CA2253869C - Substituted oxobutyric acids as matrix metalloprotease inhibitors - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating certain conditions associated with matrix metalloproteases, comprising administering an amount of a compound or composition of the invention which is effective to inhibit the activity of at least one matrix metalloprotease, resulting in achievement of the desired effect. The compounds of the present invention are either of the formula: wherein y is 0, 2 or 3, r is 0-6, Z is (CH2)7 or (CH2)e-C6H4-(CH2)f, wherein , a is 0-1 and f is 0-5 and R 15 is -H, -Cl, -OMe or <IMGS> wherein n is 0-4, R 17 is C2H5, allyl, benzyl, and R 16 is <IMGS> wherein t is 0-2, x is 0-4, and R4 is one of the following: halide, alkyl of 1- 6 carbons, OR, NR2, NO2 (R = H or alkyl of 1-6 carbons). 1

Description

Substituted Oxobutyric Acids as Matrix Metalloprotease Inhibitors BACKGROCr'ND OF THE IN"VE;~O1~1 Field of the invention This invention relates to enzyme inhibitors, and more particularly. to novel oxobuwric acids compounds or derivatives thereof usefuf for inhibiting matrix metalioproteascs.
Description of !6e Related Art The matrix metalloproteases ta.k.a. matrix metalioendo-proteirtases or MI~fPsi are a family 14 of zinc endoproteinases which include, but are not limited to, interstitial collaeenase ta.k.a..
:GIMP-1 t. stromelysin (a.k.a.. prateoglycanase, cransin. or MMP-3 ), geiatinase A {a.k.a..
7?kDa-gelatinasc or MMP-2) and eelatinase B (a.k.a.. 95kDa-~zelatinase or MMP-9). These MMPs are secreted by a varien~ of cells including fibmblasts and chondrocytes, along with natural proteinaceous inhibitors known as TIMPs {Tissue inhibitor of lvletalloP_roteinase).
1 s x.11 of these MMPs are capable of desuoying a variety of corn ective tissue componenu of artieular cartilage or basement membranes. leach MMP is secreted as an inactive proenzsme which -must be cleaved in a subsequent step before it is able to exert its own protcolvtic activity. In addition to the matrix destroying effect, certain of these MMPs such as MMP-3 have been implcmeatcd as the i~r viva activator for other MMPs such as MMP-1 and MMP-91'Ito, et al.. :arch .4 Biochem Biopl'ys. x,67, 211 (1988); Oeata. et al.. 1. Blot. Chem., 2,f,7, 3581 {1992)). Thus, a cascade of proteolytic activity can be initiated by an excess of MMP-3. It follows that specific MMP-3 inhibitors should limit the activity of other MMPs that are not directly inhibited by such inhibitors.
la It has also been reported that MMP-3 can cleave and thereby inactivate the endogenous inhibitors of other proteinases such as elastase (Winyard, et al., FEBS Lens.
279, 1, 91 ( 1991 )).
Inhibitors of MMP-3 could thus influence the activity of other destructive proteinases by modif~zng the level of their endogenous inhibitors.
A number of diseases are thought to be mediated by excess or undesired matrix-destroying metalloprotease activity or by an imbalance in the ratio of the MMPs to the TIMPs. These include:
a) osteoarthritis (Woessner, et al., J. Biol.Chem., 259(6), 3633 ( 1984);
Phadke, et al.. J. Rheumatol.
10, 852 ( 1983)), b) rheumatoid arthritis (Mullins, et al.. Biochim. Biophys.
Acta 69~, 117 ( 1983 );
Woolley, et al., Arthritis Rheum. 20, 1231 ( 1977); Gravallese, et al., Arthritis Rheum. 34, 1076 ( 1991 )). c j septic arthritis (Williams, et al., Arthritis Rheum. 33, 533 (1990)), d) tumor metastasis (Reich, et al.. Cancer Res., 48, 3307 (1988); and Matrisian, et al., Proc.
Nat'1. Acad. Sci., USA 83, 9413 ( 1986)), e) periodontal diseases (Overall, et al., J. Periodontal Res.
22, 8I ( 1987)), f) corneal ulceration (Bums, et al., Invest. Opthalmol. Vis. Sci. 30, 1569 (1989)), g) proteinuria (Baricos, et al.. Biochem. J. 254, 609 ( 1988)), h) coronary thrombosis from atherosclerotic plaque rupture 1 ~ (Henney, et al.. Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci.. USA 88, 8154 ( 1991 )), r}
aneurysmal aortic disease (Vine, et al., Clin. Sci. 81, 233 (1991)), j) birth control (Woessner, et al., Steroids 54, 491 (1989)), k}
dystrophobic epidetmolysis bullosa (Kronberger, et al., J. Invest. Dermatol.
79, 208 ( I 982)), and l) degenerative cartilage loss following traumatic joint injury, m) conditions leading to inflammatory responses, osteopenias mediated by MMP activity, n) tempero mandibular joint disease, o) 30 demyelating diseases of the nervous system (Chantry, et al., J. Neurochem.
~0, 688 ( 1988)).
The need for new therapies is especially important in the case of arthritic diseases. The primary disabling effect of osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA} and septic arthritis is the progressive loss of articular cartilage and thereby normal joint function. No marketed SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) pharmaceutical agent is able to prevent or slow this cartilage loss, although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSA)Ds) have been given to control pain and swelling. The end result of these diseases is total loss of joint function which is only treatable by joint replacement surgery. MMP
inhibitors are expected to halt or reverse the progression of cartilage loss and obviate or delay sureical intervention.
Proteases are critical elements at several stages in the progression of metastatic cancer. In this process. the proteolvtic degradation of structural protein in the basal membrane allows for expansion of a tumor in the primary site, evasion from this site as well as homing and invasion in distant. secondary sites. Also, tumor induced angiogenesis is required for tumor growth and is dependent on proteolytic tissue remodeling. Transfection experiments with various types of proteases have shown that the matrix metalloproteases play a dominant role in these processes in particular gelatinises A and B (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively). For an overview of this field see Mullins, et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 695, 177 (1983); Ray, et al., Eur.
Respir. J. 7, 2062 (1994);
Birkedal-Hansen, et al., Crit. Rev. Oral Biol. Med. 4, 197 (1993).
1 ~ Furthermore, it was demonstrated that inhibition of degradation of extracellular matrix by the native matrix metalloprotease inhibitor TIIvIP-2 (a protein) arrests cancer growth (DeClerck, et al.. Cancer Res. 5~, 701 (1992)) and that TBvIP-2 inhibits tumor-induced angiogenesis in experimental systems (Moses, et al. Science 248, 1408 ( 1990)). For a review, see DeClerck, et al., Ann. N. Y. Acid. Sci. 732, 222 ( 1994). It was further demonstrated that the synthetic matrix metalloprotease inhibitor batimastat when given intraperitoneally inhibits human colon tumor growth and spread in an orthotopic model in nude mice (Wang, et al. Cancer Res. 54, 4726 (1994)) and prolongs the survival of mice bearing human ovarian carcinoma xenografts {Davies, et. al., Cancer Res. 53, 2087 (1993)). The use of this and related compounds has been dcscribed in Brown, et al.. WO-9321942 A2 (931111 ).

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) There are several patents and patent applications claiming the use of metalloproteinase inhibitors for the retardation of metastatic cancer, promoting tumor regression, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, slowing or preventing cartilage loss associated with osteoarthritis or for treatment of other diseases as noted above (e.g. Levy, et al., WO-9519965 A 1; Beckett, et al.. WO-951996 A 1;
Beckett. et al., WO-9519957 A 1; Beckett, et al., WO-9519961 A 1; Brown, et al., WO-9321942 A2;
Crirrtrrtin. et al.. WO-9421625 A1; Dickens, et aZ., U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,361;
Hughes, et al., U.S. Pat.
~o. 6.190.937; Broadhurst, et al., EP 574758 A1; Broadhurst, et al., EP
276436; and Myers, et al..
EP 620573 Al. The preferred compounds of these patents have peptide backbones with a zinc complexing group (hydroxamic acid, thiol, carboxylic acid or phosphinic acid) at one end and a varien~ of sidechains, both those found in the natural amino acids as well as those with more novel functional groups. Such small peptides are often poorly absorbed, exhibiting low oral bioavailability. They are also subject to rapid proteolytic metabolism, thus having short half lives.
As an example, batimastat, the compound described in Brown, et al., WO-9321942 A2, can only be given intraperitoneally.
1 ~ Others have disclosed a series of biphenyl-containing carboxylic acids, illustrated by the compound shown below, which inhibit neural endopeptidase (NEP 24.11 ), a membrane-bound zinc metalloprotease (Stanton, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 4, 539, 1994;
Lombaert, et al.. Bioorg.
'vied. Chem. Lett. 4, 2715 (1994); Lombaert, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.
5, 145 (1995);
Lombaert, et al., Hioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 5, 151 ( 1995)).
?0 Ph0-P~~~~~COzH
Ph H0 I/

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) It has been reported that N-carboxyalkyl derivatives containing a biphenyiethylglycine.
illustrated by the compound shown below, are inhibitors of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3). 7? kDA
eelatinase (MMP-2) and collagenase (Du.rette, et al., WO-9529689).
F
H ~3 1~ P6.h ~~~~C~H
H II HO

CHI
It would be desirable to have ef~'ective MMP inhibitors which possess improved bioavailability and biological stability relative to the peptide-based compounds of the prior art, and 1 ~ which can be optimized for use against particular target MMPs. Such compounds are the subject of the present application.
The development of efficacious MMP inhibitors would afford new therapies for diseases mediated by the presence of, or an excess of MMP activity, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, tumor metastasis, periodontal diseases, corneal ulcerations, and proteinuria.
''0 Several inhibitors of MMPs have been described in the literature, including thiols (Beszant, et al., J. Med. Chem. 36, 4030 (1993)), hydroxamic acids (Wahl, et al. Bioorg. Med.
Chem. L,ett. 5_, 349 (1995); Conway, et al. J. Exp. Med. 182, 449 (1995); Porter, et al., Bioorg.
Med. Chem. Lett. 4, 2741 (1994); Tomczuk, et al.. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 5_, 343 (1995);
Castelhano, et al., Hioorg.
Med. Chem. Lett. 5_, 1415 (1995)), phosphorous-based acids (Bird, et al. J.
Med. Chem. 37, 158 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) (1994); Morphy, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 4, 2747 (1994); Kortylewicz, et al., J. Med. Chem.
~, 263 (1990)), and carboxylic acids (Chapman, et al. J. Med. Chem. 36, 4293 (1993); Brown, et al. J. Med. Chem. 37, 674 (1994); Motphy, et al.. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Ixtt. 4, 2747 (1994); Stack.
et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 287, 240 (1991); Ye, et al., J. Med. Chem. 37, 206 (1994);
Grobelny, et al., Biochemistn~ 24, 6145 (I985); Mookhtiar, et al., Biochemistry 27, 4299 (1988)).
However, these inhibitors generally contain peptidic backbones, and thus usually exhibit low oral bioactivity due to poor absorption and short half lives due to rapid proteolysis. Therefore, there remains a need for improved MMP inhibitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides compounds having matrix metalloprotease inhibitory activity. These compounds are useful for inhibiting matrix metalloproteases and, therefore, combating conditions to which MMPs contribute. Accordingly, the present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such conditions.
1 ~ The compounds described relate to a method of treating a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a matrix metalloprotease inhibiting amount of a compound according to the invention sufficient to:
(a) alleviate the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, periodontal disease, corneal ulceration, proteinuria, aneurysmal aortic disease, dystrophobic epidermolysis, bullosa, conditions leading to inflammatory responses, osteopenias mediated by MMP activity, tempero mandibular joint disease, demyelating diseases of the nervous system;
(b) retard tumor metastasis or degenerative cartilage loss following traumatic joint injury;
(c) reduce coronary thrombosis from athrosclerotic plaque rupture; or SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) (d) effect birch control.
The compounds of the present invemion are also useful scientific research tools for studying functions and mechanisms of action of matrix metalloproteases in both in viva and in vitro systems.
Because of their MMP-inhibiting activity, the present compounds can be used to modulate MMP
action, thereby allowing the researcher to observe the effects of reduced MMP
activity in the experimental biological system under study.
This invention relates lo compounds having matrix metalloprotease inhibitory activity and the generalized formula A-D-E-G (L) ' I 0 A represents alkyl: ally-, benzyloxy.. or 3-propmvl alkyl groups as well as the structure:
R's~ Z - CH~.-r where Z = (CH~)~-C6H,-(CH;)~ or (CH,)g, a = 0-8, f = 0-5, g = 0-14 and where r is 0-6.
R'S may be -H, -CI, -OMe or Ri~.C°(~ ~ HO
n n 1 ~ wherein n is 0-4, R" is -C,Hs, -aIlyl, or -benzyl.
In the generalized formula (L), D represents =O ~ =NOH \C=S C~H C~H
~ OH ~ ~H
In the generalized formula (L), E represents a chain of n' carbon atoms bearing m substituents '_0 Rb in which the R° groups are independent substituents, or constitute spiro or nonspiro rings. Rings may be formed in two ways: a) two groups R° are joined, and taken together with the chain atoms) to which the two Rd groups) are attached, and any intervening chain atoms, constitute a 3 - 7 membered ring, or b) one group R6 is joined to the chain on which this one group R6 resides, and taken together with t~5e chain atoms) to which the R° group is attached, and any intervening chain atoms, constitutes a 3-7 membered ring. The number n' of carbon atoms in the chain is 2 or 3, and the number m of R6 substituents is an integer of 1 - 3. The number of carbons in the totality of Ra groups is at least two.
Each group Rb is alkyl, alkenyl, alkvnyl, aryl, heteroaryl, non-aromatic cyclic, and combinations thereof optionally substituted with one or more hetero-atoms as described more fully below.
In the generalized formula (L). G represents -CO,H, -PO~H~, -M, 0 ~ o R"
._C_N_H_M . -C-~-H_M , or ~~N.N
in which M represents -CO:H, -CON(R"):, or -CO,R''-. where R" is H or alkyl of 1 - 4 carbons. R'=
is alkyl of 1 - 4 carbons, and R'' represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.
1 ~ Certain embodiments include compounds having matrix metalloQroteinase inhibitory activity and the following generalized formula:
O R '6 _-Rts~,Z OH
y 0 ?0 where Z = (CHi)~ C6H,-{CH,)~ or (CH~)8, a = 0-8, f = 0-~, g = 0-14 , r is 0-6 and y is 0, 2 or 3f R" may be H, Cl, Me0 or Ro.O.~,~ ~ HO - .
n wherein n is 0-4, R" is C,H~, allyl, or benzyl, and R'6 is one of ~N~ , / ~N ) /~R'~x N /
O
where t is 0-2, x is 0-4 and R' is one of the following: halide, alkyl of 1-6 carbons. OR NR;. NO.
(R = H or alkyl of 1-b carbons).
The foregoing merely summarizes certain aspects of the present invention and is not intended. nor should it be construed, to limit the invention in any way.
D_1 SESE CRIPTIOIY OF THE PREFERRED EMBQ]pIMENTS
More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are materials having matrix metalloprotease inhibitory activity and the generalized formula:
A-D-Zr-G (L) in which A represents alkyl of 9-14 carbons or alkyloxy of 9-18 carbons, or allyloxy-, benzyloxy-, or propvnyl- alkyl of 9-18 carbons. A is also represented by the structure:
R~S.~Z-CHz-where Z = (CH:)~.CbH,-(CHi)~ or (CH;)', a = 0-8, f = 0-5, g = 0-14 and where r is 0-6.
R's may be -H. -Cl, -OMe or Rn.O.~,~ , HO~
n wherein n is 0-4, R" is C:Hs, allyl, or bettzyl.
In the generalized formula (L), D represents the moieties \ ,H \ ,H
=O ~ =NOH ~ 'S C~OH ~ ~H
Throughout this application. in the displayed chemical structures, an open bond indicates the point at which the structure joins to another group. For example, Rso I
I
where R'° is is the structure w i In the generalized formula (L), E represenu a chain of n carbon atoms bearing m substituents R6, referred to as R6 groups or R° units. The R6 groups are independent substituents, or constitute spiro or nonspiro rings. Rings may be formed in two ways: a) two groups R° are joined, and taken together with the chain atoms) to which the two R° groups) are attached, and any intervening chain atoms, constitute a 3 - 7 membered ring, or b) one group R6 is joined to the chain on which this one group R6 resides, and taken together with the chain atoms) to which the R
bgroup is attached, and 1 ~ any intervening chain atoms, constitutes a 3 - 7 membered ring. The number n of carbon atoms in the chain is 2 or 3, and the number m of R6 substituents is an integer of 1 -3. The number of carbons in the totality of R6 groups is at least two.
Each group R° is independently selected from the group consisting of the substituents listed below as items 1 ) - 14):
'0 1) alkyl of 1 - 10 carbons;
2) aryl of 6 - 10 carbons;
3) heteroaryl comprising 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom;
4) arylalkyl in which the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1 - 8 carbons;
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ~) heteroaryl-alkyl in which the heteroaryl portion comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom, and the alkyl portion contains 1 - 8 carbons:
6) alkenyl of 2 - 10 carbons;
7) anU-alkenyl in which the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons and the alkenvl portion contains 2 - 5 carbons;
8) heteroaryl-alkenyl in which the heteroaryl portion comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom and the alkenyl portion contains 2 -5 carbons:
9) alkvnyl of 2 - 10 carbons;
10) aryl-alkynvl in which the anal portion contains 6 - 10 carbons and the alkvnvl portion contains 2 - ~ carbons:
1 1 ) heteroaryl-allc~~nyl in which the heteroaryl portion comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom and the alkvnyl portion contains 2 - 5 carbons;
12)-(CHz)~R' in winch t is 0 or an integer of 1 - 5 and R' is selected from the group consisting of:
0 o I
~N I \ _N I \ \ wN.Ri \
/ /
p O~ O N~O
I
O
i \ I N O O N 0 N
_N I / ~ ~ o~o ~J0 O~N~O I \ ~>~ /~'/.~R~)u Nz -N Y ~ R3 ~ Nz Rs ~ Nz Nz Rz O O
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) as well as corresponding heteroaryl moieties in which the aryl portion of an aryl-containing R' group comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom. In such R' groups, Y represents O
j ~ or S: and a is 0, 1, or 2 provided that when R' is ~N~RZ
- N Y or ' U R
- ~__a 2 and the .A unit is phenyl. the B unit is phenylene, m is 1, n is 2, and t is 0, and x is 1 or 2.
R' represents H or alkyl of I - 3 carbons. R= represents H; alley! of 1 - 6 carbons; arvl of 6 I 0 - 10 carbons: heteroarvl comprisine 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom: awlalkvl in which the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1 - ~ carbons; or heteroaryl-alkyl in which the heteroaryl portion comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at least one N. O, or S heteroatom and the alkyl portion contains 1 - 4 carbons.
R' represents alkyl of I - 4 carbons; aryl of 6 - 10 carbons; heteroaryl comprising 4 - 9 1 ~ carbons and at least one N, O, or S heteroatom: arylalky! in which the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1 - 4 carbons; or heteroaryl-alkyl in which the heteroary!
portion comprises 4 - 9 carbons and at (east one N. O, or S heteroatom and the alkyl portion contains 1 - 4 carbons.
13) -(CHZ)~P'Rg in which v is an integer of 1 to 4, P' represents -S-, -S(O)-, -SOZ-~0 or -O- and R" is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 12 carbons; aryl of 6 to carbons; heteroaryl comprising 4 to 9 carbons and at feast one N, O, or S
heteroatom;
arylalkyl in which the aryl portion contains 6 to 12 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbons; heteroarylaikyl in which the aryl portion contains 6 to 12 carbons and at least ' one N, O, or S heteroatom and the alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbons; -C(O)R9 in which i the R9 represents alkyl of 2 to 6 carbons, aryl of 6 to 10 carbons, heteroaryl compnstng 4 to 9 carbons and at least one N. O, or S heteroatom; and arylalkyl in which the aryl portion contains 6 to 10 carbons or is a heteroaryi comprising 4 to 9 carbons and at Least one N, O.
or S heteroatom, and the alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbons, with the provisos that when Rg is -C(O)R9, Z is -S- or -O-; when Z is -O-, R8 may also be -{CHzOyR9, where r is as defined above and when the A unit is phenyl, the B unit is phenylene, m is 1, n is ?s and v is 0, then x is 1 or '?.
14) -(CH~",SiR'°, in which w is an integer of I to 3, and R'°
represents alkyl of 1 to ? carbons.
f 0 In addition. aryl or heteroaryl portions of any of the R° groups optionally may bear up to two substituents selected from the group consisting of -(CHZ)y' C(R"}(R'2)OH, -(CHZ)Y' OR", -(CHZ)Y' SR", -(CHZ)y' S(O}Ry _(CHZ)y' S(O)Zy _(CHZ)Y' SOZN {R")2, -(CHz)Y' N(Rm)2, _(CHZ)Y' N(Rm)COR'Z, -OC(R")ZO- in which both oxygen atoms are connected to the aryl ring, -(CHZ)y' COR", -(CHZ)Y' CON(R")Z, -(CHZ)Y' COZR", -(CHz)y' OCOR", -halogen, -CHO, -CF3, -NO2, -CN and -R'Z, in I ~ which y' is 0-4; R" represents H or alkyl of 1-4 carbons; and R'~~
represents alkyl of 1-4 carbons.
In the generalized fotrnula (L). G represents -CO;H. -PO,H2, -M, O ~ O R" ~- N
" n l ~~ , N
-C-N-H-M , -C-~-H-M , or N
in which M represents -COzH, -CON(R" ),, or -CO,R'~, and R" represents any of the side chains of ?0 the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds falling within the generalized formula (L) are also within the invention.

WO 97143238 PCTlUS97/07975 It is to be understood that as used herein, the term "alkyl" means straight.
branched, cyclic.
and polycyclic materials. The term "haloalkyl" means partially or fully halogenated alkyl groups such as -(CH~),CI. -CF, and -C°F,3, for example.
In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of generalized formula (L), wherein n is ? and m is 1 in the E unit. These compounds thus possess two carbon atoms between the D unit and the G unit, and carry one substituent on this two-carbon chain.
In another of its embodiments, the invention relates to compounds of generalized formula (L) in which the number of substituents m on the E unit is ? or 3: and when m is 2, both groups R°
are independent substituents, or together constitute a spiro ring, or one group R° is an independent substituent and the other constitutes a spiro ring; and when m is 3, two groups R° are independent substituents and one group R° constitutes a ring, or two groups R
°constitute a ring and one group R6 is an independent substituent, or three groups R° are independent substituents. This subset therefore contains compounds in which the E unit is di- or tri- substituted, and in the disubstituted case any rings formed by one or both R° groups are spiro rings, and in the trisubstituted case, the R°
1 S groups may form either spiro or nonspiro rings.
In another of its embodiments, the invention relates to compounds of generalized fot~ula (L) in which the number of substituents m on the E unit is 1 or 2; and when m is 1, the group R°
constitutes a nonspiro ring; and when m is 2. both groups R° together constitute a nonspiro ring or one group R° is an independent substituent and the other constitutes a nonspiro ring. This subset therefore contains compounds in which the E unit carries one or two substituents R°, and at least one of these substituents is involved in a nonspiro ring.
More particularly, representative compounds of generalized formula (L) in which one or more of the substituent groups R° are involved in formation of nonspiro rings have E units of the following structures:

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ~- fHZ.,R,C) (CR,HZ~a'-I f~)v~H~.
l~I
fCR

C

,~
e ) tH,.eR

/ tA,J, ~'IH,-eReC~~CRpHva)-, ' (R,W
~fCH~I fC~+
"f/

~- IHmR,C) (CR,H~~a- b.

I Re H
(H,.eR,C) fCRbH,-a) i \ ~-(H,~RCT'~"~(CR!'Iv.a7~~
~fC
}'~
~~ (R,Jv ~
' o (Ru)c ~ ~
' ~

i SC"H~~

~- IH1~R,C) (CR,Hi~)d-I R H
(H,.,RsC~- ( ReH,~7 -fR,Jv -(H,,~bCT'iC~"'(CRhl,-s) ~

fC,H7y~tU
/ (Ruh Ct~'yaU~

~- (HZ~R,C) ICR.Hi~ld-fR~ IHY~~

lN,.eReCl----' fCReHW

fCrN~ ytH~.aReCY~~fCRli,.eJ'._.~

~(R~')e ~fR"lt ~- (Hi.,R,C) (CRH~~d--~ I (R) H~.

fH~.pR,C) (CRd'y.e) C)J"~ fCR,H wY-~- (HmR

~fR"), , and ~fR"), 1~ inwhichais0,l,or?;bis0orl;cis0orl;dis0orl;c+dis0orl;eisl-S;fisl-4;gis3 - 5; h is 2 - 4; i is 0 - 4; j is 0 - 3: k is 0 - 2; the total number of groups R6 is 0. 1, or 2; U represents O, S, or NR'; and z is 1 or 2; Each ~aoup R" is independently selected from the soup consisting of alkyl of 1 - 9 carbons; arylalkyl in which the alkyl portion contains 1 - 7 carbons and the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons; alkenyl of 2 - 9 carbons: aryl-substituted alkenyl in which the ?0 alkenyl portion contains 2 - 4 carbons and the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons; alkynyl of 2 -9 carbons; aryl-substituted alkynyl in which the aikynyl portion contains 2 -4 carbons and the aryl portion contains 6 - 10 carbons; aryl of 6 - 10 carbons; -CORD; -CO:R'; -CON(R~b -(CH~#t'in which t is 0 or an integer of 1-4, and -(CHZ),,Z'Rg in which v is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3, and Z' represents -S- or -O-. R', R~, R'. R°. R', and R° have been defined above.

Preferred compounds of generalized formula (L) in which one or more of the substiruent groups R6 are involved in formation of nonspiro rings have E units of the following ststcctures:
~- 11'k.Rt.Ci. rcRt,~'~1.7. -~ ~- ~LR'.c). (axt.~'~1.7.
(H,aR i1 > (G!',Fiw) M,~Rt C; (C7lrWr) rRu)t , ~~ ~/ (R~s7.
r .~ Cod . ~- (~.lt',C). ICRt.~.lr -(Fi,rR~,CI I R~,Hm) rR~Jk :>: ab rc,rs",ut in which a, b, c. d, Uc - d), e, g, l. k. the total number of groups R6, U, and R'~ are as defined above.
Other compounds of generalized formula (L) have R° units of the following structures:
p Ph \
n or ~ N-where n is 0-1. pp Most preferred compounds of the general formula (L) include those of the following general formula 1 ~ 0 R)6 R r S.~,F z O H
~'~ O
wherein y is 0 (i.e., there is no ring structure}, 2 (cycloburyl), or 3 (cyciopenryl), r is 0-6. Z is (CH,), or (CHZ)e C6Hø-(CH~f, wherein a is 0-1 and f is 0-5, and R'S is H, -Cl, -OMe or ., 0 Rn.O.~ HO
n n wherein n is 0-4, R" is -C,Hs, -allyi. -benzyl, and R'a is l \ I ~N I \ ~N I w.~R4~
N:N /
O

where x is 0-4, t is 0-2, and R' is one of the following: halide, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, OR NR,. NO, (R = H or alkyl of i-6 carbons).
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many of the compounds of the invention exist in enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms, and that it is understood by the art that such stereoisomers generally exhibit different activities in biological systems. This invention encompasses all possible stereoisomers which possess inhibitory activity against an MMP, regardless of their stereoisomeric designations, as well as miactures of stereoisomers in which at least one member possesses inhibitow activiri~.
The most prefered compounds of the present invention are as indicated and named in the list below:
I) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-a-(2-oxododecyl)-2N-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, II) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-a-(2-oxoundecyl)-2H isoindole-2-butanoic acid, III) 1.3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-a-(2-oxotridecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, IV) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-a-(2-oxotetradecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, 1 ~ V) 1.3-dihydro-1.3-dioxo-a-(2-oxopentadecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, VI) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-a-(2-oxohexadecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, VI1) y-oxo-a-(2-phenylethyl)-benzeneheptanoic acid.
VIII) y-oxo-a-(2-phenylethyl)-benzenehexanoic acid, and IX) y-oxo-a-(2-phenylethyl)-benzenepentanoic acid The compounds of the invention may be prepared by use of known chemical reactions and procedures. Nevertheless, the following general preparative methods are presented to aide the reader in synthesizing the inhibitors. More detailed procedures for particular examples are presented below in the experimental section.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In the general methods the following generic descriptions apply. The group designated P
represents a protecting group. It may be appreciated by one skilled in the act that a varien~ of different protecting groups may be used to protect a potentially reactive functional group (e.g.
carboxylic acid. alcohol) and that the particular choice will depend upon the reaction conditions required to prepare a given target compound. A description of such protecting groups may be found in: Green and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2nd Ed., John Wiley and Sons. New York. 1991.
The group designated X represents a leaving group. It is well known to those skilled in the an that several different functional groups such as halides, mesylates, tosylates and triflates may serve as a leaving groups. It is also known that the choice of a particular leaving group typically depends on such factors as the reactivity of the nucleophile, stability of the compound and ease of synthesis.
General Method A - The compounds of the invention where E does not contain a ring are 1 ~ conveniently prepared using an (a-halomethyl ketone and a substituted malonate derivative. The a-halomethyl ketone intermediate CIII (X = C1, Br) can be conveniently prepared from a carboxylic acid or a methyl ketone. From carboxylic acid CI, treatment with oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a solvent like trimethylsilylchloride provides the corresponding acid chloride.
Subsequent treatment with excess diazomethane followed by anhydrous HC1 or HBr provides intermediate C11I. Alternatively, intermediate CIII can be prepared from methyl ketone CII via the corresponding silyl enol ether by treatment with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). The silylenol ether is conveniently prepared from the methyl ketone by treatment with triniethylsilylchlotide (TMSCI) and a base like lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LHMDS). General procedures for the preparation of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a-halomethyl ketones are well-known to those skilled in the art. For additional references see Corey, et al.,Tetrahedron Lett. 25, 495 (1984) and Reuss, et al., J. Org.
Chem. 39, 1785 (1974).
Methods for the preparation of substituted malonate derivatives (CV) are also well-established in the literature. Typically, an unsubstituted malonate derivative is treated with a base like NaH or KOt-Bu in a polar aprotic solvent, and then alkylated with a substituted halide.
Similarly, alkyiation of mono alkylated intermediate CV with a-halomethyl ketone CIII provides dialkyiated intermediate, CVI. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that sidechain Y
may be the sidechain desired in the final target or a simple handle to further elaborate that portion of the molecule at a latter stage of the synthesis. If sidechain Y is the desired sidechain, then intermediate CVI can simply be deprotected and decarboxylated using well-known procedures to give target compound CVIII. The conditions used to deprotect intermediate CVI
will depend on the type of protecting group used. Some convenient protecting groups used to synthesize the compounds of the invention include methyl, allyl, benzyi and tert-butyl.
Methods to incorporate and remove these groups are well-known to those skilled in the art (see above reference). The choice of protecting group used in the synthesis will depend on such factors as functional group compatibility, ease of synthesis and availability of starting materials. , If the target compound CXI contains a moiety Q which is sensitive to the reaction conditions used in the alkylation steps then an intermediate sidechain Y can be used. In this case, a protected ethanol group such as CHZCHZOTBS can be conveniently incorporated as this handle. Intermediate CV with Y = -CH~CH,OTBS can be prepared by using TBSOCHZCHZBr as Y-X in the first alkylation step. TBSOCH2CH2Br can be prepared from HOH2CH2Br by methods well-known to those skilled in the art. The protecting group can be removed to provide the corresponding alcohol wfich may be converted to phenyl ethers or a variety of heteroatom substituted derivatives used to generate sidechain Q via the Mitsunobu reaction. The Mitsunobu reaction is well known to those SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 2fi) WO 97!43138 PCT/US97107975 skilled in the art; see Mitsunobu, Synthesis 1 (1981), and Hughes, Organic Reactions 4~, 335 (1992). Alternatively, the alcohol intermdiate is converted to a leaving group such as tosylate or bromide and displaced by an appropriate nucleophile. Several examples of this type of reaction can be found in Norman, et al., J. Med. Chem 37, 2552 (1994). After the desired sidechain Q is incorporated to form CX, the malonate moiety can be deprotected and decarboxyiated to provide the target compound CXI. Ln some cases the ketone moiety of intermediate CIII
may need to be protected to avoid undesired side reactions. If required, protection as an acetal using the protocols like those described in Hw~u. et al.. J. Org, Chem. 50, 3946 ( 1985), is generally preferred.
t ) n~scl o 11 fCOC1)2 _ ~X
R OH 2) ~iNi R 2) NBS R CH3 CI 3) ~ C~ CII

~I II _Y-X
N~. ~ ~~Op NaH. '11-3F'11-3F POOP
y CV CIV
0~~ C~OP O C02H O CO,H
R~y depr..~ ~"Y h -' R~Y
R
CVI -COiP CVII CO,H CVm O CO,P 0 CO,P p ~CO~H
1 ) deprotectton R'~~Z R~Q 2) beat ~R~~Q
CO,P i CIX ~ CX
General Method B - The compounds of this invention in which two R°groups are joined to form a substituted 5-member ring E are most conveniently prepared by method B. In this method acid ''0 MI (R=H) is prepared using the protocols described in Beeley, et al.,Tetrahedron 37 Suppl., 411 ( 1981 ). The acid is protected as an ester (e.g., R= benryl (Bn) or 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl (TMSE)) by use of coupling agents such as 1-(3-dimnethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodiimide) hydrochloride and procedures well known to those skilled in the art. The Grignard reagent MII [prepared from the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) corresponding bronude by treatment with magnesium) is reacted with MI (R = Bn, TMSE) to yield alcohol MIII. Alcohol MIII is eliminated via base treatment of its mesylate using conditions well known to those skilled in the art to yield olefin MIV. Ozonolysis of MN
(workup with methysulfide) yields aldehyde MV. Alternatively, treatment with OsO, followed by HaI06 converts MN to MV .
Conversion of key intermediate MV to the targeted patent compounds is accomplished in several ways depending on the identity of side chain function J. Reaction of MV with Wittig reaeents followed by hydrogenation yields products in which J is alkyl, aryl or arylallcyl. Selective reduction of aldehyde MV with a reducing agent such as lithium tris[(3-ethyl-3-pentyl)oxy)aluminum hydride (LTEPA) yields alcohol MVI. The alcohol may be converted to phenyl ethers or a variety of heteroatom substituted derivatives used to generate sidechain R~6 via the Mitsunobu reaction. The Mitsunobu reaction is well known to those skilled in the art; see Mitsunobu, Synthesis 1 (1981), and Hughes, Organic Reactions, 42, 335 (1992).
Alternatively alcohol MVI is converted to a leaving group such as tosylate MVII or bromide by 1 ~ conditions well known to those skilled in the art and then the leaving group is displaced by the appropriate nucleophile. Several examples of this type of reaction can be found in Norman, et al., Med. Chem. 37, 2552 (1994). Direct acylation of the alcohol MVI yields compounds in which J
= OAcvl and reaction of the alcohol with various alkyl halides in the presence of base yields alkyl ethers. In each case a final step is removal of acid blocking group R to yield acids (R = H) by using '_'0 conditions which depend on the stability of R and J, but in all cases well known to those skilled in the art. Removal of the benzyl group, for example, may be accomplished by base hydrolysis or hydrogenolysis, whereas deprotection of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl ester is typically carried out by simple treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ROC RO,C
I ) MaCI ROZC
O - BrMg.R ~ R ~
JO~H ~1 elrmrnauoo ~R
MI MB MZB ! M~%N
Oraoc O CO~R O CO,R
~ reQucnon ~>MeSMc RJI,...~....CHO R~J~.. ~,...CHZOH
i MVV ),,nrl Iv~tsunobu.
TsCI ~Yl~non or alkylanon O COiR O CO:R
elkvlmon R~~.,.,~....CH=J
R ~~..., jots~
!''n a MV»
Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention include addition salts formed with organic or inorganic bases. The salt forming ion derived from such bases can be metal ions, e.g., aluminum. alkali metal ions, such as sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal ions such as calcium or magnesium, or an amine salt ion, of which a number are known for this purpose. Examples include ammonium salts. arylalkvlamines such as dibenzylamine and 1 ~ ,'~~.:'~'-dibenzylethylenediamine. lower alkylamines such as methylamine, t-butyiamine, procaine.
lower alkylpiperidines such as l~'-ethylpiperidine, cycloalkylamines such as cyclohexylamine or dicyclohexylamine, 1-adamantylamine, benzathine, or salts derived from amino acids like arginine.
lysine or the like. The physiologically acceptable salts such as the sodium or potassium salts and the amino acid salts can be used medicinally as described below and are preferred.
~0 These and other salts which are not necessarily physiologically acceptable are useful in isolating or purifying a product acceptable for the purposes described below.
For example, the use of commercially available enantiomerically pure amines such as (+)-cinchonine in suitable solvents can yield salt crystals of a single enatiomer of the invention compounds, leaving the opposite enantiomer in solution in a process often referred to as "classical resolution." As one enantiomer SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) of a given invention compound is usually substantially heater in physiological effect than its antipode, this active isomer can thus be found purified in either the crystals or.the liquid phase. The salts are produced by reacting the acid form of the invention compound with an equivalent of the base supplying the desired basic ion in a medium in which the salt precipitates or in aqueous medium and then lyophilizing. The free acid form can be obtained from the salt by conventional neutralization techniques, e.g.. with potassium bisulfate, hydrochloric acid, etc.
The compounds of the present invention have been found to inhibit the matrix metalloproteases MMP-3. MMP-9 and MMP-?, and to a lesser extent MMP-l, and are therefore useful for treating or preventing the conditions referred to in the background section. .As other '~t~tPs not listed above share a high degree of homology with those listed above, especially in the catalytic site, it is deemed that compounds of the invention should also inhibit such other MMPs to varying degrees. Varying the substituents on the biaryl portions of the molecules. as well as those of the propanoic or butanoic acid chains of the claimed compounds, has been demonstrated to affect the relative inhibition of the listed MMPs. Thus compounds of this general class can be "tuned" by 1 ~ selecting specific substituents such that inhibition of specific MMP(s) associated with specific pathological conditions can be enhanced while leaving non-involved MMPs less affected.
The method of treating matrix metalloprotease-mediated conditions may be practiced in mammals, including humans, which exhibit such conditions.
The inhibitors of the present invention are contemplated for use in veterinary and human ~0 applications. For such purposes, they will be employed in pharmaceutical compositions containing active ingredients) plus one or more phazmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, fillers, binders, and other excipients, depending on the administration mode and dosage form contemplated.
Administration of the inhibitors may be by any suitable mode known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable parenteral administration include intravenous, intraarticuiar, subcutaneous SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) and intramuscular routes. Intravenous administration can be used to obtain acute regulation of peal:
plasma concentrations of the drug. Improved half life and targeting of the drug to the joint cavities may be aided by entrapment of the drug in iiposomes. It may be possible to improve the selectiviy of liposomal targeting to the joint cavities by incorporation of ligands into the outside of the liposomes that bind to synovial-specific macromolecules. Alternatively intramuscular, intraarticular or subcutaneous depot injection with or without encapsulation of the drug into degradable micro spheres e.g.. comprising poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) may be used to obtain prolonged sustained drug release. For improved convenience of the dosage form it may be possible to use an i.p. implanted reservoir and septum such as the Percuseal system available from Pharmacia.
Improved convenience and patient compliance may also be achieved by the use of either injector pens (e.g. the Novo Pin or Q-pen) or needle-free jet injectors (e.g. from Bioject. Mediject or Becton Dickinson). Prolonged zero-order or other precisely controlled release such as pulsatile release can also be achieved as needed using implantable pumps with delivery of the drug through a cannula into the synovial spaces. Examples include the subcutaneouslv implanted osmotic pumps available 1 ~ from ALZA. such as the ALZET osmotic pump.
Nasal delivery may be achieved by incorporation of the drug into bioadhesive particulate carriers (C00 um) such as those comprising cellulose, polyacrvlate or polycarbophil. in conjunction with suitable absorption enhancers such as phospholipids or acylcarnitines.
Available systems include those developed by DanBiosys and Scios Nova.
?0 A noteworthy attribute of the compounds of the present invention in contrast to those of various peptidic compounds referenced in the background section of this application is the demonstrated oral activity of the present compounds. Certain compounds have shown oral bioavailability in various animal models of up to 90 - 98 %. Oral delivery may be achieved by incorporation of the drug into tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) solutions. emulsions or suspensions. Oral delivery may also be achieved by incorporation of the drug into enteric coated capsules designed to release the drug into the colon where dieestive protease activity is low. Examples include the OROS-CT%OsmetT"' and PULS1NCAPTM systems from ALZA and Scherer Drug Deliven~ Systems respectively. Other systems use azo-crosslinked polymers that are degraded by colon specific bacterial azoreductases, or pH
sensitive polyacrylate polymers that are activated by the rise in pH at the colon. The above systems may be used in conjunction with a wide range of available absorption enhancers.
Rectal delivery may be achieved by incorporation of the drug into suppositories.
The compounds of this invention can be manufactured into the above listed formulations by the addition of various therapeutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers well kno~~rt to those skilled in the art. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, vegetable oils. waxes. fats, polyols such as polyethylene glycol, water, saccharose, alcohols, glycerin and the like. Various presen~atives, emulsif ers. dispersants.
flavorants, wetting agents. antioxidants. sweeteners. colorants. stabilizers.
salts, buffers and the like l ~ are also added, as required to assist in the stabilization of the formulation or to assist in increasing bioavailability of the active ingredients) or to yield a formulation of acceptable flavor or odor in the case of oral dosing.
The amount of the pharmaceutical composition to be employed will depend on the recipient and the condition being treated. The requisite amount may be determined without undue '_'0 experimentation by protocols known to those skilled in the art.
Alternatively, the requisite amount may be calculated, based on a determination of the amount of target enzyme which must be inhibited in order to treat the condition.
The matrix metalloprotease inhibitors of the invention are useful not only for treatment of the physiological conditions discussed above, but are also useful in such activities as purification SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCT/LTS97/07975 of metalloproteases and testing for matrix metalloprotease activity. Such activity testing can be both in virro using natural or synthetic enzyme preparations or in vivo using. for example. animal models in which abnormal destructive enzyme levels are found spontaneously (use of genetically mutated or transgenic animals) or are induced by administration of exogenous agents or by surgey which disrupts joint stability.
The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, to limit the invention in any way.
EXAMPLES
Genera! Procedures:
.All reactions were performed in flame-dried or oven-dried glassware under a positive pressure of argon and were stirred magnetically unless otherwise indicated.
Sensitive liquids and solutions were transferred via syringe or cannula and were introduced into reaction vessels through rubber septa. Reaction product solutions were concentrated using a Buchi evaporator unless 1 s otherwise indicated.
Materials:
Commercial grade reagents and solvents were used without further purification except that diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran were usually distilled under argon from benzophenone ketyl, and methvlene chloride was distilled under argon from calcium hydride. Many of the specialty organic ?0 or organometallic starting materials and reagents were obtained from Aldrich, 1001 West Saint Paul .Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233. Solvents are ofren obtained from EM Science as distributed by V WR Scientific.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Chromatography:
Analytical thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on Whatmang pre-coated glass-backed silica gel 60 A F-254 250 um plates. Visualization of spots was effected by one of the following techniques: (a) ultraviolet illumination, (b) exposure to iodine vapor, (c ) immersion of the plate in a 10% solution of phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol followed by heating, and (d) immersion of the plate in a 3% solution of p-anisaldehyde in ethanol containing 0.5% concentrated sulfuric acid followed by heating.
Column chromatography was performed using 230-400 mesh EM Sciences silica gel.
Analyical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed at I mL
min"
on a 4.6 a ~~0 mm Microsorbg column monitored at 288 nm, and semi-preparative HPLC was performed at 24 mL min'' on a ? 1.4 x 250 mm Microsorba column monitored at 288 nm.
Instrumentation:
Melting points (mp) were determined with a Thomas-Hoover melting point apparatus and are uncorrected.
1 ~ Proton ('H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were measured with a General Electric GN-OMEGA 300 (300 MHz) spectrometer, and carbon thirteen (''C) NMR
spectra were measured with a General Electric GN-OMEGA 300 (75 MHz) spectrometer. Most of the compounds synthesized in the experiments below were analyzed by nmr, and the spectra were consistent with the proposed structures in each case.
Mass spectral (MS) data were obtained on a Kratos Concept 1-H spectrometer by liquid-cesium secondary ion (LCIMS), an updated version of fast atom bombardment (FAB). Most of the compounds synthesized in the experiments below were analyzed by mass spectroscopy, and the spectra were consistent with the proposed structures in each case.
z~
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) General Comments:
For mufti-step procedures, sequential steps are noted by numbers.
EXA:'~IPLES 1 - 6 - Preparation of ComQounds I-VI
Step 1 A solution of sodium hydride (4.35 g, 181 mmol) in freshly distilled THF (100 mL) was cooled to 0 °C and treated with commercially available diallyl malonate (35.0 g, 190 mmol) over -~0 min via a dropping funnel. After stirring at room temperature for 30 min.
,'~'-(2-bromoethvl)phthalimide (43.9 g, 247 mmol) was added to the solution in one portion and the mixture was heated at reflex. After 48 h the solution was cooled to 0°C, quenched with 2N HC1 and concentrated to about 20% of its original volume. The concentrate was diluted with ethyl acetate (300 mL} and washed successively with saturated aqueous solutions of K,CO, and NaC 1. The organic layer was dried over MgSO" filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash column chromatography (gradient elution with ~-25% ethyl acetate-hexanes) provided diallvl 2-phthaiimidoethylmalonate (451.2 g. 64%) as a colorless oil. 'H NMR
(300 MHZ, CDC1,) 1 ~ 8 7.82 (m. 2H1. 7.72 (m. 2H). 5.85 (m. 2H}, 5.30 (m. 2H), 5.22 (m, 2H), 4.60 (m. 4H), 3.80 (t. J =

6.6 Hz, 2H). 346 (t, J = 7.2 Hz. 1 H), 2.30 (dd. J = 13.8. 6.9 Hz. 2H). The product of the above-described reaction is illustrated below:
\ /
p~N~O
~0 ~O O
O O
Step 2. A one-necked, 50-mL, round-bottomed flask equipped with a rubber septum and an argon needle inlet was charged with 12 mL T'HF, trimethylsilyl chloride (0.83 ml, 0.710 g, 6.54 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCTIIJS97/07975 mmol). lithium hexamethyldisilazide (6.~0 ml. 1.0 M in THF, 6.50 rnmol), and cooled to -78°C
while a solution of 2-dodecanone ( 1.19 g. 6.46 mmol) in 8.0 ml THF was added dropwise over a period of 30 min via cannula. The resulting mixture was stirred at -78°C for 30 min. V'-bromosuccinimide (1.'_'7 g. 7.13 mmol) was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred at -78°C
for 30 min, diluted with 200 ml of pentane, and washed with three 50 tnL
portions of brine. The oreanic phase was dried over Na,SO, and concentrated to provide 2.5 g of a yellow solid. Column chromato~aphy on 100 g of silica gel (gradient elution with 3-5% ethyl acetate-hexanes) afforded 0.680 g (40%1 of the bromomethvl ketone as a white solid. TLC (5% ethyl acetate-hexanes) R~=0..~.
The product of the above-described reaction is illustrated below:
Br Step 3. A one-necked. '_' ~-mi. round-bottomed flask equipped with a rubber septum and an argon needle inlet was charged with 3 ml of THF and the product of step 1 (314 mg, 0.978 mmol).
The resulting mixture was cooled to 0 °C and sodium t-butoxide (88.0 mg, 97% pure, 0.888 tnmol) 1 ~ was added. After 30 min, a solution of the product of step 2 (250 mg, 0.950 mmol) in 3 ml of T'HF
was added dropwise via syringe. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with I 00 ml of CH,C1, and washed with three 30 ml portions of brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO, and concentrated. Column chromatography on 40 g silica gel (gradient elution with 10-30% ethyl acetate-hexanes) afforded ~0 0.300 g (63%) of the desired product as a white solid. TLC (30% ethyl acetate-hexanes) R~0.5.
The product of the above-described reaction is illustrated below:

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCTII1S97107975 O O O
O
N' !l O
O
Step ~ Preparation of Example 1. A one-necked. 154-mL, round-bottomed flask equipped with a rubber septum and an argon needle inlet was charged with 2 mL of dioxane, the product of step s 1300 mg. 0.»6 mmol), pyrrolidine (0.12 ml, 0.102 g, I.44 mmol), and tetrakisltriphenylphospine)palladium ( 10.0 mg, 0.0086 mmol). The resulting mixture was exposed to a slight vacuum to degas the solution and argon was reintroduced. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. the dioxane and pyrrolidine were removed in vacuo, and the residue was redissolved in 2 ml dioxane. The resulting mixture was exposed to a slight vacuum to degas the solution and argon was reintroduced. The reaction mixture was heated at 115 °C far 4 h.
1 ~ 8~°C for 12 h. and concentrated. Column chromatography on 10 g of silica eel (30% ethyl acetate-hexanes with 0.5% acetic acid) afforded 0.137 g (59%) of Example 1 as a white solid (MP 89-90°C). The product of the above-described reaction is illustrated below:

N
O
The above methods for the preparation of Example 1 were used to prepare the following examples (TABLE ~ using the appropriate bromoketones in step 3.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) TABLE I
0 CO,H 0 R N
O
Com ound R Isomer m. ,(°C) I C ioH:, R,S 89-90 II CQH,Q R.S 83-84 III C"H_, R.,S 90-91 IV 'C,=H_~ RS 93-94 C"H" RS I 88-89 VI C"H,° R.S 96-97 'Preparation of I-bromo-2-tetradecanone: A one-necked. 100-mL, round-bottomed flask equipped with a rubber septum and an argon needle inlet was charged with 16 mL CC 14. I
.2-epoxitetradecane (?.0 mL, 1.66 g, 7.82 mmol), polyvinyl pyridine ( 1.00 g), and bromine (0.20 ml, 0.62. g, 3.88 mmol).
The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature under irradiation of a desk lamp (soft white, 1 ~ 60 V~ for 30 min. -the reaction mixture was diluted with a 1: 1 mixture of hexane:ethyl acetate ( 150 ml). washed with a 50 mL portion of saturated NaHCO,, and washed with a ~0 mL
portion of brine.
The organic layer was dried over MgSO, and concentrated. Column chromatography on 100 g of silica gel (gradient elution with 5-10% ethyl acetate-hexanes) afforded 0.440 g (39%) of 1-bromo-2-tetradecanone as a white solid. TLC {5% ethyl acetate-hexanes) R~ = 0.4.
'_' 0 EXAMPLES 7 - 9 - Preparation of Compounds VII-IX
Step 1. A solution of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-butyric acid {3.04 g, 15.4 mmol) in CH,C1, (45 mL) was treated with oxalyl chloride ( I 1.6 mL, 2.0 M soln. in dichloromethane) and DMF ( I drop). The solution was heated to reflux for 2 h, cooled to 0°C and treated with an excess of diazomethane SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCT/US97/07975 (ether sole.). After stirring an additional 30 min, excess 4 M HC1 (soln. in 1.4-dioxane) was added and the mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred ovetnite. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate and successively washed with water, satd. aq. NaHC03 and satd. aq. NaC I . The organic phase was dried over MgSO f !feted and concentrated. Purification by MPLC (S-2S% EtOAc-hexanes) provided the target compound (2.45 g. 70%) as a colorless oiI. TLC: Rf 0.45 (silica. ! 5% ethyl actate-hexane).
The resulting compound is illustrated below:

i o Step 2. A solution of sodium hydride (6.35 g. 264 mmol) in THF (500 mL) was treated with diethyl malonate (47.35 mL, 312 mmol). After stirring for 2 h, (2-bromoethyl)benzene (32.8 mL, 240 rnmol) was carefitlly added to the reaction mixture. Following the addition, the solution was heated to a gentle reflux for 16 h, cooled to 0°C and quenched with 2 N HC1.
The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with EtOAc and washed with satd.
aq. NaCI. The 13 organic layer was dried over l~'.~SO, and concentrated. Vacuum distillation (1.5 mm Hg) provided the substituted malonate (44.4 g. 71%) as a colorless oil. TLC: Rf 0.52 (silica, 20% ethyl actate-hexane). The resulting compound is illustrated below:
COiEt ~CO=Et \0 ?0 Step 3. A solution of malonate from step 2 (3.50 g, 13.2 mmol) in DME (5 mL) was treated with NaOEt (0.67 g, 9.9 mmol) and stirred for 30 min. While the solution was stirring, a separate flask containing a solution of the a-chloro ketone from step 1 (0.95 g, 4.2 mmol) in DME (S mL) was treated with LiI (0.62 g, 4.6 mmol), stirred for 1 S min, and cannulated into the first solution.
After stirring overnite, the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with water and SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) satd. aq. NaCI. The organic layer was dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated. Purification by MPLC (5-20% EtOAc- hexanes) provided the desired malonate (0.41 g. ? 1 %) as a colorless oil.
TLC: Rf 0.30 (silica, 20% ethyl actate-hexane). The resulting compound is illustrated below:
,O
O COzEt J / /
COZEt Step -t - Preparation of Example 7. A solution of the diester from step 3 (0.19 g, 0.42 mmol) in ethanol (3 mL) was treated with 2 N NaOH (0.5 mL) and stirred at room temperature. After stirring for 16 h. the soln. was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate, and washed with aq. K=CO ;. The aqueous layer was acidified to pH I W th 2 N HC I , and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated.
The resulting diacid was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (3 mL) and heated to 6~°C. ARer stirring for 24 h, the soln. was concentrated and purified by flash column chromatography (2-4% MeOH-CH=C l:) to give the targeted compound (72.1 mg. 49%). MP 70-71 °C. The resulting compound (Example 7) is 1 ~ illustrated below:
,O \
O COzH
/
'-0 The above methods for the preparation of Example VII were used to prepare the following examples (Table I~.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) TABLE II
0 CO:H

Compound n"' isomer m.p.(C)I other characterization VIII '' RS 75-76 IX 1 R.S R~ 0.45 (silica. 10% MeOH-CH,C1,) Biological Assays of Invention Compounds 1 ~ P218 Quenched Fluorescence Assav for MMP Inhibition' The P218 quenched fluorescence assay (Microfluorometric Prof ling Assay) ~is a modification of that originally described by Knight, et al.. FEBS Lett. 296.
263, 1992 for a related substance and a variery of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cuvettcs. The assay was run with each invention compound and the three MMPs, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-2. analyzed in parallel, adapted as follows for a 96-well microtiter plate and a Hamilton AT'm workstation.
P218 Fluorogsnic Substrate:
P218 is a synthetic substratc containing a 4-acetyl-7-methoxycoumarin ( MCA) group in the N-terminal position and a 3-(2, 4-dinitrophenyl]-L-2,3-diaminopropionyl (DPA) group intennally.
This is a modification of a peptide reported by Knight ( I 992) that was used as a substrate for matrix metalioproteinases. Once the P218 peptide is cleaved {putative clip site at the Ala-Leu bond), the fluorescence of the MCA group can be detected on a flu~rometer with excitation at 328 nm and emission at 393 nm. P218 is currently being produced BACHEM exclusively for Bayer. P218 has the structure:
H-MCA-Pro-Lys-Pro-Leu-Ala-Leu-DPA-Ala-Arg-NH2 (MW 1332.2) Recombinant Human CHO Stromelysio fMMP-3) Recombinant Human CHO Pro-MMP-3: Human CHO pro-stromelysin-257 (pro-MMP-3) was expressed and purified as described by Housley, et al., J. Biol. Chem.
268, 4481 (1993).
.4ctivatio» oj'Pro-a~IMP-3: Pro-MMP-3 at 1.72 ~M ( 100 ~g/mL) in 5 mM Tris at pH 7.5, 5 mM CaCI=, 25 mM NaCI, and 0.005% Brij-35 MMP-3) activation buffer) was activated by incubation with TPCK (N-tosyl-(L)-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone) trypsin ( 1: I 00 w/w to pro-MMP-3 ) at 25 °C for 30 min. The reaction was stopped by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI; 5:1 w/w to trypsin concentration). This activation protocol results in the formation of 45 kDa active MMP-3, which still contains the C-terminal portion of the enzyme.
1 ~ Preparation of Human Recombinant Pro-Gelatinase A (MMP-2)' Recombinant Human Pro-MMP-2: Human pro-gelatinase A (pro-MMP-2) was prepared using a vaccinia expression system according to the method of Fridman, et al..
J. Biol. Chem. ?67, 15398 ( I 992).
Activation of Pro-MMP-': Pro-MMP-2 at 252 mgimL was diluted 1:5 to a final concentration of 50 pg/mL solution in 25 mM Tris at pH 7.5, 5 mM CaCI:, I50 mM
NaCI, and 0.005% Brij-35 (MIvvtP-2 activation buffer). p-Aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) was prepared in 10 mM (3.5 mgJJmi,) in 0.05 NaOH. The APMA solution was added at 1 /20 the reaction volume for a final AMPA concentration of 0.5 mM, and the enzyme was incubated at 37 °C for 30 min.
Activated MMP-2 (15 mL) was dialyzed twice vs. 2 L of MMP-2 activation buffer (dialysis SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) membranes were pre-treated with a solution consisting of 0.1 % BSA in MMP-2 activation buffer for 1 min. followed by extensive H,O washing). The enzyme was concentrated on Centricon concentrators (concentrators were also pre-treated with a solution consisting of 0.1 % BSA in MMP-2 activation buffer for 1 min.. followed by washing with H,O, then MMP-2 activation buffer) with re-dilution followed by re-concentration repeated twice. The enzyme was diluted to 7.5 mL (0.5 times the original volume) with MMP-2 activation buffer.
Preparation of Human Recombinant Pro-Gelatinise B (MMP-91:
Recombinant Human Pro-MMP-9: Human pro-gelatinise B (pro-MMP-9) derived from L'937 cDNA as described by Wilhelm, et al. J. Biol. Chem. 264, 17213 ( 1989) was expressed as the full-length form using a baculovirus protein expression system. The pro-enzyne was purified using methods previously described by Hibbs, et al. J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2493 ( 1984).
Activation of Pro-MMP-9: Pro-MMP-2 20 pg/mL in 50 mM Tris at pH 7.4, I OmM
CaCI,, 150 mM NaCI, and 0.005% Brij-35 (MMP-9 activation buffer) was activated by incubation with 0.5 mM p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) for 3.5 h at 37 °C. The enzyme was dialyzed against the same buffer to revmove the APMA.
Instrumentation:
Hamiltion .~l~licrolab AT Plus: The MMP-Profiling Assay is performed robotically on a Hamilton MicroLab AT Plus. The Hamilton is programmed to: ( 1 ) serially dilute up to 1 1 potential inhibitors automatically from a 2.5 mM stock in 100% DMSO; (2) distribute substrate followed by inhibitor into a 96 well C~tofluor plate; and (3) add a single enzyme to the plate with mixing to start the reaction. Subsequent plates for each additional enzyme are prepared automatically by beginning the program at the substrate addition point, remixing the diluted inhibitors and beginning the reaction by addition of enzyme. In this way, all MMP assays were done using the same inhibitor dilutions.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCT/US97/07975 ~~fillipore Cytofluor !l. Following incubation, the plate was read on a Cytofluor II
fluorometric plate reader with excitation at 340 nM and emission at 395 nM
with the gain set at 80.
Buffers:
:~licro~luorometric Reaction Buffer (MRB): Dilution of test compounds, enzymes, and P218 substrate for the microfluorometric assay were made in microfluorometric reaction buffer consisting of 50 mM 2-(N-morpholino~thanesulfonic acid (IvIES) at pH 6.5 with 10 mM
CaCIZ, 150 mM NaCI.
0.005% Brij-35 and I% DMSO.
'.Methods:
:1~1~'I~IP ~t~ficrofluororrretric Profiling Assay. The assay is done with a final substrate I 0 concentration of 6 uM P2l 8 and approximately .5 to .8 ttM MMP with variable drug concentrations.
The Hamilton is programmed to serially dilute up to I 1 compounds from a 2.5 mM stock ( 100%
DMSO) to !Ox the final compounds concentrations in the assay. Initially, the instrument delivers various amounts of microfluoromentric reaction buffer (MRB) to a 96 tube rack of 1 ml Marsh dilution tubes. The instrument then picks up 20 ~l of inhibitor (2.5 mM) from the sample rack and 15 mixes it with a buffer in row A of the Marsh rack, resulting in a 50 uM
drug concentration. The inhibitors are then serially diluted to 10. S, 1, .2. .05 and .O1 ~M. Position 1 on the sample rack contains only DMSO for the "enzyme-onl7~" wells in the assay, which results in no inhibitor in column 1, rows A through H. The instrument then distributes 107 ~l of P218 substrate (8.2 ~M in MRB) to a single 96 well cytofluor microtiter plate. The instrument re-mixes and loads I4.5 p! of 20 diluted compound from rows A to G in the Marsh rack to corresponding rows in the microtiter plate.
(Row H represents the "background" row and 39.5 p! of MRB is delivered in placed of drug or enzyme). The reaction is started by adding 25 ~tl of the appropriate enryme (at 5.86 times the final enzyme concentration) from a BSA treated reagent reservoir to each well, excluding Row H, the "background" row. (The enzyme reservoir is pretreated with 1 % BSA in 50 mM
Tris, pH 7.5 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97!43238 PCT/US97/07975 containing 150 mM NaC 1 for 1 hotu at room temp., followed by extensive H,O
washing and drying at room temp.).
After addition and mixing of the enzyme, the plate is covered and incubated for 25 min. at 37 °C. Additional enzynes are tested in the same manner by beginning the Hamilton program with the distribution of P218 substrate to the microtiter plate, followed by re-mixing and distribution of the drug from the same Marsh rack to the microtiter plate. The second (or third, etc.) MMP to be tested is then distributed from a reagent rack to the microtiter plate with mixing, prior to covering and incubation. This is repeated for all additional MMP's to be tested.
IC.iO Determination in .~licro~luorometric .4ssav: Data generated on the Cvtofluor II is copied from an exported ''.CSV" file to a master Excel spreadsheet. Data from several different MMPs (one 96 well plate per MMP) were calculated simultaneously. The percent inhibition is determination for each drug concentration by comparing the amount of hydrolysis (fluorescence units generated over 25 minutes of hydrolysis) of wells containing compound with the "enzyme only" wells in column 1. Following subtraction of the background the percent inhibition was I ~ calculated as:
((Control values - Treated values)/Controf values) x 100 Percent inhibitions were determined for inhibitor concentrations of 5, 1, 0.5.
0.1, 0.02,0 .005 and, 0.001 ~M of drug. Linear regression analysis of percnet inhibitian versus log inhibitor concentration was used to obtain IC5° values.
Profiling Assa~r Data for Invention Compounds.
All IC,° values are expressed as nM. When "I = x %" is shown, x represents the % inhibition at ~ uM.
Table III

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) COMPOiTND MMP-3 FluorogenicMMP-9 FluorogenicMMP-2 Fluorogenic ICso ICS ICS

VI I = 45% 235 1020 VII I=3% I= I8%

VIII I = 13% I = I S%

IX I=9% I= 18%

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of 1 ~ the invention being indicated by the following claims.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A compound having the formula:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, wherein:
y is 0, 2, or, 3, r is 0-6, Z is (CH2)7 or (CH2)e-C6H4-(CH2)f, wherein e is 0-1 and f is 0-5; R15 is -H, -Cl, -OMe or wherein n is 0-4, R17 is C2H5, allyl, benzyl, and R16 is wherein t is 0-2, x is 0-4, and R4 is one of the following: halide, alkyl of 1-carbons, OR, NR2 or NO2, wherein R = H or alkyl of 1-6 carbons.

2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

3. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of the compound according to claim 1 to inhibit a matrix metalloprotease in a mammal in need of such therapy.

4. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of the composition according to claim 2, to inhibit a matrix metalloprotease in a mammal in need of such therapy.

5. The use according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said effective amount is sufficient to:

(a) ~alleviate the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, periodontal disease, corneal ulceration, proteinuria, aneurysmal aortic disease, dystrophobic epidermolysis, bullosa, conditions leading to inflammatory responses, osteopenias mediated by MMP activity, tempero mandibular joint disease, demyelating diseases of the nervous system;
(b) ~retard tumor metastasis or degenerative cartilage loss following traumatic joint injury;
(c) ~reduce coronary thrombosis from athrosclerotic plaque rupture; or (d) ~effect birth control.

6. The use according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein said mammal is a human.

7. The use according to claim 5 wherein the effect is to alleviate the effects of osteoarthritis.

8. The use according to claim 5 wherein the effect is to retard tumor metastasis.

9. Use of compounds of claim 1 in the preparation of a medicament.

10. A compound selected from the group:

I) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxododecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, II) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxoundecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, III) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxotridecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, IV) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxotetradecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, V) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxopentadecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, VI) 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-.alpha.-(2-oxohexadecyl)-2H-isoindole-2-butanoic acid, VII) .gamma.-oxo-.alpha.-(2-phenylethyl)-benzeneheptanoic acid, VIII) .gamma.-oxo-.alpha.-(2-phenylethyl)-benzenehexanoic acid, and IX) .gamma.-oxo-.alpha.-(2-phenylethyl)-benzenepentanoic acid.