 10, 1317-1324).
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide compounds which are inhibitors of p-seC1-etase and are useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment,

prevention or amelioration of a disease or disorder characterized by elevated p-amyloid deposits or p-amyloid levels in a patient.
It is another object of this invention to provide therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of a disease or disorder characterized by elevated P-amyloid deposits or p-amyloid levels in a patient.
It is a feature of this invention that the compounds provided may also be useful to further study and elucidate the p-seC1-etase enzyme.
These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent by the detailed desC1-iption set forth hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a compound of formula I
(Formula Removed)
wherein W is CO, CS or CH2; X is N, NO or C1-; Y is N, NO or C1-10; Z is N, NO or CR11 with the proviso that at least one of X, Y or Z must be N or
NO; R! and R2 are each independently H, COR34, CO2R12 or an optionally substituted
C1-C4alkyl group; R3 is H, OR13 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl,
C3-C8cycloalkyl or aryl(C1-C6)alkyl group each optionally substituted; R4 and R5 are each independently H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR14, CO2R15, CORi6, NR17R18, SOpNR19R20 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
R6 is H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR21, NR22R23 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-
C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
R7 is H, halogen, N02, CN, OR24, NR25R26 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;
R, Ra, R9 and R10 are each independently H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR27, CO2R28, COR29, NR30R31, SOpNR32R33 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
R11, R12, R13, R14, R14, R16, R21, R24, R27, R28 and R29 are each independently H or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl or aryl group each optionally substituted; R17, R18, R19, R2o, R22, R23, R25, R26, R30, R31, R32 and R33 are each independently H, COR34) SOPR35 or a C1-C4alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R17, R18; or R19, R20,or R22, R23, or R25, R26, or R30, R31, or R32, R33 may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing an additional heteroatom selected from 0, N or S; R34 is H, or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; and R35 is a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl,
cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; or a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
The present invention also relates to the use of the formula I heteroarylimidazolone compound for the treatment of p-amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles. The compound of the invention is particularly useful for treating Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D, cognitive decline, senile dementia, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, degenerative dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders.
DETAILED DESC1-IPTION OF THE INVENTION
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major degenerative disease of the brain which presents clinically by progressive loss of memory, cognition, reasoning, judgement and
emotional stability and gradually leads to profound mental deteoriation and death. The exact cause of AD is unknown, but inC1-easing evidence indicates that amyloid beta peptide (A-beta) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease. (D. B. Schenk; R. E. Rydel et al, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1995. 21,4141 and D. J. Selkoe, Physiology Review, 2001. 81, 741). Patients with AD exhibit characteristic neuropathological markers such as neuritic plaques (and in p-amyloid angiopathy, deposits in cerebral blood vessels) as well as neurofibrillary tangles detected in the brain at autopsy. A-beta is a major component of neuritic plaques in AD brains. In addition, p-amyloid deposits and vascular p-amyloid angiopathy also characterize individuals with Downs Syndrome, Hereditary Cerebral Hemmorhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch type and other neurodegenerative and dementia-inducing disorders. Over expression of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), altered cleavage of APP to A-beta or a deC1-ease in the clearance of A-beta from a patient's brain may inC1-ease the levels of soluble or fibrullar forms of A-beta in the brain. The p-site APP cleaving enzyme, BACE1, also called memapsin-2 or Asp-2, was identified in 1999 (R. Vassar, B. D. Bennett, et al, Nature, 1999. 402, 537). BACE1 is a membrane-bound aspartic protease with all the known functional properties and characteristics of p-seC1-etase. Low molecular weight, non-peptide, non-substrate-related inhibitors of BACE1 or p-seC1-etase are earnestly sought both as an aid in the study of the p-seC1-etase enzyme and as potential therapeutic agents.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that amino-5-heteroarlyimidazolone compounds of formula I demonstrate inhibition of p-seC1-etase and the selective inhibition of BACE1. Advantageously, said heteroarlyimidazolone compounds may be used as effective therapeutic agents for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of a disease or disorder characterized by elevated p-amyloid deposits or p-amyloid levels in a patient. Accordingly, the present invention provides an amino-5-hetero-arylimidazolone compound of formula I
(Formula Removed)
wherein W is CO, CS or CH2; X is N, NO or C1-;
Y is N, NO or C1-10;
Z is N, NO or CR11 with the proviso that at least one of X, Y or Z must be N or NO;
R1 and R2 are each independently H, COR34, CO2R12 or an optionally substituted C1-C4alkyl group;
R3 is H, OR13 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or aryl(C1-C6)alkyl group each optionally substituted;
RA and R5 are each independently H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR14, CO2R15, COR16, NR17R18, SOPNR19R20 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
R6 is H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR21, NR22R23 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
R7 is H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR24, NR25R26 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;
R, R8, R9 and RIO are each independently H, halogen, NO2l CN, OR27, CO2R28, COR29, NR30R31, SOPNR32R33 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;
Rn, Ri2, Ri3, RH, RIS, Rie, R2i, R24, R27, R28 and R29 are each independently H or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl or aryl group each optionally substituted;
Riy, Ria, Ri9, RZO, Rz2, R23, R25, R26, Rao, RSI, Raz and R33 are each independently H, COR34, SOPR35 or a C1-C4alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R17, Ri8; or R19, R20,or R22, R23, or R25, R2e, or R30, R3i, or Rs2, Raa may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing an additional heteroatom selected from O, N or S;
R34 is H, or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; and
R35 is a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; or
a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
It is understood that the claims encompass all possible stereoisomers and prodrugs. Moreover, unless stated otherwise, each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group is contemplated as being optionally substituted.
An optionally substituted moiety may be substituted with one or more substituents. The substituent groups which are optionally present may be one or more of those customarily employed in the development of pharmaceutical compounds or the modification of such compounds to influence their structure/activity, persistence, absorption, stability or other beneficial property. Specific examples of such substituents include halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsuphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl, alkylamido, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, heterocyclyl (e.g. cycloheteroalkyl or heteroaryl) or cycloalkyl groups, preferably halogen atoms or lower alkyl or lower alkoxy groups. Unless otherwise specified, typically, 0-4 substituents may be present. When more than one substituent is present they may be the same of different. When any of the foregoing substituents represents or contains an alkyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably up to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably up to 4 carbon atoms.
As used herein, the term "alky!" includes both (C1-C10) straight chain and (C3-C12) branched-chain (unless defined otherwise) monovalent saturated hydrocarbon moiety. Examples of saturated hydrocarbon alkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, chemical groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl; higher homologs such as n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and the like. Specifically included within the definition of "alkyl" are those alkyl groups that are optionally substituted. Suitable alkyl substitutions include, but are not limited to, CN, OH, halogen, phenyl, carbamoyl, carbonyl, alkoxy or aryloxy.
As used herein the term "haloalkyl" designates a CnH2n+i group having from one to 2n+1 halogen atoms which may be the same or different. Examples of haloalkyl groups include CF3, CH2CI, C2H3BrCI, C3H5F2, or the like.
The term "alkenyl", as used herein, refers to either a (C2-C8) straight chain or (C3-C10) branched-chain monovalent hydrocarbon moiety containing at least one double bond. Such hydrocarbon alkenyl moieties may be mono or polyunsaturated, and may exist in the E or Z configurations. The compounds of this invention are meant to include all possible E and Z configurations. Examples of mono or polyunsaturated hydrocarbon
alkenyl moieties include, but are not limited to, chemical groups such as vinyl, 2-propenyl, isopropenyl, crotyl, 2-isopentenyl, butadienyl, 2-(butadienyl), 2,4-pentadienyl, 3-(1,4-pentadienyl), and higher homologs, isomers, or the like.
The term "alkynyl", as used herein, refers to a (C2-C8) straight chain or (C3-C10) branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon moiety containing at least one triple bond. The alkynyl moiety may be mono or polyunsaturated. Examples include ethynyl.
The term "cycloalkyl", as used herein, refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, fused, bridged, or spiro monovalent saturated hydrocarbon moiety of 3-10 carbon atoms, unless otherwise specified, wherein the carbon atoms are located inside or outside of the ring system. Any suitable ring position of the cycloalkyl moiety may be covalently linked to the defined chemical structure. Examples of cycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, chemical groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylethyl, cycloheptyl, norbornyl, adamantyl, spiro[4.5]decanyl, and homologs, isomers, or the like.
When used herein the term aryl(C1-C6)alkyl refers to (C1-C6)alkyl group as defined above substituted by at least one aryl moiety as defined below.
The term "cycloheteroalkyl" as used herein designates a 5 to 7 membered ring system containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, which may be the same or different, selected from N, O or S and optionally containing one double bond. Exemplary of the cycloheteroalkyl ring systems included in the term as designated herein are the following rings wherein X1 is NR', O or S and R is H or an optional substituent as defined hereinbelow.
(Formula Removed)
The term "aryl", as used herein, refers to an aromatic carbocyclic moiety of up to 20 carbon atoms, e.g. 6-20 carbon atoms, which may be a single ring (monocyclic) or multiple rings (bicyclic, up to three rings) fused together or linked covalently. Any suitable ring position of the aryl moiety may be covalently linked to the defined chemical structure. Examples of aryl moieties include, but are not limited to, chemical groups such as phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, biphenyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, fluorenyl, indanyl, biphenylenyl, acenaphthenyl, acenaphthylenyl,
and the like. The term "aryl" further includes both unsubstituted carbocylic groups and carbocylic groups containing 1-5-substitutions.
The term "heteroaryl" as used herein means an aromatic heterocyclic ring system, which may be a single ring (monocyclic) or multiple rings (bicyclic, up to three rings) fused together or linked covalently. Preferably, heteroaryl is a 5- to 6-membered ring. The rings may contain from one to four hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein the nitrogen or sulfur atom(s) are optionally oxidized, or the nitrogen atom(s) are optionally quarternized. Any suitable ring position of the heteroaryl moiety may be covalently linked to the defined chemical structure. Examples of heteroaryl moieties include, but are not limited to, heterocycles such as furan, thiophene, pyrrole, N-methylpyrrole, pyrazole, N-methylpyrazole, imidazole, N-methylimidazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, 1 H-tetrazole, 1-methyltetrazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1H-1,2,4-triazole, 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole 1,3,4-triazole, 1-methyl-1,3,4-triazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, thianthrene, dibenzo[b,d]furan, dibenzo[b,d]thiophene, benzimidazole, N-methylbenzimidazole, indole, indazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, purine, pteridine, 9H-carbazole, a-carboline, or the like.
The term "halogen", as used herein, designates fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
The compounds of the present invention may be converted to salts, in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts using art recognized procedures. Suitable salts with bases are, for example, metal salts, such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, for example sodium, potassium or magnesium salts, or salts with ammonia or an organic amine, such as morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, a mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylamine, for example ethyl-tert-butyl-, diethyl-, diisopropyl-, triethyl-, tributyl- or dimethylpropylamine, or a mono-, di-, or trihydroxy lower alkylamine, for example mono-, di- or triethanolamine, where lower denotes 1-6 carbon atoms. Internal salts may furthermore be formed. Salts which are unsuitable for pharmaceutical uses but which can be employed, for example, for the isolation or purification of free compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are also included. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt", as used herein, refers to salts derived form organic and inorganic acids such as, for example, acetic, propionic, lactic, citric, tartaric, succinic, fumaric, maleic, malonic, mandelic, malic, phthalic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, nitric, sulfuric, methanesulfonic, napthalenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, camphorsulfonic, and similarly known acceptable acids when a compound of this invention contains a basic moiety. Salts may also be formed from organic and inorganic
bases, preferably alkali metal salts, for example, sodium, lithium, or potassium, when a compound of this invention contains a carboxylate or phenolic moiety, or similar moiety capable of forming base addition salts.
Compounds of the invention may exist as one or more tautomers. One skilled in the art will recognize that compounds of formula I may also exist as the tautomer It as shown below.

(Formula Removed)
Tautomers often exist in equilibrium with each other. As these tautomers interconvert under environmental and physiological conditions, they provide the same useful biological effects. The present invention includes mixtures of such tautomers as well as the individual tautomers of Formula I and Formula It.
The compounds of this invention may contain an asymmetric carbon atom and some of the compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to optical isomers and diastereomers. While shown without respect to stereochemistry in Formula I, the present invention includes such optical isomers and diastereomers; as well as the racemic and resolved, enantiomerically pure R and S stereoisomers; as well as other mixtures of the R and S stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Where a stereoisomer is preferred, it may in some embodiments be provided substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer. Thus, an enantiomer substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer refers to a compound that is isolated or separated via separation techniques or prepared free of the corresponding enantiomer. "Substantially free", as used herein, means that the compound is made up of a significantly greater proportion of one steriosomer, preferably less than about 50%, more preferably less than about 75%, and even more preferably less than about 90%.
Preferred compounds of formula I are those compounds wherein W is CO; X is N; Y is CR10 and Z is CR11- Another group of preferred compounds is those compounds
of formula I wherein W is CO and R7 is phenyl or heteroaryl. Also preferred are those compounds of formula I wherein W is CO; R1 and R2 are H and R3 is C1-C3alkyl.
Examples of R7 are optionally substituted phenyl and heteroaryl groups as defined herein, including pyrimidinyl (such as pyrimid-5-yl) and pyridyl (such as pyrid-3-
yl).
More preferred compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein W is CO; X is N; Y is CR10; Z is CR11; and R7 is phenyl or heteroaryl. Another group of more preferred compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein W is CO; X is N; Y is CR10; Z is CR11; R7 is phenyl or heteroaryl; and R1 and R2 are H A further group of more preferred compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein W is CO; X is N; Y is CR10; Z is CRu; R7 is phenyl or heteroaryl; R1 and R2 are H; and R3 is methyl.
Preferred compounds of the invention include: (5S)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3'-fluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-
4-one; 2-amino-5-(3',5'-difluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5l-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-[3l-(trifluoromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethoxy)-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 3'-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1,1l-biphenyl-3-
carbonitrile;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3'-methoxy-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(3'-hydroxy-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5l-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-propylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-isopropylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-thien-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-thien-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(2-furyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(3-furyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(3-propoxyphenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-isobutoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(but-3-ynyloxy)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-
one; N-[3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)phenyl]-2-
methoxyacetamide; N-[3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)phenyl]-2-
furamide; 3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-N-
propylbenzamide; 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-
4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; or a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Compounds of the invention may be prepared employing conventional methods that utilize readily available reagents and starting materials. The reagents used in the preparation of the compounds of this invention can be either commercially obtained or can be prepared by standard procedures described in the literature. Representative compounds of the present invention can be prepared using the following synthetic schemes. The skilled practitioner will know how to make use of variants of these reaction sequences, which in themselves are well known in the art. For example, compounds of formula I wherein W is CO (la) may be prepared by reacting a diketone of formula II with an aminoguanidine derivative of formula III in the presence of a base such as a metal carbonate to give the desired formula la compound. The reaction is shown in flow diagram I.
FLOW DIAGRAM I
(Formula Removed)
Diketone compounds of formula II may be prepared by reacting an alkyne of formula IV with an oxidizing agent such as Pd(ll)CI/DMSO, N-bromosuccinimide/DMSO, ozone, sodium periodate with ruthenium (IV) oxide hydrate, sulfur trioxide, KMnO4, I2/DMSO, or combinations thereof, preferable KMnO4 and I2/DMSO. The reaction is shown in flow diagram II.
FLOW DIAGRAM II

(Formula Removed)

Alkyne compounds of formula IV may be prepared by reacting an aryl compound of formula V wherein L is a leaving group such as Br, I or trifluoromethanesulfonate with a protected acetylene compound of formula VI wherein P is a protecting group such as triaryl(alkyl)silyl or hydroydialkyl(aryl)silyl to give the protected arylalkyne of formula VII; deprotecting the formula VII compound to give the compound of formulaVIII using a deprotecting reagent such as a metal or ammonium fluoride, a metal carbonate, for example cesium carbonate or potassium carbonate or a metal hydroxide; and reacting the formula VIII alkyne with a heteroaryl compound of formula IX wherein L represents a leaving group as described hereinabove to give the desired alkyne compound of formula

IV. Similarly, compounds of formula IV may be prepared by reversing the order of the coupling the aryl and heteroaryl groups. The reactions are shown in flow diagram III.
FLOW DIAGRAM III
(Formula Removed)
Alternatively, compounds of formula I wherein R7 is aryl or heteroaryl (Ib) may be prepared following the formation of the hydantoin ring by coupling the appropriate hydantoin compound of formula X with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid of formula XI to give the desired compounds of formula Ib. The reaction is shown in flow diagram IV wherein L represents a leaving group as described hereinabove.
FLOW DIAGRAM IV
(Formula Removed)
Compounds of formula I wherein W is CS (lc)may be readily prepared using conventional procedures, such as reacting a compound of formula la with CS2 in the presence of a solvent to obtain the desired compound of formula Ic. Similarly, compounds of formula I wherein W is CH2 (Id) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula la with a suitable reducing agent such as SnCI2 to obtain the desired compound of formula Id. The reactions are shown in flow diagram V.
FLOW DIAGRAM V
(Formula Removed)
Advantageously, the compounds of formula I act as BACE inhibitors for the treatment of p-amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles associated with such diseases as Alzheimer's disease, Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome), Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), and other neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for modulating BACE and treating, preventing, or ameliorating p -amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles associated with diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome), Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Such methods generally involve administering to a patient suspected of suffering from or being susceptible to the disease or injury an effective amount of a compound of formula I. Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of treating Alzheimer's disease and related senile dementia's in humans or other mammals which comprises administering to a human or other mammal an effective amount of a compound of the present invention.
The present invention also provides a method for the treatment of a disorder related to or associated with excessive BACE activity in a patient in need thereof which comprises providing said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of formula I. Representative disorders include Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D, cognitive decline, senile dementia, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, degenerative dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders. Certain of these diseases are characterized by production of ß-amyloid deposits or neurofibrillary tangles.
The present invention also provides methods for modulating (and, preferably, inhibiting) the activity of BACE, comprising administering to a patient and/or contacting a receptor thereof with an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I. Certain methods further comprise determining BACE activity, either before or after said contacting step.
The present invention also provides methods of ameliorating ß-amyloid deposits in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I. Further methods ameliorate neurofibrillary tangles in a mammal, and comprise administering to said mammal an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I.
Also provided are methods of ameliorating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D, cognitive decline, senile dementia, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, degenerative dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I.
Further methods prevent Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D, cognitive decline, senile dementia, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, degenerative dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders in a mammal that is known to suffer from or suspected to be at risk of suffering from such diseases. These methods comprise administering to said mammal an amount of at least one compound of Formula I that is effective to prevent such disease.
As used in accordance with this invention, the term "providing," with respect to providing a compound or substance covered by this invention, means either
directly administering such a compound or substance, or administering a prodrug, derivative, or analog which will form the effective amount of the compound or substance within the body. This invention also covers providing the compounds of this invention to treat the disease states disclosed herein that the compounds are useful for treating.
The term "patient", as used herein, refers to a mammal, preferably a human.
The terms "administer", "administering", or "administration", as used herein, refer to either directly administering a compound or composition to a patient, or administering a prodrug derivative or analog of the compound to the patient, which will form an equivalent amount of the active compound or substance within the patient's body.
The terms "effective amount", "therapeutically effective amount" and "effective dosage" as used herein, refer to the amount of a compound that, when administered to a patient, is effective to at least partially ameliorate (and, in preferred embodiments, cure) a condition from which the patient is suspected to suffer.
It is understood that the effective dosage of the active compounds of this invention may vary depending upon the particular compound utilized, the mode of administration, the condition, and severity thereof, of the condition being treated, as well as the various physical factors related to the individual being treated. For treating Alzheimer's disease and other related senile dementia's, generally, satisfactory results may be obtained when the compounds of this invention are administered to the individual in need at a daily dosage of from about 0.1 mg to about 1 mg per kilogram of body weight, preferably administered in divided doses two to six times per day, or in a sustained release form. For most large mammals, the total daily dosage is from about 3.5 mg to about 140 mg preferably from about 3.5 to about 5 mg. In the case of a 70 kg human adult, the total daily dose will generally be from about 7 mg to about 70 mg and may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic result. This regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula I and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
The present invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the above-described Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The term "carrier", as used herein, shall encompass carriers, excipients, and diluents. Examples of carriers are well known to those skilled in the art and are prepared in accordance with acceptable pharmaceutical procedures, such as, for example, those described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th edition, ed. Alfonoso R. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA (1985), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers
are those that are compatible with the other ingredients in the formulation and biologically acceptable.
The compounds of this invention may be administered orally or parenterally, neat or in combination with conventional pharmaceutical carriers. Applicable solid carriers can include one or more substances which may also act as flavoring agents, lubricants, solubilizers, suspending agents, fillers, glidants, compression aids, binders or tablet-disintegrating agents or encapsulating materials. They are formulated in conventional manner, for example, in a manner similar to that used for known antihypertensive agents, diuretics and B-blocking agents. Oral formulations containing the active compounds of this invention may comprise any conventionally used oral forms, including tablets, capsules, buccal forms, troches, lozenges and oral liquids, suspensions or solutions. In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is an admixture with the finely divided active ingredient. In tablets, the active ingredient is mixed with a carrier having the necessary compression properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain up to 99% of the active ingredient.
Capsules may contain mixtures of the active compound(s) with inert fillers and/or diluents such as the pharmaceutically acceptable starches (e.g. corn, potato or tapioca starch), sugars, artificial sweetening agents, powdered celluloses, such as crystalline and microcrystalline celluloses, flours, gelatins, gums, etc.
Useful tablet formulations may be made by conventional compression, wet granulation or dry granulation methods and utilize pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, binding agents, lubricants, disintegrants, surface modifying agents (including surfactants), suspending or stabilizing agents, including, but not limited to, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, polyvinylpyrrolidine, alginic acid, acacia gum, xanthan gum, sodium citrate, complex silicates, calcium carbonate, glycine, sucrose, sorbitol, dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, lactose, kaolin, mannitol, sodium chloride, low melting waxes and ion exchange resins. Preferred surface modifying agents include nonionic and anionic surface modifying agents. Representative examples of surface modifying agents include, but are not limited to, poloxamer 188, benzalkonium chloride, calcium stearate, cetostearl alcohol, cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, sorbitan esters, colliodol silicon dioxide, phosphates, sodium dodecylsulfate, magnesium aluminum silicate, and triethanolamine. Oral formulations herein may utilize standard delay or time release formulations to alter the absorption of the active compound(s). The oral
formulation may also consist of administering the active ingredient in water or fruit juice, containing appropriate solubilizers or emulisifiers as needed.
Liquid carriers may be used in preparing solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs. The active ingredient of this invention can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier such as water, an organic solvent, a mixture of both or pharmaceutically acceptable oils or fat. The liquid carrier can contain other suitable pharmaceutical additives such as solubilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, preservatives, sweeteners, flavoring agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, colors, viscosity regulators, stabilizers or osmo-regulators. Suitable examples of liquid carriers for oral and parenteral administration include water (particularly containing additives as above, e.g. cellulose derivatives, preferably sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution), alcohols (including monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols, e.g. glycols) and their derivatives, and oils (e.g. fractionated coconut oil and arachis oil). For parenteral administration the carrier can also be an oily ester such as ethyl oleate and isopropyl myristate. Sterile liquid carriers are used in sterile liquid form compositions for parenteral administration. The liquid carrier for pressurized compositions can be halogenated hydrocarbon or other pharmaceutically acceptable propellant.
Liquid pharmaceutical compositions, which are sterile solutions or suspensions, can be utilized by, for example, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection. Sterile solutions can also be administered intravenously. Compositions for oral administration may be in either liquid or solid form.
Preferably the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage form, e.g. as tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, granules, or suppositories. In such form, the composition is sub-divided in unit dose containing appropriate quantities of the active ingredient; the unit dosage forms can be packaged compositions, for example, packeted powders, vials, ampoules, prefilled syringes or sachets containing liquids. The unit dosage form can be, for example, a capsule or tablet itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any such compositions in package form. Such unit dosage form may contain from about 1 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg, and may given in a single dose or in two or more divided doses. Such doses may be administered in any manner useful in directing the active compounds herein to the recipient's bloodstream, including orally, via implants, parenterally (including intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections), rectally, vaginally, and transdermally. Such administrations may be carried out using the present compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in lotions, creams, foams, patches, suspensions, solutions, and suppositories (rectal and vaginal).
When administered for the treatment or inhibition of a particular disease state or disorder, it is understood that the effective dosage may vary depending upon the particular compound utilized, the mode of administration, the condition, and severity thereof, of the condition being treated, as well as the various physical factors related to the individual being treated. In therapeutic application, compounds of the present invention are provided to a patient already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a "therapeutically effective amount". The dosage to be used in the treatment of a specific case must be subjectively determined by the attending physician. The variables involved include the specific condition and the size, age and response pattern of the patient.
In some cases it may be desirable to administer the compounds directly to the airways in the form of an aerosol. For administration by intranasal or intrabrochial inhalation, the compounds of this invention may be formulated into an aqueous or partially aqueous solution.
The compounds of this invention may be administered parenterally or intraperitoneally. Solutions or suspensions of these active compounds as a free base or pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant such as hydroxyl-propylcellulose. Dispersions may also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oils.
The compounds of this invention can be administered transdermally through the use of a transdermal patch. For the purposes of this disclosure, thransdermal administrations are understood to include all administrations across the surface of the body and the inner linings of bodily passages including epithelial and mucosal tissues. Such administrations may be carried out using the present compounds, or
pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in lotions, creams, foams, patches, suspensions, solutions, and suppositories (rectal and vaginal).
Transdermal administration may be accomplished through the use of a transdermal patch containing the active compound and a carrier that is inert to the active compound, is non-toxic to the skin, and allows delivery of the agent for systemic absorption into the blood stream via the skin. The carrier may take any number of forms such as creams and ointments, pastes, gels and occlusive devices. The creams and ointments may be viscous liquid or semisolid emulsions of either the oil-in-water or water-in-oil type. Pastes comprised of absorptive powders dispersed in petroleum or hydrophilic petroleum containing the active ingredient may also be suitable. A variety of occlusive devices may be used to release the active ingredient into the blood stream, such as a semi-permeable membrane covering a reservoir containing the active ingredient with or without a carrier, or a matrix containing the active ingredient. Other occlusive devices are known in the literature.
The compounds of this invention may be administered rectally or vaginally in the form of a conventional suppository. Suppository formulations may be made from traditional materials, including cocoa butter, with or without the addition of waxes to alter the suppository's melting point, and glycerin. Water soluble suppository bases, such as polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights, may also be used.
In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to prodrugs. Various forms of prodrugs are known in the art, for example, as discussed in, for example, Bundgaard, (ed.), Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier (1985); Widder, et al. (ed.), Methods in Enzymology, vol. 4, Academic Press (1985); Krogsgaard-Larsen, et al. (ed.), "Design and Application of Prodrugs", Textbook of Drug Design and Development, Chapter 5, 113-191 (1991), Bundgaard, et al., Journal of Drug Deliver reviews, 8:1-38 (1992), Bundgaard, J. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77:285 et seq. (1988); and Higuchi and Stella (eds.) Prodrugs as Novel Drug Delivery Systems, American Chemical Society (1975), each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
It is understood that the dosage, regimen and mode of administration of these compounds will vary according to the malady and the individual being treated and will be subject to the judgment of the medical practitioner involved. It is preferred that the administration of one or more of the compounds herein begin at a low dose and be increased until the desired effects are achieved.
For a more clear understanding, and in order to illustrate the invention more clearly, specific examples thereof are set forth hereinbelow. The following examples are merely illustrative and are not to be understood as limiting the scope and underlying principles of the invention in any way.
Unless otherwise stated, all parts are parts by weight. The term NMR designates nuclear magnetic resonance. The terms TEA, DMSO and DMF designate triethyl amine, dimethyl sulfoxide and N,N-dimethylformamide, respectively. The terms DME and TBAF designate ethylene glycol dimethyl ether and tetrabutylamminium fluoride, respectively. The term TLC designates thin layer chromatography. The term NMR designates proton nuclear magnetic resonance and the term MS designates mass spectroscopy with (+) referring to the positive mode which generally gives a M+1 (or M+H) absorption where M = the molecular mass. All compounds are analyzed at least by MS and NMR.
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained on a Bruker AVANCE 300 spectrometer at 300 MHz or a VARIAN 400 spectrometer at 400 MHz. Spectra are given in ppm (8) and coupling constants, J values, are reported in Hertz. Tetramethylsilane was used as an internal reference standard. Infrared spectra were obtained on a Nicolet Nexus 470 (ATR) spectrometer. Mass spectra were obtained on a Perkin Elmer Sciex 100
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of Trimethylsilyl-4-alkynylpyridine

(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 4-bromopyridine hydrochloride (5.0 g, 20.9 mmol) in DMF (80 ml) are added dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0.44 g, 0.63 mmol), copper iodide (0,097 g, 0.43 mmol), TEA (14.60 ml, 104.5 ml) and ethynyl(trimethyl)silane (4.43 ml, 31.35 mmol). The reaction mixture is heated at 65°C for 3 h, cooled and quenched with H2O (200 ml). The aqueous is extracted with EtOAc (3 x 70 ml). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (80 ml), dried (MgSO4), and concentrated. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 15/85) to afford the title compound (3.24 g, 89%) as an oil. MS (+) ES: 176(M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of 4-Ethynylpyridine
(Formula Removed)
To a solution of trimethylsilyl-4-alkynylpyridine (6.00 g, 34.0 mmol) in MeOH (80 ml_)is added solid K2CO3 (4.7 g, 34.0 mmol) at room temperature. After stirring for 2 h, the reaction mixture is diluted with Et2O. The insoluble materials are removed by filtration (pass through a thin layer of silica gel), and washed with Et2O. The filtrate is concentrated to dryness to give the title compound (2.56g 73%) as a solid. Mp: 110-112°C;MS(+)EI:130M+.
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of (1.1'-Biphenyl-3-ylethynyl)(trimethyl)silane
(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 3-bromo-1,1'-biphenyl (5.06 g, 21.76 mmol) in TEA (20 mL) are added dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0.47 g, 0.65 mmol), copper iodide (0.08 g, 0.44 mmol) and ethynyl(trimethyl)silane (4.62 mL, 32.64 mmol). The reaction mixture is refluxed for 3 h and cooled to room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 100% hexane) to afford the title compound (4.81 g, 88%) as an oil. MS (+) El: 250 M+.
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of 3-Ethynyl-1.1'-biphenyl
(Formula Removed)
To a solution of (1,1'-biphenyl-3-ylethynyl)(trimethyl)silane (4.74 g, 18.96) in 1/1 EtOH/CH2Cl2 (60 mL) is added Cs2CO3 (6.78 g, 20.85 mmol) at room temperature. After stirring for 1 h, the insoluble material is filtered off and the filtrate is concentrated. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 100% hexane) to give the title compound (3.07 g, 91%) as an oil. MS (+) El: 178 M+.
EXAMPLE 5
Preparation of 4-Bromo-2-methylpyridine
(Formula Removed)
To a cooled (-78 °C) suspension of 4-bromopyridine hydrochloride (5.0g, 25.7 mmol) in anhydrous THF (90 mL) was added dropwise a solution of MeMgCI (3.0 M in THF, 21 ml, 63.0 mmol). After addition.the reaction mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 15 min. Phenyl chloroformate (3.8 mL, 30 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added slowly and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH4CI at 0 °C and extracted with Et2O. The combined organic extracts were washed successively with H2O, aqueous 1 N HCI and H2O, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in andydrous toluene (100 mL) and a solution of o-chloranil (7.8 g, 32 mmol) in glacial AcOH (60 mL) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 22 h. a red suspension was formed and was made basic using 10% NaOH until a black emulsion was obtained. The mixture was filtered through Celite and washed with H2O. The organic layer was extracted three times with aqueous 1N HCI. The aqueous layers were basified with aqueous 50% NaOH and extracted with CH2CI2. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was removed under vacuum to give the title compound (2.35 g, 53%) as an oil. MS (+) El: 171 M+.
EXAMPLE 6
Preparation of 4-(Phenylethynyl)pyridine
(Formula Removed)
To a suspension of 4-bromopyridine hydrochloride (3.9 g, 20 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (2.32 g, 2.0 mmol), triethylamine (16.8 mL, 120 mmol) in dry DMF (150 mL) is added phenylacetylene (4.2 mL, 40 mmol) at room temperature. After stirring for 3 hours at 80°C, the reaction mixture is concentrated. The residue is dissolved in CH2CI2 (100 mL), washed with H2O, brine (50 mL), dried (MgSO4) and concentrated. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica

gel, EtOAc/hexane: 10/90) to afford the title compound as a solid (3.25 g, 91%). Mp 51-53°C. MS(+)ES: 180(M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 7
Preparation of 3-(Phenylethynyl)pyridine

(Formula Removed)
The title compound is prepared by using essentially the same procedure as in Example 6 affording a solid (95%). Mp: 42-43°C. MS (+) ES: 180 (M+H)+
EXAMPLE 8
Preparation of 4-[(3-Bromophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine
(Formula Removed)
The title compound is prepared by using essentially the same procedure as Example 1 affording a solid (87%). Mp: 140-142°C. MS (+) ES: 257 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 9
Preparation of 4-[(3-Methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]pyridine
(Formula Removed)
The title compound is prepared by using essentially the same procedure as Example 1 affording a solid (87%). Mp: 33-35°C. MS (+) ES: 220 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 10
Preparation of 4-(1.1'-Biphenyl-3-ylethynyl)pyridine

(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 4-ethynyl-1,1'-biphenyl (3.4 g, 19.1 mmol) in DMF (30 ml_) are added 4-bromopyridine hydrochloride (3.63 g, 18.73 mmol), tetrakis(triphenyl-phosphine)palladium (0.65 g, 0.56 mmol), copper iodide (0.07 g, 0.37 mmol) and TEA (10 ml) at room temperature. After stirring for 3 h at 65°C, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the insoluble material is filtered off. To the filtrate is added water. The aqueous is extracted with Et2O (2 x 150 ml). The combined organic extracts are washed with water, 10% aqueous LiCI (50 mL), brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 20/80) to afford the title compound (4.2 g, 88%) as an oil. MS (+) ES: 279 (M+Na)+.
EXAMPLE 11
Preparation of 4-(1.1'-Biphenyl-3-ylethynyl)-2-methylpyridine
(Formula Removed)
The title compound is prepared by using essentially the same procedure as Example 10 affording solid (59%). Mp: 56-58°C. MS (+) ES: 270 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 12
Preparation of 3-(1.1'-Biphenyl-3-ylethynyl)pyridine
(Formula Removed)
The title compound is prepared by using essentially the same procedure as Example 10 affording an oil (41%). MS (+) ES: 256 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 13
Preparation of 4-[(3'-fluoro-1.1'-Biphenyl-3-yl)ethynyl]pyridine
(Formula Removed)
To a solution 4-[(3-bromophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine (220 mg, 0.85 mmol) in DME is
added 3-fluorophenylbronic acid (237 mg, 1.70 mmol),
tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (98 mg, 0.085 mmo) and 2.0M aqueous sodium carbonate (1.70 ml, 3.40 mmol) at room temperature. After refluxing for 3 hour, the reaction mixture is cooled, quenched with saturated sodium carbonate (10 mL), diluted with EtOAc (30 mL). The two layers are separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (20 mL), dried (MgSO4) and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude mixture is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 30/70) to give the title compound (141 mg, 61%) as an oil. MS(+) ES:274 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLES 14-15
Preparation of 4-{[3'-Substltuted-1.1 '-biphenyl-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridine
(Formula Removed)

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 13 and employing the appropriated bronic acid, the compounds shown in Table I are obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE I
(Table Removed)
EXAMPLE 16
Preparation of 2-[3-(Pyridin-4-ylethynyl)phenyl]pyrazine

(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 4-[(3-bromophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine (387 mg, 1.50 mmol) in toluene (10 ml) is added tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (87 mg, 0.075 mmol) and 2-(tributylstannyl)pyrazine (1.45 g, 3.75 mmol) at room temperature. After refluxing for 24 h, the reaction mixture is cooled and diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO3 (2x30 ml), brine (30 ml), dried over MgSO4 and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 40/60 to give the title compound (153 mg, 40%) as solid, mp: 94-95°C. MS(+) ES: 258 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 17
Preparation of 1-Phenyl-2-pyridin-4-ylethane-1.2-dione
(Formula Removed)
A solution of 4-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (2.25 g, 12.6 mmol) and powder iodine (1.60 g, 6.3 mmol) in DMSO (30 ml) is heated at 155°C for 4 h. The reaction mixture is cooled and poured to H2O (100 ml). The aqueous is neutralized with powdered Na2CO3 to pH~12 and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 100 ml). The combined organic extracts are washed sequentially with H2O (60 ml) and brine (60 ml), then dried and concentrated. The crude material is purified by chromatography (silica gel: EtOAc/hexane: 20/80) to afford the title compound (0.81 g, 30%) as an oil. MS (+) ES: 212 (M+H)+. EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of 1-(3-Bromophenyl)-2-pyridin-4-ylethane-1.2-dione
(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 4-[(3-bromophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine (1.81 g, 7.0 mmol) in acetone (63 mL) is added a warm (~40 °C) solution of NaHCO3 (0.35 g, 4.20 mmol) and MgSO4 (1.26 g, 10.50 mmol) in H2O (63 ml) followed by the addition of solid potassium permanganate (2.43 g, 15.40 mmol) in one portion. After stirring at room temperature for 4 minutes, the reaction mixture is extracted with 1/1 Et2O/hexane.. The extracts are combined, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated to dryness to afford the title compound (1.52 g, 75%) as a solid. Mp: 88-90°C. MS (+) ES: 289 (M+H)*.
EXAMPLES 19-22
Preparation of 1-(3-bromophenyl)-2-pyridin-4-ylethane-1.2-dione
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 17 and 18 and employing the appropriate alkyne substrate, the compounds shown in Table II are obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.
(Formula Removed)
Table II

(Table Removed)

EXAMPLE 23
Preparation of 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-
4-one

(Formula Removed)
A suspension of 1-phenyl-2-pyridin-4-ylethane-1,2-dione (0.81 g, 3.8 mmol), N-methylguanidine hydrochloride (1.92 g, 17.5 mmol) and Na2CO3 (3.71 g, 35 mmol) in EtOH (25 ml) and H2O (5 ml) is refluxed for 18 h. The reaction mixture is cooled and poured into water. The precipitate is collected by filtration, washed with water, and air-dried to give the title compound (0.62 g, 62%) as a solid. Mp 154-155°C. MS (+) ES: 267 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLES 24-29
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(substituted-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridinyl-3.5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds
(Formula Removed)

sing essentially the same procedure described in Example 23 and employing the appropriate diketone, the compounds shown in Table III were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

(Formula Removed)

TABLE
(Table Removed)
EXAMPLE 30
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(2'.5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-
3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one
(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (104 mg, 0.3 mmol) in DME (5 ml) is added 2,5-difluorophenylboronic acid (96 mg, 0.6 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (35 mg, 0.03 mmo) and 2.0M aqueous sodium carbonate (0.6 ml, 1.2 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 1 hour and cooled. After evaporation
of the solvent, the crude mixture is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/2M methanolic NH3: 92/8) to give the title compound (95 mg, 84%) as a solid, mp: 200-202°C; MS(+) ES: 379 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLES 31-50
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(3-substitutedphenyl)-3-methvl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 30 and employing the appropriate boronic acid and aminohydantoin starting materials, the compounds shown in Table IV were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses. TABLE IV
(Formula and Table Removed)

EXAMPLE 51
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxvphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3.5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one

(Formula Removed)
To a suspension of 2-amino-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (0.75 g, 2.5 mmol) in CH2CI2 (7.5 ml) is added BBr3 (1.0 M in CH2CI2, 15 ml, 15 mmol) at -78°C. After addition, the reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature and stirred for 3 h. The reaction mixture is poured into ice-water (50 ml) and the two layers are separated. The aqueous is neutralized with 50% aqueous NaOH to pH~7 and extracted with 4/1 CH2CI2/2-PrOH (3 x 100 ml). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (150 ml), dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated. The resultant residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/2M methanolic NH3: 95/5) to give the title compound (0.58 g, 79%) as a solid. Mp: 245-247°C; MS(+) ES: 283 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 52
Preparation of 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(3-propoxyphenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-3.5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one
(Formula Removed)
To a stirred solution of 2-amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (0.13 g, 0.46 mmol) in acetone (20 ml) and DMF (1 ml) is added 1-iodopropane (0.07 ml, 0.69 mmol) and Cs2CO3 (1.50 g, 4.60 mmo). After refluxed for 1 hour, the solvent is evaporated and the crude material was purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/2M methanolic NH3: 97/3) to give the title compound (0.145 g, 97%) as a solid, mp: 173-175°C; MS(+) ES: 325 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLES 53-67
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(substituted-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridinyl-3.5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 23 and employing the appropriate diketone, the compounds shown in Table V were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.
TABLE V
(Formula and Tabe Removed)
EXAMPLE 68
Preparation of 1-(cyclopropvlmethoxy)-3-ethynylbenzene

(Formula Removed)
To a solution of 3-ethynylphenol (1.18 g, 10.0 mmol) in acetone (30 ml) is added (bromomethyl)cyclopropane (1.02 ml, 10.0 mmol), sodium iodide (0.75 g, 5.0 mmol) and Cs2CO3 (6.52 g, 20.0 mmol) at room temperature. After refluxing over night, the reaction mixture is cooled, diluted with Et2O (300 ml) and pass through a thin layer of silica gel. The solution is concentrated. The resultant residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 1/99) to give the title compound (1.45 g, 84%) as an oil. MS(+) APPI: 173 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 69
Preparation of N-(3-Ethynylphenyl)-2-methoxyacetamide

(Formula Removed)
To a cooled solution of 3-ethynylphenylamine (7.02 g, 60 mmol) in methylene chloride is added a solution of methoxyacetyl chloride (7.8 g, 72 mmol) in methylene chloride (10 mL) dropwise over a period of 30 min at 0 °C. After addition, the reaction mixture is allowed to warm-up to room temperature and stirred overnight. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO3, H2O, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to afford the title compound as a colorless oil 10.2 g (90%). 1HNMR (CDC13): δ (ppm) 3.04 (s, 1H,), 3.48 (s, 3H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 7.61 (d, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 8.21 (s, b, 1H).
EXAMPLES 70-82
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(substituted-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridinyl-3.5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 23 and employing the appropriate diketone, the compounds shown in Table VI were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.
TABLE VI

(Formula and Table Removed)
EXAMPLES 83-95
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(substituted-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-(substituted-pyridinyl)-
3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds

(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 30 and employing the appropriate boronic acid and suitable 5-(3-bromophenyl)imidazolone substrate, the compounds shown in Table VII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses. In Table VII, the term i-Pr designates isopropyl. TABLE VII

(Formula and Table Removed)

EXAMPLES 97-100
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(substituted-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-(substituted-pyridinyl)-
3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one Compounds
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 6, 17 and 30 and employing the appropriate boronic acid and suitable 5-(3-bromophenyl)- imidazolone substrate, the compounds shown in Table VIII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses. TABLE VIII
(Formula and Table Removed)
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(2.6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl))-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl))-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one

(Formula Removed)
A mixture of 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl))-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (0.176 g, 0.472 mmol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.134 g, 0.528 mmol), bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-palladium(ll) chloride (0.0135 g, 0.0165 mmol), diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (0.009 g, 0.017 mmol) and potassium acetate (0.138 g, 1.41 mmol) in anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (1.0 ml) was heated at 80 °C for 17 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to afford the boronic ester intermediate (0.311 g crude, quantitative) as a light yellow solid. A mixture of said boronic ester (0.31 g, approx. 0.47 mmol), bis(diphenylphosphino)- ferrocenepalladium(ll) chloride (0.019 g, 0.0234 mmol), sodium carbonate (0.160 g, 1.5 mmol), DMF (8 mL) and water (0.8 mL) under nitrogen was treated with 2-chloropyrazine (0.0538 g, 0.47 mmol) and heated at 80 °C for 2.5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, ethyl acetate (100 mL) and water (100 mL) were added, and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic layers were washed with 2% aqueous lithium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. Purification of the resultant residue by flash chromatography (silica, 95:5:0.5 methylene chloride/methanol/ concentrated ammonium hydroxide) afforded a residue which was further purified by semi-preparative HPLC to afford the title product (6.9 mg, 4%) as an off-white solid: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3) δ 9.00 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (dd, J = 2.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.93
(dd, J = 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (s, 2H), 3.14 (s, 3H), 2.49 (s, 6H); ESI MS m/z 373 [C21H2oN6O+ H]+.
EXAMPLE 102
Preparation of 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methyl-1-oxidopyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrimi- din-
5-vlphenyl))-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one

(Formula Removed)
A mixture of 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (0.101 g, 0.282 mmol) in dichloroethane (2.0 ml) was treated with m-CPBA (0.057 g, 0.330 mmol) and heated at 50 °C under nitrogen for 45 min. Additional m-CPBA (0.10 g, 0.579 mmol) was then added and the mixture was stirred at 50 °C for an additional 30 min. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (60 mL) and 1 N NaOH (60 mL). The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (silica, 93:7:0.5 to 90:10:0.5 methylene chloride/ methanol/concentrated ammonium hydroxide) afforded the title product (0.014 g, 13%) as a white solid, mp 181-186 8C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3) δ 9.21 (s, 1H), 8.92 (s, 2H), 8.19 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 7.53-7.48 (m, 3H), 7.41 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (br s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.49 (s, 3H); ESI MS m/z 375 [C2oH18N6O2 + H]+.
EXAMPLE 103
Preparation of (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2.6diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-
ylphenyl))-3.5-dihvdro-4H-imidazol-4-one [A] and (5S)-2-Amino-5-
(2.6diethylpvridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one [B]
(Formula Removed)

A racemic mixture of 2-amino-5-(2,6diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was separated by chiral HPLC to give the title enantiomeric products:
A: (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2,6diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.15 (t, 6H), 2.63 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.15 (s, 2H), 7.45(t, 1H), 7.5 (d 1H), 7.62 (d, 1H), 7.75 (m 1H), 8.95 (s, 2H), 9.15 (s, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+401; [α]D25= +0.039 (c = 1% in CH3OH); and
B: (5S)-2-Amino-5-(2,6diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.15 (t, 6H), 2.63 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.15 (s, 2H), 7.45(t, 1H), 7.5 (d 1H), 7.62 (d, 1H), 7.75 (m 1H), 8.95 (s, 2H), 9.15 (s, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+401.
EXAMPLE 104
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(2.6-diethyl-pyridin-4-yl)-5-[4-fluoro-3-(5-fluoro-pyridin-3-
yl)-phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one
(Formula Removed)
A mixture of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-4-fluorophenyl]-5-(2,6-diethyl-pyridin-4-yl)- -3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (0.12 g, 0.286 mmol), 5-fluoropyridin-3-yl(tributly)tin (0.166 g, 0.43 mmol) and bis(triphenylphosphino)palladium(ll) chloride (0.016 g, 0.023 mmol) in DMF (5 ml) was degassed and heated at 150 °C for 0.5 h. The mixture was
cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) and 2% aqueous lithium chloride (20 ml). The organic layer was separated, washed with 2% aqueous lithium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. Purification of the resultant residue by flash chromatography (silica, 97:3:0.25 methylene chloride/methanol/concentrated ammonium hydroxide) afforded the title product (0.085 g, 68%) as a white solid, mp 155-157 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD) 8.55 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.60-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.27 (dd, J= 10.2, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (s, 2H), 3.13 (s, 3H), 2.74 (q, J= 7.5 Hz, 4H), 1.23 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, 6H); IR (ATR) 3064, 2969, 2935, 1733, 1670, 1597, 1459, 1412, 1328, 1228, 989, 881, 783, 702 cm-1; ESI MS m/z 436 [C24H23F2M5O + H]+. Anal. Calcd for C24H23F2N5O: C, 66.19; H, 5.32; N, 16.08. Found: C, 65.87; H, 4.73; N, 15.28.
EXAMPLE 105
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(2.6-diethyl-pyridin-4-yl)-5-[4-fluoro-3-(4-fluoro-pyridin-3-
yl)-phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one

(Formula Removed)
A mixture of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,6-diethyl-pyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (0.170 g, 0.405), 4-fluoropyridin-3-yl(tributly)tin (0.235 g, 0.608 mmol) and bis(triphenylphosphino)palladium(ll) chloride (0.023 g, 0.032 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was degassed and heated at 150 °C for 1 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) and 2% aqueous lithium chloride (20 ml). The organic layer was separated, washed with 2% aqueous lithium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. Purification of the resultant residue by flash chromatography (silica, 95:5:0.25 methylene chloride/methanol/concentrated ammonium hydroxide) afforded the title product (0.017 g, 10%) as a white solid, mp 92-100 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.55-8.45 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.19 (m, 4H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 3.10 (s, 3H), 2.68 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 1.15 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 6H); ESI MS m/z 436 [C24H23F2N5O + H]+.
EXAMPLE 106
Preparation of (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one [A] and (5S)-2-Amino-5-(2-ethylpyri- din-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one [B]

(Formula Removed)
A racemic mixture of 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was separated by chiral HPLC to give the title enantiomeric products:
A: (5R)-2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.18 (t, 3H), 2.7 (t, 2H), 3.0 (s, 3H), 6.8 (brs, 2H), 7.32,1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.5 (t, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 8.4 (d, 1H), 9.03 (s, 2H), 9.2 (s, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+373; and
B: (5S)-2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl))-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.18 (t, 3H), 2.7 (t, 2H), 3.0 (s, 3H), 6.8 (brs, 2H), 7.3 2, 1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.5 (t, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 8.4 (d, 1H), 9.03 (s, 2H), 9.2 (s, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+373; [α]D25= +0.031 (c = 1% in CH3OH)
EXAMPLE 107
Preparation of (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2.6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[(3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-
yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one [A] and (5S)-2-Amino-5-(2.6-diethvlPvridin-4-yl)-5-[(3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one [B]
(Formula Removed)
A racemic mixture of 2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[(3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one_was separated by chiral HPLC to give the title enantiomeric products:
A: (5R)-2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[(3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.2 (t, 6H), 2.6 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.1 (s, 1H), 7.35-7.45 (m, 3H), 7.5 (m, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 8.0 (m, 2H), 8.4 (dd, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+418; [a]D25= +0.041 (c = 1% in CH3OH); and B: (5S)-2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[(3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.2 (t, 6H), 2.6 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.1 (s, 1H), 7.35-7.45 (m, 3H), 7.5 (m, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 8.0 (m, 2H), 8.4 (dd, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+418; [a]D25= -0.02 (c = 1% in CH3OH).
EXAMPLE 108
Preparation of (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2.6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[3-(6-fluoropyridin-3-
yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-4H-imldazol-4-one [A] and (5S)-2-Amino-5-(2.6-
diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[3-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3.5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one [B]
(Formula Removed)
A racemic mixture of 2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[3-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was separated by chiral HPLC to give the title enantiomeric products:
A: (5R)-2-Amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[3-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.15 (t, 6H), 2.6 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.25 (dd, 1H), 7.4 (t, 1H), 7.48 (d 1H), 7.55 (d, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 8.12 (m, 2H), 8.38 (m, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+418; [a]D25= +0.008 (c = 1% in CH3OH); and
B: (5S)-2-Amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-5-[3-(6-fIuoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, 1H NMR (DMSOd6300 MHz) δ 1.15 (t, 6H), 2.6 (q, 4 H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 6.72 (brs, 2H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.25 (dd, 1H), 7.4 (t, 1H), 7.48 (d 1H), 7.55
(d, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 8.12 (m, 2H), 8.38 (m, 1H); MS m/e (M+H)+418; [a]D25= -0.002 (c = 1%inCH3OH).
EXAMPLE 109
Preparation of 2-Amino-5-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-3-methyl-5-(2-phenyl-
pyridin-4-yl)-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one
Step a) [(4-Methoxy-3-methylphenyl)ethynyl](trimethyl)silane
(Formula Removed)
A solution of 4-bromo-1-methoxy-2-methylbenzene (6.702 g) in toluene was treated with tetrakis(triphenylphosphie)palladium (0) (1.15 g), followed by diisopropylamine (23 ml), trimethylsilyl acetylene (4.7 ml) and copper iodide (I) (0.127 g). The reaction was heated at 45 °C in nitrogen atmosphere overnight and evaporated to dryness. The resultant residue was applied on a large silica pad and eluted with hexane:ethyl acetate (2:1). The elute was evaporated to dryness to give the silane intermediate as a brown oil (7.167 g). The compound was characterized by LCMS analysis. LCMS Conditions: HP 1100 HPLC system; Waters Xterra MS C18, 2 mm (i.d.) x 50 mm (length), 3.5 um column, set at 50°C; Flow rate 1.0 mL/min; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH in water; Solvent B 0.02% NH4OH in ACN; Gradient: Time O: 10% B; 2.5 min 90% B; 3 min 90% B; Sample concentration: ~2.0mM; Injection volume: 5uL; Detection: 220nm, 254nm DAD Step b) 4-Ethynyl-1-methoxy-2-methylbenzene
A solution of [(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)ethynyl](trimethyl)silane (7.167 g) tetrahydrofuran was treated with TBAF (30 mL, 1.0 M solution in tetrahydrofuran), stirred for 1 hour and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether,
washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated. This residue was applied on a pad of silica and eluted with hexane:ethyl acetate (4:1). The elute was evaporated to dryness to give the alkyne intermediate as a brown solid (4.77 g). The compound was characterized by LCMS analysis. . LCMS Conditions: HP 1100 HPLC system; Waters Xterra MS C18, 2 mm (i.d.) x 50 mm (length), 3.5 um column, set at 50°C; Flow rate 1.0 mL/min; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH in water; Solvent B 0.02% NH4OH in ACN; Gradient: Time O: 10% B; 2.5 min 90% B; 3 min 90% B; Sample concentration: ~2.0mM; Injection volume: 5uL; Detection: 220nm, 254nm DAD Step c) 4-[(4-Methoxy-3-methylphenyl)ethynyl]-2-phenylpyridine
A solution of 4-bromo-2-phenylpyridine (0.4 g; prepared according to a literature procedure: Wolf, C.; Ghebremariam, B. Synthesis 2002, 749) in toluene is treated with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (0.059 g), followed by diisopropylamine (5 ml), 4-ethynyl-1-methoxy-2-methylbenzene (1.25 g) and copper iodide (I) (0.006 g). The reaction is heated at 65°C in nitrogen atmosphere overnight and concentrated in vacua to give the phenylethynlypyridine intermediate as a brown oil (2.0 g). The compound was characterized by LCMS analysis. LCMS Conditions: HP 1100 HPLC system; Waters Xterra MS C18, 2 mm (i.d.) x 50 mm (length), 3.5 um column, set at 50°C; Flow rate 1.0 mL/min; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH in water; Solvent B 0.02% NH4OH in ACN; Gradient: Time O: 10% B; 2.5 min 90% B; 3 min 90% B; Sample concentration: ~2.0mM; Injection volume: 5uL; Detection: 220nm, 254nm DAD Step d) 1 -(4-Methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-2-(2-phenylpyridin-4-yl)ethane-1,2-dione
A solution of 4-[(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)ethynyl]-2-phenylpyridine (2.0 g) in acetone is treated with a solution of magnesium sulfate (0.52 g) and sodium bicarbonate (0.177 g) in water, followed by potassium permanganate (0.780 g), stirred for 2 hours and filtered through a cellite pad. The filter cake was washed with acetone. The filtrates were combined and evaporated. The resultant residue was dissolved in diethyl ether, washed sequentially with water and saturated sodium bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1) to give the diketone intermediate as a bright yellow oil (0.322 g), characterized by LCMS analysis. LCMS Conditions: HP 1100 HPLC system; Waters Xterra MS C18, 2 mm (i.d.) x 50 mm (length), 3.5 um column, set at 50°C; Flow rate 1.0 mL/min; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH in water; Solvent B 0.02% NH4OH in ACN; Gradient: Time O: 10% B; 2.5 min 90% B; 3 min 90% B; Sample concentration: ~2.0mM; Injection volume: 5uL; Detection: 220nm, 254nm DAD Step e) 2-Amino-5-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-3-methyl-5-(2-phenylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one
A mixture of 1-(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)-2-(2-phenylpyridin-4-yl)ethane-1,2-dione (0.331 g, 0.5 mmol) and 1-methylguanidine hydrochloride (0.110 g, 1.0 mmol) in ethanol was treated with sodium carbonate (0.318 g, 1.5 mmol) in water (2 mL), heated at 70 °C overnight and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness to provide a residue, which was purified by Gilson preparative reverse phase HPLC system. HPLC Conditions: YMC Pro C18, 20 mm x 50 mm ID, 5uM column; 2 mL injection; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH/water; Solvent B:0.02% NH4OH/acetonitrile; Gradient: Time 0: 95% A; 2 min: 95% A; 14 min: 10% A, 15 min: 10% A, 16 min: 95% A; Flow rate 22.5 mL/min; Detection: 254 nm DAD. Compound 7 (0.110 g) to give the title product as a white, amphorous solid, characterized by LCMS analysis. LCMS Conditions: HP 1100 HPLC system; Waters Xterra MS C18, 2 mm (i.d.) x 50 mm (length), 3.5 um column, set at 50°C; Flow rate 1.0 mL/min; Solvent A: 0.02% NH4OH in water; Solvent B 0.02% NH4OH in ACN; Gradient: Time O: 10% B; 2.5 min 90% B; 3 min 90% B; Sample concentration: ~2.0mM; Injection volume: 5uL; Detection: 220nm, 254nm DAD, (retention time: 2.41 min, [M-H] 385, [M+H] 387).
EXAMPLE 110
Preparation of 1-(difluoromethoxy)-4-ethynylbenzene
(Formula Removed)
A solution of 1-(difluoromethoxy)-4-iodobenzene (12.7 g, 50 mmol) in triethylamine is treated with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (4.0 g, 3.5 mmol), copper iodide (925 mg, 4.85 mmol), and a solution of ethynyl(trimethyl)silane (6.9 mL, 50 mmol) in acetonitrile at room temperature, stirred for 1 h at 60 °C and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue was dissolved in Et2O and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the concentrate was purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane: 5/95) to give {[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethynyl}(trimethyl)silane (11.5 g, 96%) as an oil.
A solution of {[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethynyl}(trimethyl)silane (10.0 g, 41.7 mmol) in MeOH/CH2CI2 (1/1) was treated with cesium carbonate (16.3 g, 50 mmol) at room temperature, stirred for 1.5 h, diluted with CH2CI2 and filtered through a pad of silica gel. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness to give the title compound (6.8 g, 97%) as an oil. MS(+)EI:168.
EXAMPLE 111
Preparation of 2-amino-5-[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one

(Formula Removed)
A solution of 3-iodopyridine (205 mg, 1.0 mg) in triethylamine was treated with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (80 mg, 0.069 mmol), copper iodide (18 mg, 0.097 mmol) and a solution of 1-(difluoromethoxy)-4-ethynylbenzene (168 mg, 1.0 mmol) in acetonitrile at room temperature, heated at 60 °C for 1 h, cooled and concentrated to dryness to afford 3-{[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethynyl}pyridine as a residue. The residue (240 mg) was dissolved in acetone, treated sequentially with a solution of NaHCO3 (50 mg) and MgSO4 (180 mg) in H2O and KMnO4 (327 mg), stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature and extracted with 1/1 Et2O/hexane. The combined extracts were concentrated to dryness to give 1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)- phenyl]-2-pyridin-3-ylethane-1,2-dione. A mixture of 1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-2-pyridin-3-ylethane-1,2-dione (230 mg), N-methylguanidine hydrochloride (155 mg) and Na2CO3 (240 mg) in ethanol was heated at reflux temperature for 1.5 h. and concentrated in vacua. The resultant residue was purified by chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/2.0 M NH3 in EtOH: 97/3) to give the title compound (130 mg) as a solid, mp: 173-175 °C, identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses. MS (+) APPI: 333 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 112
Preparation of 2-amino-5-[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-3-methy-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one
(Formula Removed)
Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 111 and employing 4-iodopyridine, the title compound was obtained as a solid, mp: 193-195 °C, identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses. MS (+) APPI: 333 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 113
Preparation of (5R)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropvridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one [A] and (5S)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3.5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one £11

(Formula Removed)
A racemic mixture of 2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was separated by chiral HPLC to give the title enantiomeric products:
A: (5R)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, MS m/e (M+H)+380; [a]D25= +13.6 (c = 1% in DMSO); and B: (5S)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one, MS m/e (M+H)+380; [a]D25= -13.6 (c = 1% in DMSO).
EXAMPLE 114
Evaluation of BACE-1 Binding Affinity of Test Compounds
Fluorescent Kinetic Assays
Final Assay Conditions: 10 nM human BACE1 (or 10 nM Murine BACE1, 1.5 nM human
BACE2), 25 MM substrate (WABC-6, MW 1549.6, from AnaSpec), Buffer: 50 mM Na-
Acetate, pH 4.5, 0.05% CHAPS, 25% PBS, room temperature. Na-Acetate was from
Aldrich, Cat.# 24,124-5, CHAPS was from Research Organics, Cat. # 1304C 1X, PBS
was from Mediatech (Cellgro), Cat# 21-031-CV, peptide substrate
AbzSEVNLDAEFRDpa was from AnaSpec, Peptide Name: WABC-6
Determination of stock substrate (AbzSEVNLDAEFRDpa) concentration: ~ 25 mM stock
solution is made in DMSO using the peptide weight and MW, and diluted to -25 µM
(1:1000) in 1X PBS. Concentration is determined by absorbance at 354 nm using an
extinction coefficient e of 18172 M-1cm-1, the concentration of stock substrate is
corrected, and the substrate stock stored in small aliquots in -80° C.
[Substrate Stock] = ABS 354nm * 106 /18172 (in mM)
The extinction coefficient e354 nm was adapted from TACE peptide substrate, which had
the same quencher-fluorophore pair.
Determination of Stock Enzyme Concentration: the stock concentration of each enzyme is determined by absorbance at 280 nm using an e of 64150 M"1cm~1 for hBACEl and MuBACEl, 62870 M-1cm-1 for hBACE2 in 6 M Guanidinium Hydrochloride (from Research Organics, Cat. # 5134G-2), pH ~ 6. The extinction coefficient e280nm for each enzyme was calculated based on known amino acid composition and published extinction coefficients for Trp (5.69 M-1 cm-1) and Tyr (1.28 M"1 cm"1) residues (Anal. Biochem. 182, 319-326). Dilution and mixing steps: total reaction volume: 100 µL
2X inhibitor dilutions in buffer A(66.7 mM Na-Acetate, pH 4.5, 0.0667% CHAPS) were prepared,
4X enzyme dilution in buffer A(66.7 mM Na-Acetate, pH 4.5, 0.0667% CHAPS) were prepared,
100 µM substrate dilution in 1X PBS was prepared, and
50 µL 2X Inhibitor, 25 uL 100 uM substrate are added to each well of 96-well plate (from DYNEX Technologies, VWR #: 11311-046), immediately followed by 25 µL 4X enzyme (added to the inhibitor and substrate mix), and the fluorescence readings are initiated.
Fluorescence Readings: Readings at λeX 320 nm and λem 420 nm are taken every 40 sec for 30 min at room temperature and the linear slope for substrate cleavage rate (V|) determined.
Calculation of % Inhibition: % Inhibition = 100 *(1-Vi / v0) Vi: substrate cleavage rate in the presence of inhibitor v0: substrate cleavage rate in the absence of inhibitor IC50 Determination:
% Inhibition = ((B * IC50n) + (100 * I0n)) / (IC50n + I0n)
(Model # 39 from LSW Tool Bar in Excel where B is the % inhibition from the enzyme control, which should be close to 0.) % Inhibition is plotted vs. Inhibitor Concentration (I0) and the data fit to the above equation to obtain IC50 value and Hill number (n) for each compound. Testing at least 10 different inhibitor concentrations is preferred. The data obtained are shown in TABLE IX, hereinbelow.
For Table IX
(Table Removed)

WE CLAIM:
1. Amino-5-(6-membered)heteroarylimidazolone of compound of formula
(Formula Removed)
wherein W is CO, CS or CH2; X is N, NO or CR; Y is N, NO or CR10; Z is N, NO or CR11 with the proviso that at least one of X, Y or Z must be N or
NO; R1 and R2 are each independently H, COR34, CO2R12 or an optionally substituted
C1-C4alkyl group; R3 is H, OR13 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2C6alkenyl, C2C6alkynyl,
C3-C8cycloalkyl or aryl(C1-C6)alkyl group each optionally substituted; R4 and R5 are each independently H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR14, CO2R15, COR16,
NR17R18, SOPNR19R20 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2C6alkenyl,
C2C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R6 is H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR21, NR22R23 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-
C6alkenyl, C2C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally
substituted; R7 is H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR24, NR25R26 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-
C6alkenyl, C2C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each
optionally substituted; R, R8, R9 and R10 are each independently H, halogen, NO2, CN, OR27, CO2R28,
COR29, NR30R31, SOPNR32R33 or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-
C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl or C3-C8cycloalkyl group each optionally
substituted; R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R21, R24, R27, R28 and R29 are each independently H or
a C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2C6alkenyl, C2C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl,
cycloheteroalkyl or aryl group each optionally substituted;
R17, R18, R19, R20, R22, R23, R25, R26, R30, R31, R32 and R33 are each independently H, COR34, SOPR35 or a C1-C4alkyl, C2C6alkenyl, C2C6alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R17,R18; or R19, R20, or R22, R23, or R25, R26, or R30 R31, or Rs2, Rsa may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing an additional heteroatom selected from O, N or S;
RM is H, or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-Cscycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; and
R35 is a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C2-C6alkynyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl,
cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; or a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein W is CO; X is N; Y is CR10 and Z is
3. The compound according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein R7 is optionally
substituted phenyl or optionally substituted heteroaryl.
4. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein R1 and R2 are H.
5. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein R3 is H or
C1 to C3 alkyl.
6. The compound according to claim 5 wherein R3 is methyl.
7. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein R10 and R11 are H
8. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein R7 is an
optionally substituted pyridinyl group.
9. The compound according to claim 1 selected from the following:
(5S)-2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-{3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3>5-dihydro-4/-/-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4W-imida2ol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yi)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-pyridin-3-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazo!-4-one;
2-amino-5-(3'-fluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-
4-one; 2-amino-5-(3',5'-difluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-[3l-(trifluoromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethoxy)-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 3'-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl-3-
carbonitrile;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3'-methoxy-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3'-hydroxy-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4Ay-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yt)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difiuoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl}-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-propylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-isopropylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1>-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-thien-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-thien-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(2-furyl}phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(3-furyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4W-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(3-propoxyphenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-isobutoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyridtn-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[3-(but-3-ynyloxy)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-
one; N-[3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)phenyl]-2-
methoxyacetamide; N-[3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)phenyl]-2-
furamide; 3-(2-amino-1-methyl-5-oxo-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-N-
propylbenzamide; 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-
4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2',5'-difluoro-1,1 '-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-
4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-methyl-5-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-ethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2'J5'-difluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-3-yl)-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-
dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyrazin-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2,6-diethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-
imidazol-4-one;
2-amino-3-methyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; a tautomer thereof; a stereoisomer thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
10. A method for the treatment of a disease or disorder associated with
excessive BACE activity in a patient in need thereof which comprises providing to said
patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I as claimed in any
one of claims 1 to 9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said disease or disorder is
selected from the group consisting of: Alzheimer's disease; cognitive impairment;
Down's Syndrome; HCHWA-D; cognitive decline; senile dementia; cerebral amyloid
angiopathy; and a neurodegenerative disorder.
12. The method according to claim 10 wherein said disease or disorder is
characterized by the production of p-amyloid deposits or neurofibrillary tangles.
13. A method for modulating the activity of BACE which comprises contacting
a receptor thereof with an effective amount of a compound of claim 1 as claimed in any
one of claims 1 to 9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
14. A method for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a patient in need
thereof which comprises providing to said patient an effective amount of a compound of
claim 1.
15. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I as claimed in any
one of claims 1 to 9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
16. Amino-5-(6-membered)heteroarylimidazolone compounds of formula 1 and the use thereof for B-secretase modulation substantially such as herein described.