WO2008029370A1

WO2008029370A1 - Pyridin-3-yl derivatives as immunomodulating agents

Info

Publication number: WO2008029370A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/053593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Bolli; David Lehmann; Boris Mathys; Claus Mueller; Oliver Nayler; Beat Steiner; Jörg Velker
Original assignee: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Current assignee: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-08
Also published as: MY150661A; BRPI0716633A2; KR20090060327A; CA2661315A1; MX2009002234A; EP2069335B1; CN101522670B; NO20091409L; CY1113858T1; RU2009112726A; CN101522670A; EP2069335A1; US8288554B2; DK2069335T3; JP2010502694A; ES2400163T3; RU2454413C2; PL2069335T3; MA30717B1; CL2007002594A1

Abstract

The invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5; R6 and A are as described in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents.

Description

PYRIDIN-3-YL DERIVATIVES AS IMMUNOMODULATING AGENTS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to S1 P1/EDG1 receptor agonists of Formula (I) and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including processes for the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the Formula (I), and their use as compounds improving vascular function and as immunomodulating agents, either alone or in combination with other active compounds or therapies. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (II) that serve as intermediates to prepare compounds of Formula (I).

Background of the invention

The human immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign microorganisms and substances that cause infection or disease. Complex regulatory mechanisms ensure that the immune response is targeted against the intruding substance or organism and not against the host. In some cases, these control mechanisms are unregulated and autoimmune responses can develop. A consequence of the uncontrolled inflammatory response is severe organ, cell, tissue or joint damage. With current treatment, the whole immune system is usually suppressed and the body^'s ability to react to infections is also severely compromised. Typical drugs in this class include azathioprine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin, or methotrexate. Corticosteroids which reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response, may cause side effects when used in long term treatment. Nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce pain and inflammation, however, they exhibit considerable side effects. Alternative treatments include agents that activate or block cytokine signaling.

Orally active compounds with immunomodulating properties, without compromising immune responses and with reduced side effects would significantly improve current treatments of uncontrolled inflammatory disease.

In the field of organ transplantation the host immune response must be suppressed to prevent organ rejection. Organ transplant recipients can experience some rejection even when they are taking immunosuppressive drugs. Rejection occurs most frequently in the first few weeks after transplantation, but rejection episodes can also happen months or even years after transplantation. Combinations of up to three or four medications are commonly used to give maximum protection against rejection while minimizing side effects. Current standard drugs used to treat the rejection of transplanted organs interfere with discrete intracellular pathways in the activation of T-type or B-type white blood cells. Examples of such drugs are cyclosporin, daclizumab, basiliximab, everolimus, or FK506, which interfere with cytokine release or signaling; azathioprine or leflunomide, which inhibit nucleotide synthesis; or 15-deoxyspergualin, an inhibitor of leukocyte differentiation.

The beneficial effects of broad immunosuppressive therapies relate to their effects; however, the generalized immunosuppression which these drugs produce diminishes the immune system's defense against infection and malignancies. Furthermore, standard immunosuppressive drugs are often used at high dosages and can cause or accelerate organ damage.

Description of the invention

The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I) that are agonists for the G protein-coupled receptor S1 P1/EDG1 and have a powerful and long-lasting immunomodulating effect which is achieved by reducing the number of circulating and infiltrating T- and B-lymphocytes, without affecting their maturation, memory, or expansion. The reduction of circulating T- / B-lymphocytes as a result of S1 P1/EDG1 agonism, possibly in combination with the observed improvement of endothelial cell layer function associated with S1 P1/EDG1 activation, makes such compounds useful to treat uncontrolled inflammatory disease and to improve vascular functionality.

The compounds of the present invention can be utilized alone or in combination with standard drugs inhibiting T-cell activation, to provide a new immunomodulating therapy with a reduced propensity for infections when compared to standard immunosuppressive therapy. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention can be used in combination with reduced dosages of traditional immunosuppressant therapies, to provide on the one hand effective immunomodulating activity, while on the other hand reducing end organ damage associated with higher doses of standard immunosuppressive drugs. The observation of improved endothelial cell layer function associated with S1 P1/EDG1 activation provides additional benefits of compounds to improve vascular function. The nucleotide sequence and the amino acid sequence for the human S1 P1/EDG1 receptor are known in the art and are published in e.g.: HIa, T., and Maciag, T. J. Biol Chem. 265 (1990), 9308-9313; WO 91/15583 published 17 October 1991 ; WO 99/46277 published 16 September 1999. The potency and efficacy of the compounds of Formula (I) are assessed using a GTPγS assay to determine EC₅O values and by measuring the circulating lymphocytes in the rat after oral administration, respectively (see in Examples).

The general terms used hereinbefore and hereinafter preferably have, within this disclosure, the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated:

Where the plural form is used for compounds, salts, pharmaceutical compositions, diseases and the like, this is intended to mean also a single compound, salt, or the like.

Any reference hereinbefore or hereinafter to a compound of Formula (I) is to be understood as referring also to salts, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts, of a compound of Formula (I), as appropriate and expedient.

The term C-i-s-alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, branched or straight chain groups with one to five carbon atoms. Examples of Ci_-5-alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, /so-propyl, n-butyl, /so-butyl, n-pentyl, and /so-pentyl.

Likewise, the term

alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, branched or straight chain groups with one to four carbon atoms. Examples of Ci_-4-alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, /so-propyl, n-butyl, and /so-butyl.

Likewise, the term C-ι-₃-alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, branched or straight chain groups with one to three carbon atoms and represents a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or /so-propyl group; preferred are methyl and ethyl.

Likewise, the term C_2-5-alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, branched or straight chain groups with two to five carbon atoms.

Likewise, the term C₂-₄-alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, branched or straight chain groups with two to four carbon atoms. Examples of C_2-4-alkyl groups are ethyl, n-propyl, /so-propyl, n-butyl, and /so-butyl. The term C-_M-alkoxy, alone or in combination with other groups, means an R-O group, wherein R is a C-_M-alkyl. Examples of C-^-alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, /so-propoxy, and /so-butoxy, preferred are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, and /so-propoxy.

The term C_2-5-alkoxy, alone or in combination with other groups, means an R-O group, wherein R is a C_2-5-alkyl. Examples of C_2-5-alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy, /so-propoxy, /so-butoxy, and /so-pentoxy.

The term halogen means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, preferably fluoro or chloro, most preferably chloro.

Salts are preferably the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of Formula (I).

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to non-toxic, inorganic or organic acid and/or base addition salts, Lit. e.g. "Salt selection for basic drugs", Int. J. Pharm. (1986), 33, 201-217.

The compounds of Formula (I) may contain one or more stereogenic or asymmetric centers, such as one or more asymmetric carbon atoms. Substituents at a double bond or a ring may be present in cis- (= Z-) or trans (= E-) form unless indicated otherwise. The compounds of Formula (I) may thus be present as mixtures of stereoisomers or preferably as pure stereoisomers. Mixtures of stereoisomers may be separated in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

i) The invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives of the Formula (I),

Formula (I)

wherein

A represents ^*-CONH-CH₂-, ^*-CO-CH=CH-, "-CO-CH₂CH₂-,

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I);

R¹ represents hydrogen, C_1-4-alkyl, or chloro;

R² represents C_1-5-alkyl or C_1-4-alkoxy;

R³ represents hydrogen, d-₄-alkyl, Ci_-4-alkoxy, or halogen;

R⁴ represents hydrogen, C-^-alkyl, Ci_-4-alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;

R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4-alkyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k- NHSO₂R⁵³, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -CH₂-(CH₂X-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n-CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-NHR⁵¹, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(2- carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3- propionyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy, hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4- alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², 2- [(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid Ci_-5-alkylester)-1- yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)- 1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-2- hydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3- [(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid Ci_-5-alkylester)-1- yl]-propoxy, -OCH2-(CH₂)m-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m- NHCOR⁵⁴, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴;

R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, d-₃-alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl, 2,3- dihydroxypropyl, carboxymethyl, 1-(Ci_-5-alkylcarboxy)methyl, 2-carboxyethyl, or 2-(Ci_-5- alkylcarboxy)ethyl;

R⁵² represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl;

R⁵³ represents C_1-3-alkyl, methylamino, ethylamino, or dimethylamino;

R⁵⁴ represents hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, aminomethyl, methylaminomethyl, dimethylaminomethyl, aminoethyl, 2-methylamino-ethyl, or 2-dimethylamino-ethyl;

k represents the integer 1 , 2, or 3; m represents the integer 1 or 2; n represents O, 1 , or 2; and

R⁶ represents hydrogen, d-₄-alkyl or halogen.

ii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I). iii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I).

iv) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

(especially A represents

v) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I). vi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

wherein the asterisk indicates the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I).

vii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

viii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to vii), wherein R¹ represents Ci_-4-alkyl or chloro.

ix) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to vii), wherein R¹ represents Ci_-4-alkyl.

x) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to vi), wherein R¹ represents methyl or ethyl.

xi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to vi), wherein R¹ represents methyl.

xii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xi), wherein R² represents Ci_-5-alkyl.

xiii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xi), wherein R² represents C_2-4-alkyl.

xiv) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xi), wherein R² represents ethyl, n-propyl, /so-propyl, or iso- butyl. xv) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xi), wherein R² represents n-propyl, or /so-butyl.

xvi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xi), wherein R² represents d-₄-alkoxy.

xvii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein at least one of R³, R⁴ and R⁶ represents a group other than hydrogen.

xviii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents methyl or methoxy (especially methoxy), and R⁴ and R⁶ represent hydrogen.

xix) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen.

xx) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen; and R⁴ represents Ci_-4- alkyl, or Ci_-4-alkoxy; and R⁶ represents d-₄-alkyl, or halogen.

xxi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen, R⁴ represents Ci_3- alkyl, or methoxy (especially methyl, ethyl, or methoxy), and R⁶ represents methyl, ethyl, or halogen (especially chloro).

xxii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen, and R⁴ and R⁶ represent a methyl group.

xxiii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen, R⁴ represents a methyl group, and R⁶ represents an ethyl group. xxiv) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen, R⁴ represents a methoxy group, and R⁶ represents chloro.

xxv) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xvi), wherein R³ represents hydrogen, R⁴ represents a methyl group, and R⁶ represents chloro.

xxvi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, di-

(hydroxy-Ci_4-alkyl)-Ci_4-alkyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NHSO₂R⁵³,

-

CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH^_nCHpH^CH^NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n-CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-

NHR⁵¹, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy, hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-C_1-4-alkyl)-

C_1-4-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -

OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴.

xxvii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, -CH H₂₂- (CH₂X-NR⁵¹R⁵², -CH₂-(CH₂)_K-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n- CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-NHR⁵¹, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-d. ₄-alkyl)-Ci-₄-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m- NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCHHCH^-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴ (especially R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NR⁵¹R⁵², -CH₂- (CH₂)_K-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n-CONR⁵¹R⁵²,

-(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4-alkoxy, 2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)- CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHCOR⁵⁴, Or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴).

xxviii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di- (hydroxy-C_1-4-alkyl)-C_1-4-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂- CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴.

xxix) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl- propoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴ (especially R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴, wherein R⁵⁴ represents hydroxymethyl).

xxx) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴, wherein R⁵⁴ represents hydroxymethyl.

xxxi) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to any one of the embodiments i) to xxv), wherein R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy.

xxxii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

(especially A represents

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I); R¹ represents methyl, ethyl, or chloro (especially methyl, or ethyl); R² represents n-propyl, isobutyl, or isopropoxy (especially n-propyl or isobutyl); R³ represents hydrogen, methyl, or methoxy (especially hydrogen or methoxy); R⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy; R⁵ represents hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci.₄-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², Or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴ (especially R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, Or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴); R⁵⁴ represents hydroxymethyl, methylaminomethyl, or 2-methylamino-ethyl; and R⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or chloro; wherein for the present embodiment the meanings of one or more of the substituents or groups may be replaced by the meaning(s) given for said substituent(s) or group(s) in any one of embodiments v) to vii), x), xi), xv), xvii) to xix), xxii) to xxv), and xxix) to xxxi).

xxxiii) Another embodiment of the invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to embodiment i), wherein A represents

(especially A represents

R¹ represents hydrogen, C_1-4-alkyl, or chloro;

R² represents C_1-5-alkyl or C_1-4-alkoxy; R³ represents hydrogen;

R⁴ represents Ci_-4-alkyl or Ci_-4-alkoxy;

R⁵ represents hydroxy, hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4-alkoxy, 2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², Or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴;

R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, 2-hydroxyethyl, or 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl (especially hydrogen);

R⁵² represents hydrogen;

R⁵⁴ represents hydroxymethyl; and

R⁶ represents Ci_-4-alkyl or halogen; wherein for the present embodiment the meanings of one or more of the substituents or groups may be replaced by the meaning(s) given for said substituent(s) or group(s) in any one of embodiments vi) to xvi), xxi) to xxv), and xxix) to xxxi).

xxxiv) Examples of pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to Formula (I) are selected from: 3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol; N-(3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol; 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6- dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide;

N-(3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diisobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane- 1 ,2-diol;

N-(3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-2- hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

2-Hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-3- methyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide; N-(3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-(3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methoxy- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}-2- hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; (S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol;

N-(3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}-

2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

(R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol;

(S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol;

N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; 3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}- N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-propionamide;

(R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol; (S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol; and

3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}- propionic acid.

xxxv) In another embodiment examples of pyridin-3-yl derivatives according to Formula (I) are selected from:

(R)-3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol;

(S)-3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol;

N-((R)-3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; (R)-3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol;

(S)-3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol;

2-Hydroxy-N-((R)-2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- 2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide;

2-Hydroxy-N-((S)-2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-

2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

(R)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diisobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol;

(S)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diisobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol; N-((R)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-2- hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-2- hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; 2-Hydroxy-N-((R)-2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-

3-methyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methoxy- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; N-((S)-3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methoxy- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}-2- hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

(S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol; N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

xxxvi) A further aspect of the invention relates to novel pyridin-3-yl derivatives of Formula (H)

Formula (H)

wherein A, R¹, R², and n are as defined in claim 1 ; R³ represents hydrogen; R⁴ represents C_1-4-alkyl, or C_1-4-alkoxy; and R⁶ represents C_1-4-alkyl, or halogen.

The compounds of Formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical compositions for enteral or parental administration.

The production of the pharmaceutical compositions can be effected in a manner which will be familiar to any person skilled in the art (see for example Mark Gibson, Editor, Pharmaceutical Preformulation and Formulation, IHS Health Group, Englewood, CO, USA, 2001 ; Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science) by bringing the described compounds of Formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with other therapeutically valuable substances, into a galenical administration form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, usual pharmaceutical adjuvants. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with an activated immune system.

Such diseases or disorders are selected from the group consisting of rejection of transplanted organs, tissue or cells; graft-versus-host diseases brought about by transplantation; autoimmune syndromes including rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; antiphospholipid syndrome; Hashimoto's thyroiditis; lymphocytic thyroiditis; multiple sclerosis; myasthenia gravis; type I diabetes; uveitis; episcleritis; scleritis; Kawasaki's disease, uveo-retinitis; posterior uveitis; uveitis associated with Behcet's disease; uveomeningitis syndrome; allergic encephalomyelitis; chronic allograft vasculopathy; post-infectious autoimmune diseases including rheumatic fever and postinfectious glomerulonephritis; inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin diseases; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis; atopic dermatitis; myopathy; myositis; osteomyelitis; contact dermatitis; eczematous dermatitis; seborrhoeic dermatitis; lichen planus; pemphigus; bullous pemphigoid; epidermolysis bullosa; urticaria; angioedema; vasculitis; erythema; cutaneous eosinophilia; acne; scleroderma; alopecia areata; keratoconjunctivitis; vernal conjunctivitis; keratitis; herpetic keratitis; dystrophia epithelialis corneae; corneal leukoma; ocular pemphigus; Mooren's ulcer; ulcerative keratitis; scleritis; Graves' ophthalmopathy; Vogt- Koyanagi-Harada syndrome; sarcoidosis; pollen allergies; reversible obstructive airway disease; bronchial asthma; allergic asthma; intrinsic asthma; extrinsic asthma; dust asthma; chronic or inveterate asthma; late asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness; bronchiolitis; bronchitis; endometriosis; orchitis; gastric ulcers; ischemic bowel diseases; inflammatory bowel diseases; necrotizing enterocolitis; intestinal lesions associated with thermal burns; coeliac disease; proctitis; eosinophilic gastroenteritis; mastocytosis; Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis; vascular damage caused by ischemic diseases and thrombosis; atherosclerosis; fatty heart; myocarditis; cardiac infarction; aortitis syndrome; cachexia due to viral disease; vascular thrombosis; migraine; rhinitis; eczema; interstitial nephritis; IgA- induced nephropathy; Goodpasture's syndrome; hemolytic-uremic syndrome; diabetic nephropathy; glomerulosclerosis; glomerulonephritis; tubulointerstitial nephritis; interstitial cystitis; multiple myositis; Guillain-Barre syndrome; Meniere's disease; polyneuritis; multiple neuritis; myelitis; mononeuritis; radiculopathy; hyperthyroidism; Basedow's disease; thyrotoxicosis; pure red cell aplasia; aplastic anemia; hypoplastic anemia; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; autoimmune thrombocytopenia; agranulocytosis; pernicious anemia; megaloblastic anemia; anerythroplasia; osteoporosis; fibroid lung; idiopathic interstitial pneumonia; dermatomyositis; leukoderma vulgaris; ichthyosis vulgaris; photoallergy sensitivity; cutaneous T cell lymphoma; polyarteritis nodosa; Huntington's chorea; Sydenham's chorea; myocardosis; myocarditis; scleroderma; Wegener's granuloma; Sjogren's syndrome; adiposis; eosinophilic fascitis; lesions of gingiva, periodontium, alveolar bone, substantia ossea dentis; male pattern alopecia or alopecia senilis; muscular dystrophy; pyoderma; Sezary's syndrome; hypophysitis; chronic adrenal insufficiency; Addison's disease; ischemia-reperfusion injury of organs which occurs upon preservation; endotoxin shock; pseudomembranous colitis; colitis caused by drug or radiation; ischemic acute renal insufficiency; chronic renal insufficiency; lung cancer; malignancy of lymphoid origin; acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias; lymphoma; pulmonary emphysema; cataracta; siderosis; retinitis pigmentosa; senile macular degeneration; vitreal scarring; corneal alkali burn; dermatitis erythema; ballous dermatitis; cement dermatitis; gingivitis; periodontitis; sepsis; pancreatitis; peripheral artery disease; carcinogenesis; solid cancer tumors; metastasis of carcinoma; hypobaropathy; autoimmune hepatitis; primary biliary cirrhosis; sclerosing cholangitis; partial liver resection; acute liver necrosis; cirrhosis; alcoholic cirrhosis; hepatic failure; fulminant hepatic failure; late-onset hepatic failure; and "acute-on-chronic" liver failure.

Preferred diseases or disorders to be treated and/or prevented with the compounds of Formula (I) are selected from the group consisting of rejection of transplanted organs such as kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, cornea, and skin; graft-versus-host diseases brought about by stem cell transplantation; autoimmune syndromes including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, thyroiditis such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, uveo-retinitis; atopic diseases such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis; asthma; type I diabetes; post- infectious autoimmune diseases including rheumatic fever and post-infectious glomerulonephritis; solid cancers and tumor metastasis.

Particularly preferred diseases or disorders to be treated and/or prevented with the compounds of Formula (I) are selected from the group consisting of rejection of transplanted organs selected from kidney, liver, heart and lung; graft-versus-host diseases brought about by stem cell transplantation; autoimmune syndromes selected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis; and atopic dermatitis. The present invention also relates to a method for the prevention or treatment of a disease or disorder mentioned herein comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutically active amount of a compound of Formula (I).

Furthermore, compounds of the Formula (I) are also useful, in combination with one or several immunomodulating agents, for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said agents are selected from the group consisting of immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, NSAI D's, cytotoxic drugs, adhesion molecule inhibitors, cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, cytokine receptor antagonists and recombinant cytokine receptors.

The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of Formula (I) for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, optionally for use in combination with one or several immunomodulating agents, for the prevention or treatment of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein.

The compounds of Formula (I) can be manufactured by the methods given below, by the methods given in the Examples or by analogous methods. Optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants or solvents used, but such conditions can be determined by a person skilled in the art by routine optimisation procedures.

Compounds of the Formula (I) of the present invention can be prepared according to the general sequence of reactions outlined below. Only a few of the synthetic possibilities leading to compounds of Formula (I) are described.

Structure 1 Structure 2

In case A represents -CO-CH=CH-, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 1 with a compound of Structure 2 in the presence of a base or an acid. The functional groups present in the residues R³ to R⁶ may require temporary protection or may even be introduced in additional steps that follow the condensation reaction. Compounds of Formula (I) wherein A represents -CO-CH₂-CH₂- may be prepared by reacting a compound of Formula (I) wherein A represents -CO- CH=CH- with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as Pd/C, Pt/C, PtO₂, etc. in a solvent such as EtOH, MeOH, THF, etc. or mixtures thereof.

Structure 3 Structure 4

Compounds of Structure 1 may be prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 3 with a methyl Grignard reagent or by treating a compound of Structure 4 with 2 eq. of methyllithium in a solvent such as ether, THF, etc. at temperatures between -20 and 50⁰C.

The Weinreb amide compound of Structure 3 is prepared by treating a compound of

Structure 4 with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of coupling reagent such as EDC, DCC, etc. (M. Mentzel, H. M. R. Hoffmann, N-Methoxy N-methyl amides (Weinreb amides) in modern organic synthesis, Journal fuer Praktische

Chemie/Chemiker-Zeitung 339 (1997), 517-524; J. Singh, N. Satyamurthi, I. S. Aidhen, The growing synthetic utility of Weinreb's amide, Journal fuer Praktische Chemie (Weinheim,

Germany) 342 (2000) 340-347; V. K. Khlestkin, D. G. Mazhukin, Recent advances in the application of N,O-dialkylhydroxylamines in organic chemistry, Current Organic Chemistry 7 (2003), 967-993).

Structure 5

Compounds of Formula (I) wherein A represents -CO-NH-CH₂- may be prepared by coupling a compound of Structure 5 with a compound with Structure 4 by using a coupling reagent such as EDC, DCC, TBTU, PyBOP, etc. or by coupling a compound of Structure 5 with the corresponding acid chloride or bromide of a compound of Structure 4. Compounds of Formula (I) which represent a 5-pyridin-3-yl-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazole derivative, are prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 6 in a solvent such as dioxane, THF, DME, xylene, toluene, benzene, pyridine, DMF, DCM, acetic acid, TFA, etc. at rt or elevated temperatures in the presence or absence of auxiliaries such as acids (e.g. TFA, acetic acid, HCI, etc.), bases (e.g. NaH, NaOAc, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, NEt₃, etc.), tetraalkylammonium salts, or water removing agents (e.g. oxalyl chloride, a carboxylic acid anhydride, POCI₃, PCI₅, P₄O₁0, molecular sieves, Burgess reagent, etc.) (Lit: e.g. A. R. Gangloff, J. Litvak, E. J. Shelton, D. Sperandio, V. R. Wang, K. D. Rice, Tetrahedron Lett. 42 (2001 ), 1441-1443; T. Suzuki, K. Iwaoka, N. Imanishi, Y. Nagakura, K. Miyta, H. Nakahara, M. Ohta, T. Mase, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 47 (1999), 120-122; R. F. Poulain, A. L. Tartar, B. P. Deprez, Tetrahedron Lett. 42 (2001 ), 1495-1498; R. M. Srivastava, F. J. S. Oliveira, D. S. Machado, R. M. Souto-Maior, Synthetic Commun. 29 (1999), 1437-1450; E. O. John, J. M. Shreeve, Inorganic Chemistry 27 (1988), 3100-3104; B. Kaboudin, K. Navaee, Heterocycles 60 (2003), 2287-2292).

Compounds of Structure 6 may be prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 4 with a compound of Structure 7 in a solvent such as DMF, THF, DCM, etc. in the presence or absence of one ore more coupling agents such as TBTU, DCC, EDC, HBTU, HOBt, CDI, etc. and in the presence or absence of a base such as NEt₃, DIPEA, NaH, K₂CO₃, etc. (Lit: e.g. A. Hamze, J.-F. Hernandez, P. Fulcrand, J. Martinez, J. Org. Chem. 68 (2003) 7316- 7321 ; and the literature cited above).

Compounds of Formula (I) which represent a 3-pyridin-3-yl-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazole derivative are prepared in an analogous fashion (Lit. e.g. C. T. Brain, J. M. Paul, Y. Loong, P. J. Oakley, Tetrahedron Lett. 40 (1999) 3275-3278) by reacting a compound of Structure 8 with a compound of Structure 9 and subsequent cyclisation of the corresponding hydroxyamidine ester intermediate.

Structure 8 Structure 9

Compounds of Structure 7 and 8 may be prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 10 and 11 , respectively, with hydroxylamine or one of its salts in a solvent such as MeOH,

EtOH, pyridine, etc. in the presence or absence of a base such as Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, NEt₃,

KOtBu, etc. (Lit: e.g. T. Suzuki, K. Iwaoka, N. Imanishi, Y. Nagakura, K. Miyta, H.

Nakahara, M. Ohta, T. Mase, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 47 (1999), 120-122; J. Cui, D. Crich, D.

Wink, M. Lam, A. L. Rheingold, D. A. Case, W. T. Fu, Y. Zhou, M. Rao, A. J. Olson, M. E. Johnson, Bioorg. Med. Chem. 11 (2003), 3379-3392; R. Miller, F. Lang, Z. J. Song, D.

Zewge, WO 2004/035538 (Merck & Co., Inc., USA); B. Kaboudin, K. Navaee, Heterocycles

60 (2003), 2287-2292).

Structure 10 Structure 11

Depending on the nature of the functionalities present in the residues R³ to R⁶ in Structures 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10, these functionalities may require temporary protection. Appropriate protecting groups are known to a person skilled in the art and include e.g. a benzyl or a trialkylsilyl group to protect an alcohol, a ketal to protect a diol, etc. These protecting groups may be employed according to standard methodology (e.g. T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^rd Edition, Wiley New York, 1991 ; P. J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, Thieme Stuttgart, 1994). Alternatively, the desired residues R³ to R⁶, in particular R⁵, may also be introduced in later steps that follow the coupling of the pyridine compounds of Structure 1 , 4, 8 or 1 1 with the phenyl derivatives of Stucture 2, 5, 7, 9 or 10 by using a suitable precursor of a compound of Structure 2, 5, 7, 9 and 10. The phenyl compounds of Structure 2, 5, 7, 9 and 10 or their precursors are either commercially available or are prepared according to procedures known to a person skilled in the art.

Compounds of Formula (I) which represent a 2-pyridin-3-yl-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazole or a 2-pyridin- 3-yl-[1 ,3,4]thiadiazole derivative are prepared similarly by reacting a compound of Structure 4 with hydrazine (by using a coupling reagent such as TBTU, DCC, EDC, HBTU, PyPOB, HOBt, CDI, etc.) to form a compound of Structure 12 which is then coupled with a compound of Structure 9 to give a compound of Structure 13. A compound of Structure 13 can also be prepared by following the reverse reaction order i.e. by first coupling a compound of Structure 9 with hydrazine followed by reacting the corresponding hydrazide intermediate with a compound of Structure 4. Dehydration of a compound of Structure 13 to form the desired 2-pyridin-3-yl-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazole derivative is affected by treating a compound of Structure 13 with a reagent such as POCI₃, CCI₄ or CBr₄ in combination with PPh₃, P₂O₅, Burgess reagent, etc. in a solvent such as toluene, MeCN, dioxane, THF, CHCI₃, etc. at temperatures between 20 and 120⁰C in the presence or absence of microwave irradiation. (Lit. e.g. M. A. Garcia, S. Martin-Santamaria, M. Cacho, F. Moreno de Ia Llave, M. Julian, A. Martinez, B. De Pascual-Teresa, A. Ramos, J. Med. Chem. 48 (2005) 4068-4075, C. T. Brain, J. M. Paul, Y. Loong, P. J. Oakley, Tetrahedron Lett. 40 (1999) 3275-3278). Likewise, 2-pyrid i n-3-yl-[1 , 3, 4]th iad iazole derivatives are obtained by cyclising a compound of Sturcture 13 with Lawesson's reagent optionally in combination with P₂S₅ in the presence or absence of a solvent such as pyridine, toluene, THF, MeCN, etc. at elevated temperatures with or without microwave irradiation (Lit. e.g. A. A. Kiryanov, P. Sampson, A. J. Seed, J. Org. Chem. 66 (2001 ) 7925-7929).

Structure 14

Compounds of Formula (I) which represent a 5-pyridin-3-yl-oxazole or a 5-pyridin-3-yl- thiazole derivative are prepared by treating a compound of Structure 14 either with POCI3, PCI₅, I₂ in combination with PPh₃ and NEt₃, trifluoroacetic anhydride, Burgess reagent, etc. in a solvent such as toluene, benzene, dioxane, THF, etc. at temperatures between 20 and 120⁰C or with Lawesson's reagent optionally in combination with P₂S₅ in the presence or absence of a solvent such as pyridine, toluene, THF, MeCN, etc. at elevated temperatures with or without microwave irradiation as mentioned above (Lit. e.g. N. Sato, T. Shibata, M. Jitsuoka, T. Ohno, T. Takahashi, T. Hirohashi, T. Kanno, H. Iwaasa, A. Kanatani, T. Fukami, Takehiro Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 14 (2004) 1761-1764). The compounds of Structure 14 are prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 15 with a compound of Structure 9. The aminoketon of Structure 15 can be prepared from a compound of Structure 1 by procedures given in the literature (e.g. J. L. LaMattina, J. Heterocyclic Chem. 20 (1983) 533-538; M. Pesson, M. Antoine, P. Girard, J. L. Benichon, S. Chabassier, P. De Lajudie, S. Patte, F. Roquet, G. Montay, Eur. J. Med. Chem. 15 (1980) 263-268). Compounds of Formula (I) which represent a 2-pyridin-3-yl-oxazole or a 2-pyridin-3-yl- thiazole derivative are prepared in an analogues fashion from a compound of Structure 16 and a compound of Structure 4.

Structure 15 Structure 16 Alternatively, the bonds between the pyridine or the phenylring and the central 5- membered heteroaromatic ring can also be formed by applying palladium catalysed cross coupling reactions.

Methods that effect the transformation of a compound of Structure 4 into a compound of Structure 11 , or the opposite, are known to a person skilled in the art.

Compounds of the Structure 4 may be prepared by reacting a 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ester with an alkyl Grignard reagent in the presence of Fe(acac)₃ in a solvent such as THF, dioxane, DMF, NMP, etc., or combinations thereof, at temperatures ranging from -78 to 25°C (Fϋrstner conditions, Lit. e.g. A. Fϋrstner, A. Leitner, M. Mendez, H. Krause J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124 (2002) 13856-13863; A. Fϋrstner, A. Leitner Angew. Chem. 114 (2002) 632-635). The reaction conditions can be chosen such that either the 5-chloro-6-alkyl- nicotinic acid ester or the 5,6-dialkyl-nicotinic acid ester is obtained as the main product. The two chlorine atoms in a 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ester may also be substituted either sequentially or in one step by two alk-1-enyl groups, which may be the same or different, by treating 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ester with the appropriate alkenyl boron derivative under Suzuki coupling conditions known to a person skilled in the art. The obtained 5,6-di- alkenyl-nicotinic acid ester is hydrogenated to the corresponding 5,6-dialkyl-nicotinic acid ester. In addition, a procedure in which the Fϋrstner and the Suzuki conditions are employed sequentially can be envisaged. The 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ester may also be treated with an alcohol or an alcoholate at elevated temperatures to furnish the corresponding 5-chloro-6-alkoxy-nicotinic acid esters. Finally, cleavage of the ester functionality delivers the compounds of Structure 4.

Alternatively, compounds of Structure 4, wherein R¹ represents a methyl group, can be prepared from a compound of Structure 17 via formation of the corresponding 6-chloro-5- methyl-nicotinic acid esters using methods well known in the art, followed by derivatisation using Fϋrstner or Suzuki conditions as described above and subsequent cleavage of the ester function. The compound of Structure 17 can be prepared from known 6-chloro-3- formyl-5-methyl-pyridine (Lit. e.g. EP-0702003) by oxidation of the formyl group to the carboxylic acid using oxidation reagents well known in the art such as aq. H₂O₂ in formic acid, KMnO₄, etc. in the presence or absence of a solvent such as toluene, THF, MeCN, acetone, etc. at temperatures between 0 and 120⁰C. Compounds of Structure 11 , wherein R¹ represents a methyl group, can alternatively be prepared as described above from compounds of Structure 4, wherein R¹ represents a methyl group; or according to literature methods (Lit.: e.g. J. B. Paine III, J. Heterocyclic Chem. 1987, 351-355).

Structure 17

Whenever the compounds of formula (I) are obtained in the form of mixtures of enantiomers, the enantiomers can be separated using methods known to one skilled in the art: e.g. by formation and separation of diastereomeric salts or by HPLC over a chiral stationary phase such as a Regis Whelk-O1 (R,R) (10 μm) column, a Daicel ChiralCel OD- H (5-10 μm) column, or a Daicel ChiralPak IA (10 μm) or AD-H (5 μm) column. Typical conditions of chiral HPLC are an isocratic mixture of eluent A (EtOH, in presence or absence of an amine such as NEt₃, diethylamine) and eluent B (hexane), at a flow rate of 0.8 to 150 mL/min.

Experimental part

I) Chemistry

The following examples illustrate the invention but do not at all limit the scope thereof.

All temperatures are stated in ⁰C. Compounds are characterized by ¹H-NMR (300 MHz) or ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz) (Varian Oxford; chemical shifts are given in ppm relative to the solvent used; multiplicities: s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet; p = pentuplet, hex = hexet, hept = heptet, m = multiplet, br = broad, coupling constants are given in Hz); by LC-MS (Finnigan Navigator with HP 1100 Binary Pump and DAD, column: 4.6x50 mm, Zorbax SB-AQ, 5 μm, 120 A, gradient: 5-95% MeCN in water, 1 min, with 0.04% TFA, flow: 4.5 mL/min), t_R is given in min, (retention times marked with ^* or as LC-MS^* refer to LC run under basic conditions, i.e. eluting with a gradient of MeCN in water containing 13 mM of ammonium hydroxide, other wise identical conditions); by TLC (TLC-plates from Merck, Silica gel 60 F₂5₄); or by melting point. Compounds are purified by preparative HPLC (column: X-terra RP18, 50x19 mm, 5 μm, gradient: 10-95% MeCN in water containing 0.5 % of formic acid) or by MPLC (Labomatic MD-80-100 pump, Linear UVIS-201 detector, column: 350x18 mm, Labogel-RP-18-5s-100, gradient: 10% MeOH in water to 100% MeOH). Racemates can be separated into their enantiomers by preparative HPLC (column: ChiralPaK AD 20x250 mm, 5 μm, 15% EtOH in hexane).

Abbreviations (as used herein): aq. aqueous atm atmosphere

BSA bovine serum albumin

Burgess reagent methoxycarbonylsulfamoyl triethylammonium hydroxide

CC column chromatography

CDI carbonyl diimidazole

DCC dicyclohexyl carbodiimide

DCM dichloromethane

DEAD diethyl-diazodicarboxylate

DIPEA Hϋning's base, diethylisopropylamine

DME 1 ,2-dimethoxyethane

DMF dimethylformamide

DMSO dimethylsulfoxide dppf 1 ,1 '-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene

EA ethyl acetate

EDC N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethyl-carbodiimide ether diethyl ether

EtOH ethanol

Fe(acac)₃ iron(lll) acetylacetone-complex h hour(s)

HBTU O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate

HOBt 1 -hydroxy-benzotriazole

HPLC high performance liquid chromatography

HV high vacuum conditions

Lawesson's reagent 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1 ,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide LC-MS liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry

MeCN acetonitrile MeOH methanol min minute(s)

MPLC medium pressure liquid chromatography

NaOAc sodium acetate

NEt₃ triethylamine

NMO N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide

NMP 1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidone

OAc acetate org. organic

Ph phenyl

PPh₃ triphenylphosphine

PyBOP benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium- hexafluoro-phosphate prep. preparative rac racemic rt room temperature sat. saturated

S1 P sphingosine 1 -phosphate

TBME tert.-butyl methyl ether

TBTU 2-(1 H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1 ,2,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate tert. tertiary

TFA trifluoroacetic acid

THF tetrahydrofuran

TLC thin layer chromatography t_R retention time

Synthesis of Intermediates

Nicotinic acid 1

5,6-Dichloronicotinic acid (1.95 g, 10 mmol) is added to a solution of KOtBu (2.28 g, 20 mmol) in isopropanol (20 ml_). The mixture is heated at 80⁰C for 15 h. The mixture is diluted with water (60 ml.) and acidified with 1 M aq. HCI. The aq. solution is extracted with ether (5 x 50 ml.) and the combined org. extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated to provide 5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-nicotinic acid; ¹H NMR (d⁶-DMSO) £ 1.38 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 7 H), 5.44 (hept, J = 6.2 Hz, 1 H), 8.18 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 8.65 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1 H)

Nicotinic acid 2

a) A suspension of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid (5.25 g, 27.3 mmol) in toluene (200 ml.) is heated to 80⁰C and then slowly treated with N,N-dimethylformamide di-tert. butylacetal (20.0 g, 98.0 mmol). The mixture becomes slightly yellow and clear. Heating and stirring is continued for 3 h before the solution is cooled to rt, diluted with ether and washed with sat. aq. Na₂CO₃-solution. The org. phase is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent is evaporated. The residue is purified by MPLC (SiO₂) to give 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid tert.- butyl ester (5.13 g). 1H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 1.62 (s, 9 H), 8.30 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H), 8.83 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

b) To a solution of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (3.37 g, 13.6 mmol), Fe(acac)₃ (719 mg, 2.04 mmol) and NMP (1.95 ml_, 20 mmol) in THF (300 ml_), a solution of methylmagnesium chloride in THF (3M, 5.4 ml_, 16.3 mmol) is slowly added at -78°C. The brown solution turns turbid and black. Stirring is continued for 1 h at -75°C before it is warmed to 0⁰C. The reaction is incomplete and the mixture is cooled again at -70°C. A further batch of methylmagnesium bromide in THF (3M, 5.4 ml_, 16.3 mmol) is slowly added at -70⁰C. The dark green mixture is slowly warmed to -20°C and carefully quenched with 0.7 N aq. HCI (150 ml_). The mixture is extracted with ether (5 x 60 ml_). The combined org. extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give crude 5-chloro-6- methyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester as a yellow oil (4.66 g); LC-MS: t_R = 1.03 min, [M+1]⁺ = 228.22.

c) δ-Chloro-β-methyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (3.09 g, 13.5 mmol), Fe(acac)₃ (719 mg, 2.04 mmol) and NMP (1.95 mL, 20 mmol) are dissolved in THF (3M, 500 mL) and cooled at -78°C. A solution of isobutylmagnesium bromide in THF (2M, 13.6 mmol) is slowly added at -75°C. The brown solution turns turbid and yellow. Stirring is continued for 1 h at -75°C before it is slowly warmed to rt. The reaction is incomplete, further Fe(acac)₃ (719 mg, 2.04 mmol) is added and the mixture is cooled again at -70⁰C. Further methylmagnesium bromide in THF (2M, 13.6 mmol) is slowly added at -70⁰C. The dark green mixture is slowly warmed to rt and stirred for 15 h. The mixture is carefully quenched with 0.7 N aq. HCI (150 ml_). The mixture is extracted with EA (6 x 60 ml_). The combined org. extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by reversed phase MPLC to give 6-methyl-5-isobutyl-nicotinic acid tert. -butyl ester as black oil (0.50 g); LC-MS: t_R = 0.84 min, [M+1]⁺ = 250.14.

d) A solution of 6-methyl-5-isobutyl-nicotinic acid tert. -butyl ester (0.50 g, 2 mmol) is dissolved in dioxane (20 mL) and 4 N HCI in dioxane (30 mL) is added. The mixture is stirred for 3 h. The solvent is evaporated to give 6-methyl-5-isobutyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (0.52 g); LC-MS: t_R = 0.54 min; [M+1]⁺ =194.29; ¹H NMR (d⁶-DMSO) δ 0.91 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 1.91 (hept, J = 6.5 Hz), 2.68 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 2.73 (s, 3 H), 8.47 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 8.90 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

Nicotinic acid 3

a) To a solution of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (5.00 g, 20.0 mmol), and 2,4,6- trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (9.700 mg, 40 mmol) in dioxane (30 mL), a solution of 2 M aq. K₂CO₃ (6 mL) followed by Pd(PPh₃)₄ (620 mg, 0.38 mmol) and PPh₃ (620 mg, 3.8 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 100°C for 2 h, cooled to rt and diluted with ether (200 mL). The mixture is extracted with 1 M aq. NaOH (2 x 50 mL) and brine (50 mL). The org. phase is dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by FC (SiO₂, EA-heptane) to give 5-chloro-6-vinyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (4.0 g) as a yellow oil; LC-MS: t_R = 1.05 min, [M+1 +CH₃CN]⁺ = 281.36.

b) A mixture of 5-chloro-6-vinyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (2.0 g), Cs₂CO₃ (3.4 g), tri(tert.-butyl)phosphine (0.04 eq.), tris(dibenzylidenacetone)dipalladium (0.02 eq.), and 2,4,6-trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (2.0 g) in dioxane (30 mL) is degassed and heated at 100⁰C for 15 h. The mixture is cooled to rt, and diluted with ether (200 mL). The mixture is extracted with 1 M aq. NaOH (2 x 50 mL) and brine (50 ml_). The org. phase is dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by FC (SiO₂, EA-heptane) to give 5,6-divinyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester (0.89 g) as an oil. LC-MS: t_R = 1.01 min, [M+1]⁺ = 232.04.

c) To a solution of 5,6-divinyl-nicotinic acid tert-butyl ester (890 mg, 3.8 mmol) in THF (20 mL) containing some MeOH, Pd/C (100 mg, 10% Pd) is added and the mixture is stirred under 1 atm of H₂ at rt for 3 h. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated. The remaining residue is purified by FC (SiO₂, EA-heptane) to give 5,6-diethyl-nicotinic acid tert-butyl ester (860 mg) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.79 min, [M+1]⁺ = 236.14.

d) A solution of 5,6-diethyl-nicotinic acid tert-butyl ester (860 mg, 3.65 mmol) in 6 N aq. HCI (15 mL) is stirred at 65°C for 3 h before the solvent is evaporated. The residue is dried under HV to give 5,6-diethyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (923 mg) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.50 min, [M+1]⁺ = 180.05.

Nicotinic acid 4

β-Ethyl-δ-isobutyl-nicotinic acid is prepared in analogy to Nicotinic acid 3 from 5-chloro-6- vinyl-nicotinic acid tert.-butyl ester and 2,4,6-tri-(2-methyl-propenyl)-cycloboroxane pyridine complex, prepared in analogy to a procedure given by F. Kerins, D. F. O'Shea J. Org. Chem. 67 (2002) 4968-4971 ); LC-MS: t_R = 0.64 min, [M+1]⁺ =207.98.

Nicotinic acid 5

a) A solution of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid (5.0 g, 26 mmol) in dry EtOH (300 mL) and chlorotrimethylsilane (33 mL, 10 eq.) is stirred at rt for 16 h. The solvent is evaporated, the residue dissolved in ether (200 mL) and washed with a solution of sat. aq. Na₂COs (75 mL) and brine (50 ml_). The org. phase is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ethyl ester (5.8 g) as a solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.96 min, [M+1]⁺ = 219.93.

b) To a solution of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ethyl ester (0.8 g, 3.6 mmol), and 2,4,6-tri-(2- methyl-propenyl)-cycloboroxane pyridine complex (1.78 g, 5.49 mmol) in DME (20 ml_), a solution of 2 M aq. K₂CO₃ (5 ml.) followed by Pd(PPh₃)₄ (50 mg, 0.068 mmol) and PPh₃ (110 mg, 0.68 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 100⁰C for 2 days before it is cooled to rt and diluted with ether (100 ml_). The phases are separated and the aq. phase re- extracted with ether (50 ml_). The combined org. extracts are washed with 1 M aq. NaOH (2 x 40 ml.) and brine (40 ml_), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified by FC (SiO₂, EA-heptane) to give 5,6-di(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (52 mg) as a colourless oil; LC-MS: t_R =1.11 min, [M+1]⁺ = 260.24.

c) 5,6-di(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (52 mg, 0.3 mmol) is dissolved in THF (10 mL), Pd/C (20 mg, 10% Pd) is added and the mixture is stirred under 1 atm H₂ at rt for 15 h. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated to give 5,6-diisobutyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (52 mg) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 1.12 min, [M+1]⁺ = 264.19.

d) A solution of 5,6-diisobutyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (52 mg, 0.2 mmol) in 6 N aq. HCI (2 mL) is stirred at 65°C for 15 h before it is cooled to rt and extracted with ether (2 x 10 mL). The aq. phase is evaporated and the residue is dried under HV to give 5,6-diisobutyl- nicotinic acid hydrochloride (0.12 g) as a colourless solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.73 min; [M+1]⁺ = 236.40.

Nicotinic acid 6

a) Phosphoroxychloride (183 mL, 2 mol) is heated at 90⁰C and a mixture of commercially available 2-methyl-2-butennitrile (73 g, 0.9 mol) and DMF (154 mL, 2 mol) is added slowly while keeping the temperature at 100 to 1 10⁰C. The mixture is stirred at 1 10°C for 15 h, cooled to rt and diluted with DCM (500 mL). The mixture is cooled at 0⁰C and carefully quenched with water (500 mL). The phases are separated and the aq. phase extracted with DCM (total of 800 mL). The combined org. extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue is crystallised from cyclohexane to provide 6-chloro-3-formyl-5- methyl-pyridine (28.3 g) as slightly yellow crystals; LC-MS: t_R = 0.76 min, [M+1]⁺ = 156.14.

b) A solution of β-chloro-S-formyl-δ-methyl-pyridine (10 g, 64 mmol) in formic acid (200 ml.) is cooled at 0⁰C and an aq. 50% wt solution of H₂O₂ in water (9.6 ml_, 360 mmol) is added at this temperature. The mixture is stirred at 0⁰C for 15 h, carefully diluted with water (200 ml.) and extracted with DCM (8 x 100 ml_). The combined org. extracts are washed with 1 M aq. HCI (100 ml.) (check for remaining peroxide), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue is dried to give 6-chloro-5-methyl-nicotinic acid (9.56 g); LC-MS: t_R = 0.72 min, [M+1]⁺ = 172.0.

c) A solution of β-chloro-δ-methyl-nicotinic acid (13.85 g, 80.75 mmol) in dry EtOH (200 mL) containing some drops of concentrated H₂SO₄ is stirred at reflux for 2 days. The solution is cooled to rt, the solvent evaporated, the residue dissolved in EA (200 mL) and washed with a solution of sat. aq. Na₂CO₃ (2 x 80 mL), 1 M aq. KHSO₄ (2 x 80 mL) and brine (50 mL). The org. phase is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 6- chloro-5-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (12.65 g) as a solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.92 min; [M+1]⁺ = 200.10; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃) δ 1.43 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 4.43 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 8.16 (m, 1 H), 8.84 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

d) To a solution of 6-chloro-5-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (4.98 g, 24.9 mmol), 2,4,6-tri- (2-methyl-propenyl)-cycloboroxane pyridine complex (5.74 g, 17.7 mmol, prepared in analogy to a procedure given by F. Kerins, D. F. O'Shea J. Org. Chem. 67 (2002) 4968- 4971 ), and PPh₃ (1.15 g, 4.4 mmol) in DME (60 mL), a solution of 2 M aq. K₂CO₃ (20 mL) is added. The mixture is degassed and flushed with N₂ before Pd(PPh₃)₄ (460 mg, 0.4 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 90⁰C for 20 h before it is cooled to rt, diluted with EA (150 mL) and washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ (2 x 50 mL). The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified by FC (SiO₂, heptane-EA) to give 5-methyl-6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (3.98 g) as an orange oil; LC- MS: t_R = 0.72 min, [M+1]⁺ = 220.15.

e) 5-Methyl-6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (3.98 g, 18.2 mmol) is dissolved in THF (100 mL) and MeOH (100 mL), Pd/C (500 mg, 10% Pd) is added and the mixture is stirred under 1 atm H₂ at rt for 15 h. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated to give 6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (3.76 g) as a colourless oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.75 min; [M+1]⁺ = 222.15; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃) δ 0.97 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H), 1.42 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3 H), 2.20 (hept, J = 6.8 Hz, 1 H), 2.38 (s, 3 H), 2.75 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2 H), 4.41 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 8.03 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 9.00 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

f) A solution of β-isobutyl-S-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (3.75 g, 16.95 mmol) in 12.5% aq. HCI (50 mL) is stirred at 65°C for 24 h before the solvent is evaporated. The residue is dried under HV to give 6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (3.55 g) as a white powder; LC-MS: t_R = 0.57 min, [M+1]⁺ = 194.25.

Nicotinic acid 7

δ-Methyl-θ-propyl-nicotinic acid (1.85 g as hydrochloride) is prepared in analogy to Nicotinic acid 6 from θ-chloro-δ-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (2.0 g) and commercially available frans-1 -propen-1-yl broronic acid (1.3 g); ¹H NMR (d⁶-DMSO) δ 0.96 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3 H), 1.72 (m, 2 H), 3.05 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 8.66 (m, 1 H), 8.86 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1 H).

Nicotinic acid 8

6-lsobutyl-nicotinic acid is prepared in analogy to Nicotinic acid 2 from commercially available 6-chloronicotinic acid ethyl ester and isobutylmagnesium chloride; LC-MS: t_R = 0.52 min, [M+1]⁺ = 180.30.

Nicotinic acid 9

a) To a solution of 5,6-dichloronicotinic acid ethly ester (2.40 g, 10.9 mmol) and 2,4,6-tris- (2-methyl-propenyl)-cyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (2.02 g, 6.22 mmol, prepared in analogy to a procedure given by F. Kerins, D. F. O'Shea J. Org. Chem. 67 (2002) 4968- 4971 ) in dioxane (40 mL) and 2 M aq. K₂CO₃ solution (10 mL), PPh₃ (114 mg, 0.436 mmol) is added. The mixture is degassed and put under N₂ before Pd(PPh₃)₄ (160 mg, 0.218 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 100⁰C for 1.5 h before another portion of 2,4,6- tris-(2-methyl-propenyl)-cyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (1.01 g, 3.1 1 mmol) is added. Stirring is continued at 10O⁰C for 3 h before the mixture is cooled to rt, diluted with ether, washed with 1 N aq. NaOH solution followed by water, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 9:1 to give 5-chloro-6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (2.4 g) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 1.05 min, [M+1]⁺ = 240.02. To a solution of this material in dioxane (40 ml_), 2,4,6- trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (1.84 g, 7.63 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (4.62 g, 14.2 mmol) followed by tri-tert-butylphosphine (88 mg, 0.436 mmol) is added. The mixture is degassed and put under N₂ before Pd₂(dba)₃ (200 mg, 0.218 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 100⁰C for 16 h before another portion of 2,4,6-trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (1.84 g, 7.63 mmol) and Pd₂(dba)₃ (200 mg, 0.218 mmol) is added. Stirring is continued at 100⁰C for 24 h before the mixture is diluted with EA, washed with 1 N aq. NaOH solution, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 10:1 to give a first portion of 6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-5-vinyl- nicotinic acid ethyl ester. In addition, unreacted 5-chloro-6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-nicotinic acid ethyl ester is isolated. This material is again treated with 2,4,6-trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex as described before. Work-up, purification and combining the two portions give 6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-5-vinyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (1.37 g) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.87 min, [M+1]⁺ = 232.13.

b) To solution of 6-(2-methyl-propenyl)-5-vinyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (1.37 g, 6.74 mmol) in THF (20 mL), Pd/C (100 mg, 10% Pd) followed by EtOH (20 mL) is added. The mixture is stirred under 1 atm of H₂ at rt for 24 h. The catalyst is removed by filtration and the filtrate is concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 4:1 to give 5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (970 mg) as a colourless oil, LC-MS: t_R = 0.79 min, [M+1]⁺ = 236.20; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £0.97 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H), 1.27 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.42 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3 H), 2.17-2.28 (m, 1 H), 2.69-2.78 (m, 4 H), 4.42 (q, J = 1.0) Hz, 2 H), 8.07 (s, 1 H), 9.00 (s, 1 H).

c) A solution of 5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (970 mg, 4.12 mmol) in 25% aq. HCI is stirred at 95°C for 8 h. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is dried under high vacuum to give 5-ethyl-6-isobutyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (1.15 g, presumably as hydrate) as a colourless resin, LC-MS: t_R = 0.62 min, [M+1]⁺ = 208.35.

Nicotinic acid 10

6-(3-Methyl-butyl)-nicotinic acid is prepared by reacting 6-chloro-nicotinic acid tert-butly ester with 3-methyl-butylmagnesium bromide under Fϋrstner conditions as described for Nicotinic acid 2; LC-MS: t_R = 0.58 min, [M+1]⁺ = 194.30.

Nicotinic acid 11

a) To a solution of potassium tert. butylate (1.26 g, 11.3 mmol) in isopropanol (30 ml_), 2,5- dibromo-3-picoline (2.89 g, 11.3 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 80⁰C for 15 h before another portion of potassium tert. -butylate (2.53 g, 27.5 mmol) is added. Stirring is continued at 80⁰C for 24 h before the mixture is diluted with sat. aq. NaHCO₃-solution. The mixture is extracted with ether, the org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 9:1 to give 5-bromo-2-isopropoxy-3-methyl-pyridine (1.24 g) as a colourless oil; LC-MS: t_R = 1.06 min; [M+1]⁺ = 230.00; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.35 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6 H), 2.16 (s, 3 H), 5.27 (hept, J = 6.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.48 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 8.02 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

b) A solution of 5-bromo-2-isopropoxy-3-methyl-pyridine (1.24 g, 5.39 mmol) and 2,4,6- trivinylcyclotriboroxane pyridine complex (1.27 g, 5.26 mmol) in DME (12 mL) and 2 M aq. K₂CO₃ (5 mL) is degassed and put under argon before Pd(PPh₃)₄ (112 mg, 0.097 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 80⁰C for 15 h before it is cooled to rt, diluted with ether (50 mL), washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ solution (2x30 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 9:1 to give 2-isopropoxy-3-methyl-5-vinyl-pyridine (703 mg) as pale yellow oil; LC-MS: t_R = 1.01 min; [M+1]⁺ = 178.11.

c) To a solution of 2-isopropoxy-3-methyl-5-vinyl-pyridine (703 mg, 3.97 mmol) in acetone (80 mL), KMnO₄ (1.60 g, 10.1 mmol) is added and the mixture is stirred at rt for 18 h. The dark brown suspension is filtered and the clear, colourless filtrate is evaporated to dryness to give 6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-nicotinic acid (1.06 g, as potassium salt) as an off-white solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.86 min; [M+1]⁺ = 196.09; ¹H NMR (D₂O): £ 1.31 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6 H), 2.14 (s, 3 H), 5.15 (hept, J = 7.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.91 (s, 1 H), 8.34 (s, 1 H).

N-Hydroxy-θ-isobutyl-S-methyl-nicotinamidine

a) A solution of β-isobutyl-S-methyl-nicotinic acid ethyl ester (2.86 g, 12.9 mmol) in 7 N NH₃ in MeOH (80 mL) is stirred at 60⁰C for 20 h before the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dried to give 6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinamide (1.89 g) as a yellow oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.66 min, [M+1]⁺ = 193.29; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): £0.91 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.08-2.20 (m, 1 H), 2.32 (s, 3 H), 2.65 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 7.43 (s, 1 H), 7.95 (s, 1 H), 8.01 (m, 1 H), 8.78 (s, 1 H).

b) To a solution of β-isobutyl-δ-methyl-nicotinamide (1.89 g, 9.85 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) and pyridine (2.83 g, 39.4 mmol), TFA anhydride (5.17 g, 24.6 mmol) is added portionwise at 0⁰C. The mixture is stirred at rt for 24 h, diluted with DCM and washed with water, 4% aq. citric acid solution followed by sat. aq. NaHCO₃ solution. The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 9:1 to give 6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinonitrile (1.35 g) as a white solid; LC- MS: t_R = 0.89 min, [M+1]⁺ = 175.1 1.

c) To a solution of potassium tert-butylate (3.04 g, 27.1 mmol) in MeOH (60 mL), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.62 g, 23.2 mmol) is added at 0°C. To this suspension, 6- isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinonitrile (1.35 g, 7.75 mmol) is added. The mixture is refluxed for3 h, cooled to rt, filtered and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The residue is suspended in a small amount of water and then extracted with EA. The org. extract is concentrated and dried under high vacuum to give N-hydroxy-6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinamidine (1.53 g) as a pale yellow oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.68 min, [M+1]⁺ = 208.22; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): £0.91 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H), 2.06-2.17 (m, 1 H), 2.29 (s, 3 H), 2.61 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2 H), 5.85 (s br, 2 H), 7.76 (s, 1 H), 8.60 (s, 1 H), 9.68 (s, 1 H).

N-Hydroxy-θ-isopropoxy-S-methyl-nicotinamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to N-hydroxy-β-isobutyl-δ-methyl-nicotinamidine from Nicotinic acid 1 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.64 min, [M+1]⁺ = 210.08.

4-Allyloxy-N-hydroxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to 4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzamidine by allylating commercially available 4-hydroxy-benzonitrile followed by transforming the nitrile to the hydroxyamidine; LC-MS: t_R = 0.59 min, [M+1]⁺ = 193.58.

4-Allyloxy-N-hydroxy-2-methyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to 4-allyloxy-3-ethyl-N-hydroxy-5-methyl- benzamidine starting from commercially available 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-benzaldehyde; LC- MS: t_R = 0.62 min, [M+1]⁺ = 207.10; ¹³C NMR (CDCI₃): £ 20.72, 68.91 , 104.72, 1 12.75, 1 16.45, 118.32, 1 18.53, 132.25, 134.19, 144.09, 161.71.

4-Allyloxy-N-hydroxy-2-methoxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared from commercially available 4-hydroxy-2-methoxy- benzaldehyde following literature procedures (references cited for 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5- methyl-benzamidine); LC-MS: t_R = 0.64 min; [M+1]⁺ = 223.24; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): δ 9.33 (s br, 1 H), 7.30 (d, J =8.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.60 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.50 (dd, J = 2.3, 8.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.10-5.94 (m, 1 H), 5.50 (s, 2H), 5.40 (d, J = 17.0 Hz, 1 H), 5.24 (d, J = 10.6 Hz, 1 H), 4.57 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H).

4-Allyloxy-N -hydroxy -3-methoxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to 4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzamidine by allylating commercially available 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzonitrile followed by transforming the nitrile to the hydroxyamidine; LC-MS: t_R = 0.59 min, [M+1]⁺ = 223.18.

4-Allyloxy-3-bromo-N-hydroxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to 4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzamidine by allylating commercially available 3-brome-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile followed by transforming the nitrile to the hydroxyamidine; LC-MS: t_R = 0.68 min, [M+1]⁺ = 270.96.

4-Allyloxy-3-chloro-N-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared in analogy to 4-allyloxy-3-ethyl-N-hydroxy-5-methyl- benzamidine starting from commercially available 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methyl- benzaldehyde; LC-MS: t_R = 0.69 min, [M+1]⁺ = 241.10.

4-Allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared by allylating commercially available 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzonitrile with allylbromide in the presence of NaOH in isopropanol at rt. The nitrile is then transformed to the hydroxyamidine according to literature procedures (e.g. E. Meyer, A. C. Joussef, H. Gallardo, Synthesis 2003, 899-905); ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.27 (s, 2 H), 6.10 (m, 1 H), 5.42 (m, 1 H), 5.26 (m, 1 H), 4.31 (dt, J = 5.6, 1.5 Hz, 2 H), 2.29 (s, 6 H).

4-Allyloxy-3-ethyl-N-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared by allylating 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzaldehyde which is prepared from 2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol following literature procedures (see 3-ethyl-

4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine). The aldehyde is then transformed into the corresponding hydroxyamidine according to literature procedures (see 3-ethyl-4,N- dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine); LC-MS: t_R = 0.72 min; [M+1]⁺ = 235.09; ¹H

NMR(CD₃OD): δ 7.31 (s, 1 H), 7.29 (s, 1 H), 6.10 (m, 1 H), 5.43 (dd, J = 17.0, 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 5.27 (dd, J = 10.3, 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 4.81 (s br, 3H), 4.31 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.67 (q, J = 7.6

Hz, 2 H), 2.30 (s, 3 H), 1.23 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 4 H).

4-Allyloxy-3-chloro-N-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared by allylating commercially available 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5- methoxybenzaldehyde (see 4-Allyloxy-3-ethyl-N-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine). The aldehyde is then transformed into the corresponding hydroxyamidine according to literature procedures (see 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine); LC-MS: t_R = 0.69 min; [M+1]⁺ = 257.26.

4,N-Dihydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared from commercially available 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzonitrile according to literature procedures (e.g. E. Meyer, A. C. Joussef, H. Gallardo, Synthesis 2003, 899-905); ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.20 (s, 2H), 2.20 (s, 6H).

3-Ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared from commercially available 2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol following literature procedures (G. Trapani, A. Latrofa, M. Franco, C. Altomare, E. Sanna, M. Usala, G. Biggio, G. Liso, J. Med. Chem. 41 (1998) 1846-1854; A. K. Chakraborti, G. Kaur, Tetrahedron 55 (1999) 13265-13268; E. Meyer, A. C. Joussef, H. Gallardo, Synthesis 2003, 899-905); LC-MS: t_R = 0.55 min; ¹H NMR (d⁶-DMSO): δ 9.25 (s br, 1 H), 7.21 (s, 2H), 5.56 (s, 2H), 2.55 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 1.10 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H).

3,5-Diethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared from commercially available 2,6-diethylaniline following literature procedures (G. G. Ecke, J. P. Napolitano, A. H. Filbey, A. J. Kolka, J. Org. Chem. 22 (1957) 639-642; and literature cited for 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine); LC-MS: t_R = 60 min; [M+1]⁺ = 209.46.

3-Chloro-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-benzamidine

The title compound is prepared from commercially available 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy- benzaldehyde in analogy to the literature cited for 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl- benzamidine; LC-MS: t_R = 0.49 min; [M+1]⁺ = 216.96; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): £3.84 (s, 3 H), 5.79 (s, 2 H), 7.22 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.27 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 9.52 (s, 1 H), 9.58 (s br, 1 H).

^-(N-HydroxycarbamimidoylJ-phenyll-acetic acid

a) To a solution of methyl (4-cyanophenyl)acetate (4.00 g, 27.8 mmol) in MeOH (20 ml_), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (3.17 g, 45.7 mmol) and NaHCO₃ (3.84 g, 45.7 mmol) is added. The suspension is stirred at 60⁰C for 18 h before it is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated. The residue is dissolved in DCM, washed with water followed by brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, concentrated and dried to give methyl [4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)- phenyl]-acetate (3.67 g) as a colourless oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.50 min, [M+1]⁺ = 209.05.

b) A solution of methyl [4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-acetate (3.67 g, 17.6 mmol) in 25% aq. HCI (15 mL) is stirred at 65°C for 4 h. The solvent is removed in vacuo and the residue is dried under high vacuum to give [4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-acetic acid (3.80 g, presumably as hydrochloride) as a yellow solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.34 min, [M+1]⁺ = 195.05.

{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-acetic acid

The title compound is prepared starting from Nicotinic acid 6 and [4-(N- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-acetic acid in analogy to Example 13; LC-MS: t_R = 0.96 min, [M+1]⁺ = 352.39.

3-[2-Ethyl-4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-6-methylφhenyl]φropionic acid tert-butyl ester

a) To a solution of 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid (80.3 g, 0.446 mol) is DMF (500 ml_), KHCO₃ (53.5 g, 0.535 mol) followed by benzylbromide (1 14.3 g, 0.668 mol) is added.

The mixture is stirred at 50⁰C for 18 h before it is cooled to rt, diluted with water (250 ml_), and extracted with TBME (2x250 ml_). The org. extracts are washed with water, and then concentrated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 19:1 to 9:1 to give 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid benzyl ester (108.5 g) as a beige solid; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.28 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 2.30 (s, 3 H), 2.68 (q, J = 7.8 Hz, 2 H), 5.24 (s, 1 H), 5.37 (s, 2 H), 7.33-7.45 (m, 3 H), 7.45-7.50 (m, 2 H), 7.77 (s, 1 H), 7.79 (s, 1 H).

b) To a solution of 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid benzyl ester (97.5 g, 0.361 mol) and pyridine (57.1 g, 0.721 mol) in DCM (1000 ml_), a solution of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (122.1 g, 0.433 mol) in DCM (100 ml.) is added dropwise at 0⁰C. After complete addition, the mixture is stirred at rt for 2 h before it is washed with 2 N aq. HCI (500 ml.) followed by water (500 ml_). The org. extract is concentrated and dried to give 3-ethyl-5- methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-benzoic acid (140.5 g) as an orange oil; ¹H NMR δ 1.30 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 2.83 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 5.39 (s, 2 H), 7.35-7.50 (m, 5 H), 7.87 (s, 1 H), 7.91 (s, 1 H).

c) To a solution of 3-ethyl-5-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-benzoic acid (10.0 g, 25 mmol), tert.-butyl acrylate (6.37 g, 50 mmol), NEt₃ (5.03 g, 50 mmol), and DPPP (0.82 g, 2 mmol) in DMF (100 ml_), Pd(OAc)₂ (0.45 g, 2 mmol) is added under a N₂-atmosphere. The mixture is stirred at 1 15°C for 3 h before is cooled to rt, filtered over a celite pad. The pad is washed with TBME (250 ml.) and waer (500 ml.) is added to the filtrate. The layers are separated and the org. layer is washed twice with water (2x500 ml_), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness. To the crude product is added EtOH (100 ml_). A thick suspension forms. The solid material is collected, washed with ice-cold EtOH (10 ml.) to give 4-(2-tert- butoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-3-ethyl-5-methyl-benzoic acid benzyl ester (3.8 g) as an off-white solid.

d) To a solution of 4-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-3-ethyl-5-methyl-benzoic acid benzyl ester (10.0 g, 26 mmol) in THF 100 ml_), Pd/C (0.5 g, 20% Pd) is added under nitrogen. The mixture is stirred at rt for 48 h under 1 bar of H₂. The catalyst is filtered off over a celite pad and the filtrate is concentrated to dryness to give 4-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3- ethyl-5-methyl-benzoic acid (7.64 g) as a white solid; ¹H NMR J 1.29 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.49 (s, 9 H), 2.36-2.41 (m, 2 H), 2.74 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 2.99-3.05 (m, 2 H), 7.77 (s, 1 H), 7.80 (s, 1 H).

e) To a solution of 4-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-ethyl-5-methyl-benzoic acid (36.0 g, 123 mmol) in isopropanol (400 ml_), HOBT (18.3 g, 135 mmol) followed by EDC HCI (27.1 g, 142 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at rt for 1 h before aq. ammonia (69 ml. of 25% solution) is added. Stirring is continued for 1 h before the mixture is diluted with DCM (500 ml.) and washed with half sat. aq. NaHCOs solution (3x400 ml_), followed by water (400 ml_). The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is trituated with TBME 8250 ml_). The solid material is collected, washed with additional TBME (50 ml.) and dried under high vacuum to give 3-(4-carbamoyl-2-ethyl-6- methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid tert-butyl ester (31.91 g) as a white solid.

f) To a solution of 3-(4-carbamoyl-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid tert-butyl ester (30.0 g, 103 mmol) and NEt₃ (31.3 g, 309 mmol) in DCM (300 ml_), trifluoroacetic anhydride

(23.8 g, 1 13 mmol) is added slowly. The exothermic reaction is kept below 5°C with cooling. After complete addition, the mixture is stirred at rt for 1 h. The mixture is washed twice with water (2x300 ml.) and the org. extract is evaporated to dryness to give 3-(4- cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid tert-butyl ester (28.4 g) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR £ 1.25 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.48 (s, 9 H), 2.32-2.37 (m, 2 H), 2.38 (s, 3 H), 2.70 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 2.95-3.02 (m, 2 H), 7.30 (s, 1 H), 7.34 (s, 1 H).

g) A solution of 3-(4-cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid tert-butyl ester (37.0 g, 135 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (14.1 g, 203 mmol) and NEt₃ (27.4 g, 271 mmol) in MeOH (400 ml.) is heated to reflux for 7 h before it is cooled to rt. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is taken up in isopropylacetate (500 ml.) and washed twice with water (500 ml_). The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered, evaporated and dried to give 3-[2-ethyl-4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-6-methyl-phenyl]-propionic acid tert-butyl ester (40.8 g) as a pale yellow solid; ¹H NMR £ 1.26 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.49 (s, 9 H), 2.33-2.41 (m, 5 H), 2.66-2.74 (m, 2 H), 2.93-3.01 (m, 2 H), 4.85 (s, 1 H), 7.28 (s, 2 H).

3-[2-Ethyl-4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-6-methylφhenyl]-propionic acid

a) 3-(4-Cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester is prepared in analogy to 3-(4-cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid tert-butyl ester; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 1.21-1.31 (m, 6 H), 2.37 (s, 3 H), 2.41-2.47 (m, 2 H), 2.69 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 2.99-3.05 (m, 2 H), 4.18 (q, J = 7.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.30 (s, 1 H), 7.33 (s, 1 H).

b) A solution of 3-(4-cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid ethyl ester (55.0 g, 224 mmol) in THF (220 ml.) and 1 N aq. NaOH solution (220 ml.) is stirred at rt for 2 before it is diluted with water (200 ml.) and extracted with DCM (2x200 ml_). The aqeous phase is added to 32 % aq. HCI solution (50 ml.) at 15-30⁰C. A precipitate forms. The solid material is collected, washed with water and dried under high vacuum to give 3-(4-cyano-2-ethyl-6- methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid (40.87 g) as pale brown crystals; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): £1.17 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 2.30-2.39 (m, 5 H), 2.67 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 2.87-2.94 (m, 2 H), 7.47 (s, 2 H), 12.30 (s, 1 H).

c) To a solution of 3-(4-cyano-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-propionic acid (10.0 g, 46.0 mmol) in EtOH (80 ml_), NEt₃ (13.97 g, 138.1 mmol) followed by hydroxylamine hydrochloride (6.40 g, 92.1 mmol) is added. The mixure is refluxed for 7 h before it is cooled to rt. The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolven in 2 N aq. HCI and the pH is adjusted to 5 by adding 32% aq. NaOH solution. The precipitate that forms is collected, washed with water and dried under high vacum at 40⁰C for 18 h to give 3-[2-ethyl-4-(N- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-6-methyl-phenyl]-propionic acid (11.7 g) as a beige crystalline powder; LC-MS: t_R = 0.60 min, [M+1]⁺ = 251.09.

3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenylj-propionic acid

The title compound is prepared from Nicotinic acid 11 and 3-[2-ethyl-4-(N- hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-6-methyl-phenyl]-propionic acid in analogy to Example 13; LC-MS: t_R = 1.15 min, [M+1]⁺ = 410.10.

3-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid

a) To an ice-cold solution of H₂SO₄ (150 ml.) in water (250 ml.) 2-ethyl-6-methylaniline (15.0 g, 11 1 mmol) is added. The solution is treated with ice (150 g) before a solution of NaNO₂ (10.7 g, 155 mmol) in water (150 ml.) and ice (50 g) is added dropwise. The mixture is stirred at 0⁰C for 1 h. 50% aq. H₂SO₄ (200 ml.) is added and stirring is continued at rt for 18 h. The mixture is extracted with DCM, the org. extracts are dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The crude product is purified by CC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 9:1 to give 2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol (8.6 g) as a crimson oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.89 min; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 7.03-6.95 (m, 2H), 6.80 (t, J =7.6 Hz, 1 H), 4.60 (s, 1 H), 2.64 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 1.24 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H).

b) A solution of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol (8.40 g, 61.7 mmol) and hexamethylene tetraamine (12.97 g, 92.5 mmol) in acetic acid (60 mL) and water (14 mL) is heated to 115°C. The water is distilled off at 1 17°C and collected with a Dean-Stark apparatus. Then the water separator is replaced by a reflux condensor and the mixture is refluxed for 3 h. The mixture is cooled to rt, diluted with water (100 mL) and extracted with EA. The org. extract is washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The remaining solid is dissolved in EA and treated with heptane to initialize crystallisation. The solid material is collected and dried to give 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzaldehyde (3.13 g) as a colourless crystalline powder, ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 9.83 (s, 1 H), 7.58-7.53 (m, 2H), 5.30 (s br, 1 H), 2.69 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 1.28 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H). c) To a solution of 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzaldehyde (78.8 g, 0.48 mol) in DMSO (585 ml_), a solution of NaH₂PO₄ dihydrate (17.3 g, 0.144 mol) in water (160 ml.) is added over a period of 13 min. The mixture is stirred at rt an a solution of NaCIO₂ (65.17 g, 0.577 mol) in water (160 ml.) is added while the mixture is cooled with an ice-bath. The mixture is stirred for 1 h before a second portion of NaCIO₂ (43.44 g, 0.480 mol) in water (100 ml.) is added while the temperature is kept between 25 and 40⁰C with an ice-bath. Th yellow suspension is stirred at rt for 24 h before it is acidified with 32% aq. HCI to pH 2-3. The mixture is extracted with TBME (250 ml_), the org. extract is washed with water, and the washings are extracted back with TBME. The solvent of the combined org. extracts is evaporated to give crude 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid (80.3 g) as a yellow solid.

4-Allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid hydrazide

To a solution of 4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid (Lit.: see US 3,262,946) (5.26 g, 25.5 mmol) in CHCI₃ (75 ml.) is added thionylchloride (7.5 ml.) and the mixture is heated at reflux for 2 h. The mixture is evaporated and the residue, dissolved in DCM (50 ml_), added to a cooled (0⁰C) solution of 1 M hydrazine in THF (75 ml.) in DCM (250 ml_). The mixture is slowly warmed to rt during 15 h, diluted with ether (150 ml.) and washed with 1 M aq. HCI (5 x 50 ml_). The aq. extracts are washed with ether (50 ml.) and the org. phases are discarded. The aq. extracts are basified with 33% aq. KOH and extracted with DCM (5 x 50 ml_). The org. extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated to give the title compound (5.39 g) as a white solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.71 min; [M+1]⁺ = 221.20.

Methanesulfonic acid 2,2-dimethyl-[1 ,3]dioxan-5-yl methyl ester

O

The title compound is prepared following the procedures given in B. Xu, A. Stephens, G. Kirschenheuter, A. F. Greslin, X. Cheng, J. Sennelo, M. Cattaneo, M. L. Zighetti, A. Chen, S.-A. Kim, H. S. Kim, N. Bischofberger, G. Cook, K. A. Jacobson, J. Med. Chem. 45 (2002) 5694-5709.

Synthesis of Examples

Example 1

a) A solution of δ-chloro-θ-isopropoxy-nicotinic acid (202.9 mg, 0.94 mmol), TBTU (332 mg, 1.04 mmol), Hϋnig's base (607 mg, 4.70 mmol), and 4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzamidine (230 mg, 1.04 mmol) in DCM (7 ml.) is stirred at rt for 24 h. The mixture is diluted with ether (150 ml_), washed with 1 N aq. HCI (2 x 20 ml_), 1 N aq. KHSO₄ solution (20 ml.) and brine (20 ml_), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by MPLC on silica gel eluting with a gradient of EA in heptane to give 5- chloro-6-isopropoxy-nicotinic acid (4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzamidine) ester (258 mg) as a white powder; LC-MS: t_R = 1.12 min, [M+1]⁺ = 418.07.

b) A solution of 5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-nicotinic acid (4-allyloxy-N-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl- benzamidine) ester (200 mg, 0.48 mmol) in dioxane (6 mL) is stirred at 90⁰C for 2 days.

The solvent is evaporated to give crude 3-[3-(4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)- [1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridine (279 mg); LC-MS: t_R = 1.27 min.

c) To a solution of 3-[3-(4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-5-chloro-6- isopropoxy-pyridine (191 mg, 0.48 mmol) in acetone (10 mL) and water (1 mL), NMO (97 mg, 0.72 mmol) followed by OsO₄ (12 mg, 0.048 mmol) are added. The mixture is stirred at 45°C for 16 h before it is diluted with 1 N aq. KHSO₄-solution and extracted with ether (3x50 mL). The combined org. extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. A sample (15 mg) of the crude product (299 mg) is purified by chromatography on prep. TLC plates with heptane:EA 1 :2 to give (RS)-3-{4-[5-(5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)- [1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol (10.6 mg); LC-MS: t_R = 1.06 min, [M+1]⁺ = 434.06. Example 2

To a solution of crude (RS)-3-{4-[5-(5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3- yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol (265 mg, 0.61 mmol) in THF (5 ml_), Hϋnig's base (158 mg, 1.22 mmol) followed by methanesulfonylchloride (77 mg, 0.67 mmol) are added at 0⁰C. The mixture is stirred at rt for 16 h before 7 M NH₃ in MeOH (2 ml.) is added. The mixture is stirred at 65°C for 16 h before the solvent is removed in vacuo to give crude (RS)-1-amino-3-{4-[5-(5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6- dimethyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol; LC-MS: t_R = 0.92 min, [M+1 +CH₃CN]⁺ = 474.44.

Example 3

To a solution of (RS)-I -amino-3-{4-[5-(5-chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 , 2, 4]oxadiazol- 3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol (313 mg, 0.6 mmol) in DCM (10 ml_), glycolic acid (95 mg, 1.25 mmol) and Hϋnig's base (233 mg, 1.8 mmol) are added. The mixture is cooled to 0⁰C and TBTU (236 mg, 0.74 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 0⁰C for 1 h, then at rt for 16 h before it is diluted with EA (250 ml_), washed with 1 N aq. NaOH solution (3x25 ml_), 1 N aq. KHSO₄ (25 ml.) and brine (25 ml_), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by prep. HPLC to give N-((/?S)-3-{4-[5-(5- chloro-β-isopropoxy-pyridin-S-ylHi ^^oxadiazol-S-yl^β-dimethyl-phenoxy^-hydroxy- propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide (42 mg) as a white powder; LC-MS: t_R = 1.06 min; [M+1]⁺ = 491.48; ¹H NMR (CD3OD) δ 1.45 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6 H), 2.38 (s, 6 H), 3.47 (dd, J = 13.6, 7.3 Hz, 1 H), 3.66 (dd, J = 13.6, 4.5 Hz, 1 H), 3.87 (m, 2 H), 4.04 (s, 2 H), 4.14 (m, 1 H), 5.52 (m, 1 H), 7.78 (s, 2 H), 8.43 (s, 1 H), 8.85 (s, 1 H)

Example 4

(RS)-3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.92 min, [M+1]⁺ = 412.21.

Example 5

2-Hydroxy-N-((/?S)-2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3- yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide is prepared in analogy to Example 2 and 3; LC-MS: t_R = 0.89 min, [M+1]⁺ = 469.57.

Example 6

(RS)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.95 min, [M+1]⁺ = 426.14.

Example 7

(RS)-1-Amino-3-{2-ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6- methyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol is prepared in analogy to Example 2; LC-MS: t_R = 0.82 min, [M+1]⁺ = 425.17.

Example 8

N-((RS)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide is prepared in analogy to Example 3; LC- MS: t_R = 0.91 min, [M+1]⁺ = 483.21.

Example 9

(RS)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(5-isobutyl-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.96 min, [M+1]⁺ = 426.12.

Example 10

(RS)-3-{2,6-Dimethyl-4-[5-(5-methyl-6-propyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.87 min, [M+1]⁺ 398.54.

Example 11

(RS)-3-{2-Ethyl-6-methyl-4-[5-(5-methyl-6-propyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.91 min, [M+1]⁺ = 412.56.

Example 12

(RS)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-Diisobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 1.01 min; [M+1]⁺ 454.56.

Example 13

To a solution of 5,6-diethyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (920 mg, 4.3 mmol) and Hϋnig's base (2.76 g, 21 mmol) in DCM (50 mL) is added TBTU (1.785 g, 5.55 mmol) and the mixture is stirred at rt for 5 min. 3-Ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine (1.14 g, 4.7 mmol) is added and the mixture stirred for 0.5 h. The mixture is diluted with DCM, washed with sat. aq. NaHCOs solution, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude 5,6- diethyl-nicotinic acid (3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine) ester (LC-MS: t_R = 0.79 min) is dissolved in dioxane (50 mL) and heated to 100⁰C for 18 h. The solvent is evaporated and the crude product is purified by FC on silica gel eluting with heptane:EA 10:1 to give 4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol (0.42 g) as a solid; LC-MS: t_R = 1.03 min, [M+1]⁺ =338.09.

Example 14

To a solution of 4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenol (100 mg, 0.296 mmol) in isopropanol (10 ml.) and 3 N aq. NaOH (3 ml_), (S)-3-chloro-1 ,2- propanediol (98 mg, 0.89 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 60⁰C for 24 h before another portion of (S)-3-chloro-1 ,2-propanediol (98 mg, 0.89 mmol) is added. Stirring is continued at 60⁰C for 2 days. The mixture is diluted with EA and washed with sat. aq. NaHCOs solution. The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on prep. TLC plates with EA-heptane to give (S)-3- {4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2- diol (14 mg) as a red oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.93 min, [M+1]⁺ = 412.16.

Example 15

2-{4-[5-(5,6-Diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxymethyl}- propane-1 ,3-diol is prepared in two steps in analogy to Example 14 using methanesulfonic acid 2,2-dimethyl-[1 ,3]dioxan-5-ylmethyl ester as the alkylating agent. The obtained protected diol (32 mg) is dissolved in THF (5 mL) and water (0.5 mL) and TFA (0.25 mL) are added. The mixture is stirred at rt for 1 h, diluted with EA and washed with sat. aq.

NaHCO₃. The org. phase is evaporated and the residue purified by by chromatography on prep. TLC plates with DCM-MeOH to give 2-{4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-

3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxymethyl}-propane-1 ,3-diol; LC-MS: t_R = 0.95 min, [M+1]⁺ =

426.09.

Example 16

2-{4-[5-(5,6-Diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-ethanol is prepared in analogy to Example 14 using bromoethanol as the alkylating agent; LC-MS: t_R = 1.01 min; [M+ 1 ]⁺ = 382.17; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃) δ 1.22-1.45 (m, 9 H), 2.42 (s, 3 H), 2.72-2.87 (m, 4 H), 2.96 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 4.00 (m, 5 H), 7.89 (s, 1 H), 7.90 (s, 1 H), 8.24 (s, 1 H), 9.21 (s, 1 H).

Example 17

a) To a solution of 4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl- phenol (150 mg, 0.445 mmol) in isopropanol (10 ml.) and 3 N aq. NaOH (3 ml_), epichlorhydrine (164 mg, 1.78 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at rt for 20 h. The mixture is diluted with EA and washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ solution. The org. extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on prep. TLC plates with EA-heptane to give (RS)-2,3-diethyl-5-[3-(3-ethyl- 5-methyl-4-oxiranylmethoxy-phenyl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-pyridine (92 mg) as an oil. b) (RS)-2,3-Diethyl-5-[3-(3-ethyl-5-methyl-4-oxiranylmethoxy-phenyl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]- pyridine (92 mg) is dissolved in 7N NH₃ in MeOH (20 mL) and heated in a screw cap bottle at 60⁰C for 15 h. The mixture is evaporated to give crude (RS)-I -amino-3-{4-[5-(5, 6-diethyl- pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol (99 mg); LC-MS: t_R = 0.80 min, [M+1]⁺ = 411.09.

Example 18

To a solution of (RS)-I -amino-3-{4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl- 6-methyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol (99 mg, 0.24 mmol), glycolic acid (18.5 mg, 0.244 mmol) and Hϋnig's base (78 mg, 0.61 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) is added PyBOP (126.7 mg, 0.24 mmol) and the mixture is stirred at rt for 30 min. The mixture is diluted with EA, washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ solution, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on prep. TLC plates eluting with DCM:MeOH 10:1 to give N-((RS)-3-{4-[5-(5,6-diethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2-ethyl-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide (90 mg) as an oil; LC-MS: t_R = 0.88 min, [M+1]⁺ =469.25.

Example 19

2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-ethyl-5-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenol is prepared in analogy to Example 13; LC-MS: t_R = 1.09 min, [M+1]⁺ = 366.19.

Example 20

(S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-ethyl-5-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 14; LC-MS: t_R = 1.00 min, [M+1]⁺ = 440.20.

Example 21

(S)-2-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-ethyl-5-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenoxy}- ethanol is prepared in analogy to Example 16; LC-MS: t_R = 1.08 min, [M+1]⁺ = 410.15.

Example 22

(RS)-1-Amino-3-{2-ethyl-4-[5-(6-ethyl-5-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6- methyl-phenoxy}-propan-2-ol is prepared in analogy to Example 17; LC-MS: t_R = 0.85 min, [M+1]⁺ = 439.17.

Example 23

N-((RS)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-ethyl-5-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide is prepared in analogy to Example 18; LC-MS: t_R = 0.95 min, [M+1]⁺ = 497.17.

Example 24

4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenol is prepared in analogy to Example 13; LC-MS: t_R = 1.04 min, [M+1]⁺ = 324.36.

Example 25

(RS)-1-Amino-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propan-2-ol is prepared in analogy to Example 17; LC-MS: t_R = 0.8 min.

Example 26

2-Hydroxy-N-((RS)-2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6- dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide is prepared in analogy to Example 18; LC-MS: t_R 0.89 min, [M+1]⁺ = 455.48.

Example 27

(RS)-3-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methoxy- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.94 min, [M+1]⁺ = 448.21.

Example 28

a) To a solution of θ-isobutyl-δ-methyl-nicotinic acid hydrochloride (50 mg, 0.22 mmol), DIPEA (0.12 mL, 0.7 mmol) and TBTU (97 mg, 0.30 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) is added at 0⁰C 4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid hydrazide (50.6 mg, 0.23 mmol) and the mixture is stirred at 0⁰C for 4 h. The mixture is diluted with EA (15 mL) and washed with 1 M aq. NaH₂PO₄ (5 mL), 1 M aq. NaOH (5 mL) and water (5 mL). The org. phase is dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to provide 6-isobutyl-5-methyl-nicotinic acid N'-(4-allyloxy-3,5- dimethyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide (85 mg); LC-MS: t_R = 0.81 min, [M+1]⁺ = 396.20.

b) A solution of 6-isobut.yl-5-methyl-nicot.inic acid N'-(4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzoyl)- hydrazide (89 mg, 0.224 mmol) and Burgess reagent (162 mg, 0.68 mmol) in THF (4 mL) is heated in a microwave oven at 110⁰C for 6 min. The mixture is diluted with EA (15 mL) and washed with 1 M aq. NaH₂PO₄ (5 mL), 1 M aq. NaOH (5 mL) and water (5 mL). The org. phase is dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to provide crude 5-[5-(4-allyloxy-3,5- dimethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2-isobutyl-3-methyl-pyridine (80 mg); LC-MS: t_R = 1.07 min, [M+1]⁺ = 378.3. c) (RS)-3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared from 5-[5-(4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)- [1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2-isobutyl-3-methyl-pyridine in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.83 min; [M+1]⁺ = 412.23; ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO) δ 0.94 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.19 (hept, J = 6.5 Hz, 1 H), 2.36 (s, 6 H), 2.42 (s, 3 H), 2.73 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.50 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 2 H), 3.76 (m, 1 H), 3.84 (m, 1 H), 3.89 (m, 1 H), 4.65 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 1 H), 4.97 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.84 (s, 2 H), 8.24 (d, J = 1.0 Hz, 1 H), 9.05 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1 H).

Example 29

Starting from nicotinic acid 2, (RS)-3-{4-[5-(5-isobutyl-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)- [1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 1 ; LC-MS: t_R = 0.93 min; [M+1]⁺ = 412.18.

Examples 30 to 34

The following examples are prepared in analogy to Example 1 starting from nicotinic acid 6.

Example 34

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.01 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H), 2.18-2.31 (m, 1 H), 2.45 (s, 3 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 2.80 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.82-3.96 (m, 2 H), 4.06-4.13 (m, 2 H), 4.15-4.23 (m, 1 H), 7.95 (d, J = 0.8 Hz, 1 H), 8.09 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 8.21 (s, 1 H), 9.19 (s, 1 H).

Examples 35 to 39

The following examples are prepared from previous examples in analogy to Example 2.

Examples 40 to 43

rac The following examples are prepared from previous examples in analogy to Example 3.

Example 40

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.01 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.17-2.30 (m, 1 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 2.68 (s, 3 H), 2.80 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.13-3.19 (m, 1 H), 3.47-3.56 (m, 1 H), 3.72-3.80 (m, 1 H), 3.99- 4.08 (m, 2 H), 4.17-4.24 (m, 3 H), 6.85-6.90 (m, 2 H), 7.08 (t br, J = 5.5 Hz, 1 H), 8.06 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1 H), 8.21 (s, 1 H), 9.20 (s, 1 H)

Example 44

(RS)-1-{2-Chloro-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methoxy- phenoxy}-3-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-propan-2-ol is prepared from Example 27 in analogy to Example 2 by reacting the methansulfonylated intermediate with ethanolamine, LC-MS: t_R = 0.82 min, [M+1]⁺ = 491.06; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.00 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.18-2.29 (m, 1 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 2.79 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 2.83-2.92 (m, 4 H), 3.68-3.73 (m, 2 H), 4.01 (s, 3 H), 4.04-4.16 (m, 2 H), 4.24-4.31 (m, 1 H), 7.64 (s, 1 H), 7.87 (s, 1 H), 8.21 (s, 1 H), 9.18 (s, 1 H).

Examples 45 and 46

The racemic compound of Example 8 is resolved into pure enantiomers by prep. HPLC on a chiral stationary phase (ChiralPak ADH 4.6 x 250 mm, 5 μm, 20% EtOH containing 0.1 % diethylamine in heptane, 40 min, flow: 0.8 mL/min).

Example 47

2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl-phenol is prepared from N-hydroxy-θ-isobutyl-S-methyl-nicotinamidine and 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5- methyl-benzoic acid in analogy to Example 13, LC-MS: t_R = 1.02 min, [M+1]⁺ = 352.09.

Examples 48 to 53

Starting from Example 47, the following examples are prepared in analogy to previous examples.

Example 49

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.00 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6 H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3 H), 2.17-2.27 (m, 2 H), 2.43 (s, 6 H), 2.79 (m, 4 H), 2.90 (s br, 1 H), 3.82-4.01 (m, 4 H), 4.15-4.24 (m, 1 H), 7.93 (s, 1 H), 7.94 (s, 1 H), 8.18 (s, 1 H), 9.15 (s, 1 H).

Example 53

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.01 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3 H), 2.16-2.28 (m, 1 H), 2.41 (s, 3 H), 2.44 (s, 3 H), 2.74-2.82 (m, 4 H), 3.39 (s br, 1 H), 3.49-3.58 (m, 1 H), 3.77- 3.95 (m, 3 H), 4.20-4.27 (m, 3 H), 7.01 (s br, 1 H), 7.93 (s, 1 H), 7.94 (s, 1 H), 8.19 (s, 1 H), 9.15 (s, 1 H).

Example 54

a) To a solution of nicotinic acid 6 (50 mg, 0.218 mmol) in DCM (5 ml_), a solution of TBTU (97 mg, 0.301 mmol) followed by DIPEA (90 mg, 0.696 mmol) in DCM (5 ml.) is added. The mixture is stirred and cooled to 0⁰C before 4-allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid hydrazide

(51 mg, 0.232 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at 0⁰C for 16 h before it is diluted with

EA (15 ml_), washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ solution (5 ml.) and 1 M aq. NaOH (5 ml_), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated and dried under vacuum to give the hydrazide intermediate; LC-MS: t_R = 0.81 min, [M+1]⁺ = 396.37. To a solution of this material in THF

(3 ml_), Lawesson's reagent (129 mg, 0.318 mmol) is added and the mixture is heated in the microwave at 110⁰C for 5 min. The mixture is diluted with EA (30 ml_), washed with sat. aq. Na₂CO₃ solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified on prep. TLC plates with DCM containing 10% of 7 N NH₃ in MeOH to give 5-[5-(4- allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-2-isobutyl-3-methyl-pyridine (67 mg) as a yellow solid, LC-MS: t_R = 1.04 min, [M+1]⁺ = 394.10.

b) 5-[5-(4-Allyloxy-3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-[1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-2-isobutyl-3-methyl-pyridine is treated with OsO₄ as described in step c) of Example 1 to give (RS)-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5- methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol; LC-MS: t_R = 0.78 min, [M+1]⁺ = 428.50; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.01 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.17-2.28 (m, 1 H), 2.39 (s, 6 H), 2.43 (s, 3 H), 2.76 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.82-3.99 (m, 4 H), 4.14-4.21 (m, 1 H), 7.70 (s, 2 H), 8.13 (s, 1 H), 8.90 (s, 1 H).

Example 55

H

To a solution of {4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-acetic acid (50 mg, 142 μmol) in DMF (3 ml_), EDC HCI (33 mg, 171 μmol), HOBt (23 mg, 171 μmol) and DIPEA (28 mg, 213 μmol) is added. The mixture is stirred at rt for 5 min before ethanolamine (10 mg, 157 μmol) is added. Stirring is continued at rt for 72 h. The mixture is diluted with EA, washed with water, and concentrated. The crude product is purified on prep. TLC plates with DCM containing 10% of MeOH to give N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-{4-[5-(6- isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-acetamide (26 mg) as a white solid; LC-MS: t_R = 0.82 min, [M+1]⁺ = 395.15; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.01 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.19-2.29 (m, 1 H), 2.46 (s, 3 H), 2.53 (s br, 1 H), 2.80 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.44 (q, J = 4.8 Hz, 2 H) , 3.69 (s, 2 H), 3.71-3.75 (m, 2 H), 5.96 (s br, 1 H), 7.46 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 8.18 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2 H), 8.17 (s), 8.19 (s), 8.22 (s, 1 H), 9.20 (s, 1 H).

Example 56

N-(2-Hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl)-2-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-

[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-acetamide is prepared in analogy to Example 55 using 2- amino-propane-1 ,3-diol; t_R = 0.78 min, [M+1]⁺ = 425.19.

Example 57

1-(2-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl}-acetyl)-azetidine- 3-carboxylic acid is prepared from {4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol- 3-yl]-phenyl}-acetic acid and azetidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in analogy to Example 55; stirring this material in 3 N aq. NaOH/dioxane at rt for 20 h gives the desired compound; LC-MS: t_R = 0.60, [M+1]⁺ = 434.96.

Example 58

(RS)-3-{4-[5-(6-lsobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}-propane- 1 ,2-diol is prepared in analogy to Example 28 starting from Nicotinic acid 8; LC-MS: t_R ^: 0.85, [M+1]⁺ = 398.36.

Example 59

(RS)-1-Amino-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propan-2-ol is prepared from Example 58 in analogy to Example 2; LC-MS: t_R = 0.75, [M+1]⁺ = 397.29.

Example 60

(RS)-2-Hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3-{4-[5-(6-isobutyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl]-2,6- dimethyl-phenoxy}-propyl)-acetamide is prepared from Example 59 in analogy to Example 3; LC-MS: t_R = 0.80, [M+1]⁺ = 455.19; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): £0.97 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 6 H), 2.06- 2.20 (m, 1 H), 2.38 (s, 6 H), 2.76 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.38-3.57 (m, 1 H), 3.59-3.73 (m, 1 H), 3.78-3.94 (m, 2 H), 4.01 (s, 2 H), 4.05-4.16 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (s, 2 H), 8.41 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.1 Hz, 1 H), 9.16 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1 H).

Examples 61 to 70

The following examples are prepared in analogy to previous examples starting from nicotinic acid 8.

Example 66

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £0.99 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 6 H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 2.15-2.26 (m, 1 H), 2.40 (s, 3 H), 2.72-2.83 (m, 4 H), 3.49-3.58 (m, 1 H), 3.78-3.94 (m, 3 H), 4.17-4.26 (m, 3 H), 6.98 (s br, 1 H), 7.34 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.88 (s, 1 H), 7.89 (s, 1 H), 8.39 (dd, J = 8.0, 2.0 Hz, 1 H), 9.37 (d, J = 1.3 Hz, 1 H).

Examples 71 to 77

The following examples are prepared from nicotinic acid 9 and 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5- methyl-benzamidine in analogy to previous examples.

Example 75

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.01 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H), 1.33 (m, 6 H), 2.15 (s br, 1 H), 2.22-2.34 (m, 2 H) , 2.42 (s, 3 H), 2.73-2.85 (m, 4 H), 3.51 (s, 1 H), 3.96-4.09 (m, 5H), 7.89 (s, 1 H), 7.92 (s, 1 H), 8.25 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 9.21 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1 H).

Examples 78 to 81

The following examples are prepared from Nicotinic acid 10 and 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5- methyl-benzamidine in analogy to previous examples.

Example 81 ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.01 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 6 H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 3 H), 1.67-1.77 (m, 2 H), 2.14 (s br, 1 H), 2.27-2.35 (m, 1 H), 2.42 (s, 3 H), 2.77 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 2.93-2.99 (m, 2 H), 3.99-4.09 (m, 5 H), 7.86-7.91 (m, 3 H), 7.94 (s, 1 H), 8.79 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1 H).

Examples 82 to 88

The followin examples are prepared in analogy to previous examples starting from Nicotinic acid 1 1 and 3-ethyl-4,N-dihydroxy-5-methyl-benzamidine.

Example 88

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.32 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.42 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 6 H), 2.28 (s, 3 H), 2.39 (s, 3 H), 2.75 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 3.41 (m, 1 H), 3.48-3.58 (m, 1 H), 3.76-3.93 (m, 3 H), 4.17- 4.25 (m, 3 H), 5.43-5.52 (m, 1 H), 7.03 (t br, J = 4.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.85 (s, 1 H), 7.87 (s, 1 H), 8.14 (s, 1 H), 8.84 (s, 1 H). Example 89

3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}- N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-propionamide is prepared from 3-{2-ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl- pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}-propionic acid in analogy to Example 55; LC-MS: t_R = 1.07, [M+1]⁺ = 453.23; ¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £ 1.31 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3 H), 1.42 (d, J = 5.5 Hz, 6 H), 2.28 (s, 3 H), 2.38-2.48 (m, 5 H), 2.53 (s br, 1 H), 2.77 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.06-3.14 (m, 2 H), 3.42-3.50 (m, 2 H), 3.71-3.79 (m, 2 H), 5.42-5.52 (m, 1 H), 5.89 (s br, 1 H), 7.82 (s, 1 H), 7.85 (s, 1 H), 8.15 (s, 1 H), 8.85 (s, 1 H).

Examples 90 to 92

The following examples are prepared in analogy to Example 13 starting from 3-ethyl-4- hydroxy-5-methyl-benzoic acid and N-hydroxy-6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-nicotinamidine.

Example 92

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): £1.34 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3 H), 1.41 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 6 H), 2.03 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1 H), 2.27 (s, 3 H), 2.43 (s, 3 H), 2.70 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1 H), 2.79 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.82-3.99 (m, 4 H), 4.15-4.21 (m, 1 H), 5.41-5.49 (m, 1 H), 7.92 (s, 1 H), 7.96 (s, 1 H), 8.11 (s, 1 H), 8.79 (s, 1 H). II) Biology

GTPγS assay to determine EC₅₀ values GTPγS binding assays are performed in 96 well microtiter plates (Nunc, 442587) in a final volume of 200 μl, using membrane preparations of CHO cells expressing recombinant human S1 P1 receptor. Assay conditions are 20 mM Hepes (Fluka, 54461 ), 100 mM NaCI (Fluka, 71378), 5 mM MgCI₂ (Fluka, 63064), 0.1% BSA (Calbiochem, 126609), 1 μM GDP (Sigma, G-7127), 2.5% DMSO (Fluka, 41644), 50 pM ³⁵S-GTPγS (Amersham Biosciences, SJ1320). The pH is 7.4. Test compounds are dissolved and diluted in 100% DMSO and pre-incubated at room temperature for 30 min in 150 μl of the above assay buffer, in the absence of ³⁵S-GTPyS. After addition of 50 μl of ³⁵S-GTPyS, the assay is incubated for 1 h at rt. The assay is terminated by transfer of the reaction mixture to a Multiscreen plate (Millipore, MAHFC1 H60) using a cell harvester from Packard Biosciences, and the plates are washed with ice-cold 10 mM Na₂HPO₄ZNaH₂PO₄ (70%/30%), dried, sealed at the bottom and, after addition of 25 μl MicroScint20 (Packard Biosciences, order# 6013621 ), sealed on the top. Membrane-bound ³⁵S-GTPyS is measured with a TopCount from Packard Biosciences.

EC₅₀ is the concentration of agonist inducing 50 % of the maximal specific ³⁵S-GTPyS binding. Specific binding is determined by subtracting non-specific binding from maximal binding. Maximal binding is the amount of cpm bound to the Multiscreen plate in the presence of 10 μM of S1 P. Non-specific binding is the amount of binding in the absence of an agonist in the assay.

Agonistic activities (EC₅₀ values) of 62 from 92 exemplified compounds have been measured. Measured ECs₀ values are in the range of 0.1 to 9410 nM with an average of 492 nM. Agonistic activities of selected compounds are displayed in Table 1.

Table 1 :

Assessment of In vivo Efficacy

The efficacy of the compounds of Formula (I) is assessed by measuring the circulating lymphocytes after oral administration of 3 to 30 mg/kg of a compound of Formula (I) to normotensive male Wistar rats. The animals are housed in climate-controlled conditions with a 12 h-light/dark cycle, and have free access to normal rat chow and drinking water. Blood is collected before and 3, 6 and 24 h after drug administration. Full blood is subjected to hematology using Advia Hematology system (Bayer Diagnostics, Zurich, Switzerland).

All data are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical analyses are performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Statistica (StatSoft) and the Student-Newman-Keuls procedure for multiple comparisons. The null hypothesis is rejected when p < 0.05.

As an example, Table 2 shows the effect on lymphocyte counts 6 h after oral administration of 10 mg/kg of a compound of the present invention to normotensive male Wistar rats as compared to a group of animals treated with vehicle only. Lymphocyte counts 6 h after oral administration have been measured for 6 exemplified compounds and are in the range of -77% to -61% with an average of -68%.

Table 2:

Claims

1. A compound of the Formula (I),

Formula (I) wherein

A represents ^*-CONH-CH₂-, ^*-CO-CH=CH-, "-CO-CH₂CH₂-,

R¹ represents hydrogen, d-₄-alkyl, or chloro; R² represents Ci_-5-alkyl or Ci_-4-alkoxy;

R³ represents hydrogen, d-₄-alkyl, Ci_-4-alkoxy, or halogen;

R⁴ represents hydrogen, C_1-4-alkyl, C_1-4-alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy; R⁵ represents 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci.₄-alkyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k- NHSO₂R⁵³, -(CH₂)_HCH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -CH₂-(CH₂X-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n-CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-NHR⁵¹, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(2- carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3- propionyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy, hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci.₄- alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², 2- [(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid Ci_-5-alkylester)-1- yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)- 1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-2- hydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3- [(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C_1-5-alkylester)-1- yl]-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m- NHCOR⁵⁴, -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴;

R⁵¹ represents hydrogen, d_-3-alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl, 2,3- dihydroxypropyl, carboxymethyl, 1-(Ci_-5-alkylcarboxy)methyl, 2-carboxyethyl, or 2-(Ci_-5- alkylcarboxy)ethyl;

R⁵² represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl;

R⁵³ represents Ci_-3-alkyl, methylamino, ethylamino, or dimethylamino;

R⁶ represents hydrogen, d-₄-alkyl or halogen;

and a salt of such a compound.

2. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein A represents

wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the pyridine group of Formula (I); and a salt of such a compound.

3. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein A represents

4. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein A represents

and a salt of such a compound.

5. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein R¹ represents C-_M-alkyl or chloro; and a salt of such a compound.

6. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein R¹ represents Ci_-4-alkyl; and a salt of such a compound.

7. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein R² represents Ci_5-alkyl; and a salt of such a compound.

8. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein R² represents n-propyl, or /so-butyl; and a salt of such a compound.

9. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein R² represents C_1-4-alkoxy; and a salt of such a compound.

10. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein R³ represents hydrogen; and a salt of such a compound.

1 1. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein R³ represents hydrogen; and R⁴ represents

or Ci_-4-alkoxy; and R⁶ represents Ci_-4-alkyl, or halogen; and a salt of such a compound.

12. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein R³ represents hydrogen, R⁴ represents Ci_3-alkyl, or methoxy, and R⁶ represents methyl, ethyl, or halogen; and a salt of such a compound.

13. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein R⁵ represents 2,3- dihydroxypropyl, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4-alkyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NHSO₂R⁵³, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-

CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -CH₂-(CH₂)_K-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n- CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-NHR⁵¹, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy, hydroxy-C_2-5-alkoxy, di- (hydroxy-C_1-4-alkyl)-C_1-4-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, - OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂- CH(OH)-CH₂-NHSO₂R⁵³, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴; and a salt of such a compound.

14. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein R⁵ represents 2,3- dihydroxypropyl, -CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NR⁵¹R⁵², -CH₂-(CH₂)_k-NHCOR⁵⁴, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴, -CH₂-(CH₂)_n-CONR⁵¹R⁵², -CO-NHR⁵¹, -(CH₂)_nCH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², hydroxy-C_2- 5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci_-4-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy- propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴; and a salt of such a compound.

15. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein R⁵ represents hydroxy- C_2-5-alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-Ci_-4-alkyl)-Ci.₄-alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, -OCH₂-(CH₂)_m-

NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NR⁵¹R⁵², -OCHHCH^-NHCOR⁵⁴, or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂- NHCOR⁵⁴; and a salt of such a compound.

16. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein R⁵ represents 3-hydroxy- 2-hydroxymethyl-propoxy, 2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy, Or -OCH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-NHCOR⁵⁴; and a salt of such a compound.

17. A compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:

3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy}- propane-1 ,2-diol;

N-(3-{4-[5-(5-Chloro-6-isopropoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isobutyl-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

N-((R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide; N-((S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-hydroxy-acetamide;

3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}-

N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-propionamide;

(R)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol;

(S)-3-{2-Ethyl-4-[3-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl]-6-methyl- phenoxy}-propane-1 ,2-diol; and

3-{2-Ethyl-4-[5-(6-isopropoxy-5-methyl-pyridin-3-yl)-[1 ,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-6-methyl-phenyl}- propionic acid; and a salt of such a compound.

18. A compound of Formula (II)

Formula (") wherein A, R¹, R², and n are as defined in claim 1 ; R³ represents hydrogen; R⁴ represents d-₄-alkyl, or d-₄-alkoxy; and R⁶ represents d-₄-alkyl, or halogen.

19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

20. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19, for use as a medicament.

21. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with an activated immune system.

22. The use according to claim 21 for the prevention or treatment of diseases or disorders selected from the group consisting of rejection of transplanted organs such as kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, cornea, and skin; graft-versus-host diseases brought about by stem cell transplantation; autoimmune syndromes including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, thyroiditis such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, uveo-retinitis; atopic diseases such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis; asthma; type I diabetes; post-infectious autoimmune diseases including rheumatic fever and post-infectious glomerulonephritis; solid cancers and tumor metastasis.

23. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for use in combination with one or several agents selected from the group consisting of immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, NSAID's, cytotoxic drugs, adhesion molecule inhibitors, cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, cytokine receptor antagonists and recombinant cytokine receptors, for the prevention or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with an activated immune system.