Azabicycloalkanes as ccr5 modulators

This invention relates to new chemical compounds. These compounds find particular but not exclusive use as pharmaceuticals, especially as CCR5 modulators.

This invention also relates to formulations or dosage forms including these compounds, to use of these compounds in manufacture of pharmaceutical formulations or dosage forms and methods of treatment, especially treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases and conditions and in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 and genetically related retroviral infections.

The compounds of the present invention may be modulators, especially antagonists, of the activity of chemokine CCR5 receptors, particularly those which occur on the surfaces of certain cells within the human body. Modulators of CCR5 receptor may be useful in the treatment and prevention of various inflammatory diseases and conditions, and in the treatment and prevention of infection by HN-1 and genetically related retroviruses.

The name "chemokine", is a contraction of "chemotactic cytokines". The chemokines comprise a large family of proteins which have in common important structural features and which have the ability to attract leukocytes. As leukocyte chemotactic factors, chemokines play an indispensable role in the attraction of leukocytes to various tissues of the body, a process which is essential for both inflammation and the body's response to infection. Because chemokines and their receptors are central to the pathophysiology of inflammatory and Infectious diseases, agents which are active in modulating, preferably antagonizing, the activity of chemokines and their receptors, are useful in the therapeutic treatment of such inflammatory and infectious diseases.

The chemokine receptor CCR5 is of particular importance in the context of treating inflammatory and infectious diseases. CCR5 is a receptor for chemokines, especially for the macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP) designated MIP-1α and MIP-1β, and for a protein which is regulated upon activation and is normal I-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). The relationship between modulators, especially antagonists of CCR5 activity and therapeutic usefulness in treating inflammation and HIV infection, and the manner in which such a relationship may be demonstrated, is explained in more detail further below.

There is ongoing in the art a substantial investigation of different classes of modulators of chemokine receptor activity, especially that of the CCR5 chemokine receptor. A representative disclosure is Mills et al. WO 98/25617 relating to substituted aryl piperazines as modulators of chemokine receptor activity. However, the compositions described therein are not the same as, nor suggestive, of those of the present invention. Further disclosures are: WO 98/025605; WO 98/025604; WO 98/002151; WO 98/004554; and WO 97/024325.

The present invention relates to compounds which may be conveniently considered to have four independently variable regions, reading from the left-hand side to right-hand side of said compound: R_egion α, R_egion β, R_egion γ, and R_egion δ, of Formula (I): Regionα-Regionβ-Regionγ-Regionδ and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrug derivatives thereof as defined in the appended claims.

The compounds as exemplified by Formula (I) may contain one or more stereogenic centers and the present invention includes the recited compounds in both their separated and their unseparated forms. The separated forms can be obtained by conventional means, e.g., by asymmetric synthesis, by using high performance liquid chromatography employing a chiral stationary phase, or by chemical resolution via the formation of suitable salts or derivatives. It will be understood that the separate optically active forms of the compositions of the present invention, as well as reacemic mixtures thereof, will usually vary with respect to their biological properties because of the chirality-dependent conformation of the active site of an enzyme, receptor, etc.

The description which follows provides details of the particular moieties which comprise each of said R_egions. In order to present said details in an orderly and space-saving fashion, each major group in each Region is set out with a single dash (" - "), and each successive subdivision within each said group is set out in turn with two, three, etc. dashes as required.

In this specification and claims a reference to a range or class of groups for example (C₁-C₃)alkyl is to be understood as an express disclosure and reference of each member of the range or class, including isomers.

According to the present invention there is provided a compound of Formula (I); Regionα-Regionβ-Regionγ-Regionδ wherein [Region α] to [Region δ] are as defined in the appended claims.

An important aspect of the present invention is the limitation to R_egion γ.

This invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations and dosage forms including as an active ingredient a compound of Formula I. Use of a compound of Formula I in manufacture of a formulation or dosage form and methods of treatment are also provided.

[R_egion α] is at the left-hand end of the CCR5 receptor modulator of the present invention. The region designated as R_egion α may comprise a moiety selected from several different classes of substituent components, all of which may be and are preferably isosteres of each other.

where the different variables are as defined in the appended claims.

[R_egion β] may be considered to be to the left-hand end of the molecule of the present invention as depicted, and comprises a bridging element between R_egion α described above, and R_egion γ described below.

The alkyl bridging element of R_egion β comprises a moiety of partial Formula (3.0.0): where the symbol " * " represents the point of attachment of the alkyl bridging element moiety of partial Formula (3.0.0) to R_egion a of the modulator compound of Formula (I); and the symbol "→" represents the point of attachment of the alkyl bridging element moiety of partial Formula (3.0.0) to R_egion γ of the modulator compound of Formula (I). Substituents R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ are both hydrogen.

[R_egion δ] constitutes the right-hand end of the compounds of Formula (I) and is attached directly to R_egion γ described above. R_egion δ comprises three different groups: bicyclic heterocycles; substituted amides and monocyclic heterocycles, all of which are described in detail below.

[Region δ] is a member selected from the group consisting of: wherein R⁹⁰_a and R⁹⁰_b are as defined in the appended claims. wherein R⁹⁰_a and R⁹⁰_b are as defined in the appended claims.

The compounds of the present invention may be utilized in the form of acids, esters, or other chemical derivatives. It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize those compounds in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts derived from various organic and inorganic acids and bases in accordance with procedures well known in the art. The expression "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein is intended to mean an active ingredient comprising a compound of Formula (I) utilized in the form of a salt thereof, especially where said salt form confers on said active ingredient improved pharmacokinetic properties as compared to the free form of said active ingredient or other previously disclosed salt form.

A pharmaceutically acceptable salt form of said active ingredient may also initially confer a desirable pharmacokinetic property on said active ingredient which it did not previously possess, and may even positively affect the pharmacodynamics of said active ingredient with respect to its therapeutic activity in the body.

The pharmacokinetic properties of said active ingredient which may be favorably affected include, e.g., the manner in which said active ingredient is transported across cell membranes, which in turn may directly and positively affect the absorption, distribution, biotransformation or excretion of said active ingredient. While the route of administration of the pharmaceutical composition is important and various anatomical, physiological and pathological factors can critically affect bioavailability, the solubility of said active ingredient is usually dependent upon the character of the particular salt form thereof which it utilized. Further, an aqueous solution may provide the most rapid absorption of an active ingredient into the body of a patient being treated, while lipid solutions and suspensions, as well as solid dosage forms, may result in less rapid absorption. Oral ingestion of said active ingredient is the most preferred route of administration for reasons of safety, convenience, and economy, but absorption of such an oral dosage form can be adversely affected by physical characteristics such as polarity, emesis caused by irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, destruction by digestive enzymes and low pH, irregular absorption or propulsion in the presence of food or other drugs, and metabolism by enzymes of the mucosa, the intestinal flora, or the liver. Formulation of said active ingredient into different pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms may be effective in overcoming or alleviating one or more of the above-recited problems encountered with absorption of oral dosage forms.

Well-known pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, besylate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecysulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glucoheptanoate, gluconate, glycerophosphate, hemisuccinate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, isethionate, lactate, lactobionate, maleate, mandelate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, oleate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphonate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, salicylate, sodium phosphate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, sulfosalicylate, tartrate, thiocyanate, thiomalate, tosylate, and undecanoate.

Base salts of the compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to ammonium salts; alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium; salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine, meglumine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylamine (tromethamine), and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine, etc. Compounds of the present invention which comprise basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quatemized with such agents as (C₁-C₄) alkyl halides, e.g., methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl and tert-butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides; di(C₁-C₄) alkyl sulfate, e.g., dimethyl, diethyl and diamyl sulfates; (C₁₀-C₁₈) alkyl halides, e.g., decyl, dodecyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides; and aryl-(C₁-C₄) alkyl halides, e.g., benzyl chloride and phenethyl bromide. Such salts permit the preparation of both water-soluble and oil-soluble compounds of the present invention.

Among the above-recited pharmaceutical salts those which are preferred include, but are not limited to acetate, besylate, citrate, fumarate, gluconate, hemisuccinate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, isethionate, mandelate, meglumine, nitrate, oleate, phosphonate, pivalate, sodium phosphate, stearate, sulfate, sulfosalicylate, tartrate, thiomalate, tosylate, and tromethamine.

Multiple salts forms are included within the scope of the present invention where a compound of the present invention contains more than one group capable of forming such pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Examples of typical multiple salt forms include, but are not limited to bitartrate, diacetate, difumarate, dimeglumine, diphosphate, disodium, and trihydrochloride.

The compounds of this invention can be administered alone but will generally be administered in admixture with one or more suitable pharmaceutical excipients, diluents or carriers selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

For example, the compounds of the formula (I) can be administered orally or sublingually in the form of tablets, capsules, ovules, elixirs, solutions or suspensions, which may contain flavouring or colouring agents, for immediate or controlled release applications.

Such tablets may contain excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate and glycine, disintegrants such as starch (preferably com, potato or tapioca starch), alginic acid and certain complex silicates, and granulation binders such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose, gelatin and acacia. Additionally, lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and talc may be included.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in gelatin capsules. Preferred excipients in this regard include lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols. For aqueous suspensions and/or elixirs, the compounds of the formula (I) may be combined with various sweetening or flavouring agents, colouring matter or dyes, with emulsifying and/or suspending agents and with diluents such as water, ethanol, propylene glycol and glycerin, and combinations thereof.

The compounds of the formula (I) can also be injected parenterally, for example, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, intraventricularly, intrastemally, intracranially, intramuscularly or subcutaneously, or they may be administered by infusion techniques. They are best used in the form of a sterile aqueous solution which may contain other substances, for example, enough salts or glucose to make the solution isotonic with blood. The aqueous solutions should be suitably buffered (preferably to a pH of from 3 to 9), if necessary. The preparation of suitable parenteral formulations under sterile conditions is readily accomplished by standard pharmaceutical techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

For oral and parenteral administration to human patients, the daily dosage level of the compounds of the formula (I) will usually be from 1 microgram/kg to 25 mg/kg (in single or divided doses).

Thus tablets or capsules of the compound of the formula (I) may contain from 0.05 mg to 1.0 g of active compound for administration singly or two or more at a time, as appropriate. The physician in any event will determine the actual dosage which will be most suitable for any individual patient and it will vary with the age, weight and response of the particular patient The above dosages are exemplary of the average case. There can, of course, be individual instances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited and such are within the scope of this invention.

The compounds of formula (I) can also be administered intranasally or by inhalation and are conveniently delivered in the form of a dry powder inhaler or an aerosol spray presentation from a pressurised container or a nebuliser with the use of a suitable propellant, eg dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, a hydrofluoroalkane such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane (HFA 134a), carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurised aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount The pressurised container or nebuliser may contain a solution or suspension of the active compound, eg using a mixture of ethanol and the propellant as the solvent, which may additional contain a lubricant, eg sorbitan trioleate. Capsules and cartridges (made, for example, from gelatin) for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated to contain a powder mix of a compound of the formula (I) and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

Aerosol or dry powder formulations are preferably arranged so that each metered dose or "puff" contains from 20 µg to 20 mg of a compound of the formula (I) for delivery to the patient The overall daily dose with an aerosol will be in the range of from 20 µg to 20 mg which may be administered in a single dose or, more usually, in divided doses throughout the day.

Alternatively, the compounds of the formula (I) can be administered in the form of a suppository or pessary, or they may be applied topically in the form of a lotion, solution, cream, ointment or dusting powder. The compounds of the formula (I) may also be transdermally administered by the use of a skin patch. They may also be administered by the ocular route, particularly for treating neurological disorders of the eye.

For ophthalmic use, the compounds can be formulated as micronised suspensions in isotonic, pH adjusted, sterile saline, or, preferably, as solutions in isotonic, pH adjusted, sterile saline, optionally in combination with a preservative such as benzylalkonium chloride. Alternatively, they may be formulated in an ointment such as petrolatum.

For application topically to the skin, the compounds of the formula (I) can be formulated as a suitable ointment containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in, for example, a mixture with one or more of the following: mineral oil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, they can be formulated as a suitable lotion or cream, suspended or dissolved in, for example, a mixture of one or more of the following: mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, a polyethylene glycol, liquid paraffin, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benyl alcohol and water.

The compounds of Formula (I) are described herein as possessing biological activity such that they are able to modulate CCR5 chemokine receptor activity and consequent or associated pathogenic processes subsequently mediated by the CCR5 receptor and its ligands. The expression "modulate CCR5 chemokine receptor activity" as used herein is intended to refer to manipulation of the basic physiological processes and agencies which involve CCR5 chemokine receptors and their ligands. Included within the scope of this intended meaning are all types and subtypes of CCR5 receptors, in whatever tissues of a particular patient they are found, and in or on whatever components of the cells comprising those tissues they may be located. Most commonly, CCR5 receptors are situated on the cell membranes of particular cell types such as monocytes. CCR5 receptors participate in and define, along with various endogenous ligands to which they are naturally bound, signaling pathways which control important cellular and tissue functions by means of the influence which they exert on the movement of agents such as the chemokines, into and out of those cells and tissues.

The basic functioning of the CCR5 receptors and their ligands may be modulated in a number of ways, and the scope of the present invention is not limited in that regard to any particular existing or hypothesized pathway or process. Thus, included within the intended meaning of modulation of CCR5 chemokine receptor activity, is the use of synthetically derived modulators introduced into a patient being treated, such as the compounds of Formula (I) described herein. These exogenous agents may modulate CCR5 receptor activity by such well known mechanisms as competitive binding in which the natural ligands are displaced and their inherent functions disrupted. However, the present invention is not limited to any such specific mechanism or mode of action. Thus, "modulation" as used herein is intended to encompass preferably antagonism, but also agonism, partial antagonism and/or partial agonism. Correspondingly, the term "therapeutically effective amount" means the amount of the subject compound that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought.

The term "patient" in this specification refers particularly to humans. However the compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be used in the treatment of animals.

Further included within the scope of the present invention are metabolites or residues of the compounds of Formula (I) which possess biological activity such that they are able to modulate CCR5 chemokine receptor activity and consequent or associated pathogenic processes subsequently mediated by the CCR5 receptor and its ligands. Once synthesized, the CCR5 chemokine receptor modulating activities and specificities of the compounds of Formula (I) according to the present invention may be determined using in vitro and in vivo assays which are described in detail further below.

The desirable biological activity of the compounds of Formula (I) may also be improved by appending thereto appropriate functionalities which enhance existing biological properties of the compound, improve the selectivity of the compound for the existing biological activities, or add to the existing biological activities further desirable biological activities. Such modifications are known in the art and include those which increase biological penetration into a given biological system, e.g., blood, the lymphatic system, and central nervous system; increase oral availability; increase solubility to allow administration by injection; alter metabolism; and alter the rate of excretion of the compound of Formula (I).

The dosage and dose rate of the compounds of Formula (I) effective for treating or preventing diseases and conditions in a patient which are mediated by or associated with modulation of CCR5 chemokine receptor activity as described herein, as well as for favorably affecting the outcome thereof in said patient, in accordance with the methods of treatment of the present invention comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), will depend on a variety of factors such as the nature of the active ingredient, the size of the patient, the goal of the treatment, the nature of the pathology being treated, the specific pharmaceutical composition used, the concurrent treatments that the patient may be subject to, and the observations and conclusions of the treating physician.

Generally, however, the effective therapeutic dose of a compound of Formula (I) which will be administered to a patient will be between about 10 µg (0.01 mg)/kg and about 60.0 mg/kg of body weight per day, preferably between about 100 µg (0.1 mg)/kg and about 10 mg/kg of body weight per day, more preferably between about 1.0 mg/kg and about 6.0 mg/kg of body weight per day, and most preferably between about 2.0 mg/kg and about 4.0 mg/kg of body weight per day of the active ingredient of Formula (I).

Included within the scope of the present invention are embodiments comprising coadministration of, and compositions which contain, in addition to a compound of the present invention as active ingredient, additional therapeutic agents and active ingredients. Such multiple drug regimens, often referred to as combination therapy, may be used in the treatment and prevention of any of the diseases or conditions mediated by or associated with CCR5 chemokine receptor modulation, particularly infection by human immunodeficiency virus, HIV. The use of such combinations of therapeutic agents is especially pertinent with respect to the treatment and prevention of infection and multiplication within a patient in need of treatment or one at risk of becoming such a patient, of the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV, and related pathogenic retroviruses. The ability of such retroviral pathogens to evolve within a relatively short period of time into strains resistant to any monotherapy which has been administered to said patient is well known in the technical literature.

In addition to the requirement of therapeutic efficacy which may necessitate the use of active agents in addition to the CCR5 chemokine receptor modulating compounds of Formula (I), there may be additional rationales which compel or highly recommend the use of combinations of drugs involving active ingredients which represent adjunct therapy, i.e., which complement and supplement the function performed by the CCR5 chemokine receptor modulating compounds of the present invention. Such supplementary therapeutic agents used for the purpose of auxiliary treatment include drugs which, instead of directly treating or preventing a disease or condition mediated by or associated with CCR5 chemokine receptor modulation, treat diseases or conditions which directly result from or indirectly accompany the basic or underlying CCR5 chemokine receptor modulated disease or condition. For example, where the basic CCR5 chemokine receptor modulated disease or condition is HIV infection and multiplication, it may be necessary or at least desirable to treat opportunistic infections, neoplasms, and other conditions which occur as the result of the immune-compromised state of the patient being treated. Other active agents may be used with the compounds of Formula (I), e.g., in order to provide immune stimulation or to treat pain and inflammation which accompany the initial and fundamental HIV infection.

Thus, the methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions presently disclosed may employ the compounds of Formula (I) in the form of monotherapy, but said methods and compositions may also be used in the form of multiple therapy in which one or more compounds of Formula (I) are coadministered in combination with one or more known therapeutic agents such as those described in detail further herein.

The present invention also provides medical uses in which said pharmaceutical compositions are administered to a patient. Such uses relate to treating or preventing a disease or condition by modulating CCR5 chemokine receptor activity and consequent or associated pathogenic processes subsequently mediated by the CCR5 receptor and the active ligands with which it interacts or is bound. CCR5 and the other chemotactic cytokine, i.e., chemokine, receptors, play a key role in the control of a number of processes which take place in the bodies of animals. Chemokine receptors, of which more than forty different species divided into four families are presently known to exist, are proteins having a number of structural features in common, which act through chemical signaling. In the α family of chemokines, one amino acid (X) separates the first two cysteine residues, while in the β-chemokines the first two cysteine residues are adjacent to each other (C-C). Accordingly, these two families are identified as CXC and CC chemokines, respectively. The chemokines bind specific cell-surface receptors belonging to the family of G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane-domain proteins called "chemokine receptors", named in accordance with the class of chemokines which they bind, followed by "R" and a number. Thus, "CCR5" is a C-C chemokine receptor. See Horuk, Trends Pharm. Sci., 15,159-165 (1994) for further details. CCR5 thus belongs to the β-chemokine receptor family, which is currently known to contain eight members, CCR1 through CCR8.

The CC type of chemokine receptor interacts with various signaling proteins, including the monocyte chemoattractant proteins, MCP-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5; eotaxin-1; macrophage inflammatory proteins MIP-1α, and MIP-1β; and those regulated upon activation which are normal T-cell expressed and secreted, RANTES. The CCR5 type of chemokine receptor in particular is known to interact with MIP-1α, MIP-1β; and RANTES in monocytes, activated T cells, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. These β-chemokines do not act on neutrophils but rather attract monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes with varying degrees of selectivity.

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) which are useful in treating or preventing HIV infection, and to methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds as the active ingredient It will be understood that the term "HIV" as used herein refers to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the etiological agent of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), a disease that results in progressive destruction of the immune system and degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous system. Several HIV replication inhibitors are currently used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents against AIDS, and numerous others are presently under investigation.

In addition to cell-surface CD4, it has recently been shown that for entry into target cells, human immunodeficiency viruses require a chemokine receptor, CCR5 and CXCR-4 among others, as well as the virus's primary receptor CD4. The principal cofactor for entry mediated by the envelope glycoproteins of primary macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1 is CCR5, which as already mentioned, is a receptor for the β-chemokines RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. See Deng, et al., Nature, 381, 661-666 (1996) for a further description of CCR5 mediated HIV entry.

HIV attaches to the CD4 molecule on cells through a region of its envelope protein, gp120, and gp120 is part of a multi-subunit complex, most likely a trimer of gp160, i.e., gp120 + gp41. It is believed that the CD4 binding site on the gp120 of HIV interacts with the CD4 molecule on the cell surface, triggering conformational changes across the trimer, which allow it to bind to another cell-surface receptor, such as CCR5. This in turn enables gp41 to induce fusion with the cell membrane, and entry of the viral core into the cell. In addition, macrophage-tropic HIV and SIV envelope proteins have been shown to induce a signal through CCR5 on CD4+ cells, which may enhance the replication of the virus. See Weissman, et al., Nature, 389, 981-985 (1997) for a description of this phenomenon. Further, it has been shown that a complex of gp120 and soluble CD4 interacts specifically with CCR5 and inhibits the binding of the natural CCR5 ligands, as described in Wu, et al., Nature, 384, 179-183 (1996); and Trkola, et al., Nature, 384, 184-187 (1996). It has further been demonstrated that β-chemokines and related molecules, e.g., (AOP)-RANTES, prevent HIV fusion to the cell membrane and subsequent infection, both in vitro, as described in Dragic, et al., Nature, 381, 667-673 (1996), and in animal models. Finally, absence of CCR5 appears to confer protection from HIV-1 infection, as described in Nature, 382, 668-669 (1996). In particular, an inherited frame-shifting mutation in the CCR5 gene, Δ32, has been shown to abolish functional expression of the gene in vitro, and individuals homozygous for the mutation are apparently not susceptible to HIV infection, while at the same time they do not seem to be immuno-compromised by this variant. Furthermore, those heterozygote individuals that have been infected by HIV progress more slowly to full-blown clinical AIDS. In addition to validating the role of CCR5 in the infectious cycle of HIV, the above observations suggest that CCR5 is dispensable in the adult organism.

Although most HIV-1 isolates studied to date utilize CCR5 or CXCR-4, at least nine other chemokine receptors, or structurally related molecules, have also been described as supporting HIV-1 env-mediated membrane fusion or viral entry in vitro. These include CCR2b, CCR3, BOB/GPR15, Bonzo/STRL33/TYMSTR, GPR1, CCR8. US28, VZ8/CX3CR1, LTB-4, and APJ. There is good evidence that CCR3 can be used efficiently by a significant fraction of HIV-1 isolates in vitro, provided that this protein is over-expressed in transfected cells. Nevertheless, consistent evidence indicates that anti-HIV drugs targeted to chemokine receptors may not be compromised by this variability. Indeed, the chemokines RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, SDF-1 have been shown to suppress replication of primary HIV isolates. A derivative of RANTES, (AOP)-RANTES, is a sub-nanomolar antagonist of CCR5 function in monocytes. Monoclonal antibodies to CCR5 have been reported to block infection of cells by HIV in vitro. A small molecule antagonist of CXCR4, identified as AMD3100, has been reported to inhibit infection of susceptible cultures by CXCR4 dependent primary and lab-adapted HIV viruses while another small molecule called TAK 779 blocks entry of CCR5-tropic strains (Baba, et al. PNAS, 96 (10), 5698-5703 (1999); In addition, the majority of primary strains from early and late disease stages utilize CCR5 exclusively or in addition to other chemokine receptors, indicating that CCR5 dependent infection may play an essential role in the initiation and maintenance of productive HIV infection in a host Accordingly, an agent which blocks CCR5 in patients including mammals, and especially humans who possess normal chemokine receptors, can reasonably be expected to prevent infection in healthy individuals and slow or halt viral progression in infected patients.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to the compounds of Formula (I) which inhibit the entry of human immunodeficiency virus into target cells and are therefore of value in the prevention and/or treatment of infection by HIV, as well as the prevention and/or treatment of the resulting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Evidence can be produced which is probative of the fact that the compounds of Formula (I) described herein inhibit viral entry through selective blockade of CCR5 dependent fusion. Consequently, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula (I) as an active ingredient, as well as to the corresponding method of use of the compounds of Formula (I) as stand-alone agents, or in conjunction with other agents for the prevention and treatment of infection by HIV and resulting AIDS.

The utility of the compounds of Formula (I) of the present invention as inhibitors of HIV infection may be demonstrated by any one or more methodologies known in the art, such as the HIV microculture assays described in Dimitrov et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 28, 734-737 (1990)), and the pseudotyped HIV reporter assay described in Connor et al., Virology 206 (2) 935-44 (1995). In particular, specific compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein as preferred embodiments are shown to inhibit p24 production following replication of laboratory-adapted and primary HIV strains in primary blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and clonal cell-lines known to support replication of both CCR5 and CXCR-4 tropic viruses, e.g., PM-1 and MOLT4-done 8. It is also noted that only those viral strains known to use CCR5 are shown to be inhibited, whereas replication of CXCR-4 tropic viruses is shown to be unaffected, indicating that compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein are able to prevent viral entry through selective blockade of CCR5 dependent fusion. Furthermore, compounds of Formula (I) are shown to inhibit entry of chimeric HIV reporter viruses pseudotyped with envelope from a CCR5 dependent strain (ADA). Finally, compounds of Formula (I) are shown to inhibit infection of primary cells by HIV isolated from infected patient blood. Further confirmation of this anti-HIV mechanism is provided by experiments outlined below.

The ability of the compounds of Formula (I) to modulate chemokine receptor activity is demonstrated by methodology known in the art, such as the assay for CCR5 binding following procedures disclosed in Combadiere et al., J. Leukoc. Biol. 60, 147-52 (1996); and/or intracellular calcium mobilisation assays as described by the same authors. Cell lines expressing the receptor of interest include those naturally expressing the receptor, such as PM-1, or IL-2 stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), or a cell engineered to express a recombinant receptor, such as CHO, 300.19, L1.2 or HEK-293. In particular, the compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein are shown to have activity in preventing binding of all known chemokine ligands to CCR5 in the above-mentioned binding assays. In addition, the compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein are shown to prevent intracellular calcium mobilization in response to endogenous agonists, which is consistent with their functioning as CCR5 antagonists. For the treatment of infection by HIV and the prevention and/or treatment of the resulting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), compounds of Formula (I) which are shown to be antagonists are preferred to compounds of Formula (I) which are shown to be agonists.

The present invention in one of its preferred embodiments is directed to the use of the compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein for the prevention or treatment of infection by a retrovirus, in particular, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the treatment and/or delaying of the onset of consequent pathological conditions, including but no limited to AIDS. The expressions "treating or preventing AIDS", and "preventing or treating infection by HIV" as used herein are intended to mean the treatment of a wide range of states of HIV infection: AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), both symptomatic and asymptomatic, and actual or potential exposure to HIV. The quoted expressions are not intended, however, to be limited to the recited treatments, but rather are contemplated to include all beneficial uses relating to conditions attributable to an AIDS causative agent For example, the compounds of Formula (I) are useful in treating infection by HIV after suspected past exposure to HIV by, e.g., blood transfusion, organ transplant, exchange of body fluids, sexual intercourse, bites, needle stick, or exposure to patient blood. In addition, a compound of Formula (I) may be used for the prevention of infection by HIV and the prevention of AIDS, such as in pre-or post-coital prophylaxis or in the prevention of maternal transmission of the HIV virus to a fetus or a child, whether at the time of birth, during the period of nursing, or in any other manner as above-described.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (I) may be used in a method of inhibiting the binding of human immunodeficiency virus to a chemokine receptor such as CCR5, which comprises contacting the target cell with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) which is effective to inhibit the binding of the virus to the chemokine receptor. The subject treated by these preferred methods of the present invention is a mammal, preferably a human, male or female, in whom modulation of chemokine receptor activity is desired and contemplated to be efficacious. As already pointed out, the term "modulation" as used herein is intended to encompass preferably antagonism, but also agonism, partial antagonism and/or partial agonism. Also, the expression "therapeutically effective amount" as used herein is intended to mean the amount of a compound of Formula (I) as disclosed herein that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, or animal, especially human that is being sought.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (I) may be used to evaluate putative retrovirus, especially HIV, mutants considered to be resistant to anti-HIV therapeutic agents, including the compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein. Mutant viruses may be isolated from in vitro cultures by methods known in the art, but may also be isolated from in vivo animal infection models which have been disclosed in the art. More significantly, mutant viruses may be isolated from samples of patients undergoing treatment, whether optimal or sub-optimal, comprising administration of a compound of Formula (I), or any combination thereof with other known or to-be-discovered therapeutic agents. Such mutant viruses or their components, particularly their envelope proteins, may be used for several advantageous purposes, including but not limited to the following: (i) the evaluation and/or development of novel chemokine modulators or other agents having improved activity against such mutant viruses; and (ii) the development of diagnostics capable of assisting physicians or other clinicians in the choice of a therapeutic regimen and/or outcome prediction for a patient

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, compounds of Formula (I) disclosed herein are used as tools for determining the co-receptor affinity of retroviruses including HIV and SIV, or their components, especially their envelope proteins. This affinity data can be used for several advantageous purposes, including but not limited to phenotyping a given viral population, e.g. prior to administration of anti-retroviral therapy. The affinity data may also be used to predict the progression and outcome of the infection by the virus population involved.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (I) is used in the preparation and execution of screening assays for compounds which modulate the activity of chemokine, especially CCR5 receptors. For example, compounds of Formula (I) as disclosed herein are useful for isolating receptor mutants, which can then be made into screening tools for the discovery of even more potent compounds, following procedures well known in the art. Furthermore, the compounds of Formula (I) are useful in establishing or characterizing the binding sites of other ligands, including compounds other than those of Formula (I) and viral envelope proteins, to chemokine receptors, e.g., by competitive inhibition. The compounds of Formula (I) are also useful for the evaluation of putative specific modulators of various chemokine receptors. As will be appreciated by the artisan, thorough evaluation of specific agonists and antagonists of the above-described chemokine receptors has been hampered by the lack of non-peptidyl, i.e., metabolically resistant compounds with high binding affinity for these receptors. Thus, the compounds of Formula (I) are useful as products which may be commercially exploited for these and other beneficial purposes.

Included within the scope of the present invention are combinations of the compounds of Formula (I) with one or more therapeutic agents useful in the prevention or treatment of AIDS. For example, the compounds of the present invention may be effectively administered, whether at periods of pre-exposure and/or post-exposure to HIV, in combination with therapeutically effective amounts of known AIDS antivirals, immunomodulators, anti-infectives, or vaccines familiar to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the scope of such combinations which include the compounds of Formula (I) is not limited to the above-recited list, but includes as well any combination with another pharmaceutically active agent which is useful for the prevention or treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Preferred combinations of the present invention include simultaneous, or sequential treatments with a compound of Formula (I) and one or more inhibitors of HIV protease and/or inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase, preferably selected from the class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), including but not limited to nevirapine, delavirdine, and efavirenz; from among the nucleoside/nucleotide inhibitors, including but not limited to zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, stavudine, lamivudine, abacavir, and adefovir dipivoxil; and from among the protease inhibitors, including but not limited to indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, and amprenavir. Other agents useful in the above-described preferred embodiment combinations of the present invention include current and to-be-discovered investigational drugs from any of the above classes of inhibitors, including but not limited to FTC, PMPA, fozivudine tidoxil, talviraline, S-1153, MKC-442, MSC-204, MSH-372, DMP450, PNU-140690, ABT-378, and KNI-764. There is also included within the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, combinations of a compound of Formula (I) together with a supplementary therapeutic agent used for the purpose of auxiliary treatment, wherein said supplementary therapeutic agent comprises one or more members independently selected from the group consisting of proliferation inhibitors, e.g., hydroxyurea; immunomodulators, e.g., sargramostim, and various forms of interferon or interferon derivatives; fusion inhibitors, e.g., AMD3100, T-20, PRO-542, AD-349, BB-10010 and other chemokine receptor agonists/antagonists; integrase inhibitors, e.g., AR177; RNaseH inhibitors; inhibitors of viral transcription and RNA replication: and other agents that inhibit viral infection or improve the condition or outcome of HIV-infected individuals through different mechanisms.

Preferred medical uses of compounds of the present invention for the prevention of HIV infection, or treatment of aviremic and asymptomatic subjects potentially or effectively infected with HIV, include but are not limited to administration of a member independently selected rom the group consisting of: (i) a compound within the scope of Formula (I) as disclosed herein; (ii) one NNRTI in addition to a compound of (i); (iii) two NRTI in addition to a compound of (i); (iv) one NRTI in addition to the combination of (ii): and (v) a compound selected from the class of protease inhibitors used in place of an NRTI in combinations (iii) and (iv).

The preferred medical uses of the present invention for therapy of HIV-infected individuals with delectable viremia or abnormally low CD4 counts further include as a member to be selected: (vi) treatment according to (i) above in addition to the standard recommended initial regimens for the therapy of established HIV infections, e.g., as described in Bartlett, J. G., "1998 Medical management of HIV infection", Johns Hopkins University publishers, ISBN 0-9244-2809-0. Such standard regimens include but are not limited to an agent from the class of protease inhibitors in combination with two NRTls; and (vii) a standard recommended initial regimens for the therapy of established HIV infections, e.g., as described in Bartlett, J. G., "1998 Medical management of HIV infection", Johns Hopkins University publishers, ISBN 0-9244-2809-0), where either the protease inhibitor component, or one or both of the NRTIs is/are replaced by a compound within the scope of Formula (I) as disclosed herein.

The preferred medical uses of the present invention for therapy of HIV-infected individuals that have failed antiviral therapy further include as a member to be selected: (viii) treatment according to (i) above, in addition to the standard recommended regimens for the therapy of such patients. e.g., as described in Bartlett, J. G., "1998 Medical management of HIV infection", Johns Hopkins University publishers, ISBN 0-9244-2809-0); and (ix) a standard recommended initial regimens for the therapy of patients who have failed antiretroviral therapy, e.g., as described in Bartlett, J. G., "1998 Medical management of HIV infection", Johns Hopkins University publishers, ISBN 0-9244-2809-0), where either one of the protease inhibitor components, or one or both of the NRTIs is/are replaced by a compound within the scope of Formula (I) as disclosed herein.

In the above-described preferred embodiment combinations of the present invention, the compound of Formula (I) and other therapeutic active agents may be administered in terms of dosage forms either separately or in conjunction with each other, and in terms of their time of administration, either serially or simultaneously. Thus, the administration of one component agent may be prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to the administration of the other component agent(s).

The compounds of Formula (I) may be administered in accordance with a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day. The specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy. In particular, however, the treatment of retroviral infections, and more particularly HIV, may be guided by genotyping and phenotyping the virus in the course of or prior to the initiation of administration of the therapeutic agent. In this way, it is possible to optimise dosing regimens and efficacy when administering a compound of Formula (I) for the prevention or treatment of infection by a retrovirus, in particular, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The compounds of this invention may be used for treatment of respiratory disorders, including: adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma, emphysema, rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.

The invention is further described by means of examples, but not in any limitative sense.

The following synthetic routes were employed.

Preparation of the compounds of formula II from the amino acid derivative I where P is a suitable protecting group (preferably BOC), may be achieved for example, by reaction with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in the presence of a base such as aqueous sodium hydroxide in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of formula III may be prepared by reduction of compounds of formula II, using a suitable reducing agent, preferably diisobutylaluminium hydride in dichloromethane at -78°C.

Compounds of the general formula IV may be prepared by the reductive alkylation of an appropriate amine of formula V, with an aldehyde, of formula III. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of an excess of suitable reducing agent (eg. sodium triacetoxyborohydride) in a protic solvent system (acetic acid in dichloromethane or 1,1,1-trichloroethane), at room temperature.

Subsequent removal of the nitrogen protecting group may be achieved using trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric add in a solvent such as dioxan or dichloromethane at room temperature for from 1 to 60 hours to provide the compound of formula VI. Compounds of general formula VII may be prepared by coupling the amine of formula VI with an acid (Z = OH) or acid derivative (eg, Z = Cl) of formula VIII using conventional amide bond forming techniques. For example, the acid VIII may be activated using a carbodiimide such as 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-propyl)-1-ethylcarbodiimide, optionally in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate. These reactions may be performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, optionally in the presence of a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine or N-ethyldiisopropylamine at about room temperature.

Alternatively an acyl chloride of formula VIII, may be reacted with an amine of formula VI in the presence of a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine or N-ethyldiisopropylamine in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane at room temperature for about 3 hours.

In a further variation a compound of formula VII, may be formed in a "one-pot procedure" by deprotection of a compound of formula IV, and coupling the resultant amine of formula VI with the acid derivative of formula VIII, using methods previously described.

Compounds of formula IX may be prepared by coupling the amino acid derivative of formula I with an acid chloride of formula VIII in the presence of a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane at between 0°C and room temperature. Compounds of formula X may be prepared by reduction of compounds of formula IX, according to the method described in synthesis I. Reductive alkylation of the amine of formula V, with the aldehyde of formula X, according to the method described in synthesis I, may provide the compounds of formula VII.

Compounds of the general formula XII may be prepared by coupling the amine of formula VI with the protected amino acid derivative of formula XI (where Z = Cl or OH and P is preferably BOC or benzyl), using methods previously described in synthesis I. Removal of the nitrogen protecting group, using standard methodology provides the compound of formula XIII. Typically, removal of a CBz protecting group may be achieved under catalytic hydrogenation conditions using a catalyst such as Pearlman's catalyst, in the presence of an excess of ammonium formate, in a suitable solvent such as ethanol under reflux conditions.

Compounds of formula XIV may be obtained by coupling the amine of formula XIII with an appropriate acyl chloride, using methods previously described in synthesis II.

Alternatively, a compound of formula XIV may be formed in a "one-pot procedure", by deprotection of the nitrogen group, and coupling the resultant intermediate with an acyl chloride as described above.

Compounds of formula XVI may be prepared by the alkylation of amines of formula XV using a suitable alkylating agent, preferably 2-fluoronitrobenzene, in the presence of an excess of a suitable base, typically potassium carbonate, in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide at between 100°C and 140°C for about 2 to 18 hours. Compounds of formula XVII may be prepared by reduction of the corresponding compounds of formula XVI. This reduction may be performed under a variety of reaction conditions, for example by catalytic hydrogenation (10% palladium on charcoal, in a solvent such as ethyl acetate, optionally in the presence of an alcohol, such as methanol, at 1 atm. H₂ pressure and room temperature) or by transition metal catalysed reduction (at reflux temperature in the presence of an excess of iron powder in acetic acid, or iron powder and calcium chloride in aqueous ethanol, or an excess of tin chloride dihydrate in ethanol, for about 2 hours). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that when P₁ is acid labile (eg BOC) the conditions required for transition metal catalysed reduction may also result in the simultaneous deprotection of the nitrogen group.

Compounds of formula XVIII may be prepared by the condensation of the amine of formula XVII and an appropriate orthoester under reflux conditions, optionally in the presence of acid catalysis, (eg hydrochloric acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid).

Deprotection of the nitrogen protecting group (when necessary) to yield the amine of formula V may be accomplished using the method of Genet et al (Tet. Lett. 36; 8; 1267, 1995) or by using methods as previously described above.

The amine of formula XX may be prepared from the alcohol of formula XIX by reaction with a protected amine, (P₂NH₂), for example phthalimide, according to the method of Mitsunobu (Org. React. 1992; 42; 335). The compound of formula XXI may be prepared by a concerted demethylation and protection of the amine of formula XX. Typically this is achieved using a large excess of ethyl choroformate, in a suitable solvent such as toluene, at about 90°C. Deprotection of the nitrogen (P₂) of the compound of formula XXI using for example, hydrazine hydrate, in a suitable solvent such as ethanol at reflux temperature provided the amine of formula XV.

Oximes of general formula XXIII may be prepared by the condensation of compounds of general formula XII with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, in the presence of a base such as pyridine, and in a suitable solvent, typically ethanol, at reflux temperature for about 2 hours. Reduction of the compounds of formula XXIII may be achieved using sodium in the presence of an alcohol, typically pentanol, to provide the amine of formula XV.

The nitrogen protected diamine of formula XXI may alternatively be prepared by reaction of the ketone of formula XXII with a protected amine (preferably benzyl) using reductive amination methodology, as previously described in synthesis I. Deprotection of this benzyl group typically using catalytic hydrogentaion conditions using palladium on charcoal as a catalyst in a suitable solvent such as ethyl acetate at 1 atm of H₂ pressure at between about room temperature and 50°C, provides the amine of formula XV.

Compounds of the formula XXIII. may be prepared by coupling the protected amine of formula XV (P₁ is for example, BOC or Benzyl) with a carboxylic acid of formula (R₅CH₂COOH). The coupling may be achieved using conventional amide bond forming techniques, as described in synthesis I. For example the acid may be activated using a carbodiimide such as 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, in the presence of a tertiary amine such as diisopropylamine. Compounds of formula V may be prepared by nitrogen deprotection of compounds of formula XXIII, using techniques previously described above. Compounds of formula VI may be prepared by the reductive amination of amines of formula V with an appropriate aldehyde of formula III. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a suitable reducing agent (eg sodium triacetoxyborohydride) in a protic solvent system (eg acetic acid, dichloromethane). Deprotection of the nitrogen using standard methodology as previously described, provides the compounds of general formula VI.

Compounds of formula XXIV may be prepared from the carbonyl compounds of formula XXII. by treatment initially with a suitable base such as lithium diisopropylamine at - 78°C, and quenching the resultant anion with an appropriate electrophilic triflate, such as N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)triflimide, in a solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, according to the method of Comins (Tet. Lett. 33; 6299; 1992).

Compounds of formula XXV may be prepared from compounds of formula XXIV, by palladium catalysed functionalisation of the vinyl triflate group. For example, treatment of compound XXIV with a palladium catalyst (prepared in-situ from palladium acetate and triphenylphosphine) in the presence of a suitable base such as triethylamine, in a mixture of DMF and methanol, under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide gives compounds of formula XXV.

Compounds of formula XXVI may be prepared in a "one-pot", two-step procedure from compounds of formula XXIV. Reduction of the double bond under hydrogenation conditions, typically using a catalyst such as Raney® Nickel, in an alcohol (eg methanol), at 60psi of H₂ pressure and room temperature. Hydrolysis of the intermediate alkyl ester; according to the plethora of methods currently available yielded compounds of formula XXVI. For example, treatment with sodium hydroxide in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water at room temperature. Compounds of formula XXVII may be prepared by coupling the acid of formula XXVI with an appropriate oxime, followed by in-situ cyclocondensation. For example, the acid may be activated using a fluorinating agent, such as N,N,N',N'-bis(tetramethylene)fluoroformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (J.A.C.S. 1995; 117(19); 5401) in the presence of a base such as N-ethyldiisopropylamine in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane at room temperature. Cyclocondensation of the resultant intermediate may subsequently be achieved by heating in an appropriate solvent such as dioxan at elevated temperature (eg 130°C) for about 3 hours.

Deprotection of the nitrogen group (typically BOC) of compounds of formula XXVII using standard methodology such as protonolysis using hydrochloric acid, according to the methods previously described, affords compounds of formula XXVIII.

Preparations 34, 41, 47, 48, 55, 56 and 64 are presented for a better comprehension of the invention although they are usecito prepare compounds of the invention.

3-Phenyl-β-alanine (13.0g, 78.8mmol) was dissolved in methanolic hydrochloric acid (200ml. 2.25M). The reaction was heated under reflux for 18 hours, then the cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 16.9g.¹H-NMR (400MHz. CD₃OD):δ 3.00-3.19 (2H, m), 3.72 (3H, s), 4.74 (1H, t), 7.48 (5H. s).

Cyclobutanecarbonyl chloride (6.91m), 86.7mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of the title compound of preparation 1 (16.9g, 78.8mmol) and triethylamine (24.2ml, 173.4mmol) in dichloromethane (200ml) at 0°C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 56 hours at room temperature after which time the mixture was washed with water, then brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 20.8g.¹H-NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 2.00-2.10 (2H, m), 2.10-2.35 (4H, m), 2.80-3.00 (2H, m), 3.03 (1H, m), 3.62 (3H, s), 5.42 (1H, m), 6.50 (1H, d), 7.25-7.35 (5H, m). LRMS : m/z 262 (MH⁺)

Diisobutylaluminium hydride (42.1ml of a 1.0M solution in dichloromethane, 42.1mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of the title compound of preparation 2 (5.0g, 19.1mmol) in dichloromethane (100ml) at -78°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for an hour, then methanol (5ml) pre-cooled to -78°C was added. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and washed with 2N hydrochloric acid, water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 3.3g.¹H-NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.81-2.35 (6H, m), 2.90-3.10 (3H, m), 5.50 (1H, m), 6.00 (1H, bd), 7.23-7.39 (5H, m), 9.75 (1H, m). LRMS:m/z 232 (MH⁺)

A solution of tert-butyl (3S)-3-amino-3-phenylpropanoate (5.04g, 22.9memol) in 2.25M methanolic hydrochloric acid (100ml) was heated under reflux for 2½ hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, basified with saturated sodium carbonate solution to pH 8 and the phases separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (4x), the combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound, 3.97g.¹H-NMR (400MHz. CDCl₃):δ 1.70 (2H, s), 2.66 (2H, d), 3.68 (3H, s), 4.43 (1H, t), 7.25-7.40 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z 180.3 (MH⁺).

The title compound from preparation 4 (5.38g, 30mmol) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (8.72g, 40mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (50ml) and 2N sodium hydroxide solution (25ml) were stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, the layers separated and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate (2x). The combined organic solutions were washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 8.39g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.41 (9H, s), 2.84 (2H, m), 3.61 (3H, s), 5.10 (1H, bs), 5.41 (1H, bs), 7.22-7.36 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z279.7 (MH⁺)

Obtained from the title compound of preparation 4 and cyclobutanecarbonyl chloride as a brown solid in 82% yield using a similar procedure to that in preparation 2.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.81-2.06 (2H, m), 2.10-2.40 (5H, m), 2.82-3.08 (2H, m), 3.62 (3H, s), 5.42 (1H, m), 6.42 (1H, d), 7.22-7.38 (5H, m).

Diisobutylaluminium hydride (1M in dichloromethane, 60ml, 60mmol) was cooled to - 78°C and added dropwise to a solution of the title compound from preparation 5 (8.39g, 30mmol) in dichloromethane (150ml) at -78°C. The reaction was stirred for 90 minutes, then methanol (pre-cooled to -78°C) (40ml) was added, The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and poured into 2M hydrochloric acid (200ml). The layers were separated and the aqueous phase extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 6.72g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.42 (9H, s), 2.86-3.00 (2H, m), 5.06 (1H, bs), 5.20 (1H, bs), 7.22-7.38 (5H, m), 9.75 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z250.1 (MH⁺).

Obtained from the title compound of preparation 6 as a brown oil in 82% yield using a similar procedure to that in preparation 7.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.81-2.35 (6H, m), 2.90-3.10 (3H, m), 5.53 (1H, m), 5.98 (1H, bd), 7.23-7.39 (5H, m), 9.78 (1H, m).

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (61.36ml, 0.39mol) was added dropwise over a period of 1 hour to a mixture of triphenylphosphine (102.2g, 0.39mol), phthalimide (52.04g, 0.35mol) and tropine (50g, 0.35mol) in tetrahydrofuran (400ml) at 0°C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature, and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in dichloromethane, the solution extracted with hydrochloric acid (2x1N) and the combined aqueous extracts basified with potassium carbonate. This aqueous solution was then extracted with dichloromethane (x3), the combined organic extracts dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was triturated with ether and filtered, to afford the title compound (12g). The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol (95:5 to 90:10) to afford additional title compound (30g total).¹H-NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.40 (2H, m), 1.74 (2H, m), 2.12 (2H, m), 2.54 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, m), 3.32 (2H, m), 4.52 (1H, m), 7.68 (2H, m), 7.80 (2H, m). LRMS:m/z 271 (MH⁺)

Ethyl chloroformate (22ml, 0.2mol) was added to a solution of the title compound from preparation 9 (20g, 7.4mmol) in toluene (200ml). The solution was heated to 90°C for 6 hours, then the mixture was cooled, and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a solid, 22.3g.¹H-NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.33 (3H, t), 1.62 (2H, m), 1.85 (2H, m), 2.06 (2H, m), 2.61 (2H, t), 4.21 (2H, m), 4.38 (2H, m), 4.68 (1H, m), 7.68 (2H, m), 7.80 (2H, m).

Hydrazine hydrate (3.73g, 74.6mmol) was added to a solution of the title compound of preparation 10 (22.4g, 68.2mmol) in ethanol (200ml) and the reaction was heated under reflux for 1¾ hours. Water (500ml) was added to the cooled mixture, this solution acidified using concentrated hydrochloric acid (100ml), the precipitate was filtered off and the aqueous filtrate basified to pH 8 using sodium carbonate. This aqueous solution was extracted with dichloromethane (x3), the combined organic extracts dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 12.7g.¹H-NMR (300MHz, COCl₃):δ 1.24 (3H, t), 1.40-1.60 (2H, m), 1.64 (2H, m), 1.85 (2H, m), 1.99 (2H, m), 2.41 (2H, bs), 3.20 (1H, m), 4.12 (2H, q), 4.28 (2H, bs). LRMS : m/z 199 (MH⁺)

A solution of 2,5 dimethoxytetrahydrofuran (50g, 378mmol) in 0.025M hydrochloric acid (160ml) was cooled to 0°C for 16 hours. Benzylamine hydrochloride (65g, 453mmol), ketomalonic acid (55g, 377mmol) and an aqueous solution of sodium acetate (300ml, 0.69M) were added and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was heated to 50°C for a further 90 minutes and then cooled in an ice bath whilst basifying to pH12 with 2N sodium hydroxide solution. The layers were separated, and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic solutions were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual brown oil was distilled under reduced pressure (126°C @ 3mm of Hg) to afford the title compound as an off-white solid, 37.81g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):δ (ppm] 1.64 (2H, m). 2.06-2.14 (2H, m), 2.18 (1H, s), 2.23 (1H, s), 2.68 (1H, m), 2.72 (1H, m), 3.48 (2H, s), 3.73 (2H, s), 7.20-7.29 (1H, m), 7.32 (2H, m), 7.42 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 216.3 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 12 (15.0g, 69.7mmol) di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (18.2g, 83.4 mmol) and 20% w/w palladium hydroxide on carbon (3.0g) in ethyl acetate (165ml) was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature under a 39psi atmosphere of hydrogen. The mixture was filtered through Arbocel® and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an elution gradient of hexane:ether (100:0 to 50:50) to afford the title compound as a colourless oil which crystallized on standing, 16.2g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.48 (9H, s), 1.60-1.68 (2H, m), 2.00-2.11 (2H, m), 2.26-2.34 (2H, m), 2.48-2.82 (2H, m), 4.35-4.58 (2H, m).

Glycolaldehyde diethyl acetal (45.4g, 338mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of sodium hydride (14.3g, 60% dispersion in mineral oil, 357mmol) in xylene (100ml), and the reaction heated under reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal (100g, 507mmol) was added. The resulting solution was heated under reflux for 20 hours, then cooled to room temperature. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residual solution was distilled under reduced pressure (80 °C @ 6mm Hg), to afford the title compound as a colourless oil, 60.8 g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.22 (12H, t), 3.55 (8H, m), 3.70 (4H, m), 4.60 (2H, t). LRMS: m/z 269 (MNH₄⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 14 (53.6g. 214mmol) in 0.025M hydrochloric acid (90ml) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Benzylamine hydrochloride (30.7g, 213mmol), ketomalonic acid (26g, 178mmol), and a solution of sodium acetate (8g, 97mmol) in water (180ml) were added and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, then heated to 50 °C for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath whilst basifying to pH12 using 1N sodium hydroxide solution. The layers were separated, and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate (2x). The combined organic solutions were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure.The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using ethyl acetate as eluant, to afford the title compound as a white solid, 41.5g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.75 (2H, d), 1.38 (2H, m), 1.70 (2H, d), 2.19 (2H, d), 2.30 (2H, d), 2.45 (2H, s), 5.78 (1H, m), 5.83 (2H, t), 5.95 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 232.1 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 15 (10g, 43.2mmol), 20% palladium hydroxyde on carbon (2g) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (11.32g, 51.8mmol) in ethyl acetate (100ml) was hydrogenated under 40psi of hydrogen for 16 hours at room temperature. The reaction was filtered through Arbocel® and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 94:6) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 9.80g.¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.25 (2H, m), 1.50 (9H, s). 2.50 (2H, m), 3.50 (2H, m), 3.75 (2H, m), 4.38 (1H, m), 4.45 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 264.0 (MNa⁺)

A solution of thiodiglycolaldehyde bis(diethyl acetal) (30g 112.3mmol) (Carbohydr. Res. 1981 90(2) 309) in 0.025M hydrochloric acid (90ml) was stirred at 100°C for 1 hour. The solution was cooled to room temperature and allylamine hydrochloride (13.65g, 146mmol), ketomalonic acid (16.4g, 112.7mmol) and sodium acetate (5.1g, 62mmol) in water (180ml) were added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then heated to 50°C for 2 hours. The reaction was cooled in an ice bath whilst basifying to pH12 with 1N sodium hydroxide solution. The layers were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3X). The combined organic solutions were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol (99:1) to afford the title compound as a pink solid, 6.41g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃Cl₃): δ 2.15 (2H, d), 2.30 (2H, d), 2.55 (2H, m), 3.15 (2H, d), 3.30 (2H, d), 3.50 (2H, s), 5.20 (2H, m), 5.65 (1H, m).

Lithium diisopropylamine (2M in hexanes) (36ml, 71 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of the title compound from preparation 13 (13.41g, 59mmol) in tetrahydrofuran at - 78°C, and the reaction stirred for 2 hours. A solution of N-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)triflimide (25.71g, 65.45mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (60ml) was added dropwise and the reaction was stirred for 2 hours at -78 °C then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solution was partitioned between dichloromethane and water, the layers separated and the organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The residue was purified by column chromatography on basic activated aluminium oxide using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol (100:0 to 98:2) to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 14.1g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.50 (9H, s), 1.70 (1H, bs), 1.90-2.10 (3H, bm), 2.25 (1H, bs), 3.00 (1H, m), 4.40 (2H, m), 6.10 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 357 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 18 (14.1g, 39.4mmol), palladium acetate (270mg), triphenylphosphine (620mg, 2.37mmol), triethylamine (11ml, 78.9mmol) and methanol (60ml) was stirred in N,N-dimethylformamide (150ml) at room temperature under a carbon monoxide atmosphere for 12 hours. The solution was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic solutions were washed with water, then brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (100:0 to 95:5) to afford the title compound as a black oil, 10.4g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.45 (9H, s), 1.6 (1H, m), 1.95 (2H, m), 2.10 (1H, d), 2.15 (1H, m), 2.90 (1H, bm), 3.70 (3H, s), 4.30-4.50 (2H, bm), 7.10 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 535.2 (2MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 19 (10.4g, 38.9mmol) and Raney® nickel (4g) in methanol (70ml) was stirred under 60psi of hydrogen for 7 hours at room temperature. The reaction was filtered through Celite® and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The white solid obtained was stirred with sodium hydroxide (1.32g, 33mmol), water (10ml) and tetrahydrofuran (70ml) for 20 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and dichloromethane, the layers separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2) to afford the title compound as a colourless oil, 3.23g¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ:1.45 (9H, s), 1.65 (2H, m), 1.59 (2H, m), 1.90 (2H, m), 2.00 (2H, m), 2.82 (1H, m), 4.25 (2H, bd). LRMS: m/z 279.0 (MNa⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 12 (17.72g, 82mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (5.72g, 82mmol) and pyridine (7.2ml, 89mmol), were heated under reflux in ethanol (500ml) for 20 hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and diluted with saturated sodium carbonate solution. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between dichloromethane and water, the layers separated and the aqueous layer extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a pale brown solid, 18.10g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.45-1.56 (1H, m), 1.60-1.67 (1H, m), 1.96-2.07 (2H, bm), 2.12 (1H, m), 2.21 (1H, m), 2.57 (1H, m), 2.97 (1H, m), 3.32 (2H, m), 3.64 (2H, s), 7.06 (1H, s), 7.21-7.28 (1H, m), 7.32 (2H, m), 7.38 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 231.2 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 13 (10.0g, 44.4mmol), benzylamine (4.85ml, 49.7mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (14.11g, 66.6mmol) was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature in a mixture of glacial acetic acid:dichloromethane (290ml) (1:9). The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with saturated sodium carbonate solution and then water. The organic solution was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 7.00g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.42-1.48 (11H, m), 1.52-1.61 (2H, m), 1.85-2.19 (5H, m), 2.95-3.03 (1H, m), 3.74 (2H, s), 4.034.23 (2H, m), 7.20-7.26 (1H, m), 7.26-7.32 (4H, m).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 15 (7g, 30mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.31g, 33mmol) and pyridine (3ml, 37mmol) in ethanol (300ml) was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution added. The mixture was filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between water and dichloromethane and the layers separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with further dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a pale brown solid, 6.6g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 2.25 (1H, s), 2.32 (1H, s), 2.40 (2H, m), 2.70 (2H, m), 2.90 (4H, bs), 3.12 (1H, s), 3.18 (1H, s), 3.70 (2H, d), 3.78 (2H, d), 7.25-7.40 (10H, m). LRMS: m/z 247.1 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 16 (9.80g, 40.6mmol), benzylamine (5.32ml, 48.7mmol), sodium triacetoxyborohydride (12.9g, 60.9mmol), and glacial acetic acid (2.5ml) in dichloromethane (120ml) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was basified to pH 8 using saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as an oil, 2.45g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.45 (9H, s), 1.75 (2H, d), 2.15 (2H, m), 2.72 (1H, m), 2.80 (1H, m), 3.58-3.72 (4H, m), 3.80 (2H, m), 3.95 (1H, d), 4.10 (1H, d), 7.18 (1H, m), 7.30 (4H, m). LRMS: m/z 333.3 (MH⁺)

The title compound from preparation 17 (6.4g, 32.4mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.48g, 37.7mmol) and pyridine (3.2ml, 39mmol) were heated under reflux in ethanol (140ml) for 2 hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between saturated sodium carbonate solution and dichloromethane the layers separated and the aqueous phase extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a brown solid, 6.33g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃):δ 2.15-2.45 (4H, m), 2.65 (1H, m), 3.1 (1H, d), 3.2-3.4 (6H, m), 5.1-5.3 (2H, m), 5.8 (1H, m), 8.0-8.6 (1H, bs). LRMS: m/z 212.9 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 21 (18.10g, 79mmol) in pentanol (500ml) was heated under reflux with portionwise addition of sodium (22.0g, 957mmol) over 2 ½ hours. The reaction was then heated under reflux for a further 2 hours, then cooled to 0°C in an ice bath and water added until no more hydrogen gas evolved. The mixture was acidified using 6N hydrochloric acid and the phases separated. The organic layer was extracted with 6N hydrochloric acid (3x), the combined aqueous extracts were basified to pH12 with sodium hydroxide pellets (400g) and the aqueous solution extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound, 15.65g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, COCl₃):δ 1.20-1.40 (2H, bm), 1.48 (2H, m), 1.58 (2H, d), 1.64-1.76 (2H, bm), 2.00 (2H, bm), 2.95 (1H, m), 3.19 (2H, bs), 3.57 (2H, s), 7.18-7.26 (1H, m), 7.30 (2H, m), 7.37 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 217.3 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 22 (7.00g, 22.1mmol), ammonium formate (7.00g, 111mmol) and 20% w/w palladium hydroxide on carbon (700mg) in ethanol (200ml) was heated to 50°C, until gas evolution ceased. The cooled mixture was filtered through Arbocel® and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a colourless oil, 4.70g. LRMS: m/z 227.2 (MH⁺)

The title compound was obtained (64%) from the title compound from preparation 23, using a similar procedure to that described in preparation 26.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.70 (4H, m), 2.70 (2H, s), 3.70 (3H, m), 3.80-3.95 (6H, m), 7.20-7.40 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z 233.1(MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 24 (2.45g, 7.7mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (300mg) in ethyl acetate (40ml) was hydrogenated at 50psi for 36 hours at 50 °C. The cooled reaction was filtered through Arbocel® and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (79:20:1) to afford the title compound as a colourless oil, 1.44g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.45 (9H, s), 1.55 (2H, m), 2.18-2.30 (2H, m), 3.0 (1H, m), 3.60-3.78 (4H, m), 3.97 (1H, m), 4.10 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 242.5 (MH⁺)

The title compound from preparation 25 (5.33g, 25.1 mmol) was heated under reflux in pentanol (200ml) with portionwise addition of sodium (5.8g, 251.1mmol) over 1 hour. The reaction was then heated under reflux for a further 2 hours, then cooled to 0°C in an ice bath and water added until no more hydrogen gas evolved. The mixture was acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid, the layers separated and the organic phase extracted with 6N hydrochloric acid (3x). The combined aqueous extracts were basified to pH12 using sodium hydroxide pellets and the solution extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure and freeze-dried from water/acetonitrile to afford the title compound as a brown powder, 4.73g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.30-1.70 (4H, m), 1.90 (2H, m), 2.10 (2H, d), 3.06-4.42 (6H, m), 4.62 (1H, m), 5.0-5.23 (2H, m), 5.80 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 199.1 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 11 (12.7g, 64.1mmol), potassium carbonate (9.0g. 65.1mmol) and 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (7.44ml, 70.5mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (30ml) was heated at 150°C for 2 ½ hours. The cooled reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between water and ethyl acetate. The phases were separated, the organic layer dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol (100:0 to 98:2) to afford the title compound as a solid, 16.9g.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃):δ 1.32 (3H, t), 1.60-1.80 (4H, m), 2.13 (4H, m), 4.02 (1H, m), 4.19 (2H, q), 4.41 (2H, bs), 6.62 (1H, m), 6.86 (1H, d), 7.42 (1H, m), 7.90 (1H, d), 8.16 (1H, m). LRMS : m/z 320 (MH⁺)

The title compound from preparation 26 (8.47g, 39mmol), 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (4.55ml, 43mmol) and potassium carbonate (5.50g, 40mmol) were heated to 120°C in N,N-dimethylformamide for 4½ hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with water. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a bright orange/yellow solid, 8.80g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.66-1.80 (4H, m), 1.92-2.02 (2H, m), 2.08-2.20 (2H, m), 3.32 (2H, s), 3.60 (2H, s), 3.85 (1H, m), 6.60 (1H, m), 6.87 (1H, d), 7.20-7.28 (1H, m), 7.32 (2H, m), 7.38 (3H, m), 7.97 (1H, bd), 8.16 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 338.5 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 27 (4.69g, 20.7mmol), 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (3.21g, 22.7mmol) and potassium carbonate (3.21g, 23.3mmol) were heated for 2 hours in N,N-dimethylformamide (75ml) at 100°C. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a bright orange oil, which crystallized on standing, 7.50g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.48 (9H, s), 1.80-1.87 (2H, m), 2.00-2.16 (4H, m), 2.16-2.41 (2H, m), 3.87-3.94 (1H, m), 4.14-4.39 (2H, m), 6.60-6.74 (1H, m), 6.69-6.74 (1H, d), 7.39-7.45 (1H, m), 8.16-8.21 (1H, d), 8.68-8.77 (1H, m).

Potassium carbonate (4.59g, 33.2mmol), followed by 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (1.87g, 13.3mmol) were added to a solution of (1R,5S)-3-benzyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-6-ylamine (WO 9318001), (2.50g, 13.3mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (40ml), and the reaction mixture stirred at 130°C for 18 hours. The cooled mixture was filtered, and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the phases separated, and the aqueous layer extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual brown oil was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an elution gradient of pentane:ethyl acetate (95:5 to 90:10) to afford the title compound as an orange crystalline foam, 3.11g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.64 (2H, s), 2.54 (2H, m), 2.96 (1H, s), 3.18 (2H, m), 3.62 (2H, s), 6.68 (1H, m), 7.19 (1H, m), 7.29 (5H, m), 7.43 (1H, m), 7.96 (1H, bs), 8.16 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 309.8 (M⁺)

The title compound was obtained (63%) as a bright orange/yellow solid, from the compound of preparation 28, following the procedure described in preparation 32.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.90-2.10 (4H, m), 1.90 (2H, s), 3.82 (2H, d), 3.90 (2H, s), 3.97 (2H, d), 4.90 (1H, m), 6.60 (1H, m), 7.00 (1H, d), 7.30 (1H, m), 7.35 (2H, m), 7.40 (3H, m), 8.00 (1H, d), 8.18 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 354.1 (MH⁺)

The title compound was obtained as a yellow orange oil (99%), from the title compound of preparation 29, and 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene, following the procedure described in preparation 32.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.50 (9H, s), 1.80 (2H, m), 2.38 (2H, m), 3.75 (2H, m), 3.85 (2H, m), 3.95 (1H, m), 4.10 (1H, m), 4.18 (1H, m), 6.60 (1H, m), 6.80 (1H, d), 7.40 (1H, m), 8.18 (1H, d), 9.22 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 364.1 (MH⁺)

The title compound was obtained as a yellow orange oil (53%), from the title compound of preparation 30, and 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene, following the procedure described in preparation 32.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.90 (2H, m), 2.10-2.32 (4H, m), 3.25 (2H, s), 3.40 (4H, m), 5.11-5.3 (2H, m), 5.80 (2H, m), 6.62 (1H, m), 7.0 (1H, d), 7.40 (1H, m), 7.91 (1H, d), 8.15 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 320.3 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 31 (16.9g, 52.9mmol), and 10% palladium on charcoal (2.0g) in methanol (50ml) and ethyl acetate (300ml), was hydrogenated at 1 atm of hydrogen, and room temperature for 15 hours. The reaction was filtered through Arbocel®, and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a dark solid, 14.7g.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) : δ 1.30 (3H, t), 1.43-1.63 (2H, m), 1.79 (2H, m), 2.00-2.18 (4H, m), 3.18-3.35 (2H, bs), 3.78 (1H, m), 4.15 (2H, q), 4.39 (2H, bs), 6.65-6.80 (4H, m). LRMS : m/z 290 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 32 (8.80g, 26mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (1,0g) in ethyl acetate (300ml) and methanol (50ml) was stirred under 1 atmosphere of hydrogen for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was filtered through Arbocel® and the filtrate removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a dark brown oil, 7.23g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.59 (2H, m), 1.67-1.76 (2H, m), 1.92-2.02 (2H, m), 2.06-2.15 (2H, m), 3.27 (3H, m), 3.52-3.67 (3H, m), 6.60-6.72 (3H, m), 6.78 (1H. m), 7.20-7.28 (1H, m), 7.32 (2H, m), 7.38 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 308.6 (MH⁺).

Tin (II) chloride dihydrate (25.0g, 111mmol) was added in five equal portions of 5g to a solution of the title compound from preparation 33 (7.50g, 21.6mmol) in ethanol (200ml) over a period of 25 minutes and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue treated with 6M sodium hydroxide solution until basic. Ethyl acetate was added, the mixture filtered through Celite®, and the layers separated. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a colourless oil, 3.10g. LRMS: m/z 218.3 (MH⁺)

Iron powder (2.44g, 43.6mmol) and calcium chloride (269mg, 2.42mmol) were added to a solution of the title compound from preparation 34 (1.50g, 4.85mmol), and the reaction heated under reflux for 18 hours. The cooled mixture was filtered through Celite®, washing through with ethanol, the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure, and azeotroped with toluene. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (97.5:2.5:0.25) as eluant to afford the title compound as a dark brown oil, 751mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.58 (2H, m), 2.49 (2H, m), 2.81 (1H, s), 3.14 (2H, m), 3.48 (2H, s), 3.60 (2H, s), 6.68 (2H, m), 6.82 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.26 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z 280.8 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 35 (4g, 11mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (0.5g) in ethyl acetate (60ml) was hydrogenated under 1 atmosphere of hydrogen for 4 hours at room temperature. The reaction was filtered through Arbocel® and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 2.87g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.80 (2H, m), 2.08 (2H, m), 2.78 (2H, s), 3.17 (1H, s), 3.30 (2H, s), 3.80 (2H, d), 3.90 (2H, s), 3.95 (2H, d), 4.60 (1H, m), 6.65 (1H, m), 6.70 (1H, m), 6.80 (2H, m), 7.25 (1H, m), 7.30 (2H, m), 7.40 (2H, d). LRMS: m/z 323.7 & 325.3 (MH⁺).

The title compound was obtained as a dark oil (97%) from the title compound from preparation 36, following the procedure described in preparation 42.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.00 (2H, bs), 1.50 (9H, s), 1.60 (1H, s), 1.85 (2H, d), 2.15-2.32 (2H, m), 3.70-3.85 (5H, m), 4.00 (1H, bs), 4.10 (1H, bs), 6.62 (2H, m), 6.70 (1H, m), 6.78 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 334.1 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 37 (3.9g 12.211 mmol), iron powder (10g) and glacial acetic acid (10ml) was heated to reflux in water: ethanol (2:1 150ml) for 1 hour. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature, basified with 1M sodium hydroxide solution and diluted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was filtered, the layers separated and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate (3X). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a brown oil, 3.7g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.77 (2H, m), 2.10-2.25 (4H, m), 2.45-3.20 (3H, bs), 3.20-3.45 (6H, m), 5.10-5.30 (2H, m), 5.40 (1H, m), 5.80 (1H, m), 6.60-6.85 (4H, m). LRMS: m/z 290.1 (MH⁺)

A solution of the the title compound from preparation 38 (14.7g, 50.8mmol) in triethylorthoacetate (200ml) was heated under reflux for 18 hours. The cooled reaction was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a brown oil, that crystallised on standing, 15.9g.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) : δ 1.19-1.31 (2H, m), 1.40 (3H, m), 1.82 (4H, m), 2.20 (2H, m), 2.62 (3H, s), 4.31 (2H, m), 4.57 (2H, bs), 4.74 (1H, m), 7.18 (2H, m), 7.49 (1H, m), 7.64 (1H, m). LRMS : m/z 314 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 39 (17.00g, 55mmol) was heated under reflux in triethyl orthoacetate (250ml) for 16 hours, then cooled. Excess triethyl orthoacetate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue and 4-toluenesulphonic acid (3.00g) were heated under reflux in toluene (250ml) for 18 hours. The cooled mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure, the residue suspended in dichloromethane, and washed with saturated sodium carbonate solution, water and brine. The organic solution was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound, 18.32g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.65-1.74 (2H, m), 1.74-1.82 (2H, m), 2.14-2.28 (2H, m), 2.58-2.72 (5H, m), 3.40 (2H, bs), 3.66 (2H, s), 4.56 (1H, m), 7.16-7.32 (3H, m), 7.37 (2H, m), 7.47 (2H, d), 7.66 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 331.9 (MH⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 41 (751mg, 2.69mmol) in acetic anhydride (10ml) was stirred at 130°C for 18 hours. The cooled solution was basified to pH 8 using saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and this mixture extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual brown oil was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (97.5:2.5:0.25) as eluant to afford the title compound as a brown oil, 200mg.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.02 (2H, s), 2.60 (5H, m), 3.34 (2H, m), 3.59 (1H, s), 3.66 (2H, s), 7.18-7.43 (8H, m), 7.64 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 304.0 (MH⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 20 (1.0g, 3.91mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml) was treated with N-ethyldiisopropylamine (815µl, 4.69mmol). Bis(tetramethylene)fluoroformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (1.48g, 4.68mmol) was added and the solution stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. N-Hydroxy-2-{4-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]phenyl}ethanimidic acid (J.Med.Chem. 1993; 36(11); 1529), (1.14g, 4.69mmol) and N-ethyldiisopropylamine (680µl, 3.91mmol) were added, the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours, then heated to 50°C to concentrate the solution. Dioxan (20ml) was added, the solution was heated to 120°C for 3 hours, cooled to room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate and basified with 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The layers were separated, the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2) to afford the title compound as an oil, 1.48g¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.45 (9H, s), 1.65 (3H, m), 1.75 (3H, m), 1.95-2.10 (6H, m), 3.65 (2H, s), 4.00 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, bs), 7.20 (2H, d), 7.30(2H, m).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 42 (2.87g, 8.9mmol) in triethyl orthoacetate (20ml) was heated under reflux for 8 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using ethyl acetate:pentane (20: 80) as eluant to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, 1.47g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.78 (2H, m), 1.90 (3H, s), 2.05 (2H, m), 2.75 (2H, s), 3.80 (2H, d), 3.90 (2H, s), 3.95 (2H, d), 4.60 (1H, m), 6.60 (2H, m), 6.80 (1H, d), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.23 (1H, m), 7.30 (2H, m), 7.38 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 348.1 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 43 (1.88g, 5.6mmol) in triethyl orthoacetate (20ml) was heated under reflux for 7 hours. The cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue redissolved in toluene (250ml). 4-Toluenesulphonic acid (300mg, 1.57mmol) was added and the reaction heated under reflux for 2 hours, then cooled. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, the residue suspended in ethyl acetate, and washed with 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound, 1.64g. Found: C, 67.00; H, 7.67; N, 11.64%. C₂₀H₂₇N₃O₃ requires C, 67.20; H, 7.67; N 11.64%.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.30 (9H, s), 2.30 (2H, m), 2.55 (3H, s), 2.60 (2H, m), 3.62-3.80 (4H, m), 4.12 (1H, m), 4.25 (1H, d), 4.40 (1H, d), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.65 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 358.2 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 44 (3.68g, 12.21mmol) was heated under reflux in triethyl orthoacetate (20ml) for 16 hours. Excess triethyl orthoacetate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (99.5:1). The product was suspended in toluene (80ml) para-toluenesulfonic acid (catalytic) was added, and the mixture heated at reflux for 3 hours, then cooled and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a tan-coloured solid, 1.25g. Found: C, 67.81; H, 7.44; N, 12.86%. C₁₈H₂₃N₃S;0.35H₂O requires C, 67.61; H, 7.47; N, 13.14%.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.50 (2H, m), 2.25 (2H, d), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.80-2.90 (2H, m), 3.30-3.60 (6H, m), 5.10-5.40 (2H, m), 5.85 (1H, m), 6.75 (1H, m), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.60 (1H, m), 7.71 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 314 (M+H⁺)

A mixture of the title compound of preparation 45 (1.3g, 4.15mmol) in hydrochloric acid (6N, 30ml) was heated to 120°C for 20 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was basified with sodium hydroxide solution (15%) and the solution extracted with dichloromethane (x4). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (95:5:0.5) as the eluant to afford the title compound as a solid, 620mg.¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) : δ 1.64-1.98 (6H, m), 2.49 (2H, m), 2.59 (3H, s), 3.66 (2H, m), 4.50 (1H, m), 7.12 (2H, m), 7.51 (1H, m), 7.63 (1H, m). LRMS : m/z 242 (MH⁺)

Ammonium formate (2.82g, 44.8mmol) was added the title compound from preparation 46 (2.84g, 8.6mmol) and palladium hydroxide (2.0g) in ethanol (60ml). The mixture was heated under reflux for 1 ½ hours and the reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through Arbocel®. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound, 1.74g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.74-1.87 (4H, m), 1.90-2.02 (2H, m), 2.53 (2H, m), 2.63 (3H, s), 3.76 (2H, bm), 4.56 (1H, m), 7.13-7.25 (2H, m), 7.52-7.57 (1H, m), 7.64-7.71 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 242.1 (MH⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 40 (2.0g, 9.2mmol) and triethyl orthoacetate (50ml) were heated under reflux at 150 °C for 1 hour. The cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution then water. The organic solution was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 50ml of 2.25M methanolic hydrochloric acid and heated under reflux for 24 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as an off white solid, 1.05g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, D₂O): δ[ppm] 2.20-2.42 (6H, m), 2.71-2.84 (2H, m), 2.80 (3H, s), 4.21-4.27 (2H, m), 4.94-5.06 (1H, m), 7.50-7.55 (2H, m), 7.68-7.74 (1H, m), 7.75 (1H, m).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 40 (1.10g, 5.06mmol) in 30ml of triethyl orthoformate was heated under reflux for 3 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was heated under reflux for 1 hour in 30ml of dioxan:concentrated hydrochloric acid (2:1). The solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was basified with saturated sodium carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified using column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a gum, 540mg. LRMS: m/z 228 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 47 (200mg, 0.70mmol), ammonium formate (1.4g, 22.2mmol), and 10% palladium on carbon (90mg) in methanol (10ml) was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered through Celite®, washing through with additional methanol. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow oil. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (95:5:1) as eluant to afford the title compound, 56mg.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.12 (2H, m), 2.63 (4H, m), 3.02 (1H, m), 3.18 (2H, d), 3.50 (1H, s), 7.22 (2H, m), 7.42 (1H, m), 7.66 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 214.5 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 48 (1.48g, 3.20mmol) in 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (15ml) was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the oily residue partitioned between dichloromethane and sodium carbonate solution. The phases were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:2:0 to 89:10:1) to afford the title compound as a brown solid, 375mg.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.70 (4H, m), 1.90 (6H, m), 3.00 (3H, s), 3.30 (1H, m), 3.58 (1H, bs), 3.62 (1H, m), 4.00 (2H, s), 7.15 (2H, d), 7.30 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 363.1 (MH⁺).

Ammonium formate (1g, 15.8mmol) was added to the title compound of preparation 49 (1.12g, 3.2mmol) and palladium hydroxide (0.1g) in ethanol (50ml), and the mixture heated under reflux for 2 hours. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through Arbocel®. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (97:3:0 to 89:5:1) to afford the title compound, 651 mg. Found: C, 67.86; H, 7.79; N, 15.47%. C₁₅H₁₉N₂O; 0.5 H₂O requires C, 67.64; H, 7.57; N 15.78%.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.10 (2H, m), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, m), 3.18 (2H, s), 3.90-4.00 (4H, m), 5.07 (1H, m), 7.18 (2H, m), 7.60 (1H, d), 7.70 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 258.2 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 50 (1.64g, 4.59mmol) and 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (15ml) was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue basified to pH 8 with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a dark solid, 1.08g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.20 (2H, m), 2.60 (2H, m), 2.65 (3H, s), 3.25 (2H, m), 3.72 (4H, m), 4.70 (1H, m), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.70 (1H, m), 7.75 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 258.1 (MH⁺)

Tris(dibenzylidineacetone)dipalladium (176mg 0.192mmol) and 1,4 bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (82mg 0.192mmol) were stirred for 30 minutes in tetrahydrofuran. A solution of the title compound from preparation 51 (1.2g 3.80mmol) and 2-mercaptobenzoic acid (0.70g 4.6mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10ml) was added and the solution stirred for 16 hours then evaporated under reduced pressure. The red solid was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (97:3). The product was dissolved in dichloromethane and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a tan solid, 0.66g¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.05 (2H, m), 2.52 (2H, d), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, m), 3.30 (2H, d), 3.60 (2H, s), 6.70 (1H, m), 7.1-7.23 (2H, m), 7.60 (1H, m), 7.70 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 274.3 (MH⁺)

A solution of 3-azetidine carboxylic acid (0.50g, 4.9mmol), trimethylsilyl chloride (1.25ml, 9.8mmol) and N-ethyldiisopropylamine (2.20ml, 12.6mmol) was heated under reflux in dichloromethane (20ml) for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath and benzyl chloroformate (0.92ml, 6.4mmol) added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours before quenching with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase was acidified to pH2 with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a brown oil, 1.01g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 3.44 (1H, m), 4.21 (4H, d), 5.09 (2H, s), 7.28-7.41 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z253.1 (MNH₄⁺).

Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (3.02g, 13.8mmol) was added to a suspension of 3-azetidine carboxylic acid (1g, 10mmol) and potassium carbonate (1.8g, 13mmol) in water (18ml) and dioxan (18ml) at 0°C, with stirring and allowed to warm to room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 15 hours and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was acidified to pH 4 by addition of 1M citric acid solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic extracts were washed with water then brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 2.1g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): 8 1.44 (9H, s). 3.38 (1H, m), 4.14 (4H, m). LRMS: m/z 200 (MH^-).

Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (395mg, 1.86mmol) and glacial acetic acid (75mg, 1.25mmol) were added to a solution of the title compounds of preparations 52 (300mg, 1.24mmol) and 7 (341mg, 1.37mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml), and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was basified with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution, and extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white foam, 444mg.¹H-NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃) : δ 1.37 (9H, s), 1.72 (4H, m), 1.88 (1H, m), 1.98-2.15 (3H, m), 2.50 (2H, t), 2.62 (5H, m), 3.39 (1H, m), 3.45 (1H, m), 4.55 (1H, m), 4.87 (1H, s), 6.50 (1H, m), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.25 (1H, m), 7.36 (4H, m), 7.58 (1H, m), 7.66 (1H, d). LRMS : m/z 475 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compounds from preparations 7 (480mg, 1.93mmol), and 53 (600mg, 1.91mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (600mg, 2.83mmol) were stirred together in a 30ml mixture of glacial acetic acid:dichloromethane (1:9) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the residue basified with 6N NaOH then extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a foam, 900mg. LRMS : m/z 475.1 (MH⁺)

The title compound was prepared from the title compounds from preparations 7 and 56, following a similar procedure to that described in preparation 62.

The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (99:1 to 98:2) to afford the title compound as a white foam, 392mg.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.38 (9H, s), 1.55 (5H, bs), 1.70-2.10 (12H, m), 2.35 (3H, m), 3.00 (3H, s), 3.19 (1H, m), 3.25 (1H, m), 3.37 (1H, m), 4.00 (2H, s), 7.10-7.30 (9H, m).

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (90%), from the tittle compounds of preparations 7 and 57, following the procedure of preparation 64. Found: C, 69.10; H, 7.91; N, 10.47%. C₂₉H₃₈N₄O₃; 0.8H₂O requires C, 68.97; H, 7.90; N 10.37%.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.40 (9H, s), 1.78 (2H, m), 1.90-2.08 (2H, m), 2.62 (3H, s), 2.65-2.95 (6H, m), 3.92 (2H, m), 4.05 (2H, m), 4.90 (1H, s), 5.65 (1H, m), 6.15 (1H, d), 7.18 (2H, m), 7.25-7.38 (5H, m), 7.42 (1H, d), 7.70 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 491.2 (MH⁺)

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (77%), from the title compounds of preparations 7 and 59, following the procedure of preparation 64.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.4 (9H, s), 1.80-2.0 (4H, m), 2.36 (2H, t), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.70-2.90 (4H, m), 3.35 (2H, s), 3.45 (2H, t), 4.90 (1H, br s), 6.0 (1H, br s), 6.75 (1H, m), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.25-7.40 (5H, m), 7.55 (1H, d), 7.70 (1H, d). LRMS: m/z 507.1 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 62 (1.00g, 2.1mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid (8ml) in dichloromethane (20ml) was stirred for 60 hours at room temperature. The solvent was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue quenched with aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution. This aqueous mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3x) and the combined organic extracts washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound, 600mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.60-1.84 (6H, m), 1.92 (2H, m), 2.01-2.14 (2H, bm), 2.51 (3H, m), 2.54-2.66 (4H, m), 3.44 (2H, m), 4.17 (1H, m), 4.52 (1H, m), 7.18 (2H, m), 7.22-7.28 (1H, m), 7.31-7.41 (4H, m), 7.47-7.53 (1H, m), 7.64-7.69 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 375.6 (MH⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 63 (900mg, 1.90mmol) was stirred for 1 hour at 40°C in a 30ml mixture of dichloromethane:trifluoroacetic acid (4:1). The solvents were removed under reduced pressure, the residue basified with saturated sodium carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a foam, 330mg. LRMS: m/z 375.2 (MH⁺)

A mixture of the title compounds from preparations 58 (500mg, 1.94mmol), and 7 (533mg, 2.13mmol), sodium triacetoxyborohydride (618mg, 2.91mmol), and glacial acetic acid (115ml) in dichloromethane (10ml) was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was diluted with aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution, and the phases separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2x) and the combined organic extracts washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting brown foam was stirred in 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (20ml) for 1 hour. The excess of solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was basified with aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (3X). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a brown solid, 729mg.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.90 (2H, m), 2.30 (2H, m), 2.60 (2H, m), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, m), 3.00 (2H, m), 3.40 (2H, d), 3.70 (2H, m), 3.90 (2H, m), 4.07 (1H, t), 4.80 (1H, m), 7.20 (2H, m), 7.25 (1H, m), 7.35 (4H, m), 7.68 (1H, m), 7.78 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 391.1 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 65 (1.10g, 2.24mmol) in 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (10ml) was stirred for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 1.30g.¹H NMR (400MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 2.45-2.70 (3H, m), 2.92 (3H, s), 3.40 (4H, m), 3.72 (1H, m), 3.83 (1H, m), 3.95-4.10 (2H, m), 4.30(1H, d), 4.45 (2H, m), 5.82 (1H, m), 7.35-7.55 (5H, m), 7.60 (2H, d), 7.80 (1H, d), 8.80 (2H, bs), 9.10 (1H, d), 12.28 (1H, bs). LRMS: m/z 391.2 (MH⁺)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 67 (222mg, 0.59mmol) in dichloromethane (5ml) was added to the title compound from preparation 60 (136mg, 0.58mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (136mg, 0.71mmol), N-ethyldiisopropylamine (108µl, 0.62mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (88mg, 0.65mmol) in dichloromethane (5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄) filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual pale brown solid was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 279mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.62-1.72 (2H, bm), 1.76 (2H, m), 1.94-2.18 (4H, m), 2.44-2.58 (3H, m), 2.58-2.68 (4H, m), 3.21-3.32 (1H, m), 3.44 (2H, m), 4.08-4.17 (2H, bm), 4.55 (1H, m), 5.08 (2H, s), 5.24 (1H, m), 7.08-7.24 (3H, m), 7.28-7.41 (9H, m), 7.46-7.54 (1H, m), 7.63-7.72 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 592.6 (MH⁺).

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (85%), from the title compound of preparation 67 and 1-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (J. Med. Chem. 14; 1971; 904), (61mg, 0.27mmol), following the procedure described in preparation 71.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.42 (9H, s), 1.54-1.86 (10H, m), 1.90-2.20 (5H, m), 2.20-2.37 (2H, bm), 2.37-2.64 (7H, m), 3.41 (2H, bs), 4.52 (1H, m), 4.77 (1H, bm), 5.16 (1H, m), 7.14-7.22 (2H, m), 7.30-7.38 (4H, m), 7.42-7.58 (2H, bm), 7.63-7.71 (1H, m). LRMS: m/z 586.1 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compounds from preparations 7 (592mg, 2.37mmol), and 54 (540mg, 2.37mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (750mg, 3.64mmol) were stirred together in a 25ml mixture of glacial acetic acid:dichloromethane (1:9) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure, the residue suspended in saturated sodium carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a foam, 750mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.35-1.48 (9H, m), 1.60-1.71 (2H, m), 1.87-2.16 (6H, m), 2.29-2.37 (2H, m), 2.69-2.81 (2H, m), 3.32-3.39 (1H, m), 3.42-3.47 (1H, m), 3.68-3.76 (1H, m), 4.69-d.82 (1H, m), 4.82-4.95 (1H, m), 6.63-6.73 (1H, m), 7.23-7.39 (7H, m), 7.39-7.53 (1H, m), 7.77-7.82 (1H, m), 8.05 (1H, s)

A solution of the title compound from preparation 73 (750mg, 1.63mmol) was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature in a mixture of dichloromethane:trifluoroacetic acid (4:1), (20ml). The solvents were removed under reduced pressure, the residue was basified using saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x3). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a foam, 480mg.

A mixture of this intermediate amine (480mg, 1.33mmol), the title compound from preparation 61 (250mg, 1.33mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (280mg, 1.46mmol) were stirred together for 1 hour at room temperature in dichloromethane (10ml). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and water. The organic solution was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as a foam, 730mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.42 (9H, s), 1.60-1.69 (2H, m), 1.96-2.10 (6H, m), 2.29-2.35 (2H, m), 2.55-2.74 (2H, m), 3.13-3.26 (1H, m), 3.34-3.40 (2H, m), 4.02-4.18 (4H, m), 4.66-4.76 (1H, m), 5.19-5.26 (1H, m), 7.00-7.13 (1H, bs), 7.23-7.32 (5H, m), 7.32-7.45 (3H, m), 7.77-7.82 (1H, m), 8.06 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 544.4 (MH⁺)

The title compound from preparation 26 (2.0g, 9.2mmol) was added to 4-fluorophenylacetic acid (1.42g, 9.2mmol) N-ethyldiisopropylamine (1.6ml, 9.2mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (1.77g, 9.2mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (1.41, 9.2mmol) in dichloromethane (20ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours then saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution (30 ml) was added. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic extracts were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:2:0 to 95.5:4:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 1.04g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.40 (2H, m), 1.70 (2H, d), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.02 (2H, m), 3.18 (2H, s), 3.50 (4H, s), 4.10 (1H, m), 7.00 (2H, m), 7.15-7.32 (7H, m). LRMS: m/z 353.1 (MH⁺).

The title compound was obtained (86%) as a white solid, from the title compound of preparation 27 and 4-fluorophenylacetic acid, following a similar procedure to that described in preparation 75.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.10-1.30 (2H, m), 1.38-1.60 (11H, m), 1.83 (2H, m), 2.0-2.30 (2H, bm), 3.56 (2H, s), 4.0-4.20 (3H, m), 5.70 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.20-7.30 (3H, m) LRMS: m/z 385.3 (MNa⁺).

A mixture of the title compound from preparation 75 (2.69g, 7.63mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (0.5g) in ethyl acetate (30ml) was hydrogenated at 50psi at 50°C for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through Arbocel® and the filtrate removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 1.96g.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.30 (2H, m), 1.65-1.80 (4H, m), 1.80-2.20 (5H, m), 3.55 (2H, s), 4.15 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, d), 7.00 (2H, m), 7.20 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 263.1 (MH⁺).

A solution of the title compound from preparation 76 (2.04g, 5.62mmol) was stirred in 4M hydrochloric acid solution in dioxan (20ml). The excess solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 1.55g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, OMSO-d₆): δ (ppm) 1.85 (4H, m), 2.1 (4H, m). 3.45 (2H, s), 3.7 (1H, m), 3.85 (2H, bs), 7.1 (2H, m), 7.25 (2H, m), 8.15 (1H, d), 8.85 (1H, bs), 9.1 (1H, bs). LRMS: m/z 262.9 (MH⁺).

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (68%), from the title compounds of preparations 7 and 78, following a similar procedure to that described in preparation 64.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.0-2.0 (18H, m), 2.10-2.30 (4H, m), 3.02 (1H, s), 3.15 (1H, s), 3.50 (1H, s), 4.15 (1H, q), 4.77 (1H, bs), 5.53 (1H, d), 7.04 (2H, m), 7.2-7.4 (7H, m). LRMS: m/z 496.9 (MH⁺).

A mixture of the title compounds from preparations 77 (1.96g, 7.47mmol) and 7 (2.9g, 9.58mmol), sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2.37g, 11.2mmol), and glacial acetic acid (0.5ml) in dichloromethane (30ml) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was basified to pH 8 using saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The phases were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2x). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 95:5) to afford 2.49g of a white solid.

This intermediate was stirred in 4M hydrochloric acid solution in dioxan (20ml) at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a white solid, 2.26g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.90 (4H, m), 1.98-2.20 (4H, m), 2.40 (2H, m), 2.78 (1H, m), 3.08 (1H, m), 3.80-4.02 (3H, m), 4.40 (1H, m), 7.10 (2H, m), 7.25 (2H, m), 7.42 (2H, m), 7.58 (2H, m), 8.25 (m, 1H), 8.80 (2H, bs), 10.75 (1H, bs). LRMS: m/z 396.1 (MH⁺).

The title compound was obtained as a cream solid (quantitative), from the title compound of preparation 80, following the procedure of preparation 79. LRMS: m/z (MH⁺) 396.1 (MH⁺).

The title compound was prepared according to the "method described in Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr. 1965; 2942.

The title compound was prepared according to the method described in J.Org.Chem. 1968; 33; 3637.

A mixture of the title compound of preparation 26 (7.0g, 32.4mmol), 2, 5-difluoronitrobenzene (5.41g, 34.0mmol) and potassium carbonate (13.4g, 0.97mmol) in dimethylformamide (100ml) was heated to 100°C for 12 hours. The cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, dissolved in dichloromethane (300ml) and washed with water then brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluent of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2:0) to afford the title compound as a orange solid, 7.6g.¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.74 (4H, m); 1.95 (2H, m); 2.15 (2H, m); 3.34 (2H, s); 3.60 (2H, s); 3.8 (1H, m); 6.82 (1H, m); 7.18-7.42 (6H, m); 7.86 (2H, m). LRMS: m/z 356.4 (MH⁺).

The title compound of preparation 84 (7.6g, 21.41mmol) and 5% palladium on carbon (0.8g) in ethanol (50ml) and tetrahydrofuran (150ml) were stirred under 1 atmosphere of hydrogen for 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction was filtered through arbocel and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a dark red oil, 6.0g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.38-1.76 (5H, m); 1.85 (2H, m); 2.06 (2H, m); 3.26 (2H, s);3.36-3.70 (5H, m); 6.40 (2H, m); 6.60 (1H, m); 7.18-7.40 (5H, m). LRMS: m/z 326.6 (MH⁺).

The title compound of preparation 85 (3.0g, 9.22mmol) was refluxed in triethyl orthoformate (20ml) for 16 hours. Excess triethyl orthoformate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was taken up in toluene (80ml) refluxed with catalytic para-toluenesulfonic acid for 3 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluent of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2) to afford the title compound as a light pink solid, 1.91g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.8 (2H, q); 1.98 (2H, m); 2.20-2.36 (4H, m); 3.40 (2H, s); 3.63 (2H, s); 4.56 (1H, m); 7.03 (1H, m);7.20-7.50 (6H, m); 8.03 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 336.3 (MH⁺).

The title compound of preparation 86 (1.91g, 5.71 mmol) in ethanol (80ml) was treated with ammonium formate (2.75g, 43.6mmol) and 20% palladium hydroxide on carbon (500mg) and the mixture was heated to reflux under nitrogen for 5 hours. The cooled mixture was filtered through arbocel and concentrated under reduced pressure. The mixture was dissolved in dichloromethane (100ml) and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution then brine, was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a red oil, 1.23g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.77-2.30 (9H, m); 3.72 (2H, s); 4.52 (1H, m); 7.02 (1H, m); 7.34 (1H, m); 7.44 (1H, dd); 7.98 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 246.0 (MH⁺).

The title compound of preparation 88 (1.23g, 5.03mmol) was stirred in dichloromethane (10ml). The title compound of preparation 7 (1.25g, 5.025mmol), sodium triacetoxyborohydride (1.60g, 7.55mmol) and glacial acetic acid (0.30ml) were added, and the solution stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was basified with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2x) and the combined organic extracts washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluent of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2) to afford 1.505g of a light pink solid.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.20-1.47 (10H, m); 1.62-1.88 (3H, m); 1.90-2.18 (5H, m); 2.20-2.46 (4H, m); 3.38 (1H, s); 3.60 (1H, s); 4.52 (1H, m); 4.90 (1H, m); 7.0 (2H, m);7.20-7.50 (5H, m); 7.55 (1H, d); 8.0 (1H, s). LRMS: m/z 479.0 (MH⁺).

The title compound of preparation 88 (1.505g, 3.15mmol) and 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane (10ml) were stirred for 1 hour. The excess of solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a cream solid, which was added to the title compound of preparation 61 (C.695g, 3.46mmol), diisopropyl ethylamine (2.2ml, 12.6mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.663g. 3.46mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.467g, 3.46mmol) in dichloromethane (20ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, concentrated and dissolved in ethyl acetate then washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel; using an eluent of dichloromethane: methanol (99:4) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 1.182g.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.4 (10H, m); 1.8 (2H, m); 1.92-2.30 (9H, m); 2.48 (1H, m); 3.15 (1H, m): 3.42 (2H, m); 3.96-4.20 (4H, m); 4.55 (1H, m); 5.20 (1H, q); 7.02 (1H, m); 7.10-7.40 (6H, m); 7.54 (1H, m); 8.0 (1H, s) LRMS: m/z 489.2 (MH⁺).

Compounds of examples 19, 39, 1^st and 2^nd compounds on page 136, 3^rd compound on page 138, 1^st compound on page 139, from 1^st, compound on page 143 till last compound on page 150. are not part of the invention. However, they are presented for a better comprehension of the invention.

The title compounds of preparation 52 (0.20g. 0.89mmol) and preparation 3 1,0.174g, 0.753mmol) were stirred together with sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.240g, 1.13mmol) and acetic acid (0.05ml), 0.833mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml) under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 24 hours at room temperature. A solution of 10% sodium carbonate was added and the product extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The product was purified by chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol (98:2) as eluant, then dissolved in diethyl ether saturated with HCl. Evaporation to dryness provided the title compound, 127mg.¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.66-1.80 (4H, m), 1.85-2.23 (10H, m), 2.25-2.40 (2H, m), 2.50-2.58 (2H, m), 2.65 (3H, s), 3.08 (1H, m), 3.44 (2H, m), 4.58 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, m), 6.85 (1H, d), 7.22 (2H, m), 7.28-7.40 (5H, m), 7.52 (1H, m), 7.68 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 457.6 (MH⁺)

Cyclobutane carboxylic acid chloride (224mg, 1.89mmol) was added to the title compound of preparation 67 (646mg, 1.72mmol) and triethylamine (505µl, 3.62mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours after which time more triethylamine (500µl, 3.62mmol) and cyclobutane carboxylic acid chloride (104mg, 0.876mmol) were added. Water was added to the mixture, the product was extracted with dichloromethane (2X), the combined organics were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.5 to 95:4:1) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 196mg. Found C, 73.91; H, 8.08; N, 11.82% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O; 1H₂O requires C, 73.39; H, 8.07; N, 11.80%¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.60-1.80 (4H, m), 1.90-2.20 (9H, m), 2.25-2.40 (3H, m), 2.50-2.58 (2H, m), 2.55-2.65 (4H, m), 3.08 (1H, m), 3.40 (2H, m), 4.58 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, m), 6.80 (1H, d), 7.18-7.40 (6H, m), 7.50 (1H, m), 7.65 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 457.2 (MH⁺)_D -40.0° (c = 0.10, CH₂Cl₂)

The title compound of preparation 68 (565mg, 1.51mmol), cyclobutanecarboxylic acid chloride (207 µl, 1.81mmol), and triethylamine (464 µl, 3.32mmol) were stirred in dichloromethane (15ml) for 18 hours at room temperature. The reaction was diluted with water and extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:1.5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 260mg. Found C, 74.13; H, 7.97; N, 11.97% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O;0.7H₂O requires C, 74.23; H, 8.03; N 11.94%¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.70 (2H, m); 1.82-2.00 (3H, m); 2.10-2.20 (4H, m); 2.22-2.35 (4H, m); 2.47 (5H, m); 2.60 (3H, s); 3.00 (1H, m); 3.40 (2H, bs); 4.75 (1H, m); 5.15 (1H, m); 6.30 (1H, d); 7.18 (2H, m); 7.20-7.30 (6H, m); 7.62 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 457.4 (MH⁺)

The title compound of preparation 67 (86mg, 0.23mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to tetrahydropyran-4-carboxylic acid (30mg, 0.23mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (53mg, 0.28mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (44µl, 0.25 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (34mg, 0.25mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄) filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual pale brown solid was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 48mg. Found C, 70.59; H, 7.83; N, 10.94% C₃₀H₃₈N₄O₂;1.3H₂O requires C, 70.64; H, 8.02; N, 10.98%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.65 (2H, bm), 1.71-1.92 (6H, m), 1.96-2.22 (4H, m), 2.37 (1H, m), 2.46-2.68 (7H, m), 3.39-3.50 (4H, m), 3.98 (2H, m), 4.54 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, m), 6.79 (1H, m), 7.13-7.21 (2H, m), 7.23-7.30 (1H, m), 7.30-7.40 (4H, m), 7.42-7.54 (1H, m), 7.62-7.72 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 487.3 (MH⁺) Melting point [°C]: 95-96

The compounds of the following tabulated examples with the general structure: were prepared using a similar method to Example 4 from the title compound of preparation 67 and the corresponding acids.

The title compound of preparation 72 (135mg, 0.23mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid (2ml) in dichloromethane (5ml) were stirred for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue quenched with aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution. This aqueous solution was extracted with dichloromethane (3x) and the combined organic extracts washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual pale brown solid was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 96mg. Found C, 71.87; H, 8.26; N, 14.03% C₃₀H₃₉N₅O;0.9H₂O requires C, 71.80; H, 8.19; N, 13.95%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.27-1.89 (11H, m), 1.89-2.18 (5H, m), 2.18-2.35 (2H, m), 2.41-2.53 (2H, m), 2.55-2.66 (5H, m), 3.40 (2H, bs), 4.52 and 4.77 (1H, 2 x m), 5.06-5.18 (1H, m), 7.12-7.22 (2H, m), 7.22-7.33 (1H, m), 7.33-7.39 (4H, m), 7.52-7.59 (1H, m), 7.63-7.71 (1H, m), 8.24 and 8.43 (1H, 2 x m) LRMS: m/z 486.9 (MH⁺)

1-(3-Dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (100mg, 0.52mmol) was added to a solution of the title compound of preparation 68 (150mg, 0.40mmol) and 1-acetyl-3-azetidinecarboxylic acid (69mg, 0.48mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours after which time the solution was evaporated to dryness, redissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution, then water. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (95:5:0.5) as eluant to afford the title compound of example 17 as a white foam (75mg), Found C, 67.96; H, 7.44; N, 13.09% C₃₀H₃₇N₅O₂;1.6H₂O requires C, 68.18; H, 7.67; N, 13.25%¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.68-1.80 (2H, m), 1.87 (3H, s), 1.92-2.31 (8H, m), 2.40-2.48 (2H, m), 2.63 (3H, s), 3.10 (1H, m), 3.36-3.47 (2H, m), 4.00-4.22 (3H, m), 4.37-4.46 (1H, m), 4.68-4.80 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, m), 6.13 (1H, bd), 7.15-7.41 (8H, m), 7.67 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 500.4 (MH⁺) and the title compound of example 18, 20mg.¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.71-1.84 (2H, m), 1.96-2.03 (7H, m), 2.05-2.33 (4H, m), 2.40-2.58 (2H, m), 2.63 (3H, m), 3.38-3.42 (2H, m), 4.72 (1H, m), 5.19 (1H, m), 6.34 (1H, d), 7.14-7.40 (8H, m), 7.64 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 417.2 (MH⁺)

The title compounds of preparation 55 (0.056g, 0.262mmol) and preparation 8 (0.091g, 0.394mmol) were stirred together with sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.083g, 0.394mmol) and acetic acid (0.015ml, 0.262mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml) under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 4 hours at room temperature. A saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate was added and the product extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were washed with water and brine, dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate:methanol:0.88 ammonia (97.5:2.5:0.25) as eluant, then dissolved in acetonitrile/water and freeze-dried to provide the title compound, 50mg. Found C, 73.35; H, 7.65; N, 12.51% C₂₇H₃₂N₄O;0.75H₂O; requires C, 73.36; H, 7.64; N, 12.67%¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.80-2.20 (8H, m), 2.20-2.36 (2H, m), 2.40-2.56 (4H, m), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.88-3.00 (1H, m), 3.37-3.42 (3H, m), 5.06 (1H, m), 6.20 (1H, m), 7.18-7.38 (7H, m), 7.40 (1H, m), 7.64 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 429.4 (MH⁺)_D -39.4 (c = 0.10, CH₃OH)

The title compound of preparation 64 (392mg, 6.58mmol) and 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (10ml) were stirred for 1 hour and the reaction concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between dichloromethane and aqueous sodium carbonate solution and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting colorless oil (150mg, 0.302mmol), cyclopropane acetic acid (36mg, 0.363mmol), and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (70mg, 0.363mmol) in dichloromethane (5ml) were stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction was basified with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 96:4), then purification by reverse phase preparative HPLC, using an elution gradient of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water:acetonitrile (90:10 to 10:90), to afford the title compound as a white solid, 44mg. Found C, 55.09; H, 5.77; N, 9.43% C₃₁H₃₉N₅O₄S;1.5 H₂O;1CF₃CO₂H requires C, 55.14; H, 6.03; N 9.74%¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.18 (2H, m); 0.55 (2H, m); 1.05 (1H, m); 1.62 (2H, m); 1.70-2.10 (11H, bm); 2.18 (2H, d); 2.40 (2H, m); 3.00 (2H, s); 3.23 (2H, m); 3.40 (1H, bs); 4.00 (1H, s); 5.20 (1H, m); 7.10-7.30 (9H, m); 8.40 (1H, bs) LRMS: m/z 578.3 (MH⁺)

The title compound of preparation 70 (200mg, 0.4mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to cyclobutanecarboxylic acid chloride (57mg, 0.48mmol), and N-diisopropylethylamine (313µl, 1.8mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours, then washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 43.2mg. Found C, 71.32; H, 7.74; N, 11.31% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₂;1H₂O requires C, 70.99; H, 7.81; N 11.42%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.75 (2H, m); 1.90 (1H, m); 1.95-2.10 (3H, m); 2.15 (2H, m); 2.30 (2H, m); 2.62 (3H, s); 2.65-2.78 (2H, m); 2.82 (2H, m); 2.92 (2H, d); 3.02 (1H, m); 3.95 (3H, m); 4.02 (1H, t); 5.28 (1H, m); 5.62 (1H, m); 6.50 (1H, d); 7.18 (2H, m); 7.30-7.40 (6H, m); 7.70 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 473.2(MH⁺)_D -31.5 (c = 0.54, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 70 (200mg, 0.4mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to cyclopropane acetic acid (48mg, 0.48mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (312µl, 1.8 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (77mg, 0.40mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (61mg, 0.40mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then washed with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 97:3) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 109mg. Found C, 71.52; H, 7.81; N, 11.41% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₄;0.8H₂O requires C, 71.52; H, 7.78; N 11.50%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.20 (2H, m); 0.6 (2H, m); 1.00 (1H, m); 1.75 (2H, dd); 1.95-2.10 (2H, m); 2.18 (2H, d); 2.62 (3H, s); 2.65-2.90 (5H, m); 2.95 (1H, s); 3.92 (2H, m); 3.95 (1H, s); 4.00 (1H, t); 5.30 (1H, m); 5.62 (1H, m); 6.62 (1H, d); 7.15 (2H, m); 7.30-7.40 (6H, m); 7.65 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 473.3 (MH⁺)_D -29 (c = 1, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 70 (200mg, 0.4mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to 3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid (62mg, 0.48mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (312µl, 1.8 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (77mg, 0.40mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (61mg, 0.40mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, then washed with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 97:3) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 146mg. Found C, 63.14; H, 6.33; N, 10.89% C₂₇H₃₁N₄F₃O₂;0.7H₂O requires C, 63.19; H, 6.36; N 10.92%.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.75 (2H, m); 2.08 (2H, m); 2.62 (3H, s); 2.64-2.80 (2H, m); 2.82 (2H, m); 2.92 (2H, s); 3.10 (2H, m); 3.95 (3H, m); 4.05 (1H, m); 5.35 (1H, m); 5.62 (1H, m); 7.10-7.20 (3H, m); 7.30 (3H, m); 7.35 (3H, m); 7.70 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 501.1 (MH⁺)_D -30 (c = 1, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 69 (200mg, 0.51mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to cyclobutanecarboxylic acid chloride (57µl, 0.61 mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (133µl, 0.76 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (99mg, 0.51mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (79mg, 0.51mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then basified with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution, and the phases separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organics were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 96:4) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 133mg. Found C, 71.67; H, 7.79; N, 11.46% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₂;0.7H₂O requires C, 71.78; H, 7.77; N 11.55%¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.85 (1H, m); 1.95 (3H, m); 2.10 (2H, m); 2.28 (4H, m); 2.58 (2H, t); 2.64 (3H, s); 2.75 (2H, m); 3.00 (3H, m); 3.45 (2H, d); 3.90 (2H, t); 4.85 (1H, m); 5.20 (1H, d); 5.82 (1H, d); 7.20 (2H, m); 7.30 (3H, m); 7.38 (2H, m); 7.70 (1H, m); 7.79 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 473.7 (MH⁺)_D -44 (c = 2, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 69 (200mg, 0.51mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml) was added to cyclopropane acetic acid (58µl, 0.61 mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (133µl, 0.76 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (99mg, 0.51mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (79mg, 0.51mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then basified with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The phases were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organics were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 96:4) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 209mg. Found C, 71.37; H, 7.81; N, 11.44%. C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₂;1H₂O requires C, 70.99; H, 7.81; N 11.42%¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.2 (2H, m); 0.6 (2H, m); 0.95 (1H, m); 2.02 (2H, m); 2.19 (2H, m); 2.32 (2H, m); 2.58 (2H, m); 2.65 (3H, s); 2.78 (2H, m); 2.95 (1H, d); 3.05 (1H, d); 3.42 (2H, d); 3.90 (2H, t); 4.90 (1H, m); 5.27 (1H, m); 6.22 (1H, d); 7.20 (2H, m); 7.30 (3H, m); 7.38 (2H, m); 7.68 (1H, m); 7.78 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 474.4 (MH⁺)_D -40 (c = 2, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 66 (0.936g, 1.85mmol) and 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxan (10ml) were stirred for 1 hour. The excess of solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a cream solid, which was added to cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (0.2ml, 2.03mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (1.6ml, 9.2mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (390mg, 2.03mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (275mg, 2.03mmol) in dichloromethane (5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, concentrated under reduced pressure and dissolved in ethyl acetate then washed with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluant of dichloromethane: methanol (99:1) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 656mg. Found C, 69.84; H, 7.45; N.11.17% C₂₉H₃₆N₄OS;0.6H₂O requires C, 69.77; H, 7.51; N 11.22%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.80-2.50 (12H, m); 2.63 (3H, s); 2.70-2.95 (4H, m); 3.05 (1H, m); 3.20-3.50 (4H, m); 5.25 (1H, d); 6.35 (1H, d), 6.70 (1H, m); 7.0-7.4 (7H, m); 7.45 (1H, m); 7.70 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 489.2 (MH⁺)_D -31.5 (c = 1, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 81 (0.2g, 0.42mmol) was added to cyclopropane acetic acid (51mg, 0.52mmol), N-diisopropylethylamine (0.26ml, 1.47 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (82mg, 0.42mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (66mg, 0.42mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then washed with a saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol (98:2 to 97:3) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 40mg. Found C, 70.73; H, 7.54; N, 8.47% C₂₉H₃₆FN₃O₂;0.8H₂O, requires C, 70.79; H, 7.54; N, 8.54%.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.18 (2H, m); 0.55 (2H, m); 1.0 (1H, m); 1.20 (2H, m); 1.5 (2H, m); 1.6-2.0 (4H, m); 2.0-2.2 (4H, m); 2.2-2.4 (2H, m); 3.1 (1H, s); 3.25 (1H, s); 3.55 (2H, s); 4.1 (1H, m); 5.1 (1H, m); 5.7 (1H, d); 7.0-7.1 (2H m); 7.2-7.4 (7H, m); 7.8 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 478.4 (MH⁺)_D -36.0 (c =1.0, MeOH)

The title compound of preparation 81 (0.3g, 0.640mmol) was added to cyclobutanecarboxylic acid chloride (0.084ml, 0.735mmol) and N-diisopropylethylamine (0.38ml, 2.18 mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and basified with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The phases were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2X). The combined organic solutions were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane: methanol: 0.88 ammonia (98:2:0 to 95.5:4:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 80mg. Found C, 70.40; H, 7.61; N, 8.12 % C₂₉H₃₆FN₃O2;1H₂O requires C, 70.28; H, 7.73; N, 8.48%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.20 (2H, m); 1.55 (2H, m); 1.75-2.40 (14H, m); 3.0 (1H, q); 3.15 (1H, s); 3.25 (1H, s); 3.65 (2H, s); 4.10 (1H, m); 5.10 (1H, m); 5.7 (1H,m); 7.10 (2H, m); 7.15-7.3 (7H,m); 8.9 (1H,s) LRMS: m/z 478.0 (MH⁺)_D -46.4 (c = 1.0, MeOH)

The title compound was obtained as a white powder (30%), from the compound of preparation 80 (0.2g, 0.42mmol) and cyclobutanecarboxylic acid, following the procedure described in example 28. Found C, 71.36; H, 7.64; N, 8.54% C₂₉H₃₆N₃O₂;0.6H₂O requires C, 71.31; H, 7.68; N, 8.60%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃); δ 1.22-1.40 (2H, m); 1.65 (2H, m); 1.75-2.35 (14H, m); 2.90 (1H, m); 3.20 (1H, s); 3.25 (1H, s); 3.50 (2H, s); 4.10 (1H, m); 5.10 (2H, m); 7.05 (2H, m); 7.18-7.30 (7H, m); 7.50 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 478.5 (MH⁺)_D -20 (c = 0.4, MeOH)

The title compound was obtained as a white powder (20%), from the compound of preparation 80 (0.2g, 0.42mmol) and cyclopropane acetic acid (51mg, 0.52mmol), following the procedure of example 27. Found C, 71.06; H, 7.67; N, 8.48% C₂₉H₃₆FN₃O₂;0.7H₂O requires C, 71.05; H, 7.69; N 8.57%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.15 (2H, m); 0.58 (2H, m); 0.95 (1H, m); 1.25-1.40 (2H, m); 1.70 (2H, m); 1.75-1.98 (7H, m); 2.10 (2H, m); 2.30 (2H, m); 3.20 (2H, d); 3.45 (2H, s); 4.10 (1H, m); 5.10 (2H, m); 7.00 (2H, m); 7.15-7.35 (7H, m) LRMS: m/z 477.9 (MH⁺)_D -30 (c = 0.4, MeOH)

The title compound was obtained from the title compound of preparation 71 as a clear glass in 64% yield using a similar procedure to that described in preparation 52 (alternative method). Found C, 68.29; H, 7.64; N, 14.01% C₂₈H₃₅N₅O;2H₂O requires C, 68.13; H, 7.96; N, 14.19%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.56-1.91 (5H, m), 1.97-2.20 (4H, m), 2.44-2.71 (7H, m), 3.31-3.54 (3H, m), 3.68-3.80 (2H, m), 3.84-3.96 (2H, m), 4.44-4.61 (1H, m), 5.15-5.28 (1H, m), 7.12-7.41 (7H, m), 7.44-7.57 (1H, m), 7.61-7.74 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 458.7 (MH⁺)

Propionyl chloride (14µl, 0.16mmol) was added to a solution of the title compound of example 31 (70mg, 0.15mmol) and triethylamine (24µl, 0.17mmol) in dichloromethane (6ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 90:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 29mg. Found C, 67.72; H, 7.85; N, 12.48% C₃₁H₃₉N_SO₂;2H₂O requires C, 67.73; H, 7.88; N, 17.74%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.08 (3H, t), 1.76 (2H, d), 1.94-2.18 (7H, bm), 2.44-2.67 (8H, bm), 3.26 (1H, m), 3.44 (2H, bs), 4.05-4.24 (3H, m), 4.41 (1H, m), 4.56 (1H, m), 5.24 (1H, m), 7.15-7.23 (2H, m), 7.28-7.43 (6H, m), 7.48 (1H, m), 7.63-7.71 (1H, d) LRMS: m/z 514.6 (MH⁺)

The title compound of preparation 68 (110mg, 0.29mmol), tetrahydro-3-furanoic acid (36mg, 0.31 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (62mg, 0.32mmol) were stirred together for 30 minutes at room temperature in 5ml of dichloromethane. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution then water. The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified using column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25) to afford the title compound as white foam, 69mg. Found C, 71.40; H, 7.82; N, 11.62% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₂;0.9 H₂O requires C, 71.25; H, 7.79; N, 11.46%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.68-1.81 (2H, m), 1.92-2.06 (4H, m), 2.06-2.32 (7H, m), 2.39-2.53 (2H, m), 2.58-2.65 (3H, m), 2.85-2.97 (1H, m), 3.35-3.45 (2H, m), 3.77-3.85 (1H, m), 3.85-3.98 (3H, m), 4.69-4.80 (1H, m), 5.13-5.23 (1H, m), 6.29-6.40 (1H, m), 7.15-7.23 (2H, m), 7.23-7.42 (5H, m), 7.65-7.73 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 473.0 (MH⁺)

The title compound was obtained from the title compound of preparation 68 and tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylic acid in 41% yield using a similar procedure to that described in example 33. Found C, 71.93; H, 7.96; N, 11.29% C₃₀H₃₈N₄O₂;0.8H₂O requires C, 71.91; H, 7.97; N.11.18%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.68-1.90 (6H, m), 1.94-2.03 (4H, m), 2.06-2.19 (2H, m), 2.19-2.52 (5H, m), 2.63 (3H, s), 3.32-3.45 (4H, m), 3.98-4.05 (2H, m), 4.68-4.81 (1H, m), 5.13-5.23 (1H, m), 5.92-5-97 (1H, d), 7.13-7.23 (2H, m), 7.26-7.40 (6H, m), 7.65-7.68 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 487.0 (MH⁺)

The title compound was prepared in 67% yield from the title compound of preparation 68 and tetrahydro-2-furanoic acid using a similar method to that described in example 33. Found C, 71.78; H, 7.73; N, 11.63% C₂₉H₃₆N₄O₂;0.7H₂O requires C, 71.78; H, 7.77; N, 11.55%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.68-2.35 (12H, m), 2.39-2.55 (2H ,m), 2.58-2.65 (3H, m), 3.32-3.45 (2H, m), 3.84-4.00 (4H, m), 4.32-4.39 and 4.39-4.45 (1H, m), 4.74-4.87 (1H, m), 5.13-5.23 (1H, m), 7.13-7.23 (2H, m), 7.23-7.32 (2H, m), 7.32-7.39 (5H, m), 7.65-7.71 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 473.0 (MH⁺)

The title compound of preparation 73 (730mg, 1.34mmol) was stirred for 8 hours at room temperature in a 10ml mixture of dichloromethane:trifluoroacetic acid (4:1). The solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was basified with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (x4). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford a foam, 500mg.

This intermediate azetidine, (100mg, 0.23mmol) and triethylamine (34µl, 0.25mmol) were dissolved in dichloromethane (6ml) at 0°C and acetyl chloride (17µl, 0.24mmol) was added. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was basified with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using an eluant of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (95:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a foam, 62mg. Found C, 68.31; H, 7.46; N, 13.75% C₂₉H₃₅N₅O₂; 1H₂O;0.1 CH₂Cl₂ requires C, 68.25; H, 7.32; N, 13.67%¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.60-1.68 (2H, m), 1.84 (3H, s), 1.94-2.10 (6H, m), 2.27-2.39 (2H, m), 2.55-2.74 (2H, m), 3.16-3.29 (1H, m), 3.32-3.42 (2H, m), 4.03-4.24 (3H, m), 4.35-4.45 (1H, m), 4.65-4.76 (1H, m), 5.16-5.27 (1H, m), 6.87-6.94 and 7.00-7.13 (1H, m), 7.23-7.32 (5H, m), 7.32-7.44 (3H, m), 7.76-7.82 (1H, m), 8.03-8.06 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 486.0 (MH⁺)

The title compound was prepared from the title compound of preparation 73 and propionyl chloride using a similar procedure to that described in example 36 in 55% yield. Found C, 70.19; H, 7.62; N, 13.60% C₃₀H₃₇N₅O₂;0.8H₂O requires C, 70.09; H, 7.57; N, 13.62¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.06-1.13 (3H, t), 1.60-1.68 (2H, m), 1.92-2.13 (8H, m), 2.29-2.39 (2H, m), 2.53-2.74 (2H, m), 3.18-3.32 (1H, m), 3.32-3.42 (2H, m), 4.05-4.23 (3H, m), 4.35-4.45 (1H, m), 4.66-4.76 (1H, m), 5.16-5.27 (1H, m), 6.84-6.94 and 7.06-7.13 (1H, m), 7.23-7.32 (5H, m), 7.32-7.44 (3H, m), 7.76-7.82 (1H, m), 8.03-8.06 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 500.0 (MH⁺)

Methyl chloroformate (11µl, 0.14mmol) was added to a solution of the title compound of example 31 (64mg, 0.14mmol) and triethylamine (21µl, 0.15mmol) in dichloromethane (5ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an elution gradient of dichloromethane:methanol:0.88 ammonia (98:2:0.25 to 90:5:0.5) to afford the title compound as a white solid, 20mg.¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.69 (2H, bm), 1.78 (2H, bd), 1.95-2.18 (4H, m), 2.46-2.70 (8H, m), 3.16 (1H, m), 3.44 (2H, bs), 3.64 (3H, s), 4.06-4.14 (2H, m), 4.14-4.24 (2H, m), 4.57 (1H, m), 5.13 (1H, m), 7.12-7.23 (3H, m), 7.28-7.32 (3H, m), 7.33-7.42 (1H, m), 7.53 (1H, m), 7.68 (1H, m) LRMS: m/z 516.3 (MH⁺)

The title compound of preparation 89 (0.591g, 1.052mmol) and 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane (10ml) were stirred for 1 hour. The excess of solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a cream solid, which was added to glacial acetic acid (0.072ml, 1.263mmol), diisopropyl ethylamine (0.75ml, 4.21mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.242g, 1.263mmol), and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.171g, 1.263mmol) in dichloromethane (8ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, concentrated and dissolved in ethyl acetate then washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, using an eluent of dichloromethane: methanol (99:4) to afford the title compound as a white powder, 0.160g. Found C, 65.28; H, 6.87; N, 13.410% C₂₉H₃₄FN₅O₂.1.7H₂O requires C, 65.20; H, 7.06; N, 13.11¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.75-2.70 (16H, m), 3.24 (1H, m), 3.56 (2H, m), 4.02-4.22 (3H, m), 4.40 (1H, m), 4.58 (1H, m), 5.12 (1H, q), 7.02 (1H, m), 7.10-7.42 (7H, m), 8.0 (1H, s) LRMS: m/z 505 (MH⁺)_D -59.0° (c = 1.0, MeOH)

The following compounds have been prepared using methods similar to those described above: