CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/209,252 filed Jun. 5, 2000, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to a method of synthesizing libraries of diverse and complex 2-substituted azole derivatives and novel intermediate compounds.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Compounds having biological activity can be identified by screening diverse collections of compounds (i.e., libraries of compounds) produced through synthetic chemical techniques.  
           [0004]    The generation of chemical libraries on and off solid resins have proven to be a valuable resource for the pharmaceutical industry in their endeavors to discover new drugs using high throughput screening (HTS) techniques. In creating the libraries, the compounds are ideally synthesized in situ in solution phase or on a solid support. However, relatively simple synthetic methods to produce a diverse collection of such derivatives in situ are often not available.  
           [0005]    Such screening methods include methods wherein each member of the library is tagged with a unique identifier tag to facilitate identification of compounds having biological activity or where the library comprises a plurality of compounds synthesized at specific locations on the surface of a solid substrate wherein a receptor is appropriately labeled to identify binding to the compound, e.g., fluorescent or radioactive labels. Correlation of the labeled receptor bound to the substrate with its location on the substrate identifies the binding compound. Using these techniques, the development of efficient high throughput screening has greatly enhanced the pharmaceutical industry&#39;s ability to screen large numbers of compounds for biological activity. Central to these methods is the screening of a multiplicity of compounds in the library and the ability to identify the structures of the compounds that have a requisite biological activity.  
           [0006]    Pharmaceutical drug discovery relies heavily on studies of structure-activity relationships wherein the structure of “lead compounds” is typically altered to determine the effect of such alteration on activity. Alteration of the structure of the lead compounds permits evaluation of the effect of the structural alteration on activity.  
           [0007]    Thus, libraries of compounds derived from a lead compound can be created by including derivatives of the lead compound and repeating the screening procedures. In this manner, compounds with the best biological profile, i.e., those that are most active and which have the most ideal pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties, can be identified from the initial lead compound.  
           [0008]    Recently, 2-substituted oxazoles were found to be potent as MMP inhibitors (Sheppard, et al, in  Bioorg Med Chem Lett  8(22), 3251 (1998)); 2-substituted imidazoles were found to produce local anesthetic effects (Colombo, et al.,  Rev Farmacol Clin Exp,  4(1), 41-47 (1987); and 2-substituted thiazoles were found to be selective inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (Bird, et al., 5 th    Int Conf Inflamm Res Assoc  (Sept 23-27 Whit Haven) Abst 85, 1990).  
           [0009]    Synthesis of substituted nitrogen containing heteroaryls using solution phase chemistry has been previously described. Khristich et al., in  Khimia Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedineii,  8, 1136-36 (1983) describe the solution phase synthesis of α-(1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl)benzyl benzoates. Roe et al., in  JCS  p 2195 (1963) describe the thermal condensation of imidazoles with carbonyl compounds. Papadopolous, in J. Org. Chem., 42 (24) 3925-29, (1977) describes reaction of imidazoles with isocyanates, while Papadopolous et al., in  J. Org. Chem.,  44(1) 99-104 (1979) describe reactions of azoles with isocyanates. Cleavage of the silicon-carbon bond of 2-trimethylsilyl-1-methylimidazole and 2-trimethylsilyl-1-benzimidazole to yield 2-substituted imidazoles and 2-substituted benzimidazoles is described by Pinkerton, F. H. and Thames, S. F., in  J. Heterocycl. Chem.  9(1), 67-72 (1972). Dondoni et al., in  J. Org. Chem.,  53, 1748-61 (1988) describe the synthesis of (trimethylsilyl)thiazoles which are reacted with carbonyl compounds to prepared highly substituted thiazoles.  
           [0010]    In order to develop new pharmaceutical drugs to treat various disease conditions, it would be highly desirable to be able to generate such libraries of substituted azole derivatives and novel intermediate compounds. Thus, there is a need for a facile in situ method for the generation of a multiplicity of substituted azole derivatives and novel intermediate compounds.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention is directed to a process for assembly of diverse, 2-substituted azole derivatives and novel intermediate compounds using available azoles as starting materials. The rapid synthesis of such highly complex drug-like molecules is unexpected and surprising.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, the invention is directed to a method of synthesizing 2-substituted azole derivatives having the formula (I) or (II):  
                         
 
           [0013]    wherein  
           [0014]    X is selected from the group consisting of NH, NRA, and S;  
                         
 
           [0015]    X represents a 5 membered aromatic ring structure; optionally containing one to two additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S;  
           [0016]    provided that the additional heteroatoms are not at the attachment point of the R 2  group (i.e. the R 2  group is always attached to a ring carbon);  
           [0017]    provided that the 5 membered ring remains aromatic in nature;  
           [0018]    wherein the 5 membered ring is optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano , nitro, —COOR,— COR, —SO 2 R, —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0019]    [0019]                           
           [0020]    represents a 9 membered ring structure, wherein the five membered portion of the ring structure  
                         
 
           [0021]    is aromatic and the six membered portion of the ring structure  
                         
 
           [0022]    is saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic;  
           [0023]    wherein the 5 membered portion of the ring structure is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano, nitro, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0024]    wherein the 6-membered portion of the ring structure may further optionally containing one to four additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S;  
           [0025]    wherein the 6-membered portion of the ring structure may further be optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano, nitro, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0026]    R 2  is selected from the group consisting of  
                         
 
           [0027]    Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OR A , —NR A R B ,— N(R A )ORB, —SR, —CN, —N 3 , and  
                         
wherein  
                         
 
           [0028]    N represents a three to eight membered heterocyclyl group bound at the N atom, wherein the heterocyclyl group is saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic; when the heterocyclyl group is a saturated six to eight membered heterocyclyl, the heterocyclyl group may optionally contains a group selected from O, CHR, NR, S, SO, or SO 2 , provided that that the group is separated from the N atom by at least two carbon atoms; adn wherein the heterocyclyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from R;  
           [0029]    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, —COR, —COOR and —CONR C R D ; wherein the aralkyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono- or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0030]    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, —COOR, —COR, —CONR C R D  , -alkyl—COOR, heterocycle and  
                         
 
           [0031]    wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of O, S and NRA;  
           [0032]    R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0033]    R 6  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0034]    where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0035]    where R A  and R B  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —R, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —SOR and —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0036]    where R C  and R D  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; or are joined together to form a 4 to 8 membered heterocyclyl ring structure;  
           [0037]    and pharmaceutically acceptable salt, esters and pro-drugs thereof;  
           [0038]    by a facile reaction of an azole compound with a carbamyl chloride followed by reaction in situ with an aldehyde or isocyanate to yield the desired 2-substituted azole.  
           [0039]    More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process for preparing compound of the formula (Ia)  
                         
 
           [0040]    wherein  
           [0041]    X is selected from the group consisting of NH, NR A , and S;  
           [0042]    [0042]                           
           [0043]    represents a 5 membered aromatic ring structure; optionally containing one to two additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S;  
           [0044]    provided that the additional heteroatoms are not at the attachment point of the  
                         
 
           [0045]    group;  
           [0046]    provided that the 5 membered ring remains aromatic in nature;  
           [0047]    wherein the 5 membered ring is optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano, nitro, —COOR,— COR, —SO 2  and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0048]    Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OR A , —NR A  R B , —SR, —N(R A )OR B , —CN, —N 3  and;  
                         
 
           [0049]    wherein  
                         
represents a three to eight membered heterocyclyl group bound at the N atom, wherein the heterocyclyl group is saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic; when the heterocyclyl group is a saturated six to eight membered heterocyclyl, the heterocyclyl group may optionally contains a group selected from O, CHR, NR, S, SO, or SO 2 , provided that that the group is separated from the N atom by at least two carbon atoms; adn wherein the heterocyclyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from R;  
           [0050]    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, —COR, —COOR and —CONR C R D ; wherein the aralkyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono- or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0051]    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, —COOR, —COR, —CONR C R D , -alkyl—COOR, heterocyclyl and  
                         
 
           [0052]    wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; and where Y is selected from the group consisting of O, S and NR A ;  
           [0053]    where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0054]    where R A  and R B  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —R, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —SOR and —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0055]    where R C  and R D  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; or are joined together to form a 4 to 8 membered heterocyclyl ring structure;  
           [0056]    which method comprises reacting a compound of formula (III)  
                         
 
           [0057]    with a compound of formula (IV)  
                         
 
           [0058]    wherein A is selected from F, Cl, Br, and —OC(O)-t-butyl and wherein V is a sterically hindered group, in a non-protic solvent;  
           [0059]    and then reacting with a compound of formula (V)  
                         
 
           [0060]    wherein W is selected from the group consisting of —O, —NSO 2 R, —NSOR, —NCOR, —NCOOR, NCONRCR D , —NOCOR and —NR, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Ic)  
                         
 
           [0061]    and optionally reacting the compound of formula (Ic) with a compound of formula (VI)  
           Z—H   (VI)  
           [0062]    wherein Z is as previously defined, to yield the corresponding compound of formula (Ia).  
           [0063]    The present invention is further directed to a process for the synthesis of compounds of the formula (Ib)  
                         
 
           [0064]    wherein  
           [0065]    X is selected from the group consisting of NH, NR A  and S;  
                         
 
           [0066]    represents a 5 membered aromatic ring structure; optionally containing one to two additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S;  
           [0067]    provided that the additional heteroatoms are not at the attachment point of the —C(O)NR 5 R 6  group;  
           [0068]    provided that the 5 membered ring remains aromatic in nature;  
           [0069]    wherein the 5 membered ring is optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano , nitro, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0070]    R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocyclyl; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0071]    R 6  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0072]    where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0073]    where R A  and R B  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —R, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —SOR and —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0074]    where R C  and R D  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; or are joined together to form a 4 to 8 membered heterocyclyl ring structure;  
           [0075]    which method comprises reacting a compound of formula (III)  
                         
 
           [0076]    with a compound of formula (IV)  
                         
 
           [0077]    wherein A is selected from F, Cl, Br and —OC(O)-t-butyl, and wherein V is a sterically hindered group, in a non-protic solvent;  
           [0078]    and then reacting with a compound of formula (VIII)  
           R 5 —N═C═O   (VIII)  
           [0079]    wherein R 5  is as previously defined, to yield the compound of formula (Id)  
                         
 
           [0080]    reacting the compound of formula (Id) with an inorganic base to yield the compound of formula (Ie)  
                         
 
           [0081]    optionally reacting the compound of formula (le) with a compound of formula (IX)  
           R 6 —Q   (IX)  
           [0082]    wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, in the presence of a base, to yield the corresponding compound of formula (Ib).  
           [0083]    A further aspect of the present invention is the synthesis of compounds of formula (II):  
                         
 
           [0084]    wherein  
           [0085]    X is selected from the group consisting of NH, NR A  and S;  
                         
 
           [0086]    represents a 9 membered ring structure, wherein the five membered portion of the ring structure  
                         
 
           [0087]    is aromatic and the six membered portion of the ring structure  
                         
 
           [0088]    is saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic;  
           [0089]    wherein the 5 membered portion of the ring structure is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano, nitro, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent is independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0090]    wherein the 6-membered portion of the ring structure may further optionally containing one to four additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S;  
           [0091]    wherein the 6-membered portion of the ring structure may further be optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano, nitro, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R and —CONR B R C ; wherein the amine substituents are independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl may be further optionally substituted with one or more substituent independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0092]    R 2  is selected from the group consisting of  
                         
 
           [0093]    Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OR A , —NR A  R B ,— N(R A )OR B , —SR, —CN, —N 3  and  
                         
 
           [0094]    wherein  
                         
 
           [0095]    represents a three to eight membered heterocyclyl group bound at the N atom, wherein the heterocyclyl group is saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic; when the heterocyclyl group is a saturated six to eight membered heterocyclyl, the heterocyclyl group may optionally contains a group selected from O, CHR, NR, S, SO, or SO 2 , provided that that the group is separated from the N atom by at least two carbon atoms; adn wherein the heterocyclyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from R;  
           [0096]    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, —COR, —COOR and —CONR C R D ; wherein the aralkyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono- or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0097]    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, —COOR, —COR, —CONR C R D , -alkyl—COOR, heterocycle and  
                         
 
           [0098]    wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of O, S and NR A ;  
           [0099]    R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0100]    R 6  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —CONR C R D  and  
                         
 
           [0101]    where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro;  
           [0102]    where R A  and R B  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —R, —COOR, —COR, —SO 2 R, —SOR and —CONR C    B R D  and  
                         
 
           [0103]    where R C  and R D  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, fluorinated alkyl and heterocycle; wherein the aryl, aralkyl or heterocycle may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, amino, mono-or di-substituted amino, cyano or nitro; or are joined together to form a 4 to 8 membered heterocyclyl ring structure;  
           [0104]    according to either of the processes disclosed herein, with appropriate substitution of a compound of formula (VII)  
                         
 
           [0105]    for the corresponding monocyclic compound of formula (III)  
                         
 
         DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0106]    As used herein, the term “alkyl” whether used alone or as part of a substituent group, shall denote straight and branched chains. For example, alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and the like. Unless otherwise noted, “lower” when used with alkyl means a carbon chain composition of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Similarly, as used herein, the term “alkenyl”, whether used alone or as part of a substituent group, shall denote straight and branched chain alkene radicals, i.e. straight or branched chains containing at least one double bond. For example, alkenyl radicals include allyl, vinyl, and the like. Similarly, as used herein, the term “alkynyl”, whether used alone or as part of a substituent group, shall denote straight and branched chain alkyne radicals, i.e., straight or branched chains containing at least one triple bond. For example, alkynyl radicals include -CCH, —CH 2 CCH (propargyl), —CH 2 CCCH 3 , and the like.  
           [0107]    As used herein, unless otherwise noted, “alkoxy” shall denote an oxygen ether radical of the above described straight or branched chain alkyl groups. For example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, sec-butoxy, t-butoxy, n-hexyloxy and the like.  
           [0108]    As used herein, “halogen” shall mean chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine.  
           [0109]    As used herein, unless otherwise noted, “aryl” shall refer to carbocyclic aromatic groups such as phenyl, naphthyl, and the like.  
           [0110]    As used herein, unless otherwise noted, “aralkyl” shall mean any lower alkyl group substituted with an aryl group such as phenyl, naphthyl and the like. Suitable examples of aralkyls include benzyl, 1-(phenyl)ethyl, naphthylmethyl, and the like.  
           [0111]    As used herein, the term “cycloalkyl” shall denote any monocyclic three to eight membered, saturated carbocyclic ring structure. Suitable examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cycloocytyl.  
           [0112]    As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the terms “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl” and “heterocyclo” shall denote any five or six membered monocyclic, nine or ten membered bicyclic or thirteen or fourteen membered tricyclic ring structure containing at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of N, O and S, optionally containing one to four additional heteroatoms, wherein the ring structure is saturated, partially unsaturated, aromatic or partially aromatic. The heterocyclyl group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in the creation of a stable structure.  
           [0113]    Exemplary monocyclic heterocyclic groups can include pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl, oxetanyl, pyrazolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thienyl, oxadiazolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, 2-oxazepinyl, azepinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, tetrahydropryanyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl sulfone, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl sulfoxide, thiomorpholinyl sulfone, 1,3-dixolane and tetrahydro-1,1-dioxothienyl, dioxanyl, isothiazolidinyl, triazinyl, triazolyl and the like.  
           [0114]    Exemplary bicyclic heterocyclic groups include benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothienyl, quinuclidinyl, quinolinyl, quinolinyl—N-oxide, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyranyl, indolizinyl, benzofuryl, chromonyl, coumarinyl, cinnolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indazolyl, pyrrolopridyl, furopyridinyl (such as furo[2,3-c]pyridinyl, furo[3,1-b]pyridinyl), or furo[2,3-b]pyridinyl), dihydroisoindolyl, dihydroquinazolinyl (such as 3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinazolinyl), benzisothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzodiazinyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzotriazolyl, benzpyrazolyl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dihydrobenzothienyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl, dihydrobenzothiopyranyl sulfone, dihydrobenzopyranyl, indolinyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, naphthyridinyl, phthalazinyl, piperonyl, purinyl, pyridopyridyl, quinazolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thienofuryl, thienopyridyl, thienothienyl and the like.  
           [0115]    Exemplary tricyclic heterocylclic groups include phenoxazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, carbozolyl, perminidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, carbolinyl, naphthothienyl, thianthrenyl, and the like.  
           [0116]    In the definition of Z, suitable examples of the  
                         
 
           [0117]    group include pyrazol-1-yI, imidazol-1-yl, pyrrol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-4-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, aziridin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperidin-1yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-1-yl, 4-methyl-diazepin-1-yl, azepin-1-yl, diazepin-1-yl, 4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl, and the like.  
           [0118]    When a particular group is “substituted” (e.g., cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl), that group may have one or more substituents, preferably from one to five substituents, more preferably from one to three substituents, most preferably from one to two substituents, independently selected from the list of substituents.  
           [0119]    With reference to substituents, the term “independently” means that when more than one of such substituents is possible, such substituents may be the same or different from each other.  
           [0120]    Under standard nomenclature used throughout this disclosure, the terminal portion of the designated side chain is described first, followed by the adjacent functionality toward the point of attachment. Thus, for example, a “phenylalkylaminocarbonylalkyl” substituent refers to a group of the formula  
                         
 
           [0121]    The term “subject” as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a human, who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.  
           [0122]    The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.  
           [0123]    As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.  
           [0124]    For the purposes of this invention, the term “chemical library” means a collection of molecules prepared by the method of the invention based on logical design by means of simultaneous or parallel chemical reactions. Each species of molecule in the library is referred to as a member of the library.  
           [0125]    Abbreviations used in the specification, particularly the Schemes and Examples, are as follows:  
                                                       DIPEA   = Diisopropylethylamine           DMF   = N,N-Dimethylformamide           Et   = Ethyl (-CH 2 CH 3 )           Ex #   = Example Number           Me   = Methyl (-CH 3 )           Pd(PPh 3 ) 4     = Palladium, tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)-           Ph   = Phenyl (-C 6 H 5 )           TEA   = Triethylamine           TFA   = Trifluoroacetic acid           THE   = Tetrahydrofuran                      
 
           [0126]    Compounds of formula (Ia), compounds of formula (I) wherein R 2  is  
                         
 
           [0127]    may be prepared using solution phase chemistry according to the process outlined in Scheme 1.  
                         
 
           [0128]    Accordingly, a compound of formula (l1l), a known compound or compound prepared by known methods, is reacted sequentially with a compound of formula (IV), wherein A is selected from F, Cl, Br or —OC(O)-t-butyl and wherein V is a sterically hindered group such as t-butyl, adamantyl, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-disubstituted phenyl, O-t-butyl, O-isopropyl, O-adamantyl, and the like, at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about reflux in a non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxane, THF, and the like;  
           [0129]    and then reacted with a compound of formula (V), wherein W is —O, —NSO 2 R, —NSOR, —NCOR, —NCOOR, —NCONR C R D , —NOCOR or —NR, in the presence of an organic base such as TEA, DIPEA, and the like, to yield the corresponding compound of formula (Ic).  
           [0130]    Compounds of formula (Ic) wherein W is O may be further converted to compounds of formula (Ia), wherein Z is not hydrogen, according to the process outlined in Scheme 2.  
                         
 
           [0131]    Accordingly, the compound of formula (Ic) is reacted with a compound of formula (VI), in a non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxane, THF, and the like, in the presence of an acid such as TFA, and the like, at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about reflux, preferably at about reflux temperature, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Ia).  
           [0132]    When in the compound of formula (Ia) Z is H, the compound of formula (Ic) is reduced by hydrogenation with a metal catalyst such as palladium, platinum, palladium on carbon, and the like, in an organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, THF, DMF, and the like, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Ia).  
           [0133]    Similarly, compounds of formula (II) wherein R 2  is  
                         
 
           [0134]    may be prepared according to the process as outlined in Schemes 1&amp;2, with appropriate substitution of a compound of formula (VII)  
                         
 
           [0135]    for the compound of formula (III), to yield the corresponding compound of formula (IIa)  
                         
 
           [0136]    Compounds of formula (I) wherein R 2  is  
                         
 
           [0137]    may be prepared according to the process outlined in Scheme 3.  
                         
 
           [0138]    More specifically, a compound of formula (III), a known compound or compound prepared by known methods, is reacted sequentially with a compound of formula (IV), wherein A is selected from F, Cl, Br or —OC(O)-t-butyl, and wherein V is a sterically hindered group such as t-butyl, adamantyl, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-disubstituted phenyl, O-t-butyl, O-isopropyl, O-adamantyl, and the like, at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about reflux, preferably a about reflux temperature, in a non-protic solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxane, THF, and the like;  
           [0139]    and then reacted with a suitably substituted isocyanate of formula (VIII), in the presence of a base such as TEA, DIPEA, and the like, at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about reflux, preferably at about reflux temperature, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Id).  
           [0140]    The compound of formula (Id) is further optionally reacted with an inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Ie). Alternatively, the compound of formula (Id) is further optionally reacted with an inorganic base such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and the like, in the presence of water, to form the corresponding compound of formula (Ie).  
           [0141]    The compound of formula (Ie) is optionally further reacted to form the compound of formula (1b) according to the process outlined in Scheme 4.  
                         
 
           [0142]    Accordingly, the compound of formula (Ie) is reacted with a compound of formula (IX), wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, in the presence of a base such as NaH, potassium t-butoxide, potassium carbonate, and the like, to yield the corresponding compound of formula (Ib).  
           [0143]    Similarly, compounds of formula (II) wherein R 2  is  
                         
 
           [0144]    may be prepared using the solution phase chemistry outlined in Scheme 5, with appropriate substitution of a compound of formula (VII)  
                         
 
           [0145]    for the compound of formula (III), to produce the corresponding compound of formula (IIb).  
                         
 
           [0146]    The following Examples are set forth to aid in the understanding of the invention, and are not intended and should not be construed to limit in any way the invention set forth in the claims which follow thereafter. 
       
    
    
     EXAMPLE 1  
       [0147]    [0147]                           
         [0148]    To a suspension of 1-benzylimidazole (315 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) at 0° C. and under nitrogen was added rapidly dropwise a solution of diisopropylcarbamyl chloride (396 mg, 2.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL). To the slightly cloudy solution was added benzaldehyde (0.31 mL, 3.0 mmol), followed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.3 mmol). The ice bath was removed and after stirring for 10 min, the cloudy yellow solution was refluxed for 24 h, cooled to room temperature, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a pale yellow oil (1.01 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×7 in) eluted with ethyl acetate-hexanes (1:1) yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0149]    Yield: 611 mg, 78%  
         [0150]    mp 106-109° C.;  
         [0151]    MS (ESP) m/z 392 (MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0152]    [0152]                           
         [0153]    To a solution of 1-methylimidazole (1.64 g, 20 mmol) and diisopropylcarbamyl chloride (3.6 g, 22 mmol) in acetonitrile (30 mL) at room temperature and under nitrogen was added dropwise benzaldehyde (3.1 mL, 30 mmol), followed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine (10 mL, 60 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24, and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (BIOTAGE, FLASH 40i, Charlottesville, Va., USA) eluted with ethyl acetate-hexanes (1:1) to yield the title product as white crystals.  
         [0154]    Yield: 6 g, 95%  
         [0155]    mp 67-68° C.;  
         [0156]    MS (ESP) m/z 317 MH + )  
       EXAMPLES 3-29  
       [0157]    Selected compounds listed in Table 1 were similarly prepared following rocedure outlined in Example 1 and Example 2, with appropriate selection substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 2.  
                                             TABLE 1                                                                                  Ex #   R 10     R 11     R 12     Z   R 3     R 4                  3   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   t-butyl        4   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   i-propyl        5   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   cyclohexyl        6   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenylethyl        7   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   benzyl        8   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   4-methoxyphenyl        9   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   4-methoxyphenyl       10   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   4-chlorophenyl       11   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     CF 3     phenyl       12   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     —C(O)O—CH 2 CH 3                                               13   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   —CH═CH 2         14   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H                                             15   H   H   benzyl   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H                                             16   H   H   benzyl   N(phenyl)-C(O)-   H   phenyl                       N(i-propyl) 2         17   H   H   benzyl   N(SO 2 phenyl)-   H   phenyl                       C(O)-N(i-propyl) 2         18   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       19   H   Cl   methyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       20   H   H   Phenyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       21   Cl   Cl   methyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       22   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(ethyl) 2     H   phenyl       23   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     H   phenyl       24   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   ethyl       25   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   —CH═CHCH 3         26   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     H   2-pyridinyl       27   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     H   -C(O)-phenyl       28   H   H   methyl   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     -C(O)O-   phenylethyl                           CH 2 CH 3         29   H   C(O)OCH 3     methyl   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     H   phenyl                  
 
         [0158]    [0158]                                                                   TABLE 2                           Preparation Conditions                Reaction   Reflux Time                   Ex #   Temp (° C.)   (h)   Yield (%)   mp (° C.)   mass spec (MH + )                    3   reflux   24   66   48-52   372       4   room temp   66   85   oil   358       5   room temp   24   56   oil   398       6   room temp   29   75   73-78   420       7   reflux   20   32   oil   406       8   reflux   21   30   oil   277 M +  w/loss of                           OC(O)(i-propyl) 2         9   room temp   67   73   oil   277 M +  w/loss of                           OC(O)(i-propyl) 2         10   room temp   30   77   113-115   426       11   room temp   72   89   124-126   460       12   room temp   68   73   oil   488       13   room temp   68   67   oil   342       14   room temp   72   76   oil   515       15   room temp   144   79   oil   416       16   reflux   21   12   oil   467       17   room temp   72   88   132-139   531       18   room temp   24   90   67-68   316       19   50   24   66   oil   350       20   room temp   24   86   104-105   378       21   reflux   20   42     118-118.5   384       22   60   20   91   oil   288       23   60   20   93   102-102   260       24   room temp   48   96   oil   268       25   room temp   48   65   oil   280       26   room temp   20   78   oil   261       27   room temp   20   70   92-93   288       28   room temp   20   60   112-113   360       29   room temp   48   80   134-135   318                    
       EXAMPLES 30-32  
       [0159]    Selected compounds listed in Table 3 were similarly prepared following the procedure outlined in Example 1, with appropriate selection and substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 4. Note that the conditions as disclosed in Example 31 yielded a mixture of compounds are defined below.  
                                     TABLE 3                                                                                      Ex #   Z   R 3     R 4                         30   —OC(O)O(t-butyl)   H   phenyl           31   —OC(O)O(t-butyl)   H   phenyl               —OC(O)(phenyl)   H   phenyl           32   —OC(O)(t-butyl)   H   phenyl                      
 
         [0160]    [0160]                                                                   TABLE 4                           Preparation Conditions                Reaction T   Reflux           mass spec       Ex #   (° C.)   Time (h)   Yield (%)   mp (° C.)   (MH + )                    30   room temp   23   44   77-79   365       31   reflux   21   52   75-79   365                   11   oil   369       32   reflux   21   32   oil   349                    
         [0161]    [0161]                           
       EXAMPLE 33  
       [0162]    To a solution of 1-methylimidazole (164 mg, 2.0 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (5 mL) at room temperature and under nitrogen was added dropwise benzaldehyde (0.31 mL, 3.0 mmol) and a solution of di-teff-butyl dicarbonate (480 mg, 2.2 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (1 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica eluted with ethyl acetate-hexanes (2:3) to yield the title product as white crystals.  
         [0163]    Yield: 421 mg, 77%  
         [0164]    mp 95-96° C.;  
         [0165]    MS (ESP) m/z 289 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 34  
       [0166]    [0166]                           
         [0167]    To a solution of 1-benzylimidazole (313 mg, 2.0 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (2 mL) at room temperature and under nitrogen was added dropwise a solution of adamantylfluoroformate (498 mg, 2.5 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (2 mL), a solution of benzyliminoacetic acid ethyl ester (573 mg, 3.0 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (2 mL), and diisopropylethyl amine (1.1. mL, 6.3 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica eluted with ethyl acetate-hexanes (1:3) to yield the title product as white crystals.  
         [0168]    Yield: 441 mg, 42%  
         [0169]    mp 83-85° C.;  
         [0170]    MS (ESP) m/z 538 MH + )  
       EXAMPLES 35-40  
       [0171]    Selected compounds listed in Table 5 were similarly prepared following the procedure outlined in Example 1, Example 2 and Example 33 with appropriate selection and substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 6.  
                                 TABLE 5                                                                                  Ex #   Z   R 3     R 4                 35   —N(C(O)N(i-propyl) 2 )OC(O)CH 3     H   phenyl       36   —N(benzyl)C(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       37   —N(benzyl)C(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl       38   —N(SO 2 phenyl)C(O)O-t-butyl   H   phenyl       39   —N(SO 2 -p-toluenyl)C(O)O-t-butyl   methyl   phenyl       40   —N(benzyl)C(O)O-t-butyl   H   —C(O)O-ethyl                  
 
         [0172]    [0172]                                                             TABLE 6                           Reaction T   Reaction   Yield   mp   mass spec       Ex #   (° C.)   Time (h)   (%)   (° C.)   (MH + )                                35   room temp   16   60   oil   248 M +  w/loss of                           C(O)N(i-propyl) 2         36   room temp   15   65   oil   248 M +  w/loss of                           C(O)N(i-propyl) 2         37   room temp   15   45   oil   248 M +  w/loss of                           C(O)N(i-propyl) 2         38   room temp   3   60   51-52   503       39   room temp   3   35   56-57   531       40   room temp   3   55   oil   449                    
       EXAMPLES 41-50  
       [0173]    Selected compounds listed in Table 7 and Table 8were similarly prepared following the procedure outlined in Example 1, Example 2 and Example 33, with appropriate selection and substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 9  
                                                                 TABLE 7                                                                                  Ex #   Z   R   R               41   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl                                                                           Ex #   Z   R 10     R 11     R 3     R 4                 42   OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   H   H   phenyl       43   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   H   H   phenyl       44   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   H   H   p-nitrophenyl       45   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   H   CF 3     phenyl       46   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     CH 3     CH═CH 2     H   phenyl       47   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     CH 3     CH 3     H   phenyl       48   —OC(O)O-t-butyl   H   H   H   phenyl       49   —OC(O)NMe2   H   H   H   phenyl                  
 
         [0174]    [0174]                                     TABLE 8                                                                                      Ex #   Z   R 3     R 4                         50   —OC(O)N(methyl) 2     H   phenyl                        
         [0175]    [0175]                                                                   TABLE 9                           Preparation Conditions                Reaction T   Reflux   Yield               Ex #   (° C.)   Time (h)   (%)   mp (° C.)   mass spec (MH + )                    41   reflux   23   88   126-128   366       42   reflux   22   39   70-71   319       43   reflux   52   17   65-68   319       44   room temp   48   42   oil   364       45   room temp   48   55   82-82   387       46   reflux   24   42   oil   359       47   reflux   24   46   98-99   347       48   60   20   65   oil   292       49   60   20   61   45-47   263       50   60   20   41   oil   313                    
       EXAMPLES 51-52  
       [0176]    Selected compounds listed in Table 10 were similarly prepared following the procedure outlined in Example 2, with appropriate selection and substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 11.  
                                     TABLE 10                                                                                      Ex #   Z   R 3     R 4                         51   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl           52   —OC(O)N(i-propyl) 2     H   phenyl                      
 
       EXAMPLE 53  
       [0177]    [0177]                                                                   TABLE 11                           Preparation Conditions                Reaction T   Time   Yield   mp           Ex #   (° C.)   (h)   (%)   (° C.)   mass spec (MH + )                    51   room temp   23   68   115-116   393       52   room temp   22   66   93-94   393                    
         [0178]    [0178]                           
         [0179]    To a suspension of 1-benzylimidazole (317 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) at room temperature was added rapidly dropwise a solution of diisopropylcarbamyl chloride (396 mg, 2.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL). To the slightly cloudy solution was added phenylacetaldehyde (0.35 mL, 3.0 mmol), followed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.3 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 5.5h and cooled to room temperature. To the resulting mixture was then added a solution of diisopropylcarbamyl chloride (396 mg, 2.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL), followed by phenylacetaldehyde (0.35 mL, 3.0 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.3 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 24h, cooled to room temperature, and then charged again with a solution of diisopropylcarbamyl chloride (396 mg, 2.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL), followed by phenylacetaldehyde (0.35 mL, 3.0 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.3 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for an additional 21 h, cooled to room temperature, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to a yellow oil (2.70 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×8 in) eluted with 40% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded theproduct as pale yellow crystals.  
         [0180]    Yield: 632 mg, 78%  
         [0181]    mp 75-79° C.;  
         [0182]    MS (ESP) m/z 406 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 54  
       [0183]    [0183]                           
         [0184]    To a suspension of 1-benzylimidazole (317 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) at room temperature and under nitrogen was added rapidly dropwise a solution of duisopropylcarbamyl chloride (391 mg, 2.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL). To the slightly cloudy solution was added phenylisocyanate(0.33 mL, 3.0 mmol), followed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.3 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 21 h, cooled to room temperature, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil (1.22 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×6 in) eluted with 25% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded a crystalline solid product (1.0 g) containing an impurity. Flash chromatography of this material on silica (50 mm×6 in) eluted with 20% acetone in hexanes yielded a pale yellow foam (825 mg). The foam was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexanes to yield the title product as white crystals.  
         [0185]    Yield: 577 mg, 71%  
         [0186]    mp 125.5-127° C.;  
         [0187]    MS (ESP) m/z 405 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 55  
       [0188]    [0188]                           
         [0189]    To a suspension of imidazole (140 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) at room temperature and under nitrogen was added rapidly dropwise a solution of dusopropylcarbamyl chloride (786 mg, 4.8 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL). To the mixture was added benzaldehyde (0.31 mL, (3.0 mmol), followed by N,N-duisopropylethylamine (1.5 mL, 8.6 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 22h, cooled to room temperature, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed successively with dilute brine (2X) and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to ayellow solid (1.19 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×6 in) eluted with 45% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0190]    Yield: 536 mg, 61%  
         [0191]    mp 173-175° C.;  
         [0192]    MS (ESP) m/z 429 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 56  
       [0193]    [0193]                           
         [0194]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 1 (392 mg 1.0 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL), water (1 mL), and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) was refluxed for 11 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with 1:1 ethyl acetate/ethyl ether and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a white solid. Flash chromatography on silica (25 mm×7 in) eluted with 5% methanol in methylene chloride yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0195]    Yield: 222 mg, 84%  
         [0196]    mp 111-114° C.;  
         [0197]    MS (ESP) m/z 265 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 57  
       [0198]    [0198]                           
         [0199]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 1 (391 mg, 1.0 mmol) in anhydrous methanol (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was refluxed for 28h. After cooling, trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) was added and the refluxing continued for 24h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with 1:1 ethyl acetate/ethyl ether and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a white film. Flash chromatography on silica (25 mm×7 in) eluted with 80% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded the product as pale yellow crystals.  
         [0200]    Yield: 167 mg, 60%  
         [0201]    mp 68-71.5° C.;  
         [0202]    MS (ESP) m/z 279 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 58  
       [0203]    [0203]                           
         [0204]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 1 (781 mg, 2.0 mmol) in anhydrous ethanol (10 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was refluxed for 8h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with ethyl acetate and then washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil (0.77 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×6 in) eluted with 60% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded the product as a colorless oil.  
         [0205]    Yield: 492 mg, 84%  
         [0206]    MS (ESP) m/z 293 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 59  
       [0207]    [0207]                           
         [0208]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 1 (787 mg, 2.0 mmol) and acetamide (1.18 g, 20 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was refluxed for 18h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with 1:1 ethyl acetate/ethyl ether and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a white solid (555 mg). The solid was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexanes to yield the title product as white crystals.  
         [0209]    Yield: 385 mg, 63%  
         [0210]    mp 171-176° C.;  
         [0211]    MS (ESP) m/z 306 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 60  
       [0212]    [0212]                           
         [0213]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 1 (784 mg, 2.0 mmol) and methanesulfonamide (1.90 g, 20 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was refluxed for 24h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was concentrated, diluted with 1:1 ethyl acetate/ethyl ether and then washed successively with 1 N sodium carbonate, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a white film (0.75 g). Flash chromatography on silica (50 mm×6 in) eluted with 4% methanol in methylene chloride yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0214]    Yield: 514 mg, 75%  
         [0215]    mp 162-163° C.;  
         [0216]    MS (ESP) m/z 342 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 61  
       [0217]    [0217]                           
         [0218]    A solution of the product prepared in Example 40 (364 mg, 1.0 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL), water (1 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) was refluxed for 18h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed successively with 1 N sodium carbonate, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield white crystals. Flash chromatography on silica (25 mm×8 in) eluted with 3% methanol in methylene chloride yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0219]    Yield: 148 mg, 62%  
         [0220]    mp 160.5-162° C.;  
         [0221]    MS (ESP) m/z 239 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 62  
       [0222]    [0222]                           
         [0223]    To a solution of the product prepared in Example 2 (158 mg, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous THF (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.22 mL, 3 mmol) under a nitrogen atmosphere was added aniline (0.47 mL, 5 mmol). The resulting mixture was refluxed for 4 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil. Flash chromatography on silica (20 mm×6 in) eluted with 50% ethyl acetate in hexanes yielded the product as light yellow crystals.  
         [0224]    Yield: 102 mg, 81%  
         [0225]    mp 110-112° C.;  
         [0226]    MS (ESP) m/z 264 (MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 63  
       [0227]    [0227]                           
         [0228]    To a solution of the product prepared in Example 2 (158 mg, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous THF (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.33 mL, 4.5 mmol) under a nitrogen atmosphere was added piperidine (0.5 mL, 5 mmol) and BF 3 *Et 2 O (0.1 mL, 0.75 mmol) successively. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 4. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed successively with 2N NaOH, water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil. Flash chromatography on silica (20 mm×6 in) eluted with 5% methanol in ethyl acetate yielded the product as a light yellow oil.  
         [0229]    Yield: 109 mg, 85%  
         [0230]    MS (ESP) m/z 256 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 64  
       [0231]    [0231]                           
         [0232]    To a suspension of the product prepared in Example 2 (158 mg, 0.5 mmol) and H 2 NOMeoHCI (555 mg, 5 mmol) in anhydrous THP (5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was added BF 3 Et 2 O (0.2 mL, 1.5 mmol). The resulting mixture was refluxed for 4. After cooling, the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was dissolved in 10% methanol in dichloromethane, and washed successively with saturated NaHCO 3 , water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil. Flash chromatography on silica (20 mm×6 in) eluted with 10% methanol in dichloromethane yielded the product as white crystals.  
         [0233]    Yield: 80 mg, 73%  
         [0234]    mp 119-122° C.;  
         [0235]    MS (ESP) m/z 218 MH + )  
       EXAMPLE 65  
       [0236]    [0236]                           
         [0237]    To a solution of the product prepared in Example 2 (158 mg, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was added NaN 3  (98 mg, 1.5 mmol) and pyridinium p-toluenesufonate (catalytic amount). The resulting mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed successively with saturated NaHCO 3 , water, and saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to yield a yellow oil. Flash chromatography on silica (20 mm×6 in) eluted with 2% methanol in ethyl acetate yielded the product as a oil.  
         [0238]    Yield: 85 mg, 80%  
         [0239]    MS (ESP) m/z 214 MH + )  
       EXAMPLES 66-79  
       [0240]    Selected compounds listed in Table 12 were similarly prepared following the procedure outlined in Example 62 to 65, with appropriate selection and substitution of reagents, as listed in Table 13.  
                                                             TABLE 12                                                                                  Ex #   Z   R 12     R 3     R 4                 66   morpholin-1-yl   CH 3     H   phenyl       67   —S-phenyl   CH 3     H   phenyl       68   —NH-pyridin-2-yl   CH 3     H   phenyl       69   —NH(CH 2 OH 2 OH)   CH 3     H   phenyl       70   —S—CH 2 CH 2 NH 2     CH 3     H   phenyl       71   —NH-benzyl   CH 3     H   phenyl       72   4-methyl piperazin-1-yl   CH 3     H   phenyl       73   imidazol-1-yl   CH 3     H   phenyl       74   —NH-phenyl   CH 3     H   ethyl       75   —NH-phenyl   CH 3     H   —CH═CH 2 CH 3         76   piperidin-1-yl   CH 3     H   —CH═CH 2 CH 3         77   morpholin-1-yl   CH 3     H   —CH═CH 2 CH 3         78   morpholin-1-yl   CH 3     H   ethyl                                                                           Ex #   Z   R 3     R 4                 79   piperidin-1-yl   H   phenyl                  
 
         [0241]    [0241]                                                                   TABLE 10                           PREPARATION CONDITIONS                reaction T   reflux time   yield   mp   mass spec       Ex #   (° C.)   (h)   (%)   (° C.)   (MH + )                    66   reflux   15   82   oil   258       67   reflux   6   86   oil   281       68   reflux   3   85   oil   265       69   reflux   20   65   oil   232       70   reflux   20   70   oil   249       71   reflux   24   76   oil   278       72   reflux   20   81   oil   271       73   reflux   20   75   oil   234       74   reflux   72   74   oil   216       75   reflux   4   88   122-123   228       76   reflux   4   60   oil   220       77   reflux   4   68   oil   222       78   reflux   72   40   oil   210       79   reflux   20   50   oil   259                    
         [0242]    While some the previous examples describe the purification of reaction products by flash chromatography, these reaction products can also be purified in a high-throughput mode using high-throughput reverse-phase or high-throughput normal phase HPLC instruments, thereby, increasing the efficiency of compounds library syntheses.  
         [0243]    While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of the present invention, with examples provided for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that the practice of the invention encompasses all of the usual variations, adaptations and/or modifications as come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
The invention relates to methods of synthesizing libraries of diverse and complex 2-substituted azole compounds of the general formula (I) or (II) wherein X, R 2 and the ring components are as described herein, novel intermediates useful for synthesizing such substituted azole compounds and methods for identifying and isolating the compounds.