The present invention relates to henzimidazole compounds and their
pharmaceutically acceptable salts, that inhibit Janus kinase 1 (JAKl), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of using the compounds to treat certain types of autoimmune diseases and cancer, and processes for preparing the compounds.
The family of Janus kinases (JAKl, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) are intracellular protein tyrosine kinases with essential roles in immune function, inflammation, and hematopoiesis through the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (the JAK-STAT) pathway. In response to extracellular polypeptides such as type 1 and type II cytokines, the Janus kinases regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of various effectors and initiate activation of downstream signaling pathways inducing different physiological responses. Specifically the JAKl isoform plays a key role in types I and II interferon signaling and elicits signals from the interleukin-2 (lL-2), inter! eukin-4 (IL-4), glycoprotein 130 (gpl30) and class II receptor families. As such, small molecule inhibition of JAK! may intervene in the signaling pathways involved in oncology, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Ghoreschi K el al. Immunological Review 2009, 228, 273-287 and Zak M. et al. Med Chem. 2013, 56, 4764-4785.

Despite the recent successes of JAK inhibitor agents, there is still a need to discover and develop inhibitors, which selectively target a single JAK isoform. This can mitigate the risk of off target affects.

Janus kinase inhibitor compounds are known in the literature. For example, US 2015/0203455 discloses certain benzirnidazole compounds that are JAK inhibitors and which are touted as being useful to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and proliferative diseases inter alia.

There remains a need to provide alternative JAKl inhibitors for treatment of autoimmune diseases particularly for immunological diseases, such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic nephropathy. In addition, there remains a need to provide selective JAKl inhibitors. The present invention provides certain inhibitors of JAKl , which can address one or more of these needs.

The present invention provides a compound of Formula 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

In one form, the present invention provides a compound according to Formula 1

or 2 where R is selected from:
, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In certain embodiments,

embodiments,

In another form the present invention provides a compound according to Formula

1 or 2 where R is indicates the point

of attachment to the rest of the molecule. In another form, the present invention provides

a compound according to Formula 1 or 2 where R is

In another form, the present invention provides a compound according to Formula 1 or 2 where Rl is selected from: H, -CFb, and -OCH3. In certain embodiments Rl is H or -CFb, In other embodiments, Rl is -OCH3.

In another form, the present invention provides a compound according to Formula 1 or 2 where R2 is -CF3 In certain embodiments of this form, R

and Rl is -CH3, or -OCH3. In other embodiments of this form, R is

Rl is H.

In another form, the present invention provides a compound according to Formul 1 or 2 wherein R3 is -CFb. In certain embodiments R is H, Rl is H, and R2 is CFb.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 3 which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 4 which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 5, which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 5 A, which is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 5B, which is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound

Formula 6 which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of Formula 6 as a neutral compound as a free base or zwitterion. In one embodiment, the present invention provides the compound of Formula 6 as a citrate salt. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 6 as as free base in crystalline form charactherized by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern obtained from a CuKa source (λ=1.54056 A), which comprises peaks at: 15.5, 18.1, 18.3, 20.5, and 22.9 +/- 0.2° in 2 theta, or 13.2, 15.5, 18.1, 18.3, 18.5, 20.5, 22.9, and 23.6, 23.7, +/- 0,2° in 2 theta, or 13.2, 15.5, 18, 1 , 18.3, 18.5, 19.0, 20.5, 22.9, 23.6, 23.6, 23.7, 24.7, and 26.5 +/- 0.2° in 2 theta.

In still yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of Formula 6 as (2R)- 1,1,1 -trifluoro-3-( {cis-4-{{\ -methy 1-4- { [ 1 -(py ridin-2-y 1)- lH-pyrazol-

hydroxypropane-l,2,3-tricarboxylate hydrate (1 : 1 : 1) in crystalline form characterized by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern obtained from a CuKa source (λ=1.54056 A), which comprises peaks at: 18,6, 19.1, 21.0, and 22.4 +/- 0.2° in 2 theta, or 7.4, 1 1 ,0, 18.6, 19.1, 21.0, 21.9, 22.4, and 26.2 +/- 0,2° m 2 theta or 7.4, 11 ,0, 12.7, 16.8, 18.6, 19, 1 , 21.0, 21.9, 22.4, and 26.2, +/- 0.2° m 2 theta.

In another form, the present invention pro vides a composition comprising

In another form, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition that includes a compound according to any one of Formulae 1 to 6, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of Formulae 1 to 6 as a neutral compound or zwitterion. In another embodiment the pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of Formulae 1 to 6 as a

pharmaceutically acceptable salt. In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of Formulae 1 to 6 as a citrate salt.

In another form, the present invention provides a method of treating a patient in need of treatment for arthritis, more preferably rheumatoid arthritis. The method includes administering to the patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to one of Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another form, the present invention provides a method of treating a patient for diabetic nephropathy. The method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound according to one of Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another form, the present invention provides a method of treating a patient for diabetic nephropathy. The method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition compound comprising a compound according to one of Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another form the present invention provides a method of treating a patient for inflammatory bowel disease. The method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition compound comprising a compound according to one of Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another form, the present in vention provides a method of treating in a patient in need for an autoimmune condition mediated by JAK1 inhibition. The treatment comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound of Formulae 1-6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of conditions mediated by JAK1 inhibition and which can be treated according to the present invention include: diabetic nephropathy; Lupus, more preferably systemic Lupus erythematosus; Sjogren's Syndrome; and inflammatory bowel disease, more preferably, Crohn's Disease, and ulcerative colitis.

In another form, the present invention provides a method of treating a patient in need of treatment for arthritis. The method comprises administering to a patient in need an effective amount of a compound according to any one of Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. More preferred methods of treating arthritis include treating a patient for rheumatoid arthritis.

In another form, the present invention provides a method of treating a patient in need of treatment for a condition selected from: diabetic nephropathy; Lupus, more

preferably systemic Lupus erythematosus; Sjogren's Syndrome; and inflammatory bowel disease, more preferably, Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. The method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound according to any one Formulae 1 to 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another form, the present invention pro vides a method of treating a patient in need of treatment for cancer. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound according to any one of Formulae 1 to 6.

In another form, the present invention provides compound according to any one of Formulae 1 to 6 for use in therapy.

In one embodiment, the therapy, for which the compound according to any one of

Formulae 1 to 6 can be used, is selected from: arthritis, more preferably rheumatoid arthritis; diabetic nephropathy; Lupus, more preferably systemic Lupus erythematosus; Sjogren's Syndrome; and inflammatory bowel disease, more preferably Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.

In another form, the present invention provides for the use of a compound according to any one of Formulae 1 to 6 in the manufacture of a medicament.

In one embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat arthritis. In another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In yet another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat a condition selected from; diabetic nephropathy; Lupus, more preferably systemic Lupus erythematosus; Sjogren's

Syndrome; and inflammatory bowel disease, more preferably, Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. In yet another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat diabetic nephropathy. In yet another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat Lupus. In yet another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat Sjogren's Syndrome. In still yet another embodiment, the medicament is useful to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein refers to a salt of a compound of the invention considered to be acceptable for clinical and/or veterinary use. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and common methodologies for preparing them can be found in P. Stahl, et al , Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection and Use, 2nd Revised Edition, Wiley-VCH, 2011, and S.M. Berge, et al. , "Pharmaceutical Salts," Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 66, No. 1 , January The pharmaceutical compositions for the present invention may be prepared by procedures known in the art using pharmaceutically acceptable additives. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable additive(s)" as used herein for the pharmaceutical compositions, refers to one or more carriers, diluents, and excipients that are compatible with the other additives of the formulation and not deleterious to the patient.

Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for their preparation are known and examples can be found in Loyd, V., et al. eds. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 22nd Ed., Mack Publishing Co., 2012. Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, and excipients include the following: saline, water, starch, sugars, mannitol, and silica derivatives; binding agents such as carboxymethyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives, alginates, gelatin, and poly vinyl-pyrrolidone; kaolin and bentonite; polyethyl glycols.

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated as a tablet, capsule, solution for oral administration, or solution for injection. The tablet, capsule, or solution can include a compound of the present invention in an amount effective for treating a patient in need of treatment.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" refers to an amount that is a dosage, which is effective for treating a disorder, such as arthritis, an autoimmune disease or cancer. The attending physician or veterinarian, as one skilled in the art, can readily determine an effective amount by the use of conventional techniques and by observing results obtained under analogous circumstances. A number of factors can be considered to determine the effective amount or dose; the factors, include, but not limited to whether the compound or its salt, will be administered; the co-administration of other agents, if used; the patient's species; its size, age, and general health; the degree of involvement or the severity of the disorder; the response of the individual patient; the mode of administration; the bioavailability characteristics of the preparation administered; the dose regimen selected; the use of other concomitant medication; and other relevant circumstances.

As used herein, the term "patient" refers to a mammal, fowl, or fish. Preferred mammals include a human, a companion mammal, such as a dog or cat or a domesticated animal or livestock, such as a cow, pig, horse, sheep, and goat.

rriie term "substantially pure'" refers to a composition that is greater thaii80% pure, more preferably greater than 90% pure, and still more preferably greater than 95% pure on a weight per weight basis.

The compounds of the present invention can be used alone or combined with one or more additional therapeutic agents. For example the compounds of the present invention can be combined with agents for the treatment of inflammation and/or autoimmune diseases. Examples include NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, celecoxib, naproxen, and ketoprofen; opiods, such as oxycodone and fentanyl; methotrexate; and corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, prednisolone, and prednisone.

The compounds can also be combined with one or more additional therapeutic agents effective for treating cancers. Examples include cisplatin, carboplatin, etoposide, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, topotecan, irinotecan, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and methotrexate.

The exemplified compounds and the additional therapeutic agent(s) can be administered either together through the same delivery route and device such as a single pill, capsule or tablet; or separately administered either at the same time in separate delivery devices or sequentially.

Chemistry Section

The compounds of the present invention, or salts thereof, may be prepared by a variety of procedures, some of which are illustrated in the Preparations, and the Examples below. The product(s) of each step in the procedures below can be recovered by conventional methods, including extraction, evaporation, precipitation, chromatography, filtration, trituration, and crystallization. The reagents and starting materials are readily available to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the preparations described below, the amine substituent can be protected to facilitate the synthesis of the compounds described herein.

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings indicated: "AcOH" refers to glacial acetic acid, '"ECso" refers to the concentration of an agent which produces 50% response of the target activity compared to a predefined positive control compound

(absolute ECso); "EtOAc" refers to ethyl acetate; "ES/MS" refers to electrospray mass spectroscopy; "DGVT refers to dichloromethane; DMF" refers to N,N-

dimethylformamide; "DMSQ" refers to dimethylsulfoxide; "GC-MS" refers to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; "GFP" refers to green fluorescent protein; "FIEPES" refers to 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)- ! .-piperazineethanesulfonic acid; "hr" or "hrs" refers to hour(s); "IC50" refers to the concentration of an agent which produces 50 % of the maximal inhibitory response possible for that agent (relati ve ICso), or the concentration of an agent which produces 50 % inhibition of the target activity compared to placebo control (absolute IC50); "LC-MS" refers to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; "MeOH" refers to methanol; "min" refers to minutes; "MS" refers to mass spectroscopy; "MTBE" refers to methyl /erf-butyl ether, "OAc" refers to acetate or acetate anion; "QD" refers to once-a-day; "RT or rt" refers to room temperature; "STAT I" refers to signal transducer and activator of transcription 1; "THF" refers to tetrahydrofuran, and "TR-FRET" refers to time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer.

Various amine protecting functionalities are known in the art and include;

carbamates such as C1-5 alkyl carbamate, C3-6 cycloalkyi carbamate, preferably a t-butyl carbamate, (BOC) or benzyl carbamate (CBZ); amides such as C1-3 alkylamide. CM haloalkylamide, formamide or acetamide chloroacetamide, trifluoridoacetamide; and benzyl amines. Additional examples of amine protecting functionalities, methods of preparing the protected amine substituents, and methods for deprotecting the amine substituents can be found in "Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis", 5th Ed., Wuts, P.G.M., Eds. John Wiley and Sons, 2014. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other functional groups, which can be readily converted to the amine group, can be used. Such functional groups, preparations, and transformations of these groups can be found in "Comprehensive Organic Transformations: A Guide to Functional Group Preparations" by Larock. R.C, Wiley VCH, 1999 and in "March's Advanced Organic Chemistry : Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure" Smith, MB., Wiley-Interscience, 7th Ed., 2013.

Preparation 1

(2R)~2~(Trifluoromethyl)oxirane

Add acetic acid (0.89 mL, 0.052 eq) to a solution of (lS,2S)-(+)-l,2-cyclohexanediamino-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-t-butv'lsalicylidene)cobalt (II) (0.90 g, 0.0050 eq) in toluene (16.65 mL). Stir at rt for 30 min. Remove the solvent in vacuo. Add toluene (20 ml.) and concentrate in vacuo. Cool to 0 "C and add 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxirane (37.00 g, 330 mmol; 80.0 % ee, (2R) is the major enantiomer). Stir for five minutes and add water (0.80 mL, 0.15 eq) dropwise. Slowly warm to rt and stir overnight. Vacuum distill at it, and collect the title compound in a cooled flask as a light yellow oil (28.10 g, 76 %; 99.8 % ee). ¾ NMR (CDCb) δ 2.92-2.94 (m, 1H), 2.98-3,01 (m, 1H), 3.41-3.46 (m, 1H).

Combine the title compound (0.13 g, 1 .16 mmol) and MeOH (1.3 mL). Cool to 0

°C and add triethylamine (0.17 mL,, 1.10 eq) and thiophenol (0.12 mL, 1.05 eq). Stir the mixture for 30 min. Monitor the reaction via GC-MS for the formation of 1,1,1-trifluoro- 3-pheny Isulfany 1 -propan-2-ol ; m/z = 222. Analysis of the product via chiral LC-MS reveals that the isomeric purity of the product is 99.8 % ee, (2S)-l,l ,l-trifluoro-3-pheny isulfany l-propan-2-ol is the major enantiomer.

Preparation 2

l -Bromo-3,5-difluoro-2-nitrobenzene

Add nitric acid (fuming, 20 mL) drop-wise to a solution of l-bromo-3,5- difluorobenzene (35.00 mL, 304 mmol) in sulfuric acid (50 mL) at 0 °C. Slowly warm to rt and stir overnight. Pour the reaction mixture into a mixture of ice and water (600 mL). Slowly warm to rt. Add EtOAc (200 mL) and hexanes (100 ml,). Stir until all the solids dissolve. Separate the layers. Wash the organic layer with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dry over Na2S04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title

l-bromo-3,5-difluoro~2~nitrobenzene (21.90 g, 92 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (92 ml,). Stir at it for 45 min. Add water; then extract with EtOAc. Collect the organic extracts and wash with saturated aqueous sodium chloride. Dry over anhydrous Na2S04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 20-40% DCM in hexanes gradient, to give the title

Combine 3-bromo-5-fIuoro-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline (75.04 g, 301 mmol), tert- tetra(n-butyl)ammonium

bisulfate (15.58 g, 0.15 eq) in DCM (975 mL) and 5 M aqueous sodium hydroxide (241 mL). Stir rapidly at 37 °C under nitrogen for five days. Cool to rt. Dilute with DCM (200 mL) and water (400 mL). Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous with DCM (3 x 100 mL). Wash the combined organic extracts with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dry over anhydrous Na2S04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 0-40%» EtOAc in hexanes gradient, to give the title compound as an orange solid (68.57 g, 51%).

nitrophenoxy jcyclohexyl} carbamate (76.92 g, 173 mmol) and platinum (5 % on carbon sulfided, 3.85 g) in tetrahydrofuran (923 mL) in a Parr1® reactor. Stir at rt under H2 (414 kPa) for three days. Filter through diatomaceous earth. Wash the diatomaceous earth with THF. Add trimethylorthoformate (165 mL, 8.70 eq) to the combined THF filtrates. Stir for 22 hours at 63 °C. Concentrate the majority of the reaction mixture in vacuo. Dilute with water (400 mL) and EtOAc (400 mL). Basify with aqueous sodium carbonate

to adjust the pH to 9. Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous with EtOAc (2 x 200 mL). Dry the combined organic extracts over anhydrous Na2S04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo. Dilute the residue with methyl /erf-butyl ether (400 mL) and sonicate for 30 minutes. Filter, wash with methyl tot-butyl ether, and dry under vacuum to give the title compound as a light brown solid

Add trifluoroacetic acid (666 mL) slowly to a solution of tot-butyl {cw-4-[(4- bromo-l-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy jcyclohexyl} carbamate (222 g, 497 mmol) in DCM (1 110 mL) at 0 "C. Slowly warm the mixture to rt and stir overnight. Concentrate the mixture in vacuo. Add water (250 mL) and basify with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH to 10. Add water (250 mL). Extract with 20%, MeOH in DCM (1500 mL, then 500 mL, then 250 mL). Wash the combined organic extracts with 2 M aqueous sodium hydroxide, dry over anhydrous MgS04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate to give the title compound as a brown solid (155 g, 91%). MS (ES) nv'z =

Add (2R)~2~(trifluoromethyl)oxirane (73.29 g, 1.50 eq) to a solution of c«-4-[(4- bromo-l-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]cyclohexanamine (150.4 g, 436 mmol) in MeOH (1053 mL). Stir at rt overnight. Concentrate the reaction mixture in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to norma] phase chromatography, eiuting with a 0- 10% EtOH in DCM gradient, to give the title compound as an off- white solid (98.10 g,

Add acetonitrile (56 mL) to a mixture of 5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (3.0 g, 22 mmol), potassium carbonate (6.2 g, 2.0 eq), and l -bromo-3-methoxypropane (3.8 g, 1.1 eq). Stir at 65 "C overnight. Cool to rt. Add EtOAc (-50 mL) and filter. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eiuting with 35% EtOAc in hexanes, to give the title compound (3.3 g, 70%). MS (ES) m/z = 200 (M+H).

Preparation 9

l-(3-Methoxypropyl)-5-methyl-lH-pyrazol-3-arnine Add palladium on charcoal (5% w/w, 0.38 g) to a 500 mL Parr® reactor. Purge reactor with N2 and add EtOH (100 mL). Add a solution of l-(3-methoxypropyl)-5- meftyl-3-nitro-l H-pyrazole (3.3 g, 17 mmol) in EtOH (100 mL). Stir at rt under ¾ (60 psi) for two hours. Filter through diatomaceous earth. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as an orange oil (2.7 g, 96%). MS (ES) m/z = 170 (M+H).

Preparation 10

1 -(2-Methoxy ethy l)-5 -methy 1-3-nitro- 1 H-pyrazol e Add acetonitrile (35 mL) to a mixture of 5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (0.95 g, 7.1 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.0 g, 2.0 eq), and l-bromo-2-methoxy ethane (2.0 mL, 3.0 eq). Stir at 75 "C for three hours. Cool to rt. Add diethyl ether (-35 mL) and filter.

Rinse the solids with EtOAc (2 x 25 mL). Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 0-1 QG% EtOAc in hexanes gradient, to give the title compound as a yellow oil (1.1 g, 64%). MS (ES) m/z = 186 (M+H).

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 0.38 g) to a flask. Purge with N? and add EtOH (10 mL). Add a solution of l-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (0.86 g, 4.6 mmol) in EtOH (40 mL). Stir at rt under lh (balloon) overnight. Filter through diatomaceous earth. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a brown oil (0.68 g, 84%). MS (ES) m/z = 156 (M+H).

Add acetonitrile (75 mL) to a mixture of 5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (2.0 g, 15 mmol), potassium carbonate (4.1 g, 2.0 eq), and l-chloro-2-propanol (3.8 mL, 3.0 eq). Stir at 85 °C overnight. Cool to rt. Filter and rinse the solids with EtOAc. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with 50% EtOAc in hexanes, to give the title compound (2.0 g, 65%). MS (ES) m/z = 186 (M+H).

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 0.35 g) to a flask. Purge with N? and add EtOH (50 mL). Add a solution of l-(5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazol-l-yl)propan-2-ol (2.0 g, 1 1 mmol) in EtOH (150 mL). Stir at rt under Y\i (balloon) overnight. Filter through diatoniaceous earth. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a pink oil (1.2 g, 69%). MS (ES) m/z = 156 (M+H).

Add acetonitrile (45 mL) to a mixture of 5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (1.2 g, 9.0 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.5 g, 2.0 eq), and (S)-l-chloro-2-propanol (0.98 g, 1.2 eq). Stir at 85 °C for four days. Cool to it Filter to collect the solid and rinse the solid with EtOAc, then discard the solid. Collect and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with 50% EtOAc in hexanes, to give the title compound as a white solid (1. 1 g, 67%). MS (ES) m/z ------ 186

(M+H).

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 0.22 g) to a flask. Add a solution of (2S)- l-(5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazol-l-yl)propan-2-ol (1.1 g, 6.0 mmol) in EtOH (50 mL). Stir at rt under H2 (balloon) overnight. Filter through diatomaceous earth. Wash the solids with MeOH. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound (0.89 g, 95%). MS (ES) m/z = 156 (M+H).

Add acetonitrile (41 mL) to a mixture of 5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (1.1 g, 8.2 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.3 g, 2.0 eq), and (R)-l .-chloro-2-propanol (0.92 mL, 1.3 eq). Stir at 85 °C overnight. Cool to rt. Filter and rinse the solids with EtO Ac.

Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with 50% EtOAc in hexanes, to give the title compound as a

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 0.15 g) to a flask. Add a solution of (2R)~ l-(5-methyl-3-nitro-lH-pyrazol-l-yl)propan-2-ol (0.74 g, 4.0 mmol) in EtOH (33 mL). Stir at rt under H2 (balloon) overnight. Filter through diatomaceous earth. Wash the solids with MeOH. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a yellow solid (0.58 g, 95%).

Combine diisopropylamine (55 mL, 1 .36 eq) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (500 mL). Cool to -20 °C under N2. Add 2,5 M n-butyllithium in hexanes (150 mL, 1.30 eq) dropwise over 10 min, then stir the solution for at -20 °C for an additional 15 min.

Transfer the solution via cannula over 20 min to a solution of ethyl 1,4- dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-8-carboxylate (50 mL, 287 mmol) in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (500 mL) at -40 °C. Stir the solution at -40 °C for ten min. Add a solution of iodomethane (30 mL, 1.68 eq) in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (60 mL) dropwise over ten min. Stir at -40 °C for one hr. Allow to slowly warm to rt and stir overnight. Quench with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (150 mL). Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with methyl fer i-butyl ether (50 mL). Dry the combined organic layers over anhydrous Na2.S()4, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a yellow oil (63.3

mmol), MeOH (100 mL), and 3 M sodium hydroxide in water (140 mL). Heat the reaction mixture at reflux overnight. Concentrate in vacuo and dilute with water (150 mL) and methyl
Separate the layers and discard the organic layer. Acidify the aqueous layer with 3% w/w aqueous hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 2. Extract with methyl Dry the combined organics over

anhydrous Na2S04, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a yellow

Combine 8-methyl-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-8-carboxylic acid (12 g, 60 mmol) and acetonitrile (200 mL). Add triethylamine (25.5 mL, 3.11 eq) and diphenylphosphoryl azide (15 mL, 1.1 8 eq). Stir at rt under N2 for two hours. Add ally] alcohol (25 mL, 6.25 eq). Stir the reaction mixture at reflux overnight. Concentrate in vacuo and dilute with water (150 mL) and methy Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with Dry the cornbined organics over

anhydrous Na2S04, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a brown

Add 0.1 M monopotassium phosphate buffer (pH 7, 500 mL), MgSCM (0. 12 g),

Add 5 M aqueous sodium hydroxide (270 mL) and tetra(n-butyl)ammonium bisulfate (7.50 g, 0.18 eq) to a solution of 3-bromo-5-fluoro-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline (30.00 g, 120 mmol) and prop-2-en-l-yl (c/5-4-hydroxy-l-methylcyclohexyl)carbamate

(33.00 g, 1.28 eq) in DCM (300 mL). Stir the mixture rapidly at rt for 24 hours. Add tetrabutyiammonium hydrogen sulfate (7.50 g, 0, 18 eq). Stir rapidly at rt overnight.

Dilute with water (20 mL). Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with DCM (2 x 150 mL), Wash the combined organic extracts with 5% w/w aqueous sodium chloride (200 mL) and water (200 mL); then concentrate the organic extracts in vacuo. Combine the concentrated organic extracts and acetic acid (650 mL). Add trimethylorthoformate (45 mL). Stir at 90 °C for 2.5 hrs under nitrogen. Dilute with EtOAc (500 mL). Filter through a pad of diatomaceous earth. Wash the pad with EtOAc. Concentrate the combined filtrates in vacuo. Dilute with 2 M aqueous dipotassium phosphate (60 mL) and 2-methy3tetrahydrofuran (60 mL). Stir for 20 min, then filter through diatomaceous earth. Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2 x 20 mL). Combine the organic extracts, wash with water, and concentrate in vacuo.

Dilute with 1 -metyhl-2-pyrrolidinone (100 mL) and stir to obtain a homogenous mixture. Dropwise add the mixture to water (1200 mL) over 30 min. Stir for 30 mm, filter to collect the solid, and wash the solid with water. Dissolve the solid in 2- methyltetrahydrofuran (250 mL) and concentrate in vacuo. Dilute the solution with isopropanol (3 x 150 mL) and concentrate in vacuo. Dilute the solution with 2- methyltetrahydrofuran (10 mL) and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound as an

methylcyclohexanamine (11.6 g, 34 mmol), (2R)-2-(trifluoromethyl)oxirane (4.00 g, 1.05 eq), EtOH (45 mL), and water (45 mL) in a glass pressure reactor. Seal and heat the reaction mixture at 90 °C for one hr. Allow to cool to rt. Add (2R)-2- (trifluoromethyl)oxirane (0.44 g, 0.12 eq). Seal and heat the reaction mixture at 90 °C for one hr. Concentrate in vacuo. Dilute with water (100 mL), methyl tot-butyl ether (20 mL) and EtOAc (20 mL). Acidify with 35% aqueous hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 2 and stir until a complete solution is achieved. Separate the layers and discard the organic layer. Dilute the aqueous layer with methyl tot-butyl ether (40 mL). Separate the layers and discard the organic layer. Basify the aqueous layer with 50% w/w aqueous sodium hydroxide to adjust pH to 10. Extract the aqueous layer with EtOAc (2 x 50 mL).

Combine the organic extracts and concentrate in vacuo. Crystallize a solid from EtOAc (50 mL). Filter to collect the solid, then wash the resulting solid with EtOAc to give the title compound as a white solid

Concentrate the filtrate from the crystallization mother liquor to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with 5% 2 M ammoniated MeOH in EtOAc, to give additional title compound as an off-white solid (3.3 g, 21%).

Dissolve (3R)-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-3-carbaldehyde (15.98 g, 89.19 mmol) in DCM (80 mL). Place under N2 and cool the solution to 0 °C. Cautiously add

diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (15 mL, 1.2 eq) dropwise. Allow to slowly warm to rt and stir overnight. Slowly pour the mixture into a stimng mixture of crushed ice, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and DCM. Add dipotassiuni phosphate (5 g) and portion-wise additions of potassium carbonate, maintaining pH -7-8, until no more bubbling is observed. Stir for 20 min. Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with DCM (3 x). Wash the combined organic extracts with 1 M aqueous sodium bisulfite and satiirated aqueous sodium chloride. Dry the organics over anhydrous NaaSCU, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as an amber oil (17.37 g,

Dissolve (2R)-2-(difluoromethyl)-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane (9.08 g, 47.2 mmol) in MeOH (250 mL). Add p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.70 g, 0.1 eq). Stir at rt for one week. Add sodium bicarbonate (0.60 g). Stir for one hr. Add silica gel and trimethylamine (3 mL). Stir for ten min. Concentrate in vacuo and purify by normal phase chromatography, eiuting with a 15-100% EtOAc in hexanes gradient, to give (2R)-3,3-difluoropropane-l,2-diol as a yellow oil (2,95 g).

Dissolve (2R)-3,3-difluoropropane-l ,2-diol (2.0 g, 15.2 mmol) in DCM (40 mL). Place under nitrogen and cool the solution to 0 °C. Add 2,6-iutidine (8.0 mL, 4.5 eq). Addp-toluenesulfonyl chloride (3.0 g, 1.0 eq) portion-wise. Allow to slowly warm to rt and stir for two days. Cool to -78 °C and add trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (1.5 mL, 0.5 eq) dropwise. Allow to warm to 0 °C over 40 min. Add trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (1.5 mL, 0.5 eq) dropwise. Stir for 30 min and quench with MeOH (5 mL). Dilute with DCM and add a solution of sodium phosphate (4.9 g) in water (75 mL). Adjust the pH to ~3 with 2M aqueous potassium bisulfate. Separate the layers. Extract the aqueous layer with diethyl ether. Dry the organic extracts over anhydrous Na_S04, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo. Add ethylene glycol (1 mL) and silica gel (-20 g). Concentrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 20-100% B in A gradient (A: hexanes, B: 6:3: 1 hexanes:DCM:THF), to give the title compound (1.37 g, 16%). GC-MS m/z = 266.

(25.70 g, 79.27 mmol), l,5-dimethyl-lH-pyrazol-3-amine (9.08 g, 1.0 eq), potassium

t

(3.63 g, 0.050 eq), and acetic acid (0.14 mL) in
(250 mL). Heat at reflux overnight. Concentrate the reaction mixture in vacuo. Add DCM and water; separate the layers. Dry the organics over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filter, and concentrate in vacuo. Triturate from EtOAc and hexanes to give a tan solid. Subject the tan solid to normal phase chromatography, eluting with hexanes, then 5%» MeOH in DCM, then 20% 2M ammoniated MeOH in DCM, to give the title compound as a tan

In each of two separate vials, combine 3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (3.0 g, 27 mmoi), 2-fluoropyridine (2.9 mL, 1.3 eq), and triethylamine (4.6 mL, 1.2 eq) in l-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (20 mL). Seal and stir at 180 °C overnight. Cool to rt. Combine the reaction inixtures and dilute with water. Filter to collect a solid, wash the solid with water, and dry under vacuum to give the title compound (5.9 g, 58%). MS (ES) m/z -------- 191 (M+H).

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 1.9 g) to a flask. Purge with N?. and add EtOH (200 mL). Add 2-(3-nitro-lH-pyrazol-l-yl)pyridine (2.5 g, 13 mmol). Stir at rt under H2 (balloon) overnight. Add a small amount of diatomaceous earth and stir for five mm. Filter through a pad of diatomaceous earth and wash the pad with EtOH.

Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a brown solid (1 .8 g, 85%). MS (ES) m/z = 161 (M+H),

Combine 3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (3.0 g, 27 mmol), methanesulfonyl chloride (2.5 mL, 1.2 eq), and triethylamine (4.4 mL, 1.2 eq) in DCM (20 mL). Stir at rt for two hours. Dilute with DCM and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Separate the layers. Wash the organic layer with water and brine. Dry the organic layer over anhydrous MgS€>4, filter, and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a brown solid (3.7 g, 73%). ¾ NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.74 (s, 3H), 7.30 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.55 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 1H).

Combine tetrahydropyran-3-ol (1.3 g, 13 mmol), l-(methylsulfonyl)-3-nitro-lH-pyrazole (2.4 g, 1.0 eq), and cesium carbonate (4.8 g, 1.2 eq) in aeetonitrile (40 mL). Stir at 90 °C overnight. Concentrate the mixture in vacuo. Dilute with EtOAc and filter

through a pad of diatomaceous earth. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to C-18 reverse phase chromatography eluting with a gradient from 0% to 100% of (0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile) in (0.1% formic acid in water), to give the title compound (0.35 g, 14%). MS (ES) m/z = 198 (M+H).

Add palladium on charcoal (10% w/w, 0.10 g) to a flask. Purge with N2 and EtOH (20 mL).

Stir at rt under H2 (balloon) for two hrs. Filter through diatomaceous earth and wash with EtOH. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to give the title compound as a gray solid (0.24 g,

pad of diatomaceous earth and wash the pad with EtOAc. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, elutmg with 5% MeOH in DCM, to give crude product. Further purify the crude product by reverse phase chromatography, elutmg with a 15-60% B in A gradient (A: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in MeOH, B: acetonitrile). Concentrate fractions containing product to remove a majority of the acetonitrile. Add EtOAc and separate the layers. Wash the organic layer with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dry over sodium sulfate, filter and concentrate the filtrate in vacuo. Further purify the product by normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 5% MeOH in DCM, to give the title compound as a white

reaction mixture in vacuo. Add DCM and water; separate the layers. Filter the organic layer through ISOLUTE® HM-N material, wash with DCM and EtOAc. Concenirate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase

chromatography, eluting with a 30-100% B in A gradient (A: DCM, B: 15% 2M

(0.01 mL) in /erf-butyl alcohol (5.3 mL). Heat at 100 °C overnight. Concentrate the reaction mixture in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to C-18 reverse phase chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 0%-80% of acetonitrile in (l OmM ammonium bicarbonate in methanol). Concentrate fractions containing product (as a mixture of isomers) in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid (0.29 g, 71%). MS (ES) m/z = 511 (M+H).

Separate the isomers in the mixture using the following chiral chromatography conditions to give:

First eluting enantiomer 1 (0.12 g, 99% ee), MS (ES) m/z = 511 (M+H),

75%/25% CCh/lsopropanol, 5 mL/min, 4.6 x 150 mm, Chiralpak AD-H

mL), and charcoal (1 g). Stir the mixture for 15 min and filter the mixture through diatomaceous earth. Collect the filtrate and separate organic layer. Add water (100 mL) and concentrated hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH to 2. Add charcoal (1.5g), stir the mixture 30 min and filter the mixture through diatomaceous earth. Transfer filtrate to a separator funnel and isolate the aqueous layer. Add concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution over the aqueous layer to adjust the pH to 10 to provide a pale cream solid. Subject the solid to silica gel chromatography eluting with a mixture of methylene chloride and MeOH (95: 5). Collect the desired fractions and evaporate the solvent to provide the title compound as pale cream material (6.5 g, 13 mmol) 64% yield.

Crystallize the title compound from cyclopentyl methyl ether (45 mL) to give (2R)- 1, 1, 1 -trifiuoro-3 - j j 4- f 7- [ (5 -methoxy - 1 -methy 1-py razol-3-y l)amino] -3 -methy 1- benziniidazol-5-yl]oxycyclohexyl]amino |propan-2-ol (3.2 g, 6.5 mmol). Stir the mixture at 22 °C for 1 8 h. Evaporate the solvent and dry the white solid to constant weight to afford

methyl-lH-pyrazol-3-amine (0.78 g, 2.0 eq), potassium carbonate (1.12 g, 2.6 eq), 2-(dicyclohexylphospWno)3,6-dimethoxy-2',4',6'-triisopropyl-l,l '-biphenyl (0.34 g, 0.20 eq), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (0.14 g, 0.050 eq), and acetic acid (0.01 mL) in tot-butyl alcohol (30 mL). Heat at reflux overnight. Concentrate the reaction mixture in vacuo. Add DCM and water; separate the lay ers. Filter the organic layer through ISOLUTE® HM-N material, washing with DCM. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Triturate the residue in EtOAc and hexanes to give the title compound (1.40 g, 94%). MS (ES) m/z = 481 (M+H).

Combine (2R)-3-({cis-4-[(4-bromo-l-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]-l-methylcyc3ohexy3}amino)-l, l,l-triiluoropropaii-2-ol (0.91 g, 2.02 mmol), 3-aminopyrazole (0.29 g, 1.70 eq), potassium carbonate (0.73 g, 2.6 eq), 2- (dicyclohexylphosphino)3,6-dimethoxy-2',4',6'-triisopropyl-l ,1 ''-biphenyl (0.22 g, 0.20 eq), tns(dibenzylideneacetone)dipailadium(0) (0.093 g, 0.050 eq), and acetic acid (0.01 mL) in tot-bulyl alcohol (20 mL). Reflux the mixture overnight. Concentrate the mixture in vacuo. Add DCM and water; separate the layers. Filter the organic layer through ISOLUTE® HM-N material, washing with DCM. Concentrate the filtrate in vacuo to provide a residue. Subject the residue to normal phase chromatography, eluting with a 50-100% B in A gradient (A: methyl tot-butyl ether, B: 15% 7M ammoniated MeOH in DCM), to give the title compound (0.67 g, 74%). MS (ES) m/z = 453 (M+H).

What is claimed is:
1. A compound of the formula, or a pharmaceutically acceptable thereof

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

10. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 which is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

21. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 15 for use in therapy.

22. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 15 for use in the treatment of arthritis.

23. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 15 in the manufacture of a medicament to treat arthritis.