[0001] The present invention relates to pyridazinone derivatives, processes for their preparation,
pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy, particularly
in the treatment or prevention of conditions having an association with the D-amino
acid oxidase enzyme (DAAO).
[0002] The hyper-dopaminergic theory has driven schizophrenia drug discovery for decades
and has produced notable drugs such as clozapine and olanzapine. Although these medicaments
can be highly efficacious against the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and have
significantly benefited many patients they are not the complete answer, with fewer
or no effects against the negative and cognitive aspects of the disease and with undesired
side effect profiles in some cases. Amongst alternative hypotheses the hyper-glutamatergic
theory has much merit with the first real evidence coming from the use of PCP (phencyclidine),
MK801 or ketamine, direct N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonists that are
able to produce schizophrenia-like symptomatology in healthy human volunteers or exacerbate
the clinical signs in schizophrenia patients. However, direct modulation of the NMDA
receptor using agonists has not proved successful with excitotoxicity (excessive stimulation
by the neurotransmitter) leading to undesirable side effects. An alternative approach
is to target the co-agonists required for NMDA receptor activation. These are glycine
and serine (D-SER). Attempts to enhance NMDA receptor activity through the use of
glycine transporter inhibitors have produced clinical compounds (but no marketed drugs
to-date). D-SER is a co-agonist with even greater potency than glycine and so modulation
of D-SER may represent an alternative strategy. One way to increase levels of D-SER
is to reduce the activity of DAAO, the enzyme which removes it from the synaptic cleft.
[0003] DAAO enzyme inhibitors are known in the art. For example,
Adage et al., European Neuropsychopharmacology 2008, 18, 200-214 have described AS-057278, a small molecule DAAO enzyme inhibitor. Likewise,
Sparey et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2008, 18, 3386-3391 have demonstrated that molecules containing small heterocyclic rings furnished with
a carboxylic acid group can inhibit the DAAO enzyme. DAAO inhibitors which avoid the
carboxylic acid group have been described by
Ferraris et al., J. Med. Chem. 2008, 51, 3357-3359 and by
Duplantier et al., J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 3576-3585. A further series of carboxylic acid-containing DAAO enzyme inhibitors from Sepracore
are described in
WO 2008/089453.
[0004] WO 2008/115381 describes substituted pyridazinone compounds as glucan synthase inhibitors.
[0005] We have now discovered a new class of compounds that are DAAO enzyme inhibitors which
have desirable activity profiles. The compounds of this invention have beneficial
potency, selectivity and/or pharmacokinetic properties.
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is therefore provided a compound
of formula (I)

wherein
R1 represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group;
R2 represents a group X-Y-R3;
X and Y each independently represent a bond, an oxygen atom or a group -C(O), -S(O)n, -C(O)NR4, -S(O)2NR4, -NR4,

or -CR4R5-, provided that X and Y cannot both simultaneously represent a bond and provided
that if X and Y are both other than a bond, then at least one of X and Y represents
-CR4R5-;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
each R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl group;
each R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl group or =CH-;
R3 represents a 3- to 10-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic
ring system, the ring system itself being optionally substituted by at least one substituent
selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, oxo, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulphinyl, C1-C6 alkylsulphonyl, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyloxy, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, amino (-NH2), -CON(R6)2, C1-C6 alkylamino, di-(C1-C6 alkyl)amino, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyloxy, C3-C6 cycloalkylmethyl, -[O]p-(CH2)q-O-R7 and a 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring (optionally substituted
with at least one substituent selected from C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C4 alkoxy);
each R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group;
p is 0 or 1;
q is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and
R7 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
[0007] In the context of the present specification, unless otherwise stated, an alkyl, alkenyl
or alkynyl substituent group or an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety in a substituent
group may be linear or branched. Examples of C
1-C
6 alkyl groups/moieties include methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-methyl-1-propyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl,
2-methyl-1-butyl, 3-methyl-1-butyl, 2-methyl-3-butyl, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl, 2--methyl-pentyl,
3-methyl-1-pentyl, 4-methyl-1-pentyl, 2-methyl-2-pentyl, 3-methyl-2-pentyl, 4-methyl-2-pentyl,
2,2-dimethyl-1-butyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyl, 2-ethyl-1-butyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,
n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and n-hexyl. Examples of C
2-C
6 alkenyl groups/moieties include ethenyl, propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 1-pentenyl,
1-hexenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 1,3-pentadienyl, 1,4-pentadienyl and 1-hexadienyl. Examples
of C
2-C
6 alkynyl groups/moieties include ethynyl, propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl
and 1-hexynyl.
[0008] Similarly, an alkylene group/moiety may be linear or branched. Examples of C
1-C
6 alkylene groups/moieties include methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, n-butylene, n-pentylene,
n-hexylene, 1-methylethylene, 2-methylethylene, 1,2-dimethylethylene, 1-ethylethylene,
2-ethylethylene, 1-, 2- or 3-methylpropylene and 1-, 2- or 3-ethylpropylene.
[0009] A C
1-C
6 haloalkyl or C
1-C
6 haloalkoxy substituent group/moiety will comprise at least one halogen atom, e.g.
one, two, three, four or five halogen atoms, examples of which include fluoromethyl,
difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy
or pentafluoroethyl.
[0010] A C
1-C
6 hydroxyalkyl substituent group/moiety will comprise at least one hydroxyl group,
e.g. one, two, three or four hydroxyl groups, examples of which include-CH
2OH, -CH
2CH
2OH, -CH
2CH
2CH
2OH, -CH(OH)CH
2OH, -CH(CH
3)OH and-CH(CH
2OH)
2.
[0011] The alkyl groups in a di-C
1-C
6 alkylamino group/moiety may be the same as, or different from, one another.
[0012] In the definition of R
3, the saturated or unsaturated 3- to 10-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring
system may have alicyclic or aromatic properties as too will the 4- to 6-membered
saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring substituent. An unsaturated ring system
will be partially or fully unsaturated.
[0013] For the avoidance of doubt, when R
3 represents an optionally substituted 3- to 10-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic
or heterocyclic ring system, then it should be understood that the invention does
not encompass any unstable ring structures or any O-O, O-S or S-S bonds and that a
substituent, if present, may be attached to any suitable ring atom. The R
3 moiety may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation
of a stable structure. Similar comments apply with respect to the optional 4- to 6-membered
saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring substituent on the R
3 ring system.
[0014] When any chemical moiety or group in formula (I) is described as being optionally
substituted, it will be appreciated that the moiety or group may be either unsubstituted
or substituted by one or more of the specified substituents. It will be appreciated
that the number and nature of substituents will be selected so as to avoid sterically
undesirable combinations.
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, R
1 represents a hydrogen atom.
[0016] X and Y each independently represent a bond, an oxygen atom or a group -C(O), -S(O)
n, -C(O)NR
4, -S(O)
2NR
4, -NR
4,

or -CR
4R
5-, provided that X and Y cannot both simultaneously represent a bond and provided
that if X and Y are both other than a bond, then at least one of X and Y represents
-CR
4R
5-.
[0017] Each R
4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl, preferably methyl, group or a C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 haloalkyl, preferably trifluoromethyl, group.
[0018] Each R
5 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl, preferably methyl, group, a C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 haloalkyl, preferably trifluoromethyl, group or a group =CH- such that -CR
4R
5- represents an alkenylene moiety, -CR
4=CH- or -CH=CR
4-.
[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, X represents a bond, an oxygen atom or a group
-C(O), -S(O)
n, -C(O)NR
4, -S(O)
2NR
4, -NR
4,

or -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)), and Y represents a bond or -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)), subject to the above provisos.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, X represents a bond, an oxygen atom or a
group -C(O), -S(O)
n, -C(O)NR
4, -S(O)
2NR
4,

or -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)), and Y represents a bond or -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)), subject to the above provisos.
[0021] In still another embodiment of the invention, X represents -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)) and Y represents a bond, an oxygen atom or a group -C(O), -S(O)
n, -C(O)NR
4, -S(O)
2NR
4, -NR
4,

or -CR
4R
5- (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)), subject to the above provisos.
[0022] In a further embodiment, X represents a group -S(O)
n (e.g. -S-), -CHR
4 (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)) or

and Y represents a bond or a group -CHR
4 (e.g. CH
2), subject to the above provisos.
[0023] In a still further embodiment, X represents a group -S(O)
n (e.g. -S-), -NR
4 (e.g. N(CH
3)), -CHR
4 (e.g. CH
2 or CH(CH
3)) or

especially -CHR
4, and Y represents a bond or a group -CHR
4 (e.g. CH
2), subject to the above provisos.
[0024] Specific examples of combinations of X and Y include any one or more of the following:
| X |
Y |
| S |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
S |
| CH2 |
CH2 |
| S |
CH(CH3) |
| SO2 |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
SO2 |
| O |
CH2 |
| O |
CH(CH3) |
| C(O) |
CH2 |
| C(O)NH |
CH2 |
| S(O)2NH |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
CH(CH3) |
| CH(CH3) |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
C(CH3)2 |
| C(CH3)2 |
CH2 |
| -CH=CH- |
bond |
| bond |
-CH=CH- |
| CH2 |
bond |
| bond |
CH2 |
| cyclopropyl |
bond |
| bond |
cyclopropyl |
| CH(CH3) |
bond |
| bond |
CH(CH3) |
| N(CH3) |
CH2 |
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, preferred combinations of X and Y include any
one or more of the following:
| X |
Y |
| S |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
CH2 |
| CH2 |
bond |
| bond |
CH2 |
| Cyclopropyl (e.g. |
bond |

|
| bond |
Cyclopropyl (e.g. |

|
| CH(CH3) |
bond |
| bond |
CH(CH3) |
| N(CH3) |
CH2 |
[0026] In still another embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that X and Y both represent
CH
2.
[0027] Each R
6 independently represents a hydrogen atom or C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl group. Examples of alkyl groups are described above and include methyl, ethyl,
isopropyl, n-propyl and n- butyl.
[0028] R
7 represents a C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl group, examples of which have been previously described.
[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, R
3 may represent a 3- to 10-membered (e.g. 3-, 4-, 5- or 6- to 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered)
saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system which is optionally
substituted by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two, three or four substituents
independently) selected from halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine or bromine), hydroxyl,
cyano, oxo, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl, C
2-C
6 or C
2-C
4 alkenyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 haloalkyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 hydroxyalkyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkoxy, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 haloalkoxy, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylthio, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylsulphinyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylsulphonyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylcarbonyl, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylcarbonyloxy, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkoxycarbonyl, amino, -CON(R
6)
2, C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkylamino, di-(C
1-C
6, or C
1-C
4, or C
1-C
2 alkyl)amino, C
3-C
6 or C
3-C
5 cycloalkyl, C
3-C
6 or C
3-C
5 cycloalkyloxy, C
3-C
6 or C
3-C
5 cycloalkylmethyl, -[O]
p-(CH
2)
q-O-R
7 and a 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring (optionally substituted
with at least one substituent, e.g. one, two or three substituents independently,
selected from C
1-C
4 alkyl such as methyl or ethyl and C
1-C
4 alkoxy such as methoxy or ethoxy).
[0030] The heterocyclic ring system will comprise at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one,
two, three or four ring heteroatoms independently) selected from nitrogen, sulphur
and oxygen. Examples of saturated or unsaturated 3- to 10-membered carbocyclic or
heterocyclic ring systems that may be used, which may be monocyclic or polycyclic
(e.g. bicyclic) in which the two or more rings are fused, include one or more (in
any combination) of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl,
cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, phenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl,
thiomorpholinyl, oxadiazolyl (e.g. 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl), tetrahydrofuranyl, diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl,
naphthyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzodioxolyl, quinolinyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl
(e.g. 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl), 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, pyrazolyl,
imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, thiazolidinyl, indanyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl,
pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl,
tetrazolyl and pyridinyl.
[0031] Preferred ring systems include phenyl, pyridinyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, cyclopropyl,
cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, pyrimidinyl,
imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl and piperidinyl.
[0032] Advantageously, the ring system is phenyl, pyridinyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl
or tetrahydropyranyl.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring system is phenyl or pyridinyl,
particularly phenyl.
[0034] The 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring substituent will
comprise at least one ring heteroatom (e.g. one, two, three or four ring heteroatoms
independently) selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen. Preferably the ring heteroatoms
are selected from nitrogen and oxygen. Examples of such ring substituents include
azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and oxadiazolyl such as 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl.
[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, R
3 represents a 3-, 4- or 5- to 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered, e.g. 3- to 6- or 5- to 9-membered,
saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system optionally substituted
by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two, three or four substituents independently)
selected from halogen (e.g. fluorine, chlorine or bromine), hydroxyl, cyano, oxo,
C
1-C
4 alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl), C
2-C
4 alkenyl (e.g. ethenyl), C
1-C
2 haloalkyl (e.g. difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl), C
1-C
2 hydroxyalkyl (e.g. hydroxymethyl), C
1-C
4 alkoxy (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), C
1-C
2 haloalkoxy (e.g. difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy), C
1-C
4 alkylthio (e.g. methylthio or ethylthio), C
1-C
4 alkylsulphinyl (e.g. methylsulphinyl or ethylsulphinyl), C
1-C
4 alkylsulphonyl (e.g. methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl), C
1-C
4 alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl or ethylcarbonyl), C
1-C
4 alkylcarbonyloxy (e.g. methylcarbonyloxy), C
1-C
4 alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl), amino, - CON(R
6)
2, C
1-C
4 alkylamino (e.g. methylamino or ethylamino), di-(C
1-C
4 alkyl)amino (e.g. dimethylamino), C
3-C
6 cycloalkyl, C
3-C
6 cycloalkyloxy, C
3-C
6 cycloalkylmethyl, -[O]
p-(CH
2)
q-O-R
7 and a 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring optionally substituted
by methyl or methoxy.
[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, R
3 represents a 5- or 6-membered unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,
the heterocyclic ring system comprising one or two ring heteroatoms independently
selected from nitrogen and oxygen, wherein the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system
is optionally substituted by one, two, three or four substituents independently selected
from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, cyano, oxo, C
1-C
4 alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl), C
2-C
4 alkenyl (e.g. ethenyl), C
1-C
2 haloalkyl (e.g. difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl), C
1-C
2 hydroxyalkyl (e.g. hydroxymethyl), C
1-C
4 alkoxy (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), C
1-C
2 haloalkoxy (e.g. difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy), C
1-C
4 alkylthio (e.g. methylthio or ethylthio), C
1-C
4 alkylsulphinyl (e.g. methylsulphinyl or ethylsulphinyl), C
1-C
4 alkylsulphonyl (e.g. methylsulphonyl or ethylsulphonyl), C
1-C
4 alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl or ethylcarbonyl), C
1-C
4 alkylcarbonyloxy (e.g. methylcarbonyloxy), C
1-C
4 alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl), amino, carboxamido (-CONH
2), C
1-C
4 alkylamino (e.g. methylamino or ethylamino), di-(C
1-C
4 alkyl)amino (e.g. dimethylamino), C
3-C
6 cycloalkyl, C
3-C
6 cycloalkyloxy, C
3-C
6 cycloalkylmethyl,-[O]
p-(CH
2)
q-O-R
7 and a 4- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring, preferably containing
at least one ring nitrogen atom, optionally substituted by methyl or methoxy.
[0037] In still another embodiment, R
3 represents a 3- to 6-membered, preferably 5- to 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated
carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,
tetrahydropyranyl, phenyl or pyridinyl, which ring system is optionally substituted
by at least one substituent (e.g. one, two, three or four, preferably one or two,
substituents independently) selected from cyano, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, difluoromethyl,
difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and methoxy.
[0038] Specific examples of R
3 include one or more of the following substituents in any combination:

[0039] The ring substituents R* are independently selected from cyano, halogen (e.g. fluorine
or chlorine), methyl, methoxy, difluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl or
trifluoromethoxy.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
R1 represents a hydrogen atom;
R2 represents a group -X-Y-R3;
X represents a group -S(O)n or -CHR4 and Y represents a group -CHR4;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
each R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and
R3 represents a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic
ring system, which ring system is optionally substituted by at least one substituent
selected from fluorine, chlorine, trifluoromethyl and methoxy.
[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the invention,
R1 represents a hydrogen atom;
R2 represents a group -X-Y-R3;
X represents a group -S(O)n, -CHR4 or

and Y represents a bond or a group -CHR4;
n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 0;
each R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, preferably a hydrogen
atom; and
R3 represents a 3- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic
ring system (preferably phenyl), which ring system is optionally substituted by at
least one substituent (preferably one or two substituents independently) selected
from fluorine, chlorine, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and methoxy.
[0042] In still another preferred embodiment of the invention,
R1 represents a hydrogen atom;
R2 represents a group -X-Y-R3;
X represents a group -S(O)n, -NR4, -CHR4 or

and Y represents a bond or a group -CHR4;
n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 0;
each R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, preferably a hydrogen
atom; and
R3 represents a 3- to 6-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic
ring system (preferably phenyl), which ring system is optionally substituted by at
least one substituent (preferably one or two substituents independently) selected
from cyano, fluorine, chlorine, difluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl,
trifluoromethoxy, methyl and methoxy.
[0043] Examples of compounds of the invention include:
4-Hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[(4-Chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(2-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Cyclohexylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Cyclopropylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Cyclopentylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-[2-(4-methoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-{2-[3-(Difluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-Benzyl-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-[2-(5-Hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridazin-3-yl)ethyl]benzonitrile,
6-[2-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(4-Fluoro-3-methylphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(2-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3 (2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(4-(Difluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(4-(Trifluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(3-(Difluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[1-(4-Fluorophenyl)cyclopropyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[1-(4-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-((Cyclopropylmethyl)(methyl)amino)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-((Cyclohexylmethyl)(methyl)amino)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(3-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(2-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(4-Methylbenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(3-Methylbenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-[2-(oxan-4-yl)ethyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-{[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl](methyl)amino}-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(2,6-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-[2-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-{[3,5-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(1-Phenylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one,
6-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]cyclopropyl}-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[2-Chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[2-Fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[3,5-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[2,4-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-pyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[3,4-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
4-Hydroxy-6-(3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one,
3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-((3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)-pyridazine,
4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one.
6-{2-[3,5-Difluoro-4-(tiifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
6-{2-[3-Fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one,
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any one thereof.
[0044] It should be noted that each of the chemical compounds listed above represents a
particular and independent aspect of the invention.
[0045] The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of a compound
of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined above which
comprises
- (i) when X represents a sulphur atom or when X is a bond and Y represents a sulphur
atom, reacting a compound of formula (II)

in which Hal represents a halogen atom such as chlorine and R1 is as defined in formula (I), with a compound of formula (III), HS-[Y]t-R3, where t is 0 or 1 and Y and R3 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (ii) when X represents SO or when X is a bond and Y represents SO, oxidising a compound
of formula (IV)

in which P1 represents a protecting group (e.g. methyl propionate) and R1 is as defined in formula (I) with a suitable oxidising agent, followed by reaction
with a compound of formula (V), L1-[Y]w-R3, where w is 0 or 1, L represents a leaving group (e.g. halogen) and Y and R3 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (iii) when X represents SO2 or when X is a bond and Y represents SO2, oxidising a compound of formula (IV) as defined in (ii) above with a suitable oxidising
agent, followed by reaction with a compound of formula (V) as defined in (ii) above;
or
- (iv) when X represents an oxygen atom or when X is a bond and Y represents an oxygen
atom, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined in (i) above, with a compound
of formula (VI), HO-[Y]z-R3, where z is 0 or 1 and Y and R3 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (v) when X represents C(O) or when X is a bond and Y represents C(O), reacting a compound
of formula (II) as defined in (i) above with carbon dioxide, followed by addition
of an activating agent and reaction with a compound of formula (Va), M-[Y]w-R3, where M is Li or MgR20, R20 represents a halogen atom and w, Y and R3 are as defined in formula (V) in (ii) above; or
- (vi) when X represents -C(O)NR4 or when X is a bond and Y represents -C(O)NR4, reacting a compound of formula (VII)

in which R1 is as defined in formula (I), with a compound of formula (VIII), R4HN-[Y]g-R3, where g is 0 or 1 and Y, R3 and R4 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (vii) when X represents -S(O)2NR4 or when X is a bond and Y represents -S(O)2NR4, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined in (i) above with sulphur dioxide,
followed by addition of an oxidising-chlorinating agent and then reaction with a compound
of formula (VIII) as defined in (vi) above; or
- (viii) when X represents -NR4 or when X is a bond and Y represents -NR4, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined in (i) above, with a compound of
formula (VIII) as defined in (vi) above; or
- (ix) when X represents -CR4R5- or when X is a bond and Y represents -CR4R5- and R4 and R5 each independently represent a C1-C6 alkyl group, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined in (i) above with a compound
of formula (IX), L2-CR4'R5'-[Y]h-R3, where h is 0 or 1, L2 represents a leaving group (e.g. halogen), R4' and R5' each independently represent a C1-C6 alkyl group and Y and R3 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (x) when X represents -CR4R5- or when X is a bond and Y represents -CR4R5- and R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group but do not both simultaneously represent a C1-C6 alkyl group, reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined in (i) above with a compound
of formula (IXa), R4C(O)-[Y]h-R3, wherein h, Y, and R3 are as defined in formula (IX) in (ix) above and R4 is as defined in formula (I) above, followed by a hydrogenation reaction; or
- (xi) when X and Y each represent -CHR4, hydrogenating a compound of formula (X)

wherein R1, R3 and R4 are as defined in formula (I); or
- (xii) when X represents -CR4R5 - or when X is a bond and Y represents -CR4R5- and R5 is =CH, reacting a compound of formula (XI)

wherein R22 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group and R1 is as defined in formula (I), with a compound of formula (IXb), R24-CH(R26)-[Y]h-R3, wherein R24 represents a phosphonate moiety (e.g. -P(=O)(OR)2 where R is an alkyl group such as ethyl), R26 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group and h, Y and R3 are as defined in formula (IX) in (ix) above; or
- (xiii) when X represents a group

or when X is a bond and Y represents a group

reacting a compound of formula (XII)

where k is 0 or 1 and Y, R1 and R3 are as defined in formula (I), with diiodomethane and zinc-copper couple; or
- (xiv) when X represents a group

or when X is a bond and Y represents a group

reacting a compound of formula (XIII)

where l is 0 or 1 and Y, R1 and R3 are as defined in formula (I), with diiodomethane and zinc-copper couple;
and optionally thereafter carrying out one or more of the following procedures:
- converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I)
- removing any protecting groups
- forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
[0046] Process (i) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent, such as toluene,
in the presence of a palladium catalyst, e.g. tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)
(Pd
2(DBA)
3) and an organophosphorous compound such as 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene
(Xantphos).
[0047] Processes (ii) and (iii) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent, such
as dichloromethane, using a suitable amount of an oxidising agent such as
meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid.
[0048] Process (iv) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent, such as toluene,
in the presence of a copper (I) iodide catalyst at elevated temperature (e.g. 30°C
to 150°C).
[0049] The first step of process (v) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent,
such as diethyl ether, at low temperature (e.g. -78°C) in the presence of a reagent
such as butyllithium. A suitable activating agent to use in the second step would
be a compound such as
N,
O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride which is commercially available, e.g. from the
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, to form a 'Weinreb amide' which is then reacted with the
compound of formula (Va) to form the appropriate compound of formula (I).
[0050] Process (vi) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent using a suitable
amide coupling reagent. Various amide coupling reagents are known in the art such
as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium
hexafluorophosphate (HBTU) and O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)- N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium
tetrafluoroborate (TBTU).
[0051] The first step of process (vii) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent,
such as diethyl ether, at low temperature (e.g. -78°C) in the presence of a reagent
such as isopropylmagnesium chloride. A suitable oxidising-chlorinating agent to use
in the second step would be sulphuryl chloride and the subsequent reaction with a
compound of formula (VIII) may be carried out in accordance with known sulphonamide
coupling procedures in the art.
[0052] The amination reaction in process (viii) may conveniently be carried out in an organic
solvent, such as toluene, in the presence of (1) a palladium catalyst such as tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)
(Pd
2(DBA)
3), (2) a base such as sodium t-butoxide and (3) an organophosphorous compound such
as 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (Xantphos).
[0053] Processes (ix) and (x) may conveniently be carried out in an organic solvent, such
as diethyl ether, at low temperature (e.g. -78°C) in the presence of a reagent such
as butyllithium.
[0054] The hydrogenation reaction in process (x) and process (xi) may be carried out according
to techniques known in the art, e.g. in the presence of an organic solvent, such as
ethanol, using hydrogen gas and a palladium on carbon catalyst, under acid catalysed
conditions as required.
[0055] Process (xii) is analogous to a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction as known, for example,
from
Wadsworth, W. Org. React. 1977, 25, 73. Suitable reaction conditions for carrying out this type of reaction are known in
the art.
[0057] Compounds of formula (IV) in which P
1 represents a protecting group such as -CH
2CH
2C(O)OCH
3 may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (II) as defined above with methyl
3-sulfanylpropanoate.
[0058] Compounds of formula (VII) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (II)
as defined above with carbon dioxide in an organic solvent such as diethyl ether at
low temperature (e.g. -78°C) in the presence of a reagent such as butyllithium.
[0059] Compounds of formula (X) in which the CR
4 groups are linked by a carbon-carbon double bond may be prepared by processes analogous
to process (xii) above.
[0060] Compounds of formula (X) in which the CR
4 groups are linked by a carbon-carbon triple bond, each R
4 represents a hydrogen atom and R
3 represents an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring system may be prepared according
to the following reaction scheme:

[0061] Step 1 is carried out by reacting the pyridazine compound (in which R
1 is as hereinbefore defined) with ethynyltrimethylsilane in an organic solvent such
as tetrahydrofuran.
[0062] Step 2 is carried out using potassium carbonate in a polar solvent such as methanol.
Step 3 is carried out using a compound of formula R
3-Br where R
3 represents an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring system as hereinbefore defined,
in the presence of copper(I) iodide and a suitable palladium catalyst.
[0063] Compounds of formula (X) in which the CR
4 groups are linked by a carbon-carbon triple bond, each R
4 represents a hydrogen atom and R
3 represents an optionally substituted carbocyclic ring system may be prepared according
to the following reaction scheme:

[0064] Step 4 is carried out by reacting the compound of formula (II) as hereinbefore defined
with a compound of formula, HC ≡C-R
3, where R
3 represents an optionally substituted carbocyclic ring system as hereinbefore defined,
in the presence of copper(I) iodide and a suitable palladium catalyst.
[0065] Compounds of formula (XI) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (II)
as defined above with dimethylformamide in an organic solvent, such as diethyl ether,
at low temperature (e.g. -78°C) in the presence of a reagent such as butyllithium,
optionally followed by an alkylation reaction.
[0066] Compounds of formula (XII) may be prepared by processes analogous to those used for
the preparation of compounds of formula (X).
[0067] Compounds of formula (XIII) may be prepared according to the following reaction scheme:

[0068] Step a is carried out using, for example, copper cyanide. The compound of formula
(II) is as hereinbefore defined.
[0069] Step b is carried out using a Grignard reagent of formula R
3-[Y]
1-MgBr where 1, Y and R
3 are as defined in formula (XIII).
[0070] Step c is carried out using Tebbe reagent solution (bis(cyclopentadienyl)-µ-chloro-(dimethylaluminum)-µ-methylenetitanium).
[0071] Compounds of formulae (II), (III), (V), (Va), (VI), (VIII), (IX), (IXa) and (IXb)
are either commercially available, are well known in the literature or may be prepared
using known techniques.
[0072] The present invention further provides certain novel intermediates, e.g. intermediates
of formula (XXX),

wherein P
1 and P
2 each independently represent a benzyl protecting group, R
20 represents a hydrogen atom or a trimethylsilane leaving group (Si(CH
3)
3) and R
1 is as defined in formula (I) above.
[0073] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the processes of the present
invention certain functional groups such as phenol, hydroxyl or amino groups in the
reagents may need to be protected by protecting groups. Thus, the preparation of the
compounds of formula (I) may involve, at an appropriate stage, the removal of one
or more protecting groups.
[0075] The compounds of formula (I) above may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable
salt thereof, preferably an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide,
benzenesulphonate (besylate), saccharin (e.g. monosaccharin), trifluoroacetate, sulphate,
nitrate, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, lactate, citrate, pyruvate,
succinate, valerate, propanoate, butanoate, malonate, oxalate, 1-hydroxy-2-napthoate
(xinafoate), methanesulphonate or
p-toluenesulphonate salt.
[0076] In one aspect of the invention, compounds of formula (I) may bear one or more radiolabels.
Such radiolabels may be introduced by using radiolabel-containing reagents in the
synthesis of the compounds of formula (I), or may be introduced by coupling the compounds
of formula (I) to chelating moieties capable of binding to a radioactive metal atom.
Such radiolabeled versions of the compounds may be used, for example, in diagnostic
imaging studies.
[0077] Compounds of formula (I) and their salts may be in the form of hydrates or solvates
which form an aspect of the present invention. Such solvates may be formed with common
organic solvents, including but not limited to, alcoholic solvents e.g. methanol,
ethanol or isopropanol.
[0078] Compounds of formula (I) are capable of existing in stereoisomeric forms. It will
be understood that the invention encompasses the use of all geometric and optical
isomers (including atropisomers) of the compounds of formula (I) and mixtures thereof
including racemates. The use of tautomers and mixtures thereof also form an aspect
of the present invention. Enantiomerically pure forms are particularly desired.
[0079] The compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts have activity
as pharmaceuticals, in particular as D-amino acid oxidase enzyme (DAAO) inhibitors,
and thus may be used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
(e.g., psychotic disorder, psychosis), dementia and other cognitive disorders, anxiety
disorders (
e.g., generalized anxiety disorder), mood disorders (
e.g., depressive disorders, major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders including bipolar
I and II, bipolar mania, bipolar depression), sleep disorders, disorders usually first
diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence (
e.g., attention-deficit disorder and disruptive behaviour disorders), pain (
e.g. neuropathic pain) and neurodegenerative disorders (
e.g. Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease).
[0080] Thus, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore defined for use in therapy, in particular
for the treatment of conditions whose development or symptoms are linked to DAAO enzyme
activity.
[0081] The present invention also provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore defined for the preparation of a medicament
for the treatment of conditions whose development or symptoms are linked to DAAO enzyme
activity.
[0082] In the context of the present specification, the term "therapy" also includes "prophylaxis"
unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The terms "therapeutic" and
"therapeutically" should be construed accordingly.
[0083] Prophylaxis is expected to be particularly relevant to the treatment of persons who
have suffered a previous episode of, or are otherwise considered to be at increased
risk of, the disorder or condition in question. Persons at risk of developing a particular
disorder or condition generally include those having a family history of the disorder
or condition, or those who have been identified by genetic testing or screening to
be particularly susceptible to developing the disorder or condition or those in the
prodromal phase of a disorder.
[0084] In particular, the compounds of the invention (including pharmaceutically acceptable
salts) may be used in the treatment of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, schizophreniform
disorder or schizoaffective disorder (e.g. voices or hallucinations), cognitive disorders
(such as dementia and impaired learning) and also pain (such as neuropathic pain).
[0085] The invention also provides a compound for use in a method of treating at least one
symptom or condition associated with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective
disorder and other psychotic disorders (e.g., psychotic disorder, psychosis), dementia
and other cognitive disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder),
mood disorders (e.g., depressive disorders, major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders
including bipolar I and II, bipolar mania, bipolar depression), sleep disorders, disorders
usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence (e.g., attention-deficit
disorder, autistic spectrum disorders and disruptive behaviour disorders), pain (e.g.
neuropathic pain) and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Parkinson's or Alzheimer's
disease) which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
thereof as hereinbefore defined.
[0086] Such symptoms and conditions include, but are not limited to, anxiety, agitation,
hostility, panic, an eating disorder, an affective symptom, a mood symptom, a negative
and positive psychotic symptom commonly associated with psychosis and neurodegenerative
disorder.
[0087] For the above-mentioned therapeutic uses the dosage administered will, of course,
vary with the compound employed, the mode of administration, the treatment desired
and the disorder indicated. For example, the daily dosage of the compound of the invention,
if inhaled, may be in the range from 0.05 micrograms per kilogram body weight (µg/kg)
to 100 micrograms per kilogram body weight (µg/kg). Alternatively, if the compound
is administered orally, then the daily dosage of the compound of the invention may
be in the range from 0.01 micrograms per kilogram body weight (µg/kg) to 100 milligrams
per kilogram body weight (mg/kg).
[0088] The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may be
used on their own but will generally be administered in the form of a pharmaceutical
composition in which the formula (I) compound/salt (active ingredient) is in association
with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
[0089] Therefore the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising
a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore
defined, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
[0090] The invention still further provides a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical
composition of the invention which comprises mixing a compound of formula (I) or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore defined with a pharmaceutically
acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
[0092] Pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, diluents or carriers that may be used in the
pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are those conventionally employed in
the field of pharmaceutical formulation, and include, but are not limited to, sugars,
sugar alcohols, starches, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminium stearate, lecithin, serum
proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycerine,
sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable
fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulphate, disodium hydrogen
phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica,
magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene
glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene- polyoxypropylene-block
polymers, polyethylene glycol and wool fat.
[0093] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered orally,
parenterally, by inhalation spray, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an
implanted reservoir. Oral administration is preferred. The pharmaceutical compositions
of the invention may contain any conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable
adjuvants, diluents or carriers. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous,
intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrasternal,
intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.
[0094] The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation,
for example, as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. The suspension
may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing
or wetting agents (such as, for example, Tween 80) and suspending agents. The sterile
injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in
a non-toxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution
in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable diluents and solvents that may be employed
are mannitol, water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition,
sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium.
For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or
diglycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful
in the preparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically acceptable oils,
such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These
oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant
such as that described in Ph. Helv. or a similar alcohol.
[0095] The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orally administered in any
orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, powders,
granules, and aqueous suspensions and solutions. These dosage forms are prepared according
to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation. In the case of
tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch.
Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral
administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch.
When aqueous suspensions are administered orally, the active ingredient is combined
with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavouring
and/or colouring agents may be added.
[0096] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be administered in the
form of suppositories for rectal administration. These compositions can be prepared
by mixing the active ingredient with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is
solid at room temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature and therefore will
melt in the rectum to release the active ingredient. Such materials include, but are
not limited to, cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.
[0097] The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by nasal aerosol
or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in
the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline,
employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to
enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilising or dispersing agents
known in the art.
[0098] Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably
comprise from 0.05 to 99 %w (per cent by weight), more preferably from 0.05 to 80
%w, still more preferably from 0.10 to 70 %w, and even more preferably from 0.10 to
50 %w, of active ingredient, all percentages by weight being based on total composition.
[0099] The compounds of the invention (that is, compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically
acceptable salts thereof) may also be administered in conjunction with other compounds
used for the treatment of the above conditions and/or with serine.
[0100] The invention therefore further relates to combination therapies wherein a compound
of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition or formulation comprising a compound
of the invention is administered with another therapeutic agent or agents and/or with
serine, for the treatment of one or more of the conditions previously indicated. Such
therapeutic agents may be selected from the following:
- (i) antidepressants such as, for example, amitriptyline, amoxapine, bupropion, citalopram, clomipramine,
desipramine, doxepin duloxetine, elzasonan, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine,
gepirone, imipramine, ipsapirone, maprotiline, nortriptyline, nefazodone, paroxetine,
phenelzine, protriptyline, reboxetine, robaizotan, sertraline, sibutramine, thionisoxetine,
tranylcypromaine, trazodone, trimipramine, venlafaxine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically
active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (ii) atypical antipsychotics including, for example, quetiapine and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s)
thereof;
- (iii) antipsychotics including, for example, amisulpride, aripiprazole, asenapine, benzisoxidil, bifeprunox,
carbamazepine, clozapine, chlorpromazine, debenzapine, divalproex, duloxetine, eszopiclone,
haloperidol, iloperidone, lamotrigine, loxapine, mesoridazine, olanzapine, paliperidone,
perlapine, perphenazine, phenothiazine, phenylbutlypiperidine, pimozide, prochlorperazine,
risperidone, sertindole, sulpiride, suproclone, suriclone, thioridazine, trifluoperazine,
trimetozine, valproate, valproic acid, zopiclone, zotepine, ziprasidone, and equivalents
and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (iv) anxiolytics including, for example, alnespirone, azapirones, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and
equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof. Example
anxiolytics include adinazolam, alprazolam, balezepam, bentazepam, bromazepam, brotizolam,
buspirone, clonazepam, clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, cyprazepam, diazepam, diphenhydramine,
estazolam, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fosazepam, lorazepam, lormetazepam,
meprobamate, midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, quazepam, reclazepam, tracazolate,
trepipam, temazepam, triazolam, uldazepam, and zolazepam; and equivalents and pharmaceutically
active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (v) anticonvulsants including, for example, carbamazepine, valproate, lamotrigine, and gabapentin, and
equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (vi) Alzheimer's therapies including, for example, donepezil, memantine, tacrine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically
active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (vii) Parkinson's therapies including, for example, deprenyl, L-dopa, Requip, Mirapex, MAOB inhibitors such as
selegine and rasagiline, comP inhibitors such as Tasmar, A-2 inhibitors, dopamine
reuptake inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, Nicotine agonists, and Dopamine agonists and
inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and equivalents and pharmaceutically
active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (viii) migraine therapies including, for example, almotriptan, amantadine, bromocriptine, butalbital, cabergoline,
dichloralphenazone, eletriptan, frovatriptan, lisuride, naratriptan, pergolide, pramipexole,
rizatriptan, ropinirole, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and zomitriptan, and equivalents
and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (ix) stroke therapies including, for example, abciximab, activase, NXY-059, citicoline, crobenetine, desmoteplase,
repinotan, traxoprodil, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or
metabolite(s) thereof;
- (x) urinary incontinence therapies including, for example, darafenacin, falvoxate, oxybutynin, propiverine, robalzotan,
solifenacin, and tolterodine, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s)
and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (xi) neuropathic pain therapies including, for example, gabapentin, lidoderm, and pregablin, and equivalents and
pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (xii) nociceptive pain therapies such as, for example, celecoxib, etoricoxib, lumiracoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib,
diclofenac, loxoprofen, naproxen, and paracetamol, and equivalents and pharmaceutically
active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (xiii) insomnia therapies including, for example, allobarbital, alonimid, amobarbital, benzoctamine, butabarbital,
capuride, chloral, cloperidone, clorethate, dexclamol, ethchlorvynol, etomidate, glutethimide,
halazepam, hydroxyzine, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, methaqualone, midaflur,
nisobamate, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, propofol, roletamide, triclofos, secobarbital,
zaleplon, and Zolpidem, and equivalents and pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or
metabolite(s) thereof;
- (xiv) mood stabilizers including, for example, carbamazepine, divalproex, gabapentin, lamotrigine, lithium,
olanzapine, quetiapine, valproate, valproic acid, and verapamil, and equivalents and
pharmaceutically active isomer(s) and/or metabolite(s) thereof;
- (xv) 5HT1B ligands such as, for example, compounds disclosed in WO 99/05134 and WO 02/08212;
- (xvi) mGluR2 agonists;
- (xvii) alpha 7 nicotinic agonists such as, for example, compounds disclosed in WO 96/006098, WO 97/030998, WO 99/003859, WO 00/042044, WO 01/029034, WO 01/60821, WO 01/36417, WO 02/096912, WO 03/087102, WO 03/087103, WO 03/087104, WO 2004/016617, WO 2004/016616, and WO 2004/019947;
- (xviii) chemokine receptor CCR1 inhibitors; and
- (xix) delta opioid agonists such as, for example, compounds disclosed in WO 97/23466 and WO 02/094794.
[0101] Such combination products employ the compounds of this invention within the dosage
range described herein and the other pharmaceutically active agent within approved
dosage ranges and/or the dosage such as described in the publication reference.
[0102] In a further aspect the present invention provides a combination (for example for
the treatment of schizophrenia, cognitive disorders or pain) of a compound of formula
(I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore defined and one
or more agents selected from carbamazepine, olanzapine, quetiapine, verapamil, lamotrigine,
oxcarbazepine, risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone and lithium.
[0103] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical product comprising, in combination,
a preparation of a first active ingredient which is a compound of formula (I) or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as hereinbefore defined, and a preparation
of a second active ingredient which is carbamazepine, olanzapine, quetiapine, verapamil,
lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone or lithium, for
simultaneous, sequential or separate use in therapy.
[0104] In another aspect, the invention provides a kit comprising a preparation of a first
active ingredient which is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable
salt thereof as hereinbefore defined, and a preparation of a second active ingredient
which is carbamazepine, olanzapine, quetiapine, verapamil, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine,
risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone or lithium, and instructions for the simultaneous,
sequential or separate administration of the preparations to a patient in need thereof.
[0105] The present invention will now be further explained by reference to the following
illustrative examples.
[0106] The methods used for synthesis of the compounds of the invention are illustrated
by the general schemes below and the preparative examples that follow. The starting
materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds are available from commercial
suppliers. These general schemes are merely illustrative of methods by which the compounds
of this invention can be synthesised, and various modifications to these schemes can
be made and will be suggested to one skilled in the art having referred to this disclosure.
[0107] Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were recorded at 400MHz; the chemical shifts
(δ) are reported in parts per million. Spectra were recorded using a Bruker 400 Avance
instrument fitted with a 5mm BBFO probe or DUL probe. Instrument control was by Bruker
TopSpin 2.1 software, unless stated otherwise.
[0108] Purity was assessed using UPLC with UV (photodiode array) detection over a wide range
of wavelengths, normally 220-450nm, using a Waters Acquity UPLC system equipped with
Acquity UPLC BEH or HSS C18 columns (2.1mm id x 50mm long) operated at 50 or 60°C.
Mobile phases typically consisted of acetonitrile or methanol mixed with water containing
either 0.05% formic acid or 0.025% ammonia.
[0109] Mass spectra were recorded with a Waters SQD single quadrupole mass spectrometer
using atmospheric pressure ionisation, unless stated otherwise.
[0110] Compounds were purified using normal phase chromatography on silica or alumina, or
by reverse phase chromatographic methods, using Biotage or Isolute KPNH Cartridge,
SCX cartridge and SCX-2 solid phase extraction cartridges.
[0111] Preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was performed using an
Agilent Technologies 1100 Series system typically using Waters 19mm id x 100mm long
C18 columns such as XBridge or SunFire 5µm materials at 20 mL/min. Mobile phases typically
consisted of acetonitrile or methanol mixed with water containing either 0.1% formic
acid or 0.1% ammonia, unless stated otherwise.
[0112] In the following descriptions "room temperature" denotes a temperature in the range
from 20°C to 25°C.
[0113] The abbreviations used in the specific examples have the following meanings:
- DMSO
- Dimethyl sulfoxide
- DMSO-d6
- Deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide
- MeOH-d
- Deuterated methanol
- MeOH
- Methanol
- MS
- Mass spectrum
- NMR
- Nuclear magnetic resonance
- Pd2(DBA)3
- Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)
- MgSO4
- Magnesium sulphate
- XANTPHOS
- 4,5-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene
- DBU
- 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10-Octahydropyrimido[1,2-a]azepine
- CHCl3
- Trichloromethane
- CDCl3
- Deuterated trichloromethane
- CD2Cl2
- Deuterated dichloromethane
- MTBE
- Methyl tert-butyl ether
- THF
- Tetrahydrofuran
- CO2
- Carbon dioxide
1. Intermediates
[0114]

Intermediate 1: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine
[0115]

[0116] Phenylmethanol (6.72 g, 62.2 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of sodium hydride
(60 % suspension in mineral oil; 2.486 g, 62.2 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (total volume:
100 ml) at room temperature. The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then
cooled to 0 °C before 3,4,6-trichloropyridazine (5.7 g, 31.1 mmol) was added portionwise
over 10 minutes. The reaction was then allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred
for 16 hours before being poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate (twice).
The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (magnesium sulphate) and evaporated.
The residue was purified by silica chromatography (eluting with 5-20 % ethyl acetate
in petrol containing 5 % tetrahydrofuran) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine
(4.0 g, 12.24 mmol, 39.4 % yield) as the major product.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ ppm 7.31 - 7.52 (m, 11 H) 5.51 (s, 2 H) and 5.31 (s, 2 H).
Intermediate 2: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine
[0117]

[0118] A 20 ml microwave vial was charged with 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1; 440 mg, 1.35 mmol), DBU (1230 mg, 8.08 mmol) and ethynylbenzene (413 mgs, 4.04 mmol)
in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) to produce an orange solution. The mixture was purged with
nitrogen and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) (47.3 mg, 0.067 mmol) and
copper(I) iodide (25.6 mg, 0.135 mmol) were added before the whole was subjected to
microwave radiation for 1 hour at 80 °C. Upon cooling, the resulting mixture was diluted
with ethyl acetate and washed with brine and the organic layer was purified by silica
chromatography (eluting with 0-30 % ethyl acetate-petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine
(320 mg, 0.815 mmol, 61 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.34 - 7.58 (m, 15 H), 7.06 (s, 1 H), 5.56 (s, 2 H) and 5.34 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 393.
Intermediate 3: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0119]

[0120] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-4-fluorobenzene in 72 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.67 - 7.76 (m, 2 H), 7.57 (s, 1 H), 7.29 - 7.53 (m, 12 H), 5.58 (s, 2 H) and
5.31 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 410.

Intermediate 4: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0121]

[0122] A 20 ml microwave vial was charged with 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1, 3.06 mmol) and ethynyltrimethylsilane (902 mg, 9.18 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5
ml) to afford an orange solution. The reaction was purged with nitrogen before DBU
(2.77 ml, 18.36 mmol), dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) (107 mg, 0.153
mmol) and copper(I) iodide (58.3 mg, 0.306 mmol) were added and the whole was subjected
to microwave radiation for 1 hour at 80 °C. Upon cooling, the reaction mixture was
diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with brine. The organic layer was purified by
silica chromatography (eluting with 0-30 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)pyridazine
(838 mg, 2.16 mmol, 70 % yield)
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.08 - 7.28 (m, 11 H), 5.32 (s, 2 H), 5.06 (s, 2 H) and 0.08 (s, 9 H)
MS ES
+: 389.
Intermediate 5: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine
[0123]

[0124] Potassium carbonate (295 mg, 2.136 mmol), 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)
pyridazine (
Intermediate 4; 830 mg, 2.14 mmol) and methanol (10 ml) were added to tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) to
produce an orange suspension. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then partitioned
between brine and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine and evaporated
before the residue was purified by silica chromatography (eluting with 10-50 % ethyl
acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (530 mg, 1.68 mmol,
78 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.31 - 7.53 (m, 11 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H), 5.30 (s, 2 H) and 4.53 (s, 1 H).
MS ES
+: 317.

Intermediate 6: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
[0125]

[0126] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5; 530 mg, 1.68 mmol) and 2-bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (379 mg, 1.68 mmol) were
dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) to produce an orange solution. The reaction mixture
was purged with nitrogen and then triethylamine (1.40 ml, 10.05 mmol), dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II)
(58.8 mg, 0.08 mmol) and copper(I) iodide (31.9 mg, 0.17 mmol) were added before it
was subjected to microwave irradiation for 1 hour at 80 °C. Upon cooling, the mixture
was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with brine. The organic layer was concentrated
in vacuo and the crude residue was then purified by silica chromatography (eluting with 0-50
% ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(460 mg, 0.10 mmol, 60 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 9.08 (s, 1 H), 8.34 - 8.38 (m, 1 H), 7.96 - 8.01 (m, 1 H), 7.70 (s 1 H), 7.33
- 7.53 (m, 10 H), 5.61 (s, 2 H) and 5.33 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 462.

Intermediate 7: 6-Chloro-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine
[0127]

[0128] To a solution of (4-methoxyphenyl)methanol (1.88 g, 13.63 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran
(7.89 ml) was added a solution of potassium
tert-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran (13.63 ml, 13.63 mmol). After stirring at room temperature
for 1.5 hours, the mixture was cooled to 0 °C and trichloropyridazine (1.0 g, 5.45
mmol) was added portion-wise over a period of approximately 5-10 minutes. The resulting
mixture was left to stir and warm to room temperature for 16 hours and then poured
into water, extracted into ethyl acetate and the combined organics were dried (magnesium
sulphate). The solution was then evaporated
in vacuo and purified by silica chromatography (eluting with 0-40 % ethyl acetate in petrol)
to yield 6-chloro-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine (550 mg, 1.420 mmol, 26
% yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d): δ 7.51 (s, 1 H), 7.38 - 7.45 (m, 4 H), 6.91 - 6.99 (m, 4
H), 5.39 (s, 2 H), 5.19 (s, 2 H) and 3.76 (s, 6 H).
Intermediate 8: 6-[(4-Chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine
[0129]

[0130] A mixture of 6-chloro-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine (
Intermediate 7; 550 mg, 1.42 mmol), (4-chlorophenyl)methanethiol (248 mg, 1.56 mmol), Pd
2(DBA)
3 (52.1 mg, 0.057 mmol), XANTPHOS (65.8 mg, 0.114 mmol) and Hunig's base (ethyl diisopropylamine;
404 mg, 3.13 mmol) was subjected to microwave irradiation at 120 °C for 1 hour. The
resulting mixture was poured into water and extracted into ethyl acetate before the
combined organics were washed with brine and then dried (magnesium sulphate). The
resulting solution was evaporated
in vacuo and purified by silica chromatography (eluting with 0-40 % dichlormethane in petrol)
to yield 6-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine (201
mg, 1.42 mmol, 28 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d): δ 7.25 - 7.48 (m, 8 H), 6.88 - 6.95 (m, 4 H), 5.42 (s, 2
H), 5.08 (s, 2 H), 4.41 (s, 2 H) and 3.83 (s, 6 H).
MS ES
+: 509.
Intermediate 9: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
[0131]

[0132] A microwave vial was charged with 5-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (617 mg, 2.260
mmol), copper(I) iodide (39.1 mg, 0.205 mmol), bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II)
chloride (72.1 mg, 0.103 mmol), 1,8-diazabicycloundec-7-ene (DBU; 1858 µl, 12.33 mmol)
and tetrahydrofuran (6849 µl). The reaction mixture was then purged and evacuated
with nitrogen and to this was then added 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5: 650 mg, 2.1 mmol). The reaction was heated to 80 °C whilst being subjected to microwave
radiation for 1 hour. Upon cooling the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl
acetate and water, at which point a solid formed which was filtered and discarded.
The organics were then washed with water and brine, dried (MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to afford a brown oil. This was purified by silica chromatography
(eluting with 0-100 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
as a yellow amorphous solid (yield = 10 %)
MS ES
+ : 462.
Intermediate 10: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(3-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0133]

[0134] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-3-fluorobenzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.32 - 7.64 (m, 15 H), 5.56 (s, 2 H) and 5.30 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 411.
Intermediate 11: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(2-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0135]

[0136] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-2-fluorobenzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.63 - 7.76 (m, 1 H), 7.58 (s, 2 H), 7.30-7.50 (m, 12 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H) and 5.32
(s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 411.
Intermediate 12: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(3,5-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0137]

[0138] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-3,5-difluorobenzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.63 (s, 1 H), 7.32 - 7.52 (s, 13 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H) and 5.30 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 429.
Intermediate 13: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0139]

[0140] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-3,4-difluorobenzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.52 - 7.67 (s, 1 H), 7.36 - 7.59 (s, 13 H), 5.58 (s, 2 H) and 5.31 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 429.
Intermediate 14: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0141]

[0142] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-3-trifluoromethoxybenzene (prepared as described in Published International
Patent Application No.
WO 2005/94822, see Preparation 28).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 7.60 - 7.75 (m, 3 H), 7.31 - 7.57 (s, 12 H), 5.58 (s, 2 H) and 5.28 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 477.
Intermediate 15: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0143]

[0144] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 9) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-iodo-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 8.01 (s, br, 1 H), 7.96 (d,
J=7.83 Hz, 1 H), 7.87 (d,
J=7.83 Hz, 1 H), 7.70 - 7.77 (m, 1 H), 7.64 (s, 1 H), 7.29 - 7.52 (m, 10 H), 5.59 (s,
2 H), 5.31 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 461.
Intermediate 16: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
[0145]

[0146] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 9) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 3-bromo-5-trifluoromethylpyridine.
MS ES
+: 462.
Intermediate 17: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(cyclohexylethynyl)pyridazine
[0147]

[0148] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and ethynylcyclohexane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.54-7.56 (m, 2 H), 7.33 - 7.48 (m, 8 H), 6.92 (s, 1 H), 5.63 (s, 2 H), 5.17 (s,
2 H), 2.61 - 2.73 (m, 1 H), 1.90 - 2.00 (m, 2 H), 1.75 - 1.84 (m, 2 H), 1.52 - 1.67
(m, 4 H), 1.35 - 1.46 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 399.
Intermediate 18: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopropylethynyl)pyridazine
[0149]

[0150] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and ethynylcyclopropane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.14 - 7.55 (m, 11 H), 5.53 (s, 2 H), 5.25 (s, 2 H), 1.57 - 1.67 (m, 1 H), 0.92
- 0.99 (m, 2 H), 0.77 - 0.84 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 357.
Intermediate 19: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopentylethynyl)pyridazine
[0151]

[0152] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and ethynylcyclopentane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.28 - 7.55 (m, 10 H), 6.82 - 6.90 (m, 1 H), 5.57 (s, 2 H), 5.14 (s, 2 H), 2.79
- 2.94 (m, 1 H), 1.97 - 2.13 (m, 2 H), 1.49 - 1.86 (m, 6 H)
MS ES
+: 385.
Intermediate 20: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(4-methoxycyclohex-1-en-1-yl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0153]

[0154] A microwave reaction vial was charged with 4-methoxycyclohex-1-enyl trifluoromethanesulfonate
(1069 mg, 4.11 mmol), copper(I) iodide (16.83 mg, 0.09 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)
(54.6 mg, 0.05 mmol), triethylamine (1432 µl, 10.27 mmol) and dry
N,
N-dimethylformamide (6849 µl). The reaction was evacuated and purged with nitrogen
and a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5; 650 mg, 2.06 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (3 ml) was added before the whole was
then stirred in the microwave at 70 °C for 1 hour. Upon cooling, the resulting mixture
was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water and the organic extracts were washed
with water and brine, dried (MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to afford a brown oil. This was purified by chromatography
on silica eluting with 0-75 % ethyl acetate in petrol to give 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-methoxycyclohex-1-en-1-yl)ethynyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 20) as a brown oil (860 mg, 85 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.28 - 7.57 (m, 10 H), 6.90 (s, 1 H), 6.22 (br s, 1 H), 5.60 (s, 2 H), 5.14 (s,
2 H), 3.45 - 3.55 (m, 1 H), 3.31 - 3.38 (m, 3 H), 2.10 - 2.56 (m, 4 H), 1.88 - 1.97
(m, 1 H), 1.64 - 1.78 (m, 1 H)
MS ES
+ : 427.
Intermediate 21: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0155]

[0156] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-2,4-difluorobenzene.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.49 - 7.67 (m, 3 H), 7.31 - 7.51 (m, 8 H), 6.85 - 7.07 (m, 3 H), 5.70 (s, 2 H),
5.23 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 429.
Intermediate 22: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{[3-(difluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0157]

[0158] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 9) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 3-bromo-5-difluoromethylpyridine.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.65 - 7.85 (m, 2 H), 7.21 - 7.65 (m, 12 H), 6.99 (s, 1 H), 6.40 - 6.90 (m, 1
H, C
HF
2), 5.70 (s, 2 H), 5.24 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 443.
Intermediate 23: 6-Benzyl-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine
[0159]

[0160] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1: 0.22 g, 0.67 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (6 ml) and water (0.6 ml) was added cesium
carbonate (0.66 g, 2.01 mmol) and [1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)
(0.049 g, 0.067 mmol). The reaction was then purged and evacuated with nitrogen several
times before 9-benzyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN; 4.02 ml, 2.01 mmol) was added.
The reaction vessel was then sealed and heated to 60 °C for 1 hour. Upon cooling,
the resulting mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed 5 times with a 1:1
mixture of water and saturated aqueous brine. The organics portion was dried (MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to give an orange oil. The crude oil was purified by
silica chromatography (eluting with 0-80 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 6-benzyl-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine
as a colourless oil (yield = 64 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.56 (d,
J = 7.33 Hz, 2 H), 7.12 - 7.48 (m, 13 H), 6.55 (s, 1 H), 5.64 (s, 2 H), 5.08 (s, 2
H), 4.17 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 383.
Intermediate 24: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-((3-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine
[0161]

[0162] To a solution of 1-chloro-3-iodobenzene (0.862 g, 3.62 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran
(11 ml) was added copper(I) iodide (0.063 g, 0.33 mmol), bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)
chloride (0.115 g, 0.16 mmol) and 1,8-diazabicycloundec-7-ene and (DBU; 2.97 ml, 19.72
mmol). The reaction was then purged and evacuated with nitrogen several times before
3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5; 1.04 g, 3.29 mmol) was added. The reaction vessel was sealed and heated to 80 °C
for 1 hour. Upon cooling, the resultant mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate
and water. The combined organic portions were washed with water (x 2) and brine, dried
(MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to give a brown oil. The crude oil was purified by silica
chromatography (eluting with 0-20 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine
as a yellow solid (yield = 30 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.21 - 7.65 (m, 14 H), 6.97 (s, 1 H), 5.70 (s, 2 H), 5.23 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 427/429.
Intermediate 25: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine
[0163]

[0164] A mixture of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1: 3 g, 9.18 mmol), dioxane (32.1 ml) and water (9.64 ml) was degassed and to this
was added mono(bis(di-tert-butyl(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)phosphonio)palladium(IV))
dichloride (0.195 g, 0.275 mmol), cesium carbonate (10.14 g, 31.1 mmol) and 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-phenylethenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
(3 g, 13.04 mmol). The mixture was heated to 80 °C for 6 hours and upon cooling was
partitioned between dichloromethane and water. The organic portion was dried (MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to give an orange oil. The crude oil was purified by
silica chromatography eluting with 0-60 % ethyl acetate in petrol to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine
as a brown oil (yield = 91 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CHCl
3-d) δ 7.54 - 7.66 (m, 2 H), 7.24 - 7.44 (m, 13 H), 6.72 (s, 1H), 6.02 (s, 1H), 5.70
(s, 2H), 5.63 (s, 1H), 5.11 (s, 2H).
MS ES
+ : 395.
Intermediate 26: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazine
[0165]

[0166] To a suspension of sodium hydride (0.487 g, 12.17 mmol, 60% in mineral oil) in DMSO
(33.8 ml) stirring under nitrogen was added trimethyl sulfoxonium iodide (2.68 g,
12.17 mmol) in 4 portions over 20 minutes. A solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 25; 3.2 g, 8.11 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (50.7 ml) was added via a dropping funnel over
90 minutes before the reaction was left to stir at room temperature for 18 hours.
The resulting mixture was concentrated, poured into ice water and extracted with ethyl
acetate (x3). The organics portion was dried (MgSO
4), filtered and concentrated to give a brown oil. The crude oil was purified by silica
chromatography (eluting with 0-50 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazine
as a yellow oil (yield = 23 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CHCl
3-d) δ 7.47 - 7.63 (m, 2 H), 7.22 - 7.46 (m, 11 H), 7.10 - 7.25 (m, 2 H), 6.40 (s,
1 H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 4.97 (s, 2 H), 1.71 - 1.85 (m, 2 H), 1.25 - 1.38 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 409.

Intermediate 27: 4-{2-[5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl]ethynyl}benzonitrile
[0167]

[0168] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 4-iodobenzonitrile in 73 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.67 - 7.81 (m, 4 H), 7.32 - 7.65 (m, 10 H), 7.08 (s, 1 H), 5.68 (s, 2 H) and
5.23 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 418.
Intermediate 28: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-ethynyl]pyridazine
[0169]

[0170] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 2-fluoro-4-iodo-1-methylbenzene in 67 % yield.
Intermediate 29: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-ethynyl]pyridazine
[0171]

[0172] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-fluoro-4-iodo-2-methylbenzene in 67 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.29 - 7.58 (m, 12 H), 6.99 - 7.08 (m, 2 H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 5.17 (s, 2 H) and
2.29 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 425.
Intermediate 30: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0173]

[0174] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 4-iodo-1,2-dimethoxybenzene in 17 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.52 - 7.61 (m, 2 H), 7.33 - 7.47 (m, 8 H), 7.18 - 7.26 (m, 1 H), 7.09 - 7.15
(m, 1 H), 6.97 (s, 1 H), 6.87 (m, 1 H), 5.69 (s, 2 H), 5.22 (s, 2 H) and 3.89 - 3.96
(m, 6 H).
MS ES
+: 453.
Intermediate 31: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
[0175]

[0176] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 3 -bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine in 31 % yield.
MS ES
+: 462.
Intermediate 32: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(2-chloro-6-fluoroph enyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0177]

[0178] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-chloro-3-fluoro-2-iodobenzene.
MS ES
+: 445.
Intermediate 33: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0179]

[0180] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 2-bromo-1,3-difluorobenzene.
MS ES
+; 429.
Intermediate 34: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0181]

[0182] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-chloro-4-iodobenzene in 70% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.22 - 7.75 (m, 15 H), 5.45 - 5.68 (m, 2 H) and 5.30 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 427.
Intermediate 35: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0183]

[0184] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-chloro-2-iodobenzene in 59% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.72 - 7.81 (m, 1 H), 7.61 - 7.68 (m, 1 H), 7.29 - 7.58 (m, 13 H), 5.58 (s, 2
H) and 5.32 (s, 2H).
MS ES
+: 427 and 429.
Intermediate 36: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-ethynyl} pyridazine
[0185]

[0186] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-(difluoromethoxy)-4-iodobenzene in 58 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.60 - 7.69 (m, 2 H), 7.49 - 7.55 (m, 2 H), 7.32 - 7.48 (m, 8 H), 7.12 - 7.20
(m, 2 H), 7.03 (s, 1 H), 6.39 - 6.81 (m, 1 H), 5.63 (s, 2 H) and 5.14 - 5.22 (m, 2
H).
MS ES
+: 459.
Intermediate 37: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0187]

[0188] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-iodo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene.
MS ES
+: 477.
Intermediate 38: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0189]

[0190] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 6) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-(difluoromethoxy)-3-iodobenzene in 87% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.29 - 7.56 (m, 13 H), 7.14 - 7.23 (m, 1 H), 6.39 - 6.79 (m, 1 H), 5.63 (s, 2
H) and 5.19 (s, 2H).
MS ES
+: 459.

Intermediate 39: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0191]

[0192] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene in 37 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.25 - 7.79 (m, 15 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H) and 5.25 - 5.34 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 477.
Intermediate 40: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0193]

[0194] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-ethynyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene in quantitative yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.86 - 7.94 (m, 2 H), 7.76 - 7.83 (m, 1 H), 7.67 - 7.74 (m, 1 H), 7.28 - 7.54
(m, 11 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H) and 5.30 - 5.37 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 461.

Intermediate 41: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethenyl]pyridazine
[0195]

[0196] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 25) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 2-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane in 92
% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.54 - 7.64 (m, 2 H), 7.18 - 7.46 (m, 10 H), 6.94 - 7.07 (m, 2 H), 6.71 (s, 1
H), 5.95 (s, 1 H), 5.70 (s, 2 H), 5.59 (s, 1 H) and 5.14 (s, 2 H)
MS ES
+ : 413.
Intermediate 42: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopropyl]pyridazine
[0197]

[0198] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 26) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 41) in 16 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.48 - 7.60 (m, 2 H), 7.14 - 7.45 (m, 10 H), 6.95 - 7.07 (m, 2 H), 6.33 (s, 1
H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 5.01 (s, 2 H), 1.73 - 1.82 (m, 2 H) and 1.22 - 1.34 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 427.
Intermediate 43: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl}pyridazine
[0199]

[0200] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 25) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(l-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethenyl)-1 ,3,2-dioxaborolane
in 45 % yield.
MS ES
+: 463.
[0201] 4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-2-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
was prepared as follows:
A flask was charged with (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)copper(II)
chloride (0.675 g, 1.38 mmol), sodium tert-butoxide (0.133 g, 1.38 mmol) and THF (100 ml) and stirred under nitrogen for 10
minutes. Bis(pinacolato)diborane (7.72 g, 30.4 mmol) was added to the solution and
the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled
to -78°C and a solution of 1-ethynyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (4.7 g, 27.6 mmol)
in THF (20 ml) and MeOH (1.23 ml, 30.4 mmol) were added via syringe. The flask was
then stirred at -40°C (Acetonitrile/CO2 bath) overnight. Reaction was at room temperature in the morning. The reaction was
cooled to -78°C and then filtered through a pad of silica and diatomaceous earth (sold
under the trade mark "Celite") to give a brown solution which was concentrated and
the residue was purified by silica chromatography eluting with 0-5% Et2O/Petrol to yield 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
(2.15g, 26%)
1H NMR (400 MHz, Chloroform-d) δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.63 - 7.70 (m, 1H), 7.48 - 7.53 (m,
1H), 7.40 - 7.47 (m, 1H), 6.09 - 6.20 (m, 2H), 1.34 (s, 12H)
Intermediate 44: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine
[0202]

[0203] A microwave vial was charged with 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (5g, 15.30 mmol), (
E)-4-(trifluoromethyl)styrylboronic acid (4.96 g, 22.95 mmol), potassium carbonate
(7.40 g, 53.6 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenyl phosphine)palladium(0) (0.530 g, 0.459
mmol). The reaction was evacuated and purged with nitrogen before dioxane (3.40 ml)
was added and the whole was heated under vacuum. Water (1.7 ml) was then added and
the reaction mixture heated at 120 °C under microwave irradiation for 1 hour. The
reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and then brine
and the combined organics were dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo to give the desired compound as an orange solid (5.6g, 79%).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.85 - 7.94 (m, 2 H), 7.65 - 7.82 (m, 4 H), 7.28 - 7.55 (m, 11 H), 5.57 (s, 2
H) and 5.33 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 463.

Intermediate 45: 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazin-3-amine
[0204]

[0205] 3,4-Bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.1 mmol), [1,1'-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II) dichloride
(0.100 g, 0.15 mmol) and sodium tert-butoxide (0.59 g, 6.1 mmol) were added to dioxane
(10.2 ml). The resulting mixture was purged with nitrogen before 4-fluorobenzylamine
(78 mg, 6.1 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated at 120 °C for 1 hour under microwave
irradiation. Upon cooling the crude mixture was quenched with water and extracted
with ethyl acetate before the organic extracts were dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with 0-100 %
ethyl acetate / petrol to yield the title compound.
MS ES
+; 416.
Intermediate 46: 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine
[0206]

[0207] Prepared as described for 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazin-3-amine
(
Intermediate 45) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-cyclopropyl-N-methylmethanamine in 17% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.25 - 7.53 (m, 10 H), 6.29 (s, 1 H), 5.45 (s, 2 H), 5.15 (s, 2 H), 3.28 - 3.37
(m, 2 H), 3.07 (s, 3 H), 0.91 - 1.03 (m, 1 H), 0.41 - 0.53 (m, 2 H) and 0.14 - 0.27
(m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 376.
Intermediate 47: 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)-N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine
[0208]

[0209] Prepared as described for 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazin-3-amine
(
Intermediate 45) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 1-cyclohexyl-N-methylmethanamine in 26% yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.27 - 7.50 (m, 10 H), 6.17 (s, 1 H), 5.43 (s, 2 H), 5.15 (s, 2 H), 3.14 - 3.20
(m, 2 H), 3.01 (s, 3 H) and 1.07 - 1.76 (m, 11 H).
MS ES
+: 418.

'Hal' denotes halogen; Ar denotes an aromatic moiety
Intermediate 48: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0210]

[0211] To a stirred solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.1 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (12.2 ml) was added tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)
(0.18 g, 0.153 mmol) and (3-chlorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride (9.2 ml of a 0.5 M solution
in tetrahydrofuran, 4.6 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 60 °C for 17 hours and
then partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic extracts were washed
with water and brine and then dried, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil.
The oil was purified using 0-70% ethyl acetate in petrol to afford the title compound
(310 mg, 23 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.47 - 7.55 (m, 2 H), 7.29 - 7.44 (m, 8 H), 7.19 - 7.28 (m, 3 H), 7.09 - 7.17
(m, 1 H), 6.57 - 6.63 (m, 1 H), 5.57 (s, 2 H), 5.04 - 5.12 (m, 2 H) and 4.09 - 4.15
(m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 417.
Intermediate 49: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0212]

[0213] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 48) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (Intermediate 1) and (4-chlorobenzyl)zinc(II)
chloride in 95 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.47 - 7.55 (m, 2 H), 7.23 - 7.43 (m, 10 H), 7.12 - 7.19 (m, 2 H), 6.56 (s, 1
H), 5.56 (s, 2 H), 5.04 - 5.10 (m, 2 H) and 4.02 - 4.16 (m, 2 H). MS ES
+: 417.
Intermediate 50: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(cyclohexylmethyl)pyridazine
[0214]

[0215] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.06 mmol) and bis(tri-tert-butylphosphine)palladium (0.063 g, 0.122 mmol)
in
N-methylpyrrolidine (30.0 ml) under nitrogen was added (cyclohexylmethyl)zinc(II) bromide
(0.5 M in tetrahydrofuran) (12.24 ml, 6.12 mmol) and the resulting brown mixture was
stirred at room temperature overnight and then heated at 100 °C for 2 hours. The reaction
mixture was then allowed to cool, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated
aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution
and brine. The organics were dried (MgSO
4), filtered and solvent
removed in vacuo to give a brown oil. The oil was purified by silica chromatography (eluting with
0-30 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield the title compound (540 mg, 1.39 mmol, 45
% yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.50 - 7.61 (m, 2 H), 7.30 - 7.45 (m, 8 H), 6.56 (s, 1 H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 5.20
(s, 2 H), 2.61 - 2.69 (m, 2 H), 1.53 - 1.76 (m, 7 H), 1.10 - 1.23 (m, 2 H) and 0.84
- 1.04 (m, 2H).
MS ES
+: 389.
Intermediate 51: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0216]

[0217] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.06 mmol), dicyclohexyl(2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-yl)phosphine (0.117
g, 0.245 mmol) and palladium (II) acetate (0.027 g, 0.122 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran
(6.12 ml) under nitrogen was added (4-fluorobenzyl)zinc(II) bromide (9.18 ml, 4.59
mmol) and the resulting red/brown mixture was heated at 65 °C for 24 hours. The reaction
mixture was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium
bicarbonate solution, saturated ammonium chloride solution and brine. The organics
were dried (MgSO
4), filtered and solvent
removed in vacuo to give a brown oil. The oil was purified by silica chromatography (eluting with
0-100 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to yield the title compound (663 mg, 1.61 mmol, 97
% yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.49 - 7.60 (m, 2 H), 7.23 - 7.44 (m, 8 H), 7.11 - 7.20 (m, 2 H), 6.92 - 7.02
(m, 2 H), 6.48 (s, 1 H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 5.08 (s, 2 H) and 4.07 - 4.20 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 401.
Intermediate 52: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0218]

[0219] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 23 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.45 - 7.58 (m, 2 H), 7.12 - 7.43 (m, 10 H), 6.96 - 7.08 (m, 1 H), 6.60 (s, 1
H), 5.61 (s, 2 H), 5.12 (s, 2 H) and 4.34 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 435.
Intermediate 53: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0220]

[0221] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (2-chlorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 38 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl
3) δ 7.48 - 7.62 (m, 2 H), 7.15 - 7.45 (m, 12 H), 6.62 (s, 1 H), 5.62 (s, 2 H), 5.11
(s, 2 H) and 4.29 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 417.
Intermediate 54: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(3-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0222]

[0223] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (3-fluorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 32 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 6.99 - 7.55 (m, 15 H), 5.43 - 5.58 (m, 2 H), 5.18 - 5.31 (m, 2 H) and 4.08 - 4.17
(m, 2H)
MS ES
+: 401.
Intermediate 55: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(2-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0224]

[0225] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (2-fluorobenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 77 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.23 - 7.51 (m, 12 H), 7.09 - 7.23 (m, 3 H), 5.48 (s, 2 H), 5.14 - 5.29 (m, 2
H) and 4.13 (s, 2H).
MS ES
+: 401.
Intermediate 56: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0226]

[0227] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (4-methylbenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 45 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.05 - 7.50 (m, 15 H), 5.48 (s, 2 H), 5.18 (s, 2 H), 3.99 - 4.07 (m, 2 H) and
2.23 - 2.28 (m, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 397.
Intermediate 57: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(3-methylphenyl)methyl]pyridazine
[0228]

[0229] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (3-methylbenzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 66 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.00 - 7.50 (m, 15 H), 5.31 - 5.62 (m, 2 H), 5.11 - 5.25 (m, 2 H), 3.97 - 4.14
(m, 2 H) and 2.21 - 2.29 (m, 3H).
MS ES
+ : 397.
Intermediate 58: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}pyridazine
[0230]

[0231] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 51) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and (3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)zinc(II) chloride in 33 % yield.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ ppm 7.47 - 7.54 (m, 4 H), 7.42 - 7.46 (m, 2 H), 7.29 - 7.42 (m, 8 H), 6.61 (s,
1 H), 5.56 (s, 2 H), 5.09 (s, 2 H) and 4.24 (br s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 451.
Intermediate 58a: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methyl}pyridazine
[0232]

[0233] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) (1 g, 3.06 mmol)dicyclohexyl(2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-yl)phosphine (0.143
g, 0.3 mmol) and palladium (II) acetate (0.034 g, 0.15 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10
ml) under nitrogen was added the supernatant zinc reagent [generated from the addition
of 1-(chloromethyl)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (3 g, 11.43 mmol) to a suspension
of magnesium (0.694 g, 28.6 mmol) in lithium chloride (28.6 ml, 14.28 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran
(1M) and zinc(II) chloride (12.57 ml, 12.57 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran, warmed to 30
°C to initiate and stirred for one hour to complete] and the resulting red/brown mixture
was heated at 65 °C for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with ethyl
acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, saturated aqueous
ammonium chloride solution and brine. The organics were dried (MgSO
4), filtered and solvent removed
in vacuo to give a brown oil. The oil was purified by silica chromatography eluting with 0-40
% ethyl acetate in petrol to yield the title compound (520mg 33 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.93 - 8.10 (m, 3 H), 7.23 - 7.53 (m, 11), 5.49 (s, 2 H), 5.23 (s, 2 H) and 4.34
(s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 519.

Intermediate 59: 4-{2-[5,6-his(Benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl]ethynyl}oxan-4-ol
[0234]

[0235] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5; 3.0 g, 9.49 mmol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (24 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere
and the resulting solution was cooled to -78 °C.
n-Butyl lithium (23 % solution in hexane; 7.92 ml, 28.48 mmol, 3.0 eq) was added slowly
at -78 °C and the resulting mixture was allowed to stir for 30 minutes. Dihydro-2H-pyran-4(3H)-one
(1.0 g, 10.44 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) was added slowly to reaction mass and the whole was
allowed to warm to room temperature. The crude mixture was then poured into a saturated
solution of aqueous ammonium chloride (300 ml) and product was extracted into ethyl
acetate (100 ml × 2). The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (eluting with
0-30 % ethyl acetate in hexane) to yield the desired material (2.0 g, 501 % yield).

Intermediate 60: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)ethynyl]pyridazine
[0236] 4-{2-[5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl]ethynyl}oxan-4-ol (
Intermediate 59; 2.0 g, 4.8 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml). Triethylamine (2.94 g,
28.82 mmol, 6.0 equiv.) was added to the clear solution followed by the addition of
methanesulfonyl chloride (1.64 g, 14.42 mmol, 3.0 equiv.) at room temperature. The
reaction mixture was stirred for an hour at room temperature before the reaction mass
was poured into water (200 ml) and product was extracted into ethyl acetate (100 ml
× 2). The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo to get the crude title compound (1.0 g, 52 % yield) which was used as such for the
next step without further purification.

Intermediate 61: 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine
[0237] 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazin-3-amine (
Intermediate 45; 0.7 g, 1.68 mmol) was dissolved in
N,
N-dimethylformamide (8 ml) and the solution was cooled to 0 °C before sodium hydride
(60% by weight in paraffin; 0.101 g, 2.53 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) was added under nitrogen
atmosphere. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm at room temperature for approximately
30 minutes and iodomethane (1.189 g, 8.43 mmol, 5 equiv.) was added. The reaction
was allowed to stir at room temperature for one hour before being poured into water
(100 ml) and the organic materials were extracted into ethyl acetate (50 ml × 2).
The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude compound was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, eluting with
0-50 % ethyl acetate in hexane) to yield 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine
(0.51 g, 64 % yield).

Intermediate 62: Ethyl 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carboxylate
[0238]

[0239] 3,4-Bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1; 5.0 g, 15.33 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (75 ml) at room temperature. Sodium
acetate (2.52 g, 30.67 mmol) was added and the resulting suspension was purged with
nitrogen for 10 minutes. [1,1'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)
dichloromethane complex (0.877 g, 1.073 mmol) was added and reaction was flushed with
carbon monoxide gas. Further carbon monoxide was bubbled into the reaction for 15
minutes at room temperature and then the whole was stirred at 90 °C with carbon monoxide
bubbling for 2 hours. Upon completion, the reaction mass was poured into water (50
ml) followed by brine (100 ml) and product was extracted into ethyl acetate (3 x 100
ml). The combined organic layers were separated, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude product was purified on column chromatography (silica, 0-20 % ethyl acetate
in hexane) to afford 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carboxylate (3.8 g, 68 % yield).
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 7.28 - 7.58 (m, 11 H), 5.73 (s, 2 H), 5.26 (s, 2 H), 4.46 - 4.52 (q, 2 H) and
1.44-1.48 (t, 3 H).
Intermediate 63: 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carbaldehyde
[0240]

[0241] Ethyl 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carboxylate (
Intermediate 62; 3.8 g, 10.43 mmol) was dissolved in THF (95 ml) and cooled to 0-5 °C under nitrogen
atmosphere. A solution of di-isobutyl-aluminium hydride in THF (1 M, 21 ml, 20.8 mmol)
was added at 0-5 °C and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours.
Upon completion the reaction was quenched by the addition of ethyl acetate and then
saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The resulting mass was filtered and
extracted into ethyl acetate (3 x 50 ml) and the combined organics were washed with
brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting with dichloromethane)
to afford 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carbaldehyde (2.9 g, 87 % yield).
Intermediate 64: (5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl)(cyclopropyl)methanol
[0242]

[0243] 5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazine-3-carbaldehyde (
Intermediate 63; 0.5 g, 1.562 mmol) was dissolved into THF (10 ml) and cooled to 0-5 °C under a nitrogen
atmosphere. A solution of cyclopropyl magnesium bromide in THF (0.5 M, 4.7 ml, 2.34
mmol) was added at 0-5 °C and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for
4 hours. Upon completion, the reaction was quenched by addition of ethyl acetate and
saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted into ethyl acetate (2 x
50 ml). The combined organics were separated and washed with brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude compound was purified by column chromatography (silica, 0-2 % methanol
in dichloromethane) to afford (5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl)(cyclopropyl)methanol
(0.35 g, 61.9 % yield).
MS ES
+: 363.
Intermediate 65: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopropylidenemethyl)pyridazine
[0244]

[0245] (5,6-bis(Benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl)(cyclopropyl)methanol (
Intermediate 64, 0.34 g, 0.94 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (10.2 ml) and cooled at 0-5
°C under nitrogen atmosphere. Triethylamine (0.474 g, 4.70 mmol) and methanesulfonylchloride
(0.162 g, 1.401 mmol) were added to the reaction and it was allowed to stir at room
temperature for 3 hours. Upon completion the reaction was quenched by pouring into
saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (25 ml) and the product was extracted
into ethyl acetate (2 x 50 ml). The combined organics were separated, washed with
brine, dried (Na
2SO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The crude compound was purified by column chromatography (silica, 0-10 % ethyl acetate
in n-hexane) to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopropylidenemethyl)pyridazine (0.18
g, 56 % yield).
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.28 - 7.57 (m, 10 H), 6.67 (s, 1 H), 6.23 (s, 1 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H), 5.14 - 5.19
(m, 2 H) and 1.90 - 2.05 (m, 4 H).
MS ES
+: 345.
Intermediate 66: 4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-2-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl}-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
[0246]

[0247] A mixture of (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)copper(II)
chloride (0.718 g, 1.469 mmol), sodium
tert-butoxide (0.141 g, 1.469 mmol) and THF (106 ml) was allowed to stir under nitrogen
for 10 minutes. 4,4,4',4',5,5,5',5'-Octamethyl-2,2'-bi(1,3,2-dioxaborolane) (8.21
g, 32.3 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature.
The mixture was cooled to -78 °C and a solution of 1-ethynyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene
(5 g, 29.4 mmol) in THF (21.30 ml) and methanol (1.308 ml, 32.3 mmol) was added via
syringe. The whole mixture was then stirred at -40 °C with slow warming to 20 °C overnight.
The resulting mixture was filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth to give a brown
solution which was concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting with 0-6 % diethyl
ether in petrol). The combined fractions were subjected to further purification by
column chromatography (silica, eluting with 0-50 % dichloromethane in petrol) to afford
4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl}-1,3,2-dioxaborolane as
a yellow solid (2.82 g, 32 %).
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 7.67 - 7.72 (m, 2 H) 7.61 - 7.66 (m, 2 H) 6.21 (m, 1 H) 6.11 (m, 1 H) and 1.28
(s, 12 H).
Intermediate 67: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl}-pyridazine
[0248]

[0249] Prepared according to the method for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 25) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1) and 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-{ 1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]ethenyl}-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
(
Intermediate 66) in 48 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 7.72 (m, 2 H), 7.30 - 7.50 (m, 13 H), 6.02 (s, 1 H), 5.87 (s, 1 H), 5.55 (s, 2
H) and 5.31 (s, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 463.
Intermediate 68: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-cyclopropyl}pyridazine
[0250]

[0251] Prepared according to the method for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 26) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethenyl}-pyridazine (
Intermediate 67) in 38 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 7.65 (m, 2 H) 7.29 - 7.48 (m, 12 H) 6.90 (s, 1 H) 5.50 (s, 2 H) 5.19 (s, 2 H)
1.54 - 1.59 (m, 2 H) and 1.34 - 1.38 (m, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 477.
Intermediate 69: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0252]

[0253] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethynyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 74) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-bromo-2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene in 75 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 8.11 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (m, 1 H), 7.84 (m, 1 H), 7.62 (s, 1 H), 7.32 - 7.52 (m, 10
H), 5.60 (s, 2 H) and 5.33 (s, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 495.
Intermediate 70: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0254]

[0255] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethynyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 74) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5) and 1-bromo-2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene in 16 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 7.90 - 8.00 (m, 2 H), 7.72 (m, 1 H), 7.64 (s, 1 H) 7.30 - 7.53 (m, 10 H), 5.60
(s, 2 H) and 5.33 (s, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 479.
Intermediate 71: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine
[0256]

[0257] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 25) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (Intermediate 1) and 2-[(E)-2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane
in 77 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 8.38 (s, 2 H), 8.04 (s, 1 H), 7.82 - 7.89 (m, 1 H), 7.67 - 7.76 (m, 2 H), 7.31
- 7.54 (m, 10 H), 5.58 (s, 2 H) and 5.32 (s, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 531.
Intermediate 72: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl] pyridazine
[0258]

[0259] Prepared from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine (
Intermediate 78) according to the procedure used to synthesise 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(
E)-2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 76) in 36 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 8.27 (m, 1 H), 8.14 (m, 1 H), 8.08 (s, 1 H), 7.87 (m, 1 H), 7.59 (s, 1 H), 7.47
- 7.55 (m, 5 H), 7.32 - 7.46 (m, 6 H), 5.59 (s, 2 H) and 5.35 (s, 2 H).
Intermediate 73: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl] pyridazine
[0260]

[0261] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine (
Intermediate 78: 0.578 g, 1.816 mmol), cesium carbonate (0.887 g, 2.72 mmol), dichloropalladiumtricyclohexylphosphane
(1:2) (0.067 g, 0.091 mmol) and 4-chloro-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (0.542 g,
2.179 mmol) were combined. The reaction vessel was evacuated and purged with nitrogen
before toluene (6.05 ml) was added under vacuum and the whole was stirred under nitrogen
and heated to 140 °C for 11 hours. Upon quenching with saturated aqueous ammonium
chloride, the resulting mixture was diluted with dichloromethane, passed through a
phase separator and concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography eluting (silica, 0-50 % ethyl
acetate in petrol) to yield crude 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]-pyridazine
which was used directly in the next step without further purification.
MS: ES
+: 531.
Intermediate 74: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethynyl)pyridazine
[0262]

[0263] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethynylpyridazine (
Intermediate 5; 3.0 g, 9.48 mmol), copper(I) iodide (0.181 g, 0.948 mmol) and bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)
dichloride (0.333 g, 0.474 mmol) were combined. The reaction vessel was purged with
nitrogen, followed by the addition of 4-bromo-2-methyl-1-(trifluoromethyl)benzene
(2.493 g, 10.43 mmol), 1,8-diazabicycloundec-7-ene (8.66 g, 56.9 mmol) and tetrahydrofuran
(32 ml) before the resulting mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature overnight.
The reaction was quenched with brine and extracted into ethyl acetate (x 2) and the
combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo to afford a dark brown gum. The gum was purified by column chromatography (silica,
0-50 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethynyl)pyridazine
as a dark brown oil (1.22 g, 27 %).
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.49 - 7.67 (m, 3 H), 7.33 - 7.46 (m, 10 H), 7.06 (s, 1 H), 5.64 (s, 2 H), 5.20
(s, 2 H) and 2.50 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 475.
Intermediate 75: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
[0264]

[0265] Prepared as described for 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 74) using 4-bromo-2-chloro-1-(trifluoro-methyl)benzene in 98 % yield.
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.80 (s, 1 H), 7.71 - 7.76 (m, 1 H), 7.62 - 7.69 (m, 1 H), 7.52 (d, 1 H), 7.32
- 7.46 (m, 9 H), 7.08 (s, 1 H), 5.64 (s, 2 H) and 5.22 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 495.
Intermediate 76: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine
[0266]

[0267] 1-Bromo-2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (1.144 g, 4.79 mmol), 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine
(Intermediate 78; 1.27 g, 3.99 mmol), palladium(II) acetate (0.045 g, 0.199 mmol),
triethylamine (10.56 ml, 76 mmol), tri-o-tolylphosphine (0.243 g, 0.798 mmol) and
acetonitrile (8 ml) were combined. The reaction mixture was subjected to microwave
irradiation at 120 °C for 30 minutes before being quenched with water and extracted
into ethyl acetate. The combined organics were washed with brine, dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo to afford an orange gum. This was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting
with 0-30 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(
E)-2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine as a white solid (1.04
g, 55 %).
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.78 (d, 1 H), 7.71 (d, 1 H), 7.26 - 7.57 (m, 13 H), 7.09 (br. s., 1 H), 5.62
(s, 2 H), 5.28 (s, 2 H) and 2.52 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 477.
Intermediate 77: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,5-difluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine
[0268]

[0269] A mixture of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine (
Intermediate 78; 1.09 g, 3.42 mmol), tri-o-tolylphosphine (0.208 g, 0.685 mmol), palladium(II) acetate
(0.038 g, 0.171 mmol), 5-bromo-1,3-difluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (1.07 g, 4.11
mmol), triethylamine (9.07 ml, 65.1 mmol) and acetonitrile (10 ml) was subjected to
microwave irradiation at 120 °C for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through
diatomaceous earth to remove the insoluble white precipitate and the filtrate partitioned
between ethyl acetate and brine. The organics were dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo before the crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting with
0-30 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to afford, 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,5-difluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine,
the title compound as a yellow solid (1.21 g, 71%).
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ 7.56 (d, 2 H), 7.34 - 7.52 (m, 10 H), 7.27 (d, 2 H), 7.09 (s, 1 H), 5.67 (s, 2
H) and 5.28 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 499.
Intermediate 78: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine
[0270]

[0271] A vessel containing 2,4,6-triethenyl-1,3,5,2,4,6-trioxatriborinane compound with
pyridine (1:1) (1.105 g, 4.59 mmol), 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-chloropyridazine (
Intermediate 1, 3 g, 9.18 mmol) and potassium carbonate (3.17 g, 22.95 mmol) was evacuated and flushed
with nitrogen. Dioxane (30 ml) and water (3 ml) were added
in vacuo and the reaction was degassed before tetrakis(triphenyl-phosphine)palladium(0) (0.530
g, 0.459 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was then heated at 80 °C for 18 hours
and upon cooling, was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous
sodium carbonate solution. The organics were dried (MgSO
4), filtered and solvent removed
in vacuo to give a brown oil. This was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting
with 0-30 % ethyl acetate in petrol) to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine
(1.1g, 38 % yield).
1H NMR (CDCl
3) δ 7.51 - 7.65 (m, 2 H), 7.29 - 7.49 (m, 8 H), 6.82 - 6.98 (m, 2 H), 5.89 - 6.03
(m, 1 H), 5.67 (s, 2 H), 5.45 - 5.59 (m, 1 H) and 5.24 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 319.
Intermediate 79: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine
[0272]

[0273] A vessel containing 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-ethenylpyridazine (
Intermediate 78, 1.09 g, 3.42 mmol), tris-(2-methylphenyl)phosphane (0.208 g, 0.685 mmol), 2-fluoro-4-iodo-1-(trifluoromethyl)benzene
(1.191 g, 4.11 mmol) and palladium(II) acetate (0.038 g, 0.171 mmol) was evacuated
and acetonitrile (10 ml) and triethylamine (9.07 ml, 65.1 mmol) were added
in vacuo and then the mixture was flushed with nitrogen. The reaction was then heated in the
microwave at 80 °C for 4 hours and, upon cooling, was diluted with dichloromethane
and washed with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The organics were dried
(MgSO
4), filtered and solvent removed
in vacuo to give a brown oil which was purified by column chromatography (silica, eluting
with 30-100 % dichloromethane in petrol) to yield 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluorometbyi)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine
(1.1 g, 2.29 mmol, 67 % yield).
1H NMR (CDCl
3) δ 7.53 - 7.68 (m, 3 H), 7.31 - 7.53 (m, 12 H), 6.97 (s, 1 H), 5.71 (s, 2 H) and
5.28 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 481.
2. Examples
[0274]

Example 1: 4-Hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0275]

[0276] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 2; 320 mg, 0.815 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol and palladium on carbon (87 mgs, 0.815
mmol) was added before the mixture was purged and subjected to hydrogen gas. The reaction
was then filtered and evaporated and the residue was purified on silica using 0-10
% methanol in dichloromethane to yield a red solid. This was triturated with ethanol
to give the crude title compound as a white solid and the mother liquors were evaporated
and dissolved in a minimum amount of dimethyl sulfoxide and purified by C
18 reverse phase silica chromatography to yield 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(31 mg, 0.14 mmol, 17.6 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.80 (s, br, 1 H), 10.7 (s, br, 1 H), 7.15 - 7.30 (m, 6 H), 2.85 - 2.95 (m, 2
H) and 2.76 - 2.83 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 217.
Example 2: 6-[2-(4-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0277]

[0278] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 3).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 7.22-7.28 (m, 2 H), 7.05-7.13 (m, 2 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.85 - 2.94 (m, 2 H) and
2.73-2.79 (m, 2H)
MS ES
+: 236.
Example 3: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0279]

[0280] 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 6; 460 mg, 0.997 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol and palladium on carbon was added before
the mixture was purged and subjected to hydrogen gas. On completion of the reaction
the solvent was removed
in vacuo to yield a residue which was purified by reverse phase chromatography using 5-90
% acetonitrile in acidic water (0.05 % trifluoroacetic acid) to give, after recrystallisation
from an ethanol-heptane mixture, 4-hydroxy-6-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(136 mg, 0.48 mmol, 48 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.66 (br s, 1 H), 10.72 (br s, 1 H), 8.89 (s, 1 H), 8.11 (s, 1 H), 7.54 (s, 1
H), 6.62 (s, 1 H), 3.13 - 3.19 (m, 2 H) and 2.90-2.98 (m, 2 H)
MS ES
+: 286.

Example 4: 6-[(4-Chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0281]

[0282] To a solution of 6-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-3,4-bis[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 8; 527 mg, 1.04 mmol) in methanol (5177 µl) was added a solution of hydrogen chloride
in dioxane (4.0 M, 5177 µl, 20.71 mmol) and the reaction was allowed to stir at room
temperature for 72 hours. The resulting mixture was concentrated
in vacuo to afford a yellow solid which was recrystallised from ethanol to afford 6-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
as white crystals (153 mg, 56.9 mmol, 55 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.99 (s, br, 1 H), 10.6 (s, br, 1 H), 7.35 - 7.46 (m, 4 H), 6.53 (s, 1 H) and
4.24 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 269.
Example 5: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0283]

[0284] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 9) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1). The resulting crude product was purified by preparative HPLC under acidic conditions
to afford 4-hydroxy-6-{2-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
as a cream solid (26 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.68 (br s, 1 H), 10.80 (s, br, 1 H), 8.64 (s, 1 H), 7.92 - 7.98 (m, 1 H), 7.80
- 7.88 (m, 1 H), 6.61 (s, 1 H), 2.98 - 3.08 (m, 2 H) and 2.80 - 2.88 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 286.
Example 6: 6-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0285]

[0286] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 10) except that the reaction was carried out in methanol. The resulting crude product
was recrystallised from a mixture of ethanol and heptane to afford 6-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
as cream crystals (yield = 63 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.67 (br s, 1 H), 10.71 (br s, 1 H), 7.25 - 7.38 (s, 1 H), 6.95 - 7.15 (m, 3
H), 6.61 (s, 1 H), 2.88 - 2.95 (m, 2 H) and 2.73 - 2.81 (m, 2.H).
MS ES
+: 235.
Example 7: 6-[2-(2-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0287]

[0288] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(2-fluorophenyl)ethynyllpyridazine (
Intermediate 11).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.69 (br s, 1 H), 10.77 (br s, 1 H), 7.21-7.35 (m, 2 H), 7.08-7.21 (m, 2 H),
6.60 (s, 1 H), 2.85 - 2.95 (m, 2 H) and 2.72-2.79 (m, 2H)
MS ES
+: 235.
Example 8: 6-[2-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0289]

[0290] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3,5-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 12). The crude material was purified by reverse phase column chromatography (10 g C18)
cartridge eluting with 0-100 % methanol and water with acidic modifier to afford a
pale orange oil solid. This was recrystallised from a mixture of ethanol and heptane
to give a peach coloured solid (yield = 29 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.69 (br s, 1 H), 10.74 (br s, 1 H), 6.95 - 7.05 (m, 3 H), 6.60 (s, 1 H), 2.88
- 2.95 (m, 2 H) and 2.74 - 2.81 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 253.
Example 9: 6-[2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0291]

[0292] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 13). The crude material was purified by reverse phase chromatography, eluting with 5-100
% acetonitrile in water with a 0.05 % formic acid modifier in the water.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.6 (s, br, 1 H), 10.8 (s, br, 1 H), 7.24 - 7.38 (m, 2 H), 7.02 - 7.09 (m, 1
H), 6.64 (s, 1 H), 2.84 - 2.92 (m, 2 H) and 2.72 - 2.81 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 253.
Example 10: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0293]

[0294] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethynyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 14). The residue was purified by reverse phase column chromatography (30 g C18) cartridge
eluting with 0-100 % methanol in water with acidic modifier and the appropriate fractions
combined and concentrated. The crude product was recrystallised from ethyl acetate
/ heptane to give a white solid (yield = 23 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.67 (br s, 1 H), 10.71 (br s, 1 H), 7.35 - 7.45 (m, 1 H), 7.15 - 7.30 (m, 3
H), 6.51 (s, 1 H), 2.92 - 2.98 (m, 2 H) and 2.74 - 2.84 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 301.
Example 11: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0295]

[0296] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethynyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 15) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran
(2:1). The crude material was purified by reverse phase chromatography, eluting with
5-80 % acetonitrile / water with a 0.05 % formic acid modifier in the water. The crude
product was recrystallised from ethanol / heptane to give a white solid (yield = 27
%).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.7 (s, br, 1 H), 10.7 (s, br, 1 H), 7.59 (s, 1 H), 7.49 - 7.53 (m, 3 H), 6.61
(s, 1 H), 2.95 - 3.01 (m, 2 H) and 2.77 - 2.81 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 285.
Example 12: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0297]

[0298] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 16, 1.5 g) in methanol (10 ml) was added 10 % palladium on carbon (0.04 g) slowly under
nitrogen and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature under
a hydrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was filtered through a "Celite" (trade
mark) diatomaceous earth bed under nitrogen atmosphere and washed with methanol before
the filtrate was concentrated under vacuum to afford crude 3,4-bis (benzyloxy)-6-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)
pyridin-3-yl) ethyl)pyridazine (0.4 g, 0.86 mmol). This was taken up in methanol (10
ml) at room temperature and 10 % palladium on carbon (0.04 g) was added slowly under
nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was then stirred under hydrogen (200 psi) at room
temperature overnight before being filtered through a bed of "Celite" diatomaceous
earth under nitrogen and washed with methanol. The organic layer was concentrated
in vacuo to afford the crude product (0.2 g) which was purified by the preparative HPLC to
afford homogeneous 4-hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(0.03 g, 81.6% yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6): δ 12.72 (s, br, 1 H), 10.81 (s, br, 1 H), 8.80 (s, 1 H), 8.75 (s, 1 H), 8.10 (s,
1 H), 6.63 (s, 1 H), 3.00 - 3.34 (m, 2 H) and 2.81 - 2.85 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 286.
Example 13: 6-(2-Cyclohexylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0299]

[0300] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclohexylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 17) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1). The resulting crude product was purified by preparative HPLC under acidic conditions.
The solid obtained was recrystallised from methyl
tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate to afford 6-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
as a cream solid (11 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.62 (br s, 1 H), 10.68 (br s, 1 H), 6.52 (s, 1 H), 2.39 - 2.48 (m, 2 H), 1.56
- 1.76 (m, 5 H), 1.38 - 1.49 (m, 2 H), 1.05 - 1.27 (m, 4 H), 0.80 - 0.97 (m, 2 H)
MS ES
+: 223.
Example 14: 6-(2-Cyclopropylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0301]

[0302] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopropylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 18) except that the reaction was carried out in ethanol. The resulting crude product
was purified by preparative HPLC under acidic conditions to afford 6-(2-cyclopropylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
as a cream solid (14 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-
d6) δ 6.55 (s, 1 H), 2.55 - 2.63 (m, 2 H), 1.45 - 1.54 (m, 2 H), 0.67 - 0.75 (m, 1 H),
0.38 - 0.42 (m, 2 H) and - 0.04 - 0.06 (m, 2 H)
MS ES
+: 181.
Example 15: 6-(2-Cyclopentylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0303]

[0304] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopentylethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 19) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1). The resulting crude product was purified by preparative HPLC under acidic conditions
to afford 6-(2-cyclopentylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one after recrystallisation
from ethanol and heptane as a white solid (51 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.63 (br s, 1 H), 10.67 (br s, 1 H), 6.54 (s, 1 H), 2.41 - 2.48 (m, 2 H), 1.67
- 1.79 (m, 3 H), 1.41 - 1.63 (m, 6 H), 1.00-1.15 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 209.
Example 16: 4-Hydroxy-6-[2-(4-methoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0305]

[0306] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-methoxycyclohex-1-en-1-yl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 20) except that the reaction was carried out in methanol. The resulting crude product
was purified by preparative HPLC under acidic conditions to afford 4-hydroxy-6-[2-(4-methoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(mixture of isomers) as a white solid (26 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.62 (s, 1 H), 10.66 (br s, 1 H), 6.52-6.55 (m, 1 H), 3.21 and 3.18 (2 singlets,
total 3 H), 2.97 - 3.08 (m, 1 H), 2.40 - 2.47 (m, 2 H), 1.91 - 2.01 (m, 1 H), 1.70
- 1.80 (m, 2 H), 0.84 - 1.51 (m, 8 H)
MS ES
+: 253.
Example 17: 6-[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0307]

[0308] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 21) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of ethanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1). The crude material was purified by reverse phase chromatography (25 g C18)
cartridge eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile / water with acidic modifier and the appropriate
fractions combined to give a yellow solid. This was recrystallised from ethanol to
give a white solid (yield = 26 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.78 (br s, 1 H), 7.24 - 7.40 (m, 1 H), 7.09 - 7.26 (m, 1 H),
6.93 - 7.07 (m, 1 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.82 - 2.97 (m, 2 H), 2.63 - 2.80 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 253.
Example 18: 6-{2-[3-(Difluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0309]

[0310] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-(difluoromethyl)phenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 22) except that the reaction was carried out in a mixture of ethanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1). The crude material was purified by reverse phase chromatography (25 g C18)
cartridge eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile / water with acidic modifier and the appropriate
fractions combined to give a pale orange solid (yield = 32%).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.77 (br s, 1 H), 7.33 - 7.47 (m, 5 H), 6.79 - 7.18 (m, 1 H),
6.61 (s, 1 H), 2.89 - 3.00 (m, 2 H), 2.71 - 2.83 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 267.
Example 19: 6-Benzyl-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0311]

[0312] To a degassed solution of 6-benzyl-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazine (
Intermediate 23: 0.16 g, 0.418 mmol) in methanol (4.18 ml) was added 10 % palladium on carbon (0.045
g, 0.042 mmol). The mixture was degassed, evacuated and filled with hydrogen from
a balloon. After 1 hour the reaction mixture was degassed and filtered through a pad
of "Celite" diatomaceous earth, washing with methanol and concentrated to give a yellow
oil. The crude oil was purified by reverse phase chromatography (25 g C18) cartridge
eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile / water with acidic modifier and the appropriate
fractions combined to give a cream solid (yield = 77 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.72 (br s, 1 H), 10.78 (br s, 1 H), 7.15 - 7.40 (m, 5 H), 6.46 (s, 1 H), 3.79
(s, 2 H).
MS ES
+ : 203.
Example 20: 6-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0313]

[0314] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-chloromethyl)phenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 24) except that the reaction was carried out in ethyl acetate. The crude material was
purified by reverse phase chromatography (50 g C18) cartridge eluting with 5-100 %
acetonitrile / water with acidic modifier and the appropriate fractions combined to
give an orange solid. This was recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give a white solid
(yield = 32 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.72 (br s, 1 H), 7.10 - 7.40 (m, 4 H), 6.60 (s, 1 H), 2.82 -
3.05 (m, 2 H), 2.71 - 2.82 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 251.
Example 21: 4-Hydroxy-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0315]

[0316] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylcyclopropyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 26) except that the reaction was carried out in ethyl acetate. The crude material was
recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give a pink solid (yield = 27 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.74 (br s, 1 H), 7.13 - 7.39 (m, 5 H), 6.32 (s, 1 H), 1.27 -
1.39 (m, 2 H), 1.10 - 1.24 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 229.
Example 22: 4-[2-(5-Hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridazin-3-yl)ethyl]benzonitrile
[0317]

[0318] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 4-{2-[5,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridazin-3-yl]ethynyl)benzonitrile (
Intermediate 27) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up from tetrahydrofuran
and methanol (1:1) and the final compound was recrystallised from tetrahydrofuran.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.59 (br s, 1 H), 10.66 (br s, 1 H), 7.56 - 7.78 (m, 2
H), 7.27 - 7.44 (m, 2 H), 6.52 (s, 1 H), 2.82 - 3.01 (m, 2 H) and 2.56 - 2.82 (m,
2 H).
MS ES
+: 242.
Example 23: 6-[2-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0319]

[0320] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 28) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and
methanol (1:1) and the final product was recrystallised from ethyl acetate.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) d 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.71 (br s, 1 H), 7.09 - 7.24 (m, 1 H), 6.85 - 7.07 (m, 2 H),
6.59 (s, 1 H), 2.80 - 2.93 (m, 2 H), 2.68 - 2.77 (m, 2 H) and 2.18 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 249.
Example 24: 6-[2-(4-Fluoro-3-methylphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0321]

[0322] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 29) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up of ethyl
acetate and methanol (1:1) and the final material was recrystallised from ethyl acetate.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.70 (br s, 1 H), 6.90 - 7.20 (m, 3 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.61 -
2.91 (m, 4 H) and 2.20 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 249.
Example 25: 6-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0323]

[0324] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3.4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 30) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was ethanol and tetrahydrofuran
(1:1) and the final material was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and
heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.66 (br s, 1 H), 10.69 (br s, 1 H), 6.76 - 6.94 (m, 2 H), 6.63 - 6.77 (m, 1
H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 3.59 - 3.82 (m, 6 H) and 2.60 - 2.91 (m, 4 H).
MS ES
+: 277.
Example 26: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0325]

[0326] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 39) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethanol and the final compound
was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.71 (br s, 1 H), 7.36 - 7.45 (m, 1 H), 7.13 - 7.30 (m, 3 H),
6.60 (s, 1 H), 2.88 - 2.99 (m, 2 H) and 2.73 - 2.82 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 301.
Example 27: 6-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0327]

[0328] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((4-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 34) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was tetrahydrofuran and the final
compound was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.66 (s, 1 H), 10.72 (br s, 1 H), 7.14 - 7.44 (m, 4 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.83 -
2.92 (m, 2 H) and 2.69 - 2.79 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 251, 253.
Example 28: 6-[2-(2-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0329]

[0330] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((2-chlorophenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 35) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the final
material was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.73 (br s, 1 H), 7.14 - 7.46 (m, 4 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.91 -
3.05 (m, 2 H) and 2.70 - 2.81 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 251,253.
Example 29: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0331]

[0332] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((2-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 40) except that the final product was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate
and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.66 (br s, 1 H), 10.79 (br s, 1 H), 7.35 - 7.74 (m, 4 H), 6.56 (s, 1 H), 2.97
- 3.11 (m, 2 H) and 2.71 - 2.82 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 285.
Example 30: 6-(4-(Difluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0333]

[0334] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 36) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up of tetrahydrofuran
and methanol and the final material was recrystallised from 2-propanol and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) 5 7.17 - 7.24 (m, 2 H), 7.00 - 7.11 (m, 2 H), 6.55 (s, 1 H), 6.31 - 6.74 (m, 1 H),
2.91 - 3.00 (m, 2 H) and 2.81 - 2.91 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+ 283.
Example 31: 6-(4-(Trifluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0335]

[0336] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 37) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up of tetrahydrofuran
and methanol and the final compound was recrystallised from MTBE and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.70 (s, 1 H), 10.75 (br s, 1 H), 7.21 - 7.41 (m, 4 H), 6.61 (s, 1 H) and 2.67
- 2.99 (m, 4 H).
MS ES
+ 301.
Example 32: 6-(3-(Difluoromethoxy)phenethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0337]

[0338] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)ethynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 38) except that the mixture of solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up
of tetrahydrofuran and methanol and the final compound was recrystallised from a mixture
of ethanol and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.65 (br s, 1 H), 6.92 - 7.43 (m, 6 H), 6.58 (s, 1 H), 2.83 - 2.97 (m, 2 H) and
2.70 - 2.84 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+ 283.
Example 33: 6-[1-(4-Fluorophenl)cyclopropyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0339]

[0340] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopropyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 42) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and MTBE.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.77 (br s, 1 H), 7.26 - 7.42 (m, 2 H), 7.01 - 7.26 (m, 2 H),
6.32 (s, 1 H), 1.28 - 1.39 (m, 2 H) and 1.09 - 1.22 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 247.
Example 34: 6-[1-(4-Fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0341]

[0342] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 41) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation consisted of ethyl acetate
and tetrahydrofuran and the product was recrystallised from a mixture of heptane and
MTBE.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.75 (s, 1 H), 10.74 (br s, 1 H), 7.24 - 7.35 (m, 2 H), 7.00 - 7.19 (m, 2 H),
6.43 (s, 1 H), 3.85 - 4.13 (m, 1 H) and 1.38 - 1.55 (m, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 235.
Example 35: 4-Hydroxy-6-{1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0343]

[0344] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(3-methylbut-1-ynyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 43) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up of ethyl
acetate and tetrahydrofuran and the product was recrystallised from heptane and MTBE.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.79 (s, 1H), 10.80 (br. s., 1H), 7.47 - 7.66 (m, 4H),
6.51 (s, 1H), 4.02 - 4.25 (m, 1H), 1.41 - 1.60 (m, 3H)
MS ES
+: 285
Example 36: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0345]

[0346] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from (
E)-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(4-(trifluoromethyl)styryl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 44) except that the product was recrystallised from a mixture of heptane and ethyl acetate.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.73 (br s, 1 H), 7.58 - 7.68 (m, 2 H), 7.40 - 7.49 (m, 2 H),
6.61 (s, 1 H), 2.92 - 3.03 (m, 2 H) and 2.72 - 2.85 (m, 2 H)
MS ES
+: 285.
Example 37: 6-((Cyclopropylmethyl)(methyl)amino)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0347]

[0348] A suspension of 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine
(
Intermediate 46; 2.44 mmol) and palladium on carbon (10% wt loading, dry basis; 0.259 g, 0.244 mmol)
in ethyl acetate (10 ml) was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 2 hours. The
reaction mixture was filtered through a diatomaceous earth cartridge commercially
sold under the trade mark 'Celite', eluting with ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran and
methanol. The filtrate was concentrated
in vacuo to afford a brown solid, which was triturated from ethyl acetate to give the title
compound as a pale brown solid (27.9 mg, 38 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 11.81 - 11.98 (m, 1 H), 6.48 (s, 1 H), 3.12 (d, 2 H), 2.84 (s, 3 H), 0.84 - 1.01
(m, 1 H), 0.36 - 0.51 (m, 2 H) and 0.09 - 0.26 (m, 2H).
MS ES
+ 196.
Example 38: 6-((Cyclohexylmethyl)(methyl)amino)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0349]

[0350] Prepared according to the procedure for 6-((cyclopropylmethyl)(methyl)amino)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 37) using 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-(cycloliexylmethyl)-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine (
Intermediate 47) but purified by reverse phase C18 chromatography, eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile
/ water with a 0.1 % ammonia modifier in both the water and acetonitrile to give the
title compound as a pale cream solid (45 mg, 26 %).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ ppm 11.88 (br s, 1 H), 6.44 (s, 1 H), 2.98 - 3.13 (m, 2 H), 2.82 (s, 3 H), 1.52
- 1.74 (m, 6 H), 1.04 - 1.26 (m, 3 H) and 0.82 - 0.99 (m, 2 H).
MS ES+ 238.
Example 39: 6-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0351]

[0352] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 48) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the product
was recrystallised from ethyl acetate.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.75 (s, 1 H), 10.83 (br s, 1 H), 7.15 - 7.40 (m, 4 H), 6.52 (s, 1 H) and 3.81
(s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 237 and 239.
Example 40: 6-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0353]

[0354] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 49) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran
and the product was recrystallised from ethyl acetate.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.74 (s, 1 H), 10.81 (br s, 1 H), 7.32 - 7.45 (m, 2 H),
7.16 - 7.32 (m, 2 H), 6.48 (s, 1 H) and 3.79 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 237 and 239.
Example 41: 6-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0355]

[0356] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclohexylmethyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 50) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of MTBE and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.64 (s, 1 H), 10.64 (br s, 1 H), 6.51 (s, 1 H), 2.21 - 2.39 (m, 2 H), 1.44 -
1.72 (m, 6 H), 1.03 - 1.25 (m, 3 H) and 0.75 - 1.05 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 209.
Example 42: 6-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0357]

[0358] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 51) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of MTBE and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.73 (s, 1 H), 10.79 (br s, 1 H), 7.22 - 7.33 (m, 2 H), 6.96 - 7.18 (m, 2 H),
6.47 (s, 1 H) and 3.79 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 221.
Example 43: 6-(2-Chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0359]

[0360] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 52) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was tetrahydrofuran and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of MTBE and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.66 (s, 1 H), 10.90 (br s, 1 H), 7.31 - 7.48 (m, 2), 7.05 - 7.32 (m, 1 H), 6.55
(s, 1) and 4.00 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 255, 257.
Example 44: 6-(2-Chlorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0361]

[0362] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 53) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was tetrahydrofuran and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of MTBE and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.72 (s, 1 H), 10.80 (br s, 1 H), 7.40 - 7.57 (m, 1 H), 7.20 - 7.42 (m, 3 H),
6.48 (s, 1 H) and 3.95 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 237, 239.
Example 45: 6-(3-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0363]

[0364] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 54) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethanol and the product was
recrystallised from a mixture of MTBE and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.75 (s, 1 H), 10.82 (br s, 1 H), 7.25 - 7.44 (m, 1 H), 6.99 - 7.14 (m, 3 H),
6.41 - 6.58 (m, 1 H) and 3.68 - 3.89 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 221.
Example 46: 6-(2-Fluorobenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0365]

[0366] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(2-fluorophenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 55) except that the product was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.71 (br s, 1 H), 10.85 (br s, 1 H), 7.26 - 7.37 (m, 2 H), 7.12 - 7.22 (m, 2
H), 6.48 (s, 1 H) and 3.85 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 221.
Example 47: 6-(4-Methylbenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0367]

[0368] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 56) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up of tetrahydrofuran
and ethyl acetate and the product was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate
and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.70 (br s, 1 H), 10.75 (br s, 1 H), 7.12 (s, 4 H), 6.42 (s, 1 H), 3.64 - 3.82
(s, 2 H) and 2.26 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 217.
Example 48: 6-(3-Methylbenzyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0369]

[0370] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(3-methylphenyl)methyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 57) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was made up from tetrahydrofuran
and ethyl acetate and the product was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate
and heptane.
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.71 (br s, 1 H), 10.78 (br s, 1 H), 7.14 - 7.25 (m, 1 H), 6.96 - 7.10 (m, 3
H), 6.44 (s, 1 H), 3.74 (s, 2 H) and 2.17 - 2.35 (m, 3 H).
MS ES
+: 217.
Example 49: 4-Hydroxy-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0371]

[0372] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl) pyridazine (
Intermediate 58) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was ethyl acetate and the product
was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptanes.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CD
2Cl
2) δ ppm 10.68 (br s, 1 H), 7.40 - 7.70 (m, 4 H), 6.56 (s, 1 H) and 3.99 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+ 271.
Example 50: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0373]

[0374] 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-{2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethynyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 31; 1.5 g, 3.25 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (10 mL) and 10 % palladium on carbon
(0.04 g) was added before the mixture was purged and subjected to hydrogen gas. The
reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at room temperature under a hydrogen atmosphere.
The reaction mass was then filtered through a celite bed under nitrogen atmosphere
and washed with methanol. The filtrate was concentrated
in vacuo before the crude was re-dissolved in methanol (10 mL) and 10 % palladium on carbon
(0.04 g) was added before the mixture was purged and subjected to a pressure of hydrogen
gas (200 psi), stirring at room temperature overnight. Upon completion the resulting
mixture was filtered through celite under nitrogen and washed with methanol. The filtrate
was concentrated under vacuum to afford the crude compound (0.2 g) which was then
purified by the preparative HPLC to yield 4-hydroxy-6-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl) pyridin-3-yl)
ethyl) pyridazin-3(2H)-one (0.03 g, 82 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.72 (s, 1 H), 10.82 (s, 1 H), 8.75-8.80 (d, 2 H), 8.10 (s, 1 H), 6.63 (s, 1
H), 3.30-3.04 (t, 2 H) and 2.81-2.85 (t, 2 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 286.
Example 51: 4-Hydroxy-6-[2-(oxan-4-yl)ethyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0375]

[0376] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 60) except that the pressure of hydrogen gas was 200 psi at room temperature overnight
and the solvent used for the hydrogenation was methanol and the product was purified
by column chromatography (silica gel, eluting with 0 - 5 % methanol in dichloromethane
to afford the title compound (0.1 g, 16 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.72 (s, 1 H), 6.56 (s, 1 H), 3.802-3.84 (q, 2 H), 3.22-3.34
(q, 2 H), 1.57-1.60 (d, 2 H), 1.43-1.52 (m, 4 H) and 1.19-1.24 (m, 3 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 225.
Example 52: 6-{[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl](methyl)amino}-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0377]

[0378] Prepared in the same way as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 5,6-bis(benzyloxy)-N-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methylpyridazin-3-amine (
Intermediate 61) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was methanol and the product
was purified by triturating in n-pentane (0.15 g, 52 % yield)
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.07 (s, 1 H), 10.6 (s, 1 H), 7.2-7.34 (m, 2 H), 7.12-7.18 (m, 2H), 4.49 (s,
2 H) and 2.84 (s, 3 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 250.
Example 53: 6-[2-(2,6-Difluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0379]

[0380] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 33) except that the solvent mixture used for the hydrogenation was methanol and the
final material was purified by preparative HPLC (0.035 g, 24.8% yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.68 (s, 1 H), 10.78 (s, 1 H), 7.27-7.35 (m, 1 H), 7.03-7.07 (m, 2 H), 6.55 (s,
1 H), 2.90-2.94 (t, 2 H) and 2.69-2.73 (t, 2 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 253.
Example 54: 6-[2-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxy-pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0381]

[0382] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[2-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)ethynyl] pyridazine (
Intermediate 32) except that the catalyst used for the hydrogenation was platinum oxide and the solvent
was methanol and the final material was purified by preparative HPLC (0.035 g, 24.8%
yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.68 (s, 1 H), 10.78 (s, 1 H), 7.27-7.35 (m, 1 H), 7.03-7.07 (m, 2 H), 6.55 (s,
1 H), 2.90-2.94 (t, 2 H) and 2.69-2.73 (t, 2 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 253.
Example 55: 6-{[3,5-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0383]

[0384] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methyl}pyridazine (
Intermediate 58a) except that the solvent used for the hydrogenation was tetrahydrofuran and the final
compound was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptanes (27 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.80 (br s, 1 H), 10.95 (br s, 1 H), 7.93 - 8.02 (m, 3 H), 6.60 (s, 1 H) and
4.05 (s, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 339.
Example 56: 6-(1-Phenylethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0385]

[0386] Prepared by the same method as for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
(
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(1-phenylethenyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 25) except that upon completion of the reaction the resulting mixture was filtered through
Celite washing with ethanol and then concentrated
in vacuo to afford an orange solid. This was purified initially by eluting on a reverse phase
C18 chromatography column (0-60% methanol in water with an acidic modifier) and upon
combining and concentrating the appropriate fractions the crude product was recrystallised
from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptanes to afford a white solid and the final
compound was recrystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptanes (32 % yield).
1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d
6) δ 12.90 (br s, 1 H), 10.80 (br s, 1 H), 7.13 - 7.35 (m, 6 H), 3.99 (q, 1 H) and
1.47 (d, 3 H).
MS ES
+:217.
Example 57: 6-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0387]

[0388] Prepared in the same manner as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-(cyclopropylidenemethyl)pyridazine (
Intermediate 65) except that methanol was used as the reaction solvent. The crude compound was purified
by preparative HPLC to yield 6-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-hydroxypyridazin-3(2H)-one (46
% yield)
1H NMR (DMSO-d
6): δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.75 (s, 1 H), 6.63 (s, 1 H), 2.09-2.34 (d, 2 H), 0.89-0.99
(m, 1 H), 0.43-0.49 (m, 2 H) and 0.16-0.17 (m, 2 H).
LC-MS ES
+: 167.
Example 58: 4-Hydroxy-6-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]cyclopropyl}-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0389]

[0390] Prepared in the same manner as 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-cyclopropyl}-pyridazine
(
Intermediate 68) in 20 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.76 (s, 1 H), 10.87 (br. s., 1 H) 7.67 (m, 2 H), 7.47 (m, 2 H), 6.37 (s, 1 H),
1.38 - 1.42 (m, 2 H) and 1.23 - 1.28 (m, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 297.
Example 59: 6-{2-[2-Chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0391]

[0392] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 69) in 11 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.68 (s, 1 H), 10.78 (br. s., 1 H), 7.83 (s, 1 H), 7.64 - 7.68 (m, 1 H), 7.55
- 7.59 (m, 1 H), 6.61 (s, 1 H), 3.05 - 3.11 (m, 2 H) and 2.80 (m, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 319.
Example 60: 6-{2-[2-Fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0393]

[0394] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 70) except that THF was used as the solvent. The reaction was filtered through diatomaceous
earth flushing with further tetrahydrofuran and concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica C18 cartridge; eluting
with 0-65 % acetonitrile in water with acid modifier). The appropriate fractions were
combined and concentrated
in vacuo to remove the acetonitrile before the aqueous portion was extracted with ethyl acetate
(x2), dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo. The resulting solid was recrystallised from a mixture of methyl
tert-butyl ether and heptane to afford 6-{2-[2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
as a cream solid (29 % yield).
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.67 (s, 1 H), 10.76 (br. s., 1 H), 7.60 (m, 1 H), 7.48 - 7.57 (m, 2 H), 6.61
(s, 1 H), 2.95 - 3.04 (m, 2 H) and 2.75 - 2.83 (m, 2 H)
MS: ES
+: 303.
Example 61: 6-{2-[3,5-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0395]

[0396] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 71) in 49 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.75 (br. s., 1 H), 7.96 (s, 2 H), 7.91 (s, 1 H), 6.64 (s, 1
H), 3.06 - 3.14 (m, 2 H) and 2.84 (m, 2 H)
MS: ES
+: 353.
Example 62: 6-{2-[2,4-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-pyridazin-3-one
[0397]

[0398] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 72) in 31 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.71 (s, 1 H), 10.80 (br. s., 1 H), 8.03 (m, 1 H), 7.97 (s, 1 H), 7.79 (m, 1
H), 6.62 (s, 1 H), 3.14 (m, 2 H), 2.77 - 2.86 (m, 2 H)
MS: ES
+: 353.
Example 63: 6-{2-[3,4-bis(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0399]

[0400] To a solution of 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 73, 227 mg, 0.428 mmol) in THF (4279 µl) was added palladium on carbon (45.5 mg, 0.043
mmol) and the reaction vessel evacuated and purged with nitrogen (x 3). The reaction
was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 4 hours and the resulting mixture was
filtered through a short pad of diatomacious earth and concentrated
in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography (C18 silica cartridge eluting with 0-50
% acetonitrile in water with basic modifier). The appropriate fractions were combined
and concentrated to remove the organics and the aqueous fractions were acidified with
hydrochloric acid (2 N) and extracted with ethyl acetate (x 2), dried (MgSO
4) and concentrated
in vacuo to yield 6-{2-[3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
as a cream solid (39 mg, 26 %)
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.69 (s, 1 H), 10.76 (br. s., 1 H), 7.95 (m, 1 H), 7.88 - 7.93 (m, 1 H), 7.76
(m, 1 H), 6.65 (s, 1 H), 3.04 - 3.12 (m, 2 H) and 2.83 (m, 2 H).
MS: ES
+: 353
Example 64: 4-Hydroxy-6-(3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
[0401]

[0402] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethynyl)pyridazine
(
Intermediate 74) except THF was used as the solvent. The reaction mixture was filtered through a
diatomacious earth cartridge, eluting with further THF and methanol. The filtrate
was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by reverse phase column chromatography
(eluting with 5-100 % aqueous acetonitrile with acid modifier). The desired fractions
were combined and freeze dried to give a pale yellow solid, which was recrystallised
from methyl
tert-butyl ether to give a white solid. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure,
and the filtrate and crystals purified separately by preparative HPLC. The two batches
were combined and recrystallised from a mixture of methyl
tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate to afford 4-hydroxy-6-(3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one
as a white solid (31 mg, 4 %).
1H NMR (CD
3OD) δ 7.51 (d, 1 H), 7.22 (s, 1 H), 7.16 (d, 1 H), 6.57 (s, 1 H), 2.94 - 3.02 (m,
2 H), 2.81 - 2.90 (m, 2 H) and 2.44 (s, 3 H). MS ES
+: 299
M.p. = 174-175°C.
Example 65: 3,4-bis(Benzyloxy)-6-((3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)-pyridazine
[0403]

[0404] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-{2-[3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethynyl}pyridazine
(
Intermediate 75) except that THF was used as the solvent. The crude product was purified by reverse
phase chromatography (eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile in water with acid modifier)
to give a pale yellow solid. The solid was recrystallised from a mixture of methyl
tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate to afford 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-((3-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)-pyridazine
as a white solid (0.182 g, 17 %).
1H NMR (CD
3OD) δ 7.67 (d, 1 H), 7.50 (s, 1 H), 7.33 (d, 1 H), 6.63 (s, 1 H), 3.00 - 3.09 (m,
2 H) and 2.85 - 2.93 (m, 2 H). MS ES
+: 319.
M.p. = 169-170°C.
Example 66: 4-Hydroxy-6-{2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0405]

[0406] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(
E)-2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-ethenyl]pyridazine (
Intermediate 76) except that THF was used as the solvent. The crude product was purified by reverse
phase chromatography, eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile with acid modifier) and then
recrystallised from a mixture of methyl
tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate to afford 4-hydroxy-6-{2-[2-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
as a white powder (0.23g, 36 %).
1H NMR (CD
2Cl
2) δ, 7.42 (s, 1 H), 7.39 (d, 1 H), 7.25 (d, 1 H), 6.60 (s, 1 H), 2.96 - 3.08 (m, 2
H), 2.77 - 2.90 (m, 2 H), and 2.38 (s, 3 H).
MS ES
+; 299.
M. p. = 170-172 °C
Example 67: 6-{2-[3,5-Difluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0407]

[0408] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3,5-difluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]-pyridazine
(
Intermediate 77) except that THF was used as the solvent. The crude product was purified by reverse
phase chromatography (silica, eluting with 5-100 % acetonitrile in water with acid
modifier) to afford a white solid, which was recrystallised from a mixture of methyl
tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate to afford 6-{2-[3,5-difluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
as a white solid (0.079 g, 10 %).
1H NMR (CD
3OD) δ 7.09 (d, 2 H), 6.64 (s, 1 H), 3.00 - 3.10 (m, 2 H) and 2.82 - 2.96 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 321.
M.p. = 211-212°C.
Example 68: 6-{2-[3-Fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
[0409]

[0410] Prepared as described for 4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (
Example 1) from 3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-6-[(E)-2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl]pyridazine
(
Intermediate 79) in 60 % yield. The solid was purified by reverse phase chromatography, eluting with
5-100 % acetonitrile in water with acid modifier to yield 6-{2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydropyridazin-3-one
in 60 % yield.
1H NMR (DMSO-
d6) δ 12.68 (s, 1 H), 10.76 (br. s., 1 H), 7.68 (m, 1 H), 7.42 (m, 1 H), 7.27 (m, 1
H), 6.61 (s, 1 H), 2.93 - 3.04 (m, 2 H) and 2.73 - 2.87 (m, 2 H).
MS ES
+: 303.
3. Biological efficacy of compounds of the invention
In Vitro DAAO Enzyme Assay
[0411] The functional activity of compounds inhibiting the DAAO enzyme was determined by
utilizing the co-product of the catalysis of D-Serine, H
2O
2 which can be quantitatively measured using the 'Amplex' (trade mark) Red (Invitrogen)
detection. 'Amplex' Red reagent is a colorless substrate that reacts with hydrogen
peroxide (H
2O
2) with a 1:1 stoichiometry in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to produce highly
fluorescent resorufin (excitation/emission maxima=570/585 nm). -The changes in fluorescence
were monitored by a fluorescence plate reader, Envision (Perkin Elmer) and increases
in DAAO activity were readily detected upon addition of D-Serine and suppression of
this response observed with the application of test compounds.
[0412] Human DAAO enzyme was supplied by the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company (Osaka) and each
batch was tested and used at concentrations giving comparable levels of activity.
The K
m of D-Serine was measured for each enzyme batch to maintain consistency; this K
m was used in subsequent assays.
[0413] On the day of the assay compounds were serially diluted in DMSO before being diluted
1:20 with assay buffer (20mM Tris ph 7.4). A 5µl portion of assay buffer was added
to the wells of a 384 clear base black-walled plate (Corning), 5µl of diluted compound
was then added via automated plate to plate transfer using the Bravo liquid handler
(Agilent technologies) followed by 5µl of human DAAO enzyme and then 5µl D-Serine
50mM was added to all but the negative control wells (final concentration of 10mM).
Finally 5µl 'Amplex' red reagent (Invitrogen) was added to all wells as per manufacturer's
protocol. The plate was incubated for 60 minutes in the dark at 25 °C and the fluorescence
in each well was measured in the Envision plate reader.
[0414] The IC
50 values for compounds were determined from ten point half log scale dose-response
studies and represent the concentration of compound required to prevent 50% inhibition
of DAAO activity in the presence of 10mM D-Serine. Concentration response curves were
generated using the average of duplicate wells for each data point and analyzed using
non-linear regression and four parameter curve fit.
Results
[0415]
| Example No. |
Mean IC50 (nM) |
Example No. |
Mean IC50 (nM) |
| 1 |
10 |
2 |
10 |
| 3 |
21 |
4 |
3.7 |
| 5 |
30 |
6 |
9.7 |
| 7 |
13 |
8 |
11 |
| 9 |
10 |
10 |
22 |
| 11 |
16 |
12 |
23 |
| 13 |
31 |
14 |
41 |
| 15 |
16 |
16 |
52 |
| 17 |
13 |
18 |
14 |
| 19 |
12 |
20 |
8.4 |
| 21 |
21 |
22 |
13 |
| 23 |
14 |
24 |
6 |
| 25 |
45 |
26 |
22 |
| 27 |
13 |
28 |
20 |
| 29 |
45 |
30 |
18 |
| 31 |
20 |
32 |
16 |
| 33 |
23 |
34 |
26 |
| 35 |
41 |
36 |
19 |
| 37 |
220 |
38 |
20 |
| 39 |
13 |
40 |
12 |
| 41 |
99 |
42 |
15 |
| 43 |
26 |
44 |
22 |
| 45 |
18 |
46 |
15 |
| 47 |
26 |
48 |
12 |
| 49 |
23 |
50 |
23 |
| 51 |
30 |
52 |
130 |
| 53 |
19 |
54 |
14 |
| 55 |
760 |
56 |
32 |
| 57 |
380 |
58 |
61 |
| 59 |
19 |
60 |
15 |
| 61 |
57 |
62 |
29 |
| 63 |
15 |
64 |
13 |
| 65 |
13 |
66 |
12 |
| 67 |
10 |
68 |
19 |
[0416] These results indicate that compounds of the invention have potent inhibitory activity
against the DAAO enzyme. The compounds tested above exhibit IC
50 values significantly less than 5 µM, with the most potent compounds showing activity
at the DAAO enzyme with IC
50 values < 250 nM. Accordingly, the compounds of the invention are expected to have
usefulness in the prevention or treatment of conditions, such as those discussed above,
in which DAAO enzyme activity is implicated.
[0417] In addition, the compounds of the present invention possess variously advantageous
pharmacological and/or toxicological profiles, when tested in a variety of standard
tests for such parameters. For example, the compounds of the invention exhibit one
or more potentially useful properties for
in vivo use, when characterised by pharmacological and/or toxicological tests including:
hERG interaction (which is an indication of potential cardiotoxicity, and measures
the effects of the compounds on the human ether-a-go-go-related gene, using for example
the PatchXpress 7000A platform); CypP
450 interactions (which may be measured in accordance with the FDA draft guidelines for
drug interaction studies (study design, data analysis and implications for dosing
and labeling) (Sep. 2006), see
www.fda.gov); phototoxicity (for example using a protocol in accordance with assay details outlined
in the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals: 432 In Vitro 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake
phototoxicity test, April 2004); determination of pharmacokinetic parameters (for
example
following in vivo dosing via multiple routes, with plasma concentrations of compounds being determined
from venous blood samples using an LC-MS/MS protocol); and
in vivo receptor occupancy (determined, for example, using protocols based on
Medhurst et al., Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2007, 321,
1032). These standard tests for the characterisation of drug molecules are well known
to the skilled person.