Cytochrome P450 Oxidase Inhibitors and Uses Thereof

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cytochrome P450 oxidase inhibitors and methods of using the same to improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cytochrome P450 oxidases (CYPs) include a large number of related but distinct oxidative enzymes. These enzymes are often membrane-bound, either in the inner membrane of mitochondria or in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells, where they metabolize a variety of endogenous and exogenous molecules. CYP enzymes are also involved in the synthesis of cholesterol, steroids, and other lipids. At least 18 CYP gene families have been identified in human. A typical human cytochrome P450 oxidase has about 500 amino acid residues and a heme group at the active site.

Many drugs are metabolized by CYPs. This often leads to unfavorable pharmacokinetics of the drugs and the need for higher and more frequent doses than are most desirable. Therefore, there is a need for new compounds that can inhibit the enzymatic activities of CYPs, thereby improving the pharmacokinetics of drugs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features compounds of formula I,

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene;

A₁is a bond or selected from the group consisting of —O-L_A1-, —S-L_A1- and —N(R_A1)-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A1is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

X is O or S;

A₂is a bond or selected from the group consisting of -L_A2-O—, -L_A2-S— and -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_D, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, wherein R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently occurrence from the group selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1, and at each occurrence L₂independently represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉and L_9′are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and V is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_V)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_V)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, wherein R_Vis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, ═C(R₂)— or —C(R₂)═, wherein R₂is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_E, -L_D-S—R_E, -L_D-C(O)R_E, -L_D-OC(O)R_E, -L_D-C(O)OR_E, -L_D-N_DR_ER_D, -L_D-S(O)R_E, -L_D-SO₂R_E, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_E, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_E, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E′ wherein R₃is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L₄, L_4′, Y, L_D, L_E, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are as defined immediately above;

or Z is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₃is as defined immediately above;

or Z, taken together with (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅), forms

wherein L₇is C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, R₂is as defined immediately above, and L₃, p and R₅are as defined immediately below, and wherein

comprises from 3 to 10 ring atoms;

or Z is a bond;

p is an integer selected from 0, 1, 2, or 3, and at each occurrence L₃independently represents -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_W)CO—, —C(O)N(R_W)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Wis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, wherein L₅and L_5′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with 1, 2, 3 or more substituents each of which is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′, —S(O)R_D, —SO₂R_D, —C(O)NR_DR_D′, —N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, —N(R_D)C(O)OR_D′, —N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, —N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein R_D, R_D′, R_D″, R_E, L₄, L_4′ and Y are as defined immediately above;

or p is 1, L₃is -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, A₂is L_A2-NR_A2-, and R_A2and R₇are bonded together to form —C(O)O—, wherein R₆is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′ Y, R_E, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, L₅and L₅are as defined immediately above;

or p is 1, L₃is -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, and R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—, wherein R₆, L₅and L_5′ are as defined immediately above;

R₄and R₅, unless otherwise provided, are each independently selected from the group consisting of N-protecting group, hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E′-L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O) -L_6′-O-R₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, wherein L₆and L_6′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L_D, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, L_E, L₄, L_4′, Y and R_Eare as defined immediately above;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl;

wherein at each occurrence L₁, L_A1, R_A1, Y, V, W, R_Y, R_V, R_W, L_A2, R_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, L₆, L_6′, L₇, L₉, L_9′, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′, —S(O)R_L, —SO₂R_L, —C(O)NR_LR_L′, —N(R_L)C(O)R_L′, —N(R_L)SO₂R_L′ and —N(R_L)SO₂NR_L′R_L″, and wherein R_L, R_L′ and R_L″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety (including any optional substitution carbocyclyl) in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z, (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered carbocyclyls (e.g., C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkenyl or C₆-C₁₀aryl), and each heterocyclyl moiety (including any optional substitution heterocyclyl) in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z, (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered heterocyclyls (e.g., H₅-H₁₀heteroaryl, H₃-H₁₀heterocycloalkyl or H₃-H₁₀heterocycloalkenyl); and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in the compound (e.g., in R₁, L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z, (L₃)_por N(R₄R₅), including any optional substitution carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂R_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂NR_S′R_S″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene and C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thio alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino C₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, H₃-H₁₀heterocyclyl and H₃-H₁₀heterocyclo C₁-C₆alkyl;

with the proviso that if Z is a bond, then A₂is -L_A2-NR_A2, p is an integer selected from 1, 2 or 3, L₃at each occurrence independently represents -L₅-W-L_5′-, and R_A2and R₅are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, Y, R_E, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, L₅, W and L_5′are as defined immediately above;

with the further proviso that said compound is not ritonavir (i.e., (2S,3S,5S)-5-(N—(N—((N-Methyl-N-((2-isopropyl-4-thiazolyl)methyl)amino)carbonyl)-L-valinyl)amino)-2-(N-((5-thiazolyl)methoxy carbonyl)amino)-1,6-diphenyl-3-hydroxyhexane).

The present invention also features compounds of formula II,

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene;

A₁is a bond or selected from the group consisting of —O-L_A1-, —S-L_A1-, and —N(R_A1)-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A1is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

X is O or S;

A₂is a bond or selected from the group consisting of -L_A2-O—, -L_A2-S— and -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_D, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, wherein R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1, and at each occurrence L₂independently represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉and L_9′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and V is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_V)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_V)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, wherein R_Vis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, ═C(R₂)—, or —C(R₂)═, wherein R₂is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_E, -L_D-S—R_E, -L_D-C(O)R_E, -L_D-OC(O)R_E, -L_D-C(O)OR_E, -L_D-N_DR_ER_D, -L_D-S(O)R_E, -L_D-SO₂R_E, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_E, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_E, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein R₃is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L₄, L_4′, Y, L_D, L_E, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are as defined immediately above in this aspect;

or Z is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₃is as defined immediately above in this aspect;

wherein at each occurrence L₁, L_A1, R_A1, Y, V, R_Y, R_V, LA₂, R_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, L₆, L_6′, L₉, L_9′, R₂, R₃, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_E, R_D, R_D′, RD″ and A₃are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′, —S(O)R_L, —SO₂R_L, —C(O)NR_LR_L′, —N(R_L)C(O)R_L′, —N(R_L)SO₂R_L′ and —N(R_L)SO₂NR_L′R_L″, and wherein R_L, R_L′ and R_L″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z and A₃is independently selected at each occurrence from 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered carbocyclyls, and each heterocyclyl moiety in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z and A₃is independently selected at each occurrence from 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered heterocyclyls; and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in the compound (e.g., in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z and A₃, including optional substitution carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂R_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂NR_S′R_S″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein at each occurrence L_Sis independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, H₃-H₁₀heterocyclyl and H₃-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

with the proviso that said compound is not ritonavir.

The present invention also features pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above described compounds, salts, solvates, and prodrugs.

The present invention further features methods of use of the above described compounds, salts, solvates, and prodrugs to, for example, inhibit a metabolizing activity of a CYP enzyme, improve pharmacokinetics of a drug that is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme, or increase blood or liver level of a drug that is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features compounds capable of inhibiting cytochrome P450 oxidases, such as CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9. The present invention also features methods of using these compounds to improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are metabolizable by CYP enzymes.

In one aspect, the present invention features compounds of formula I,

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene;

X is O or S;

A₂is a bond or selected from the group consisting of -L_A2-O—, -L_A2-S— and -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_D, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, wherein R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C6thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1, and at each occurrence L₂independently represents -L₉-V-L_9′, wherein L₉and L_9′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and V is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_V)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_V)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, wherein R_Vis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, ═C(R₂)— or —C(R₂)═, wherein R₂is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C6alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_E, -L_D-S—R_E, -L_D-C(O)R_E, -L_D-OC(O)R_E, -L_D-C(O)OR_E, -L_D-N_DR_ER_D, -L_D-S(O)R_E, -L_D-SO₂R_E, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_E, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_E, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein R₃is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L₄, L_4′, Y, L_D, L_E, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are as defined immediately above;

or Z is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₃is as defined immediately above;

or Z, taken together with (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅), forms

wherein L₇is C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, R₂is as defined immediately above, and L₃, p and R₅are as defined immediately below, and wherein

comprises from 3 to 10 ring atoms;

or Z is a bond;

or p is 1, L₃is -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, and R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—, wherein R₆, L₅and L₅are as defined immediately above;

R₄and R₅, unless otherwise provided, are each independently selected from the group consisting of N-protecting group, hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′, -R_E, -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, wherein L₆and L₆are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L_D, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, L_E, L₄, L_4′, Y and R_Eare as defined immediately above;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl;

wherein at each occurrence L₁, L_A1, R_A1, Y, V, W, R_Y, R_V, R_W, L_A2, R_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, L₆, L_6′, L₇, L₉, L_9′, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′, —S(O)R_L, —SO₂R_L, —C(O)NR_LR_L′, —N(R_L)C(O)R_L′, —N(R_L)SO₂R_L′ and —N(R_L)SO₂NR_L′R_L″ and wherein R_L, R_L′ and R_L″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C6alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

with the proviso that if Z is a bond, then A2 is -L_A2-NR_A2, p is an integer selected from 1, 2 or 3, L₃at each occurrence independently represents -L₅-W-L_5′-, and R_A2and R₅are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, Y, R_E, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, L₅, W and L_5′ are as defined immediately above;

In one embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C6thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is —O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

A₂is -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, and R_A2is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1;

L₂represents -L₉-V-L_9′, wherein L₉is independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, L₉is a bond, and V is selected from the group consisting of a bond or —C(O)N(R_V)—, and wherein R_Vis selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, wherein R₂is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, R_E-carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl- or R_E-heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl-, and R₃is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

p is 1;

L₃represents:

- -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is a bond; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, and R_A2and R₇are bonded together to form —C(O)O—; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, wherein R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—;
- wherein L₅is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;
  - L₅is C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene and is substituted with at least one moiety selected from the group consisting of carbocyclyl (e.g., phenyl), carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl), heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -carbocyclyl-R_Eand -heterocyclyl-R_E, wherein R_Eis as defined immediately above in this embodiment;
  - L₅and L_5′are each independently optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl; and
- R₆is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

R₄and R₅, unless otherwise provided, are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C6hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D″, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein RD and R_D, are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl (e.g.,

wherein R₁₂is selected from the group consisting of N-protecting group, hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, and j, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, L₆and L_6′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment, and wherein R₁₄is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl);

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₂, R₁₄, R_A2, R_E, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L, are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered carbocyclyls (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl), and each heterocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclyls (e.g., dioxanyl, dithianyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, furanyl, furazanyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, morpholinyl, 3-oxo-morpholinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, tetrazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiadiazolyl, thiadiazolidinyl, thiazolinyl, thiazolidinyl, thienyl, triazinyl, or triazolyl); and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in N(R₄R₅) (or in A₂, Z, (L₃)_p, and N(R₄R₅)) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C, -C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, R₈is selected from the group consisting of H₅-H₆heterocyclyl, H₅-H₆heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, (H₅-H₆heterocyclo)oxyC₁-C₆alkyl and (H₅-H₆heterocyclo)C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein each H₅-H₆heterocyclyl or H₅-H₆heterocyclo moiety comprises at least one nitrogen ring atom.

In another non-limiting example, L₃represents -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is —CH₂)₂—CH(R₁₃)—, wherein R₁₃is heterocyclocarbocyclyl (e.g., pyridylphenyl) or heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridylbenzyl), and wherein L_5′ is optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, and R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

In still another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, R₂is benzyl, L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, L₅and W are bonds, L_5′ is —(CH₂)₂—CH(R₁₃)—, and R₁₃is pyridylbenzyl, wherein L₅is optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, and R_Dand R_D′are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

In still yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, R₂is pyridylbenzyl, L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, L₅and W are bonds, L_5′ is —(CH₂)₂—CH(R₁₃)—, and R₁₃is benzyl, wherein L_5′ is optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, and R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

In a further non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, R₂is benzyl, L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, L_5′ and W are bonds, L_5′ is —CH₂)₂—CH(R₁₃)—, and R₁₃is benzyl, wherein L_5′ is optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, and R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

In still another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, R₂is benzyl, L₃is -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, L₅is a bond, L_5′ is —CH₂)—CH(R₁₃)—, and R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—, wherein R₁₃is benzyl.

In yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, k is 0, R₂is benzyl, L₃is -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, L₅is a bond, L_5′ is —CH₂)—CH(R₁₃)—, and R_A2and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—, wherein R₁₃is benzyl.

In any of the above examples, R₅or R₄can be, without limitation, (H₅-H₆heterocyclo)C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the H₅-H₆heterocyclyl moiety comprises at least one nitrogen ring atom. For instance, R₅or R₄can be thiazolylC₁-C₆alkoycarbonyl, such as thiazolylmethoxycarbonyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-hydroxy-4-{[N-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methylvalyl]amino}-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl 1-({[3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

methyl 1-({[3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

tert-butyl 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl 3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy) carbonyl]alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

methyl 3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

N¹-(3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methylvalinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-{1-benzyl-4-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl}-3-methyl-N²-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]valinamide;

N¹-(1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methylvalinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-(acetylamino)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-amino-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

3-(acetylamino)-4-phenyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}ethyl)butyl acetate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate;

methyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2S)-3-methyl-2-(2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)butanoyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

isobutyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl carbamate;

isopropyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl carbamate;

tert-butyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-5-{2-[4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl]-3-phenylpropyl}-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidine-3-carboxylate;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl) valinamide;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]valinamide;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(methylamino)carbonyl]valinamide;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2-hydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-[4-benzyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazinan-6-yl]-2-phenylethylcarbamate;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(3H-1lambda˜4˜,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-{[[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl](methyl)amino]carbonyl}valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl]-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-4-{[(tert-butylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate;

N¹-(1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methylvalinamide; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate.

Preferred exemplary compounds of this embodiment include, but are not limited to:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-{[N-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valyl]amino}-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl (1S)-1-({[(1R,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

methyl (1S)-1-({[(1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-yl methoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

methyl(1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl(1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-yl methoxy)carbonyl]-L-alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-{(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl}-3-methyl-N²-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-4-(acetylamino)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-4-amino-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

(1S,3 S)-3-(acetylamino)-4-phenyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}ethyl)butyl acetate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-5-phenyl pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

methyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2S)-3-methyl-2-(2-oxotetrahydro pyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)butanoyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

isobutyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

isopropyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl(1S,3R,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(4S,5S)-4-benzyl-5-{(2S)-2-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl]-3-phenylpropyl}-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidine-3-carboxylate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(methylamino)carbonyl]valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2-hydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S)-1-[(4S,6S)-4-benzyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazinan-6-yl]-2-phenylethyl carbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-{[[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl](methyl)amino]carbonyl}-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethyl(1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxo imidazolidin-1-yl]-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(tert-butylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate.

In another embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is —O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

k is 0 or 1;

L₂represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉is independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, L₉is a bond, and V is selected from the group consisting of a bond or —C(O)N(R_V)—, and wherein R_Vis selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

p is 0 or 1;

L₃represents:

- -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is a bond or —C(O)—; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, and R_A2and R₇are bonded together to form —C(O)O—; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, wherein R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—;
- wherein L₅and L_5′ are each independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D, and —C(O)NR_DR_D′;
- wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl; and
- wherein R₆is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

R₄and R₅are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R_8,-L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′ and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_{6 ′} and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein R_Dand R_D, are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl (e.g.,

wherein R₁₂is selected from the group consisting of N-protecting group, hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O) NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, and j, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, L₆and L_6′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment, and wherein R₁₄is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl);

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₂, R₁₄, R_A2, R_E, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered carbocyclyls, and each heterocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclyls; and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in N(R₄R₅) (or in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅)) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K, and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, R_A2is C₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, k is 1, L₂is -L₉-V-L_9′- and p is 0, wherein L_9′ and V are bonds, and L₉is C₁-C₃alkylene optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano and amino.

In another non-limiting example, k is 0, p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′- wherein W is —C(O)—, and L₅and L_5′ are bonds.

In yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, k is 0, R₂is benzyl, p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is —C(O)—, and L₅and L_5′ are bonds.

In still another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is C₁-C₆alkyl or benzyl, k is 1, L₂is -L₉-V-L_9′-R₂is benzyl, and p is 0, wherein L_9′ and V are bonds, and L₉is C₁-C₃alkylene optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano and amino.

In many cases, R₄, R₅or R_A2in this embodiment comprises at least one carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl moiety, such as phenyl or thiazolyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

tert-butyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-{isobutyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl carbamate;

N,N-dimethyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninamide;

N-[1-benzyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy) carbonyl]amine;

N,N-diisobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninamide;

N-isobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninamide;

N,N-dibenzyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninamide;

N-benzyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninamide;

tert-butyl 1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxypropyl carbamate;

tert-butyl (1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxypropyl carbamate; and

tert-butyl benzyl(2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)carbamate.

Preferred exemplary compounds of this embodiment include, but are not limited to:tert-butyl (1S,2R)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-{isobutyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propylcarbamate;

N,N-dimethyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amine;

N,N-diisobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-isobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N,N-dibenzyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-benzyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

tert-butyl (1S,2S)-1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy propylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,2R)-1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy propylcarbamate; and

tert-butyl benzyl((2R,3S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)carbamate.

In a further embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_{S′ and -L}_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is —O-L_A1-, wherein LA₁is a bond;

X is O;

k is 0 or 1;

Z is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₃is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

p is 0 or 1;

L₃represents:

- -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is a bond or —N(R_W)CO—, and R_Wis hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, wherein R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—;
- wherein L₅and L_5′ are each independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, carbocyclyl (e.g., phenyl), carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, —O—R_D, -S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′;
- wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl; and
- wherein R₆is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

R₄and R₅are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₉, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_{D, -L}_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D, and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein R_Dand R_D°, are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl (e.g.,

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₂, R₁₄, R_A2, R_W, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in N(R₄R₅) (or in A₂, Z, (L₃)_p, and N(R₄R₅)) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′, and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, k is 0, p is 0, and at least one of R₄or R₅is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-C(O)R_8A, —C(O)OR_8A, —OC(O)R_8A, —C(O)NR_8AR₉, —C(O)-L_6′-NR_8AR₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR_8A, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR_8AR₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR_8A, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR_8A, -L₆-S(O)_jNR_8AR₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR_8AR₁₀, wherein R_8Ais C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl.

In another non-limiting example, k is 0, p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅is W is —N(R_W)CO—, and R_Wis hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein L₅is C₁-C₆alkylene optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from carbocyclyl (e.g., phenyl or cyclohexyl), carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet another non-limiting example, k is 0, Z is

p is 1, L3 is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅and W are bonds, L_5′ is C₁-C₆alkylene, and R₃is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k and p are 0, and Z is

wherein at least one of R₄or R₅is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, —C(O)R_8A, —C(O)OR_8A, —OC(O)R_8A, —C(O)NR_8AR₉, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-NR_8AR₉, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-N(R₉)C(O)OR_8A, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-N(R₉)C(O)NR_8AR₁₀, —S(O)_jR_8Aand —S(O)_jNR_8AR₉, and wherein R_8Ais C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl. For instance, R_8Acan be benzyl or pyridylmethyl, wherein the phenyl or pyridyl moiety comprised therein can be optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl.

In still yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k is 0, Z is

and p is 1, wherein L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, L₅is a bond, W is —N(H)CO—, and L_5′ is C₁-C₃alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—) substituted with carbocyclyl (e.g., phenyl or cyclohexyl), carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl or cyclohexylmethyl), heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein at least one of R₄or R₅is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, —C(O)R_8A, —C(O)OR_8A, —OC(O)R_8A, —C(O)NR_8AR₉, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-NR_8AR₉, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-N(R₉)C(O)OR_8A, —C(O)—C₁-C₆alkylene-N(R₉)C(O)NR_8AR₁₀, —S(O)_jR_8Aand —S(O)_jNR_8AR₉, and wherein R_8Ais selected from C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k is 0, Z is

p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅and W are bonds, L_5′ is C₁-C₃alkylene, and R₃is benzyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

[3-(2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-phenyl-propionylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid thiazol-5-ylmethyl ester;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-phenylethanoyl}amino)phenyl carbamate;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)isoleucinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)valinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)valinamide; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-cyclohexylethanoyl}amino)phenyl carbamate.

Preferred exemplary compounds of this embodiment include, but are not limited to:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-[benzyl(pyridin-4-ylacetyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

benzyl benzyl(4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino)phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-{benzyl[(3-chlorophenyl)acetyl]amino}phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-{[(3-chlorophenyl)acetyl]amino}phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-[(pyridin-4-ylacetyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N²-methyl-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({[(3-methylphenyl)amino]carbonyl}amino)phenylcarbamate;

[3-((2S)-2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-phenyl-propionylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid thiazol-5-ylmethyl ester;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({(2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-phenylethanoyl}amino)phenyl carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-[(3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-isoleucinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({(2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-cyclohexylethanoyl}amino)phenylcarbamate;

dibenzyl 2-(4-benzyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}piperidin-1-yl)ethylimido dicarbonate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-(2-{[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-(2-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}ethyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-[2-(dibenzylamino)ethyl]piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-benzylpiperidin-4-ylcarbamate.

In still yet another embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is —O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

k is 0 or 1;

L₂represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉is independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, L_9′ is a bond, and V is selected from the group consisting of a bond or —C(O)N(R_V)—, and wherein R_Vis selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, wherein R₂and R₃are independently selected from carbocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., C₆-C₁₀arylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl) or heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl,

p is 0 or 1;

L₃represents:

- -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein W is a bond; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-, and R_A2and R₇are bonded together to form —C(O)O—; or
- -L₅-C(R₆R₇)-L_5′-,wherein R₄and R₇are bonded together to form —OC(O)—;
- wherein L₅and L_5′ are each independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′;
- wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl; and
- wherein R₆is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

R₄and R₅are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R_8,-L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′ and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

or R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl (e.g., wherein R₁₂is selected from the group consisting of N-protecting group, hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, and j, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, L₆and L_6′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment, and wherein R₁₄is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl);

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₂, R₁₄, R_A2, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered carbocyclyls (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl), and each heterocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅) is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclyls (e.g., dioxanyl, dithianyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, furanyl, furazanyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, morpholinyl, 3-oxo-morpholinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, tetrazolyl, tetrahydropyraniyl, thiadiazolyl, thiadiazolidinyl, thiazolinyl, thiazolidinyl, thienyl, triazinyl, or triazolyl); and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in N(R₄R₅) (or in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅)) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, k is 0, p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, wherein R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl (e.g.,

In another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k is 0, R₂and R₃are benzyl, p is 1, and L₃is -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is C₁-C₆alkylene, wherein R₄and R₅, together with the N attached thereto, form a heterocyclyl selected from

wherein R₁₂is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, —C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, —S(O)_jR₈, and —S(O)_jNR₈R₉, and wherein j, R₈, R₉, R₁₀and L_6′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment. Each carbocyclyl and heterocyclo moiety in R₁₂can be optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_H, R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-morpholin-4-ylpropylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-(3-benzyl-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-{4-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]piperazin-1-yl}propyl carbamate;

ethyl 4-[4-(3-benzyl-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)piperazin-1-yl]benzoate; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-piperazin-1-ylpropylcarbamate.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is -O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

k is 0 or 1;

Z, taken together with (L₃)_pand N(R₄R₅), forms

R₂is selected from carbocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., C₆-C₁₀arylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl) or heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₇is C₁-C₄alkylene, C₂-C₄alkenylene or C₂-C₄alkynylene, and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

p is 0 or 1;

L₃is C₁-C₄alkylene, C₂-C₄alkenylene or C₂-C₄alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′;

R₅is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′ and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

wherein R₅(or at each occurrence L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₂, R₅, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_A2, R_Dand R_D′) is each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in R₅(or in A₂, R₂, and

is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_HC(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, k is 0, p is 1, L₇is C₁-C₃alkylene, and L₃is C₁-C₃alkylene.

In another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k is 0, R₂is benzyl, p is 1, L₇is C₁-C₃alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—), and L₃is C₁-C₃alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—).

In any of the above examples, R₅preferably includes at least one carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl moiety. For instance, R₅can be, without limitation, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, —C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, —S(O)_jR₈, or —S(O)_jNR₈R₉, wherein R₈is carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, and j, R₉, R₁₀, and L_6′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment. In one specific instance, R₅is thiazolylC₁-C₆alkoycarbonyl, such as thiazolylmethoxycarbonyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}piperidine-1-carboxylate; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,4-dibenzylpiperidin-4-ylcarbamate.

In still another embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is —O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

k is 0 or 1;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, wherein R₂is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, and R₃is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

p is 0 or 1;

L₃is C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and is optionally substituted with at least one moiety selected from halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_D, —S—R_D, —C(O)R_D, —OC(O)R_D, —C(O)OR_D, —NR_DR_D′ and —C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein R_Dand R_D′are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl; and

R₅is R_E-carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or R_E-heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein R_Eis carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

R₄is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′ and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein R_Dand R_D′ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_A2, R_E, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′, are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in N(R₄R₅) (or in A₂, Z, and N(R₄R₅)) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″, wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C6thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, R₂is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), and R₅is heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridylbenzyl).

In another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is H, k is 0, R₂is benzyl, p is 1, R₅is pyridylbenzyl, and L₃is C₁-C₃alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—) optionally substituted with halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino or formyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-[isobutyl(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)amino]propyl carbamate; and

tert-butyl 2-(2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)hydrazinecarboxylate.

Preferred compounds of this embodiment include, but are not limited to:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2R)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-[isobutyl(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)amino]propylcarbamate; and

tert-butyl 2-((2S,3S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)hydrazinecarboxylate.

In another embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L₈-SO₂R_S′, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_{S′ and -L}_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is -O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

A₂is -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl or naphthylmethyl), heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridyl, triazolyl or quinolinyl), -L_F-O—R_F, -L_FS—R_F, -L_F-C(O)R_F, -L_F-C(O)OR_F, -L_F-OC(O)R_F, -L_F-NR_FR_F′, -L_F-S(O)R_F, -L_F-SO₂R_F, -L_F-C(O)NR_FR_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)C(O)R_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)SO₂R_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)SO₂NR_F′R_F″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_F, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_F, R_F′ and R_F″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thio alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene, C₂-C₆alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene and C₂-C₆alkynylene;

k is 0 or 1;

Z is a bond;

p is 1, 2, or 3;

L₃at each occurrence independently represents -L₅-W-L_5′-, wherein at each occurrence W is independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene, C₂-C₆alkynylene, —S—, —O— and —C(O)—, and wherein L₅and L_5′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_M, —S—R_M, —C(O)R_M, —OC(O)R_M, —C(O)OR_M, —NR_MR_M′, N(R_M)C(O)R_M′, N(R_M)C(O)OR_M′, and —C(O)NR_MR_M′, wherein R_Mand R_M′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

R₄is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_F-O—R_F, -L_F-S—R_F, -L_F-C(O)R_F, -L_F-C(O)OR_F, -L_F-OC(O)R_F, -L_F-NR_FR_F′, -L_F-S(O)R_F, -L_F-SO₂R_F, -L_F-C(O)NR_FR_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)C(O)R_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)SO₂R_F′, -L_F-N(R_F)SO₂NR_F′R_F″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_F, L_E, L₄, L_4′, R_F, R_F′, R_F″, Y and R_Eare as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

R₅is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, —C(O)OR₈, —OC(O)R₈, —C(O)NR₈R₉, —N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-O—R₈, —C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, —C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocycloheterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclylcarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′ and -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, and L₆, L_6′ and L_Dare each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, wherein R_Dand R_D′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, and wherein L_E, L₄, L_4′, Y and R_Eare as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

wherein at each occurrence R₄and R₅(or L₁, R_V, L_D, L₆, L_6′, L₉, L_F, L_E, L₄, L_4′, W, Y, R₄, R₅, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_A2, R_E, R_F, R_F′, R_F″, R_Dand R_D′) are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in R_A2, L₃, R₄and R₅is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered carbocyclyls (e.g., C₅-C₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅-C₁₀cycloalkenyl or C6-C₁₀aryl, such as cyclohexyl, phenyl or naphthyl), and each heterocyclyl moiety in R_A2, L₃, R₄and R₅is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered heterocyclyls (e.g., H₅-H₁₀heteroaryl, H₅-H₁₀heterocycloalkyl or H₅-H₁₀heterocycloalkenyl, such as pyridyl, triazolyl or quinolinyl); and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in R₄and R₅(or in R_A2, L₃, R₄and R₅) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_H-O—R_K, -L_H-S—R_K, -L_H-C(O)R_K, -L_H-OC(O)R_K, -L_H-C(O)OR_K, -L_H-NR_KR_K′, -L_H-S(O)R_K, -L_H-SO₂R_K, -L_H-C(O)NR_KR_K′, -L_H-N(R_K)C(O)R_K′, -L_H-NR_KSO₂R_K′ and -L_H-NR_KSO₂NR_K′R_K″ wherein L_His independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and R_K, R_K′ and R_K″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl.

In a non-limiting example, R_A2and R₄are each independently selected from the group consisting of C₅-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl or naphthylmethyl), H₅-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridyl, triazolyl or quinolinyl), -L_G-C₅-C₇carbocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L₁₀-R_H(e.g., benzoylbenzyl, benzyloxybenzyl, 1H-triazolylbenzyl, biphenylmethyl or pyridylbenzyl) and -L_G-H₅-H₇heterocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L_10′-R_H, wherein at each occurrence L_Gis independently C₁-C₃alkylene, L₁₀and L_10′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond or C₁-C₃alkylene, and U is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and wherein at each occurrence R_His independently C₅-C₇carbocyclyl, H₅-H₇heterocyclyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl. R_A2and R₄can be the same or different.

In another non-limiting example, p is 1, L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is C₂-C₄alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—) which is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano and amino.

In still another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, k is 0, p is 1, L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is C₂-C₄alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—) which is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano and amino, wherein R_A2and R₄are each independently selected from the group consisting of C₅-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl or naphthylmethyl), H₅-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridyl, triazolyl or quinolinyl), -L_G-C₅-C₇carbocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L_10′-R_H(e.g., benzoylbenzyl, benzyloxybenzyl, 1H-triazolylbenzyl, biphenylmethyl or pyridylbenzyl) and -L_G-H₅-H₇heterocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L_10′-R_H, and wherein U, L_G, L₁₀, L_10′ and R_Hare as defined immediately above.

In yet another non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, k is 0, p is 1, L₅and W are bonds, and L_5′ is C₂-C₄alkylene (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—) which is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of NR_MR_M′, N(R_M)C(O)R_M′ and N(R_M)C(O)OR_M′, wherein at each occurrence R_Mis independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and at each occurrence R_M′ is independently C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₅-C₁₀carbocyclyl (e.g., phenyl), C₅-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, H₅-H₁₀heterocyclyl or H₅-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein R_A2and R₄are each independently selected from the group consisting of C₅-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl or naphthylmethyl), H₅-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridyl, triazolyl or quinolinyl), -L_G-C₅-C₇carbocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L_10′-R_H(e.g., benzoylbenzyl, benzyloxybenzyl, 1H-triazolylbenzyl, biphenylmethyl or pyridylbenzyl) and -L_G-H₅-H₇heterocyclyl-L₁₀-U-L_10′-R_H, and wherein U, L_G, L₁₀, L_10′ and R_Hare as defined immediately above.

In any of the above examples, R₅can be, without limitation, (H₅-H₆heterocyclo)C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the H₅-H₆heterocyclyl moiety comprises at least one nitrogen ring atom. For instance, R₅or R₄can be thiazolylC₁-C₆alkoycarbonyl, such as thiazolylmethoxycarbonyl. R₅can also be, without limitation, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl or naphthylmethyl) or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., pyridylmethyl, thienylmethyl or furylmethyl).

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-oxopropyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl[9-benzyl-10-oxo-12-(1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-3,6,11-trioxa-9-azadodec-1-yl]carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl cyclohexylmethyl(3-{(cyclohexylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

methyl 4-({(3-{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl][(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzoylbenzyl(3-{(4-benzoylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy) carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl quinolin-3-ylmethyl(3-{(quinolin-3-ylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl(3-{(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl(3-{[4-(benzyloxy)benzyl][(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl][4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]amino}propyl [4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-methoxybenzyl(3-{(4-methoxybenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy) carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 4-methoxybenzyl(3-{(4-methoxybenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-tert-butylbenzyl(3-{(⁴-tert-butylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 4-benzoylbenzyl(3-{(4-benzoylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl(3-{(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl {3-[benzyl(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

ethyl N-(3-{(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]glycinate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(5-methylthien-2-yl)methyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl {3-[benzyl(2-furylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl {3-[benzyl(2-naphthylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

methyl 4-({(3-{(tert-butoxycarbonyl)[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]amino}propyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl {3-[benzyl(neopentyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

tert-butyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

benzyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

methyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl[3-(benzyl{4-[3-(dimethylamino)propoxy]benzyl}amino)propyl]carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-[benzyl(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

tert-butyl 3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl][4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]amino}propyl[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]carbamate;

5-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-1,2,3,5-tetradeoxy-1-phenyl-D-glycero-pentitol;

tert-butyl 1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl(3-{(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl(3-{(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

ethyl N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-N-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)glycinate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-[(phenoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}carbamate; and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl[3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-(isobutyrylamino)propyl]carbamate.

The present invention also features compounds of formula II,

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene;

X is O or S;

A₂is a bond or selected from the group consisting of -L_A2-O—, -L_A2-S— and -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein L_D, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, wherein R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1, and at each occurrence L₂independently represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉and L_9′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C_C₁₀alkynylene, and V is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_V)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_V)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, wherein R_Vis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, ═C(R₂) or —C(R₂)═, wherein R₂is selected from the group consisting of carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_E, -L_D-S—R_E, -L_D-C(O)R_E, -L_D-OC(O)R_F, -L_D-C(O)OR_E, -L_D-N_DR_ER_D, -L_D-S(O)R_E, -L_D-SO₂R_E, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_E, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_E, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_E, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, wherein R₃is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, and wherein L₄, L_4′, Y, L_D, L_E, R_E, R_D, R_D′ and R_D″ are as defined immediately above in this aspect;

or Z is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₃is as defined immediately above in this aspect;

wherein at each occurrence L₁, L_A1, R_A1, Y, V, R_Y, R_V, L_A2, R_A2, L_D, L_E, L₄, L_4′, L₆, L_6′, L₉, L_9′, R₂, R₃, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_E, R_D, R_D′, R_D″ and A₃are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′, —S(O)R_L, —SO₂R_L, —C(O)NR_LR_L′, —N(R_L)C(O)R_L′, —N(R_L)SO₂R_L′ and —N(R_L)SO₂NR_L′R_L″, and wherein R_L, R_L′ and R_L″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in the compound (e.g., in L₁, A₁, A₂, (L₂)_k, Z and A₃, including optional substitution carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl) is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂R_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)SO₂NR_S′R_S″, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein at each occurrence L_Sis independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, H₃-H₁₀heterocyclyl and H₃-H₁₀heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

with the proviso that said compound is not ritonavir.

In one embodiment, the present invention features compounds of formula II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, wherein

R₁is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl comprising at least one nitrogen ring atom (e.g., thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, or pyridyl), and is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″ wherein L_Sis independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene or C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, and R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

L₁is a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene;

A₁is -O-L_A1-, wherein L_A1is a bond;

X is O;

A₂is -L_A2-N(R_A2)—, wherein L_A2is a bond, and R_A2is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, —C(O)R_F, —C(O)O—R_F, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, wherein R_Fis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

k is 0 or 1;

L₂represents -L₉-V-L_9′-, wherein L₉and L_9′ are each independently selected from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, and wherein V is selected from the group consisting of a bond, —S—, —O—, —C(O)— and —C(O)N(R_V)—, and R_Vis selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl;

Z is —C(R₂R₃)—, wherein R₂is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, R_E-carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl- or R_E-heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl-, and R₃is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., phenylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as benzyl), heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, R_E-carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl- or R_E-heterocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl-, wherein R_Eis independently selected at each occurrence from carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl;

A₃is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_E, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, -L₆-OC(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)NR₈R₉, -L₆-N(R₈)—C(O)R₉, -L₆-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-NR₈R₉, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)OR₈, -L₆-C(O)-L_6′-N(R₉)C(O)NR₈R₁₀, -L₆-S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)_jR₈, -L₆-S(O)_jNR₈R₉and -L₆-N(R₉)S(O)₂NR₈R₁₀, wherein j is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of 0, 1 and 2, wherein L₆and L_6′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, wherein R₈, R₉and R₁₀are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, -L_D-O—R_D, -L_D-S—R_D, -L_D-C(O)R_D, -L_D-OC(O)R_D, -L_D-C(O)OR_D, -L_D-NR_DR_D′, -L_D-S(O)R_D, -L_D-SO₂R_D, -L_D-C(O)NR_DR_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)C(O)R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂R_D′, -L_D-N(R_D)SO₂NR_D′R_D″, -L_E-carbocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_4′-R_Eand -L_E-heterocyclyl-L₄-Y-L_{4 ′}-R_E, wherein L_D, L_E, L₄and L_4′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from a bond, C₁-C₆alkylene, C₂-C₆alkenylene or C₂-C₆alkynylene, wherein Y is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of a bond, C₁-C₁₀alkylene, C₂-C₁₀alkenylene, C₂-C₁₀alkynylene, —S—, —O—, —C(O)—, —N(R_Y)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R_Y)—, —C(O)O— and —OC(O)—, and R_Yis independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, wherein R_D, R_D′, and R_D″ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thio alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkyl aminoC₁-C₆alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl, and wherein R_Eis as defined immediately above in this embodiment;

wherein at each occurrence L₁, L₄, L_4′, L₆, L_6′, L₉, L_9′, L_D, L_E, L_F, R₂, R₃, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R_A2, R_D, R_D′, R_D″, R_E, R_F, R_V, R_Yand Y are each independently optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, —O—R_L, —S—R_L, —C(O)R_L, —OC(O)R_L, —C(O)OR_L, —NR_LR_L′ and —C(O)NR_LR_L′, wherein R_Land R_L′ are each independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylaminoC₁-C₆alkyl;

wherein each carbocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z and A₃is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered carbocyclyls (e.g., C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkenyl or phenyl), and each heterocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z and A₃is independently selected at each occurrence from 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclyls (e.g., H₅-H₇heteroaryl, H₅-H₇heterocycloalkyl or H₅-H₇heterocycloalkenyl); and

wherein each carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl moiety in A₂, Z and A₃is independently optionally substituted at each occurrence with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thioxo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, formyl, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L_S-O—R_S, -L_S-S—R_S, -L_S-C(O)R_S, -L_S-OC(O)R_S, -L_S-C(O)OR_S, -L_S-NR_SR_S′, -L_S-S(O)R_S, -L_S-SO₂R_S, -L_S-C(O)NR_SR_S′, -L_S-N(R_S)C(O)R_S′, -L_S-NR_SSO₂R_S′ and -L_S-NR_SSO₂NR_S′R_S″, wherein L_S, R_S, R_S′ and R_S″ are as defined immediately above in this embodiment.

In a non-limiting example, R₁is thiazolyl, L₁is —CH₂—, R_A2is hydrogen, k is 0, R₂is carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl (e.g., benzyl), and A₃is C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, -L₆-O—R₈, -L₆-S—R₈, -L₆-C(O)R₈, -L₆-C(O)OR₈, or -L₆-OC(O)R₈, wherein L₆is a bond, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl, and R₈is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl or C₂-C₆alkynyl.

Non-limiting examples of the compounds of this embodiment include:

methyl N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]phenylalaninate (e.g., methyl N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninate); and

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzylbut-3-enylcarbamate.

Terminology

Compounds of the present invention are generally described herein using standard nomenclature. For a recited compound having asymmetric center(s), it should be understood that all of the stereoisomers of the compound and mixtures thereof are encompassed in the present invention unless otherwise specified. Non-limiting examples of stereoisomers include enantiomers, diastereomers, and cis-transisomers. Where a recited compound exists in various tautomeric forms, the compound is intended to encompass all tautomeric forms. Certain compounds are described herein using general formulas that include variables (e.g., R₁, A₁, L₁, X, or Z). Unless otherwise specified, each variable within such a formula is defined independently of any other variable, and any variable that occurs more than one time in a formula is defined independently at each occurrence. If substituents are described as being “independently selected″ from a group, each substituent is selected independently from the other. Each substituent therefore can be identical to or different from the other substituent(s).

The number of carbon atoms in a hydrocarbyl substituent can be indicated by the prefix “C_x-C_y,” where x is the minimum and y is the maximum number of carbon atoms in the substituent. A prefix attached to a multiple-component substituent only applies to the first component that immediately follows the prefix. To illustrate, the term “alkylaryl” contains two components: alkyl and aryl. Thus, C₁-C₆alkylaryl refers to a C₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through an aryl group. Likewise, alkylC₆-C₁₀aryl refers to an alkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₆-C₁₀aryl group. Similarly, the prefix “halo” on haloalkoxyalkyl indicates that only the alkoxy component is substituted with one or more halogen radicals, and the prefix “halo” on alkoxyhaloalkyl indicates that only the alkyl component is substituted with one or more halogen radicals.

When words are used to describe a linking element between two other elements of a depicted chemical structure, the leftmost-described component of the linking element is the component that is bound to the left element in the depicted structure. To illustrate, if the chemical structure is X-L-Y and L is described as methylarylethyl, then the chemical would be X-methyl-aryl-ethyl-Y.

When a chemical formula is used to describe a substituent, the dash on the right (or left) side of the formula indicates the portion of the substituent that has the free valence.

If a substitute is described as being “substituted,” a non-hydrogen radical is in the place of one or more hydrogen radials on a carbon or nitrogen of the substituent. Thus, for example, a substituted alkyl substituent is an alkyl substituent wherein at least one non-hydrogen radical is in the place of a hydrogen radical(s) on the alkyl substituent. It should be recognized that if there are two or more substitutions on a substituent, each non-hydrogen radical may be identical or different unless otherwise stated.

The term “alkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a straight- or branched-chain saturated hydrocarbyl substituent typically containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₀alkyl), more typically from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₀alkyl), and even more typically from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (C₁-C₆alkyl). For instance, an alkyl substituent can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 carbon atoms. Representative examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-methylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, pentyl, hexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl, 2,2-dimethylpentyl, 2,3-dimethylpentyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl.

The term “alkenyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbyl substituent containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and typically from 2 to 20 carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₀alkenyl), more typically from 2 to 10 atoms (C₂-C₁₀alkenyl), and even more typically from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (C₂-C₆alkenyl). For instance, an alkenyl moiety can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms and 1 or more carbon-carbon double bonds. Representative examples of alkenyl include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, 2-propenyl, 3-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-4-pentenyl, 5-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 2-methyl-1-heptenyl, and 3-decenyl. The carbon-carbon double bond can have either cis or trans geometry within the alkenyl moiety, relative to groups substituted on the double bond carbons.

The term “alkenylene” refers to a divalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one carbon-carbon double bond. An alkenylene group typically contains 2 to 20 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₂₀alkenylene), more typically from 2 to 10 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₁₀alkenylene), and even more typically from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₆alkenylene). Representative alkenylene groups include, by way of example, ethene-1,2-diyl, prop-1-ene-1,2-diyl, prop-1-ene-1,3-diyl, and but-2-ene-1,4-diyl.

The term “alkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety. For instance, C₁-C₂0alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy and C₁-C₆alkoxy refer to C₁-C₂₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety, respectively. Representative examples of alkoxy include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 2-propoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, and hexyloxy.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group to which is appended an alkoxy group. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to C₁-C₆alkyl to which is appended a C₁-C₂₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy or C₁-C₆alkoxy group, respectively. Representative examples of alkoxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, tert-butoxymethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, and methoxymethyl.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxycarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl refer to C₁-C₂₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy or C₁-C₆alkoxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl, respectively. Representative examples of alkoxycarbonyl include, but are not limited to, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, and tert-butoxycarbonyl.

The term “alkoxycarbonylalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers an alkoxycarbonyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl refer to C₁-C₂₀alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxycarbonyl or C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₁₀alkylene, respectively. Representative examples of alkoxycarbonylalkyl include, but are not limited to, 2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl, 2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl, 3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl, 3-ethoxy-3-oxopropyl, 4-ethoxy-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-oxobutyl, 5-methoxy-5-oxopentyl, and 6-methoxy-6-oxohexyl.

The term “alkylamino” refers to -NR₁R₂, wherein R₁is an alkyl and R₂is hydrogen or an alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₁₀alkylamino, in which R₁is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, and R₂is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₀alkyl).

The term “alkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl refer to C₁-C₂₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl moiety, respectively. Representative examples of alkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, acetyl, 1-oxopropyl, 2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropyl, 1-oxobutyl, and 1-oxopentyl.

The term “alkylcarbonylalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkylcarbonyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl and C₁-C₆alkylcarbonylC₁-C₁₀alkyl refer to C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyl or C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₁₀alkylene, respectively. Representative examples of alkylcarbonylalkyl include, but are not limited to, 2-oxopropyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopropyl, 3-oxobutyl, and 3-oxopentyl.

The term “alkylcarbonyloxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkylcarbonyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyloxy and C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyloxy refer to C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyl or C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety, respectively. Representative examples of alkylcarbonyloxy include, but are not limited to, acetyloxy, ethylcarbonyloxy, and tert-butylcarbonyloxy.

The term “alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkylcarbonyloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene moiety. For instance, C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyloxyC₁-C₁₀alkyl and C₁-C₆alkyl carbonyloxyC₁-C₁₀alkyl refer to C₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyloxy or C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl oxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₁₀alkylene moiety. Representative examples of alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, 2-(acetyloxy)ethyl, 3-(acetyloxy)propyl, and 3-(propionyloxy)propyl.

The terms “alkylene” or “alkylenyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) denote a divalent group derived from a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon chain typically containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms (i.e., C₁-C₂₀alkylene), more typically from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (i.e., C₁-C₁₀alkylene), and even more typically from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (i.e., C₁-C₆alkylene). For instance, an alkylene group can consist of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms. Representative examples of alkylene include, but are not limited to, —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, and —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂—.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbyl substituent containing at least one triple bond and typically from 2 to 20 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₂₀alkynyl), more typically from 2 to 10 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₁₀alkynyl), and even more typically from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₆alkynyl). For instance, an alkynyl group can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms and containing 1 or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. Representative examples of alkynyl include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 3-propynyl, -butynyl, 3-butynyl, 2-pentynyl, and decynyl.

The terms “alkynylene” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a divalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one carbon-carbon triple bonds. An alkynylene group typically contains from 2 to 20 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₂₀alkynylene), more typically from 2 to 10 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₁₀alkynylene), and even more typically from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (i.e., C₂-C₆alkynylene). Representative alkynylene groups include, by way of example, ethyne-1,2-diyl, prop-1-yne-1,2-diyl, prop-1-yne-1,3-diyl, and but-2-yne-1,4-diyl.

The term “aryl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aromatic carbocyclyl containing from 6 to 14 carbon ring atoms. For instance, C₆-C₁₄aryl, C₆-C₁₀aryl and C₆-C₈aryl refer to an aromatic carbocyclyl containing from 6 to 14, from 6 to 10 or from 6 to 8 carbon ring atoms, respectively. Non-limiting examples of aryls include phenyl, naphthalenyl, anthracenyl, and indenyl. An aryl group of the present invention can be substituted or unsubstituted, and connected to the parent molecular moiety through any substitutable carbon atom of the group.

The term “arylalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group to which is appended an aryl group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀alkoxy, arylC₁-C₁₀alkoxy and arylC₁-C₆alkoxy refer to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through C₁-C₂₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy or C₁-C₆alkoxy, respectively. Representative examples of arylalkoxy include, but are not limited to, 2-phenylethoxy, 3-naphth-2-ylpropoxy, and 5-phenylpentyloxy.

The term “arylalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an arylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, arylC₁-C₁₀alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl and arylC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to arylC₁-C₂₀alkoxy, arylC₁-C₁₀alkoxy or arylC₁-C₆alkoxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Representative examples of arylalkoxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, benzyloxymethyl, 2-(benzyloxy)ethyl, and (2-phenylethoxy)methyl.

The term “arylalkoxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an arylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀alkoxycarbonyl, arylC₁-C₁₀alkoxycarbonyl and arylC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl refer to arylC₁-C₂₀alkoxy, arylC₁-C₁₀alkoxy or arylC₁-C₆alkoxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively. Representative examples of arylalkoxycarbonyl include, but are not limited to, benzyloxycarbonyl, and naphth-2-ylmethoxycarbonyl.

The term “arylalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀alkyl, arylC₁-C₁₀alkyl and arylC₁-C₆alkyl refer to an aryl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₂₀alkylene, C₁-C₁₀alkylene or C₁-C₆alkylene, respectively Representative examples of substituted/unsubstituted arylalkyl include, but are not limited to, benzyl, 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 4-hydroxybenzyl, 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropyl, 3-(phenoxy)benzyl, 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 2-naphthylmethyl, 3,5-ditert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl, 3-methoxy benzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, 4-(dimethylamino)benzyl, 4-[3-(dimethylamino)propoxy]benzyl, (6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)methyl, and 2-naphth-2-ylethyl.

The term “arylalkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an arylalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀alkylcarbonyl, arylC₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyl and arylC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl refer to arylC₁-C₂₀alkyl, arylC₁-C₁₀alkyl or arylC₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively. Representative examples of arylalkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, 2-naphthylacetyl, and phenylacetyl.

The term “arylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. Representative examples of arylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, benzoyl, and naphthoyl.

The term “aryloxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety. Representative examples of substituted/unsubstituted aryloxy include, but are not limited to, phenoxy, naphthyloxy, 3-bromophenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, and 3,5-dimethoxyphenoxy.

The term “aryloxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, aryloxyC₁-C₂₀alkyl, aryloxyC₁-C₁₀alkyl and aryloxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to an aryloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₂₀alkylene, C₁-C₁₀alkylene or C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Representative examples of aryloxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, 2-phenoxyethyl, 3-naphth-2-yl oxypropyl, and phenoxymethyl.

The term “aryloxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The term “arylthio” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom. Representative examples of arylthio include, but are not limited to, phenylthio, naphthalen-1-ylthio, and naphthalen-2-ylthio.

The term “arylthioalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a thioalkoxy group to which is appended an aryl group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀thioalkoxy, arylC₁-C₁₀thioalkoxy and arylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy refer to an aryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₂othioalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀thioalkoxy or C₁-C₆thioalkoxy group, respectively. Representative examples of arylthioalkoxy include, but are not limited to, (phenylmethyl)thio, (2-phenylethyl)thio, and (naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)thio.

The term “arylthioalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an arylthioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, arylC₁-C₂₀thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, arylC₁-C₁₀thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl and arylC₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to an arylC₁-C₂₀thioalkoxy, arylC₁-C₁₀thioalkoxy or arylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Representative examples of arylthioalkoxy include, but are not limited to, (phenylmethyl)thiomethyl, (2-phenylethyl)thiomethyl, and (naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)thiomethyl.

The term “arylthioalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an arylthio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, arylthioC₁-C₂₀alkyl, arylthioC₁-C₁₀alkyl and arylthioC₁-C₆alkyl refer to an arylthio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₂₀alkylene, C₁-C₁₀alkylene or C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Representative examples of arylthioalkyl include, but are not limited to, (phenylthio)methyl, 2-(phenylthio)ethyl, and 3-(phenylthio)propyl.

The term “dialkylamino” refers to —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are independently selected from alkyl groups (e.g., di-(C₁-C₁₀alkyl)amino, in which R and R′ are independently selected from C₁-C₁₀alkyl groups).

The term “dialkylaminocarbonyl” refers to a dialkylamino group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The term “carbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —C(O)— group.

The term “carboxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —CO₂H group.

The term “carboxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a carboxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, carboxyC₁-C₂₀alkyl, carboxyC₁-C₁₀alkyl and carboxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to a carboxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₂₀alkylene, C₁-C₁₀alkylene or C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Representative examples of carboxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, and 3-carboxypropyl.

The term “cyano” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —CN group.

The terms “carbocycle” or “carbocyclic” or “carbocyclyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refer to a saturated (e.g., “cycloalkyl”), partially saturated (e.g., “cycloalkenyl”) or completely unsaturated (e.g., “aryl”) ring system typically containing from 3 to 14 carbon ring members (i.e., C₃-C₁₄carbocyclyl) and zero heteroatom ring member. “Ring atoms” or “ring members” are the atoms bound together to form the ring or rings of a cyclic substituent. In many cases, a carbocyclyl has 1 ring or 2 or 3 fused or spiro rings, and contains from 3 to 10 ring members (i.e., C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, such as C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl), from 3 to 8 ring members (i.e., C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, such as C₃-C₈cycloalkyl), from 3 to 6 ring members (i.e., C₃-C₆carbocyclyl, such as C₃-C₆cycloalkyl), from 4 to 10 ring members (i.e., C₄′-C₁₀carbocyclyl, such as C₄-C₁0cycloalkyl and C₄-C₁₀cycloalkenyl), from 4 to 8 ring members (i.e., C₄-C₈carbocyclyl, such as C₄-C₈cycloalkyl and C₄-C₈cycloalkenyl), or from 5 to 7 ring members (i.e., C₅-C₇carbocyclyl, such as C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkenyl and phenyl). A substituted cycloalkyl may have either cis or trans geometry. Representative examples of carbocyclyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, adamantyl, decahydro-naphthalenyl, octahydro-indenyl, cyclohexenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, indanyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthyl. A carbocyclyl group of the present invention can be unsubstituted or substituted, and attached to the parent molecular moiety through any substitutable carbon atom of the group.

The term “cycloalkenyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a non-aromatic, partially unsaturated carbocyclyl typically having from 4 to 14 carbon ring members and zero heteroatom ring member (e.g., C₄-C₁₀cycloalkenyl, C₄-C₈cycloalkenyl, C₄-C₆cycloalkenyl, or C₅-C₇cycloalkenyl). Representative examples of cycloalkenyl groups include, but not limited to, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and octahydronaphthalenyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a saturated carbocyclyl group typically containing from 3 to 14 carbon ring members and zero heteroatom ring member (e.g., C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, or C₅-C₇cycloalkyl). Non-limiting examples of cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl.

The term “carbocyclylalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyl or C₅-C₇carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively. Non-limiting examples of carbocyclylalkyl include C₃-C₁₀cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₁₀cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkyl, or C₄-C₆cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkyl.

The term “carbocyclylalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group to which is appended an carbocyclyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyl or C₅-C₇carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkoxy group, respectively. Non-limiting examples of carbocyclylalkoxy include C₃-C₁₀cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₈cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₄-C₁₀cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₄-C₈cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkoxy, or C₄-C₆cycloalkenylC₁-C₆alkoxy.

The term “carbocyclylalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy or C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylalkoxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl refer to C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy or C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkoxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylalkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclylalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl refer to C₃-C₁ocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl or C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylcarbonyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylcarbonyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylcarbonyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclyloxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety (e.g., C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyloxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclyloxy and C₅-C₇carbocyclyloxy).

The term “carbocyclyloxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclyloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclyloxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyloxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclyloxy or C₅-C₇carbocyclyloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclyloxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclyloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyloxycarbonyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyloxycarbonyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclyloxycarbonyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyloxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclyloxy or C₅-C₇carbocyclyloxy appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylthio” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom (e.g., C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylthio, C₄-C₈carbocyclylthio, and C₅-C₇carbocyclylthio).

The term “carbocyclylthioalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a thioalkoxy group to which is appended an carbocyclyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclyl or C₅-C₇carbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆thioalkoxy group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylthioalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclylthioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy, C₄-C₈carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy or C₅-C₇carbocyclylC₁-C₆thioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylthioalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an carbocyclylthio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylthioC₁-C₆alkyl, C₄-C₈carbocyclylthioC₁-C₆alkyl and C₅-C₇carbocyclylthioC₁-C₆alkyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀carbocyclylthio, C₄-C₈carbocyclylthio or C₅-C₇carbocyclylthio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkylene group, respectively.

The term “carbocyclylcarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl group to which is appended a carbocyclyl group.

The term “carbocyclylalkoxycarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl group to which is appended a carbocyclylalkoxy group.

The term “(carbocyclylalkyl)carbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl to which another carbocyclylalkyl group is appended. The former carbocyclylalkyl group can be identical to or different from the latter carbocyclylalkyl group.

The term “carbocyclylalkoxyheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which is a carbocyclylalkoxy group is appended (e.g., arylalkoxyheterocycloalkyl or (cycloalkylalkoxy)heterocycloalkyl).

The term “carbocyclylcarbonylheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which is a carbocyclylcarbonyl group is appended (e.g., arylcarbonylheterocycloalkyl or (cycloalkylcarbonyl)heterocycloalkyl).

The term “carbocyclylheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which is a carbocyclyl group is appended (e.g., arylheterocycloalkyl or cycloalkylheterocycloalkyl).

The term “carbocyclylcarbonylcarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl group to which is appended a carbocyclylcarbonyl group.

The term “(carbocyclylalkyl)heterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl group to which a carbocyclylalkyl group is appended.

The term “cycloalkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a cycloalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkylcarbonyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkylcarbonyl and C₃-C₆cycloalkylcarbonyl refer to a C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl or C₃-C₆cycloalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, respectively. Representative examples of cycloalkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylcarbonyl, 2-cyclobutylcarbonyl, and cyclohexylcarbonyl.

The term “formyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —C(O)H group.

The term “halo” or “halogen” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to —Cl, —Br, —I or —F.

The term “haloalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, in which at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a halogen (e.g., C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₈haloalkoxy, or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy). Representative examples of haloalkoxy include, but are not limited to, chloromethoxy, fluoromethoxy, difluromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and pentafluoroethoxy.

The term “haloalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a halogen (e.g., C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, or C₁-C₆haloalkyl). Representative examples of haloalkyl include, but are not limited to, chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, and 2-chloro-3-fluoropentyl.

The terms “heterocycle” or “heterocyclo” or “heterocyclyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refer to a saturated (e.g., “heterocycloalkyl”), partially unsaturated (e.g., “heterocycloalkenyl” or “heterocycloalkynyl”) or completely unsaturated (e.g., “heteroaryl”) ring system typically containing from 3 to 14 ring atoms, where at least one of the ring atoms is a heteroatom (i.e., nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur), with the remaining ring atoms being independently selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. In many embodiments, a heterocyclyl group of the present invention includes 1 ring, or 2 or 3 fused or spiro rings at least one of which is a heterocyclyl ring. Each heterocyclic ring may comprise, without limitation, from 3 to 8 ring members (such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 ring members) and 1 or more heteroatoms. Certain heterocyclyls comprise a sulfur atom as a ring member; and in some cases, the sulfur atom is oxidized to SO or SO₂. A heterocyclyl group may be optionally substituted with a variety of substituents, and can be linked to the parent molecular moiety via any substitutable carbon or nitrogen atom in the group, provided that a stable molecule results. The nitrogen heteroatom(s) in a heterocyclyl may or may not be quaternized, and may or may not be oxidized to N-oxide. In addition, the nitrogen heteroatom(s) may or may not be N-protected.

As used herein, the number of ring atoms in a heterocyclyl moiety can be identified by the prefix “H_x—H_y,” where x is the minimum and y is the maximum number of ring atoms in the heterocyclyl moiety.

Representative examples of monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocyclyls include, but are not limited to, aziridinyl, azetidinyl, azepanyl, azepinyl, azocinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzimidazolinyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzodioxinyl, benzofuranyl, benzofuryl, benzopyranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, diazepinyl, dihydroisoquinoline, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, dioxanyl, dithianyl, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazopyridinyl, indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, 3-oxo-morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolidinyl, oxazolinyl, 2-oxo-oxazolinyl, oxazolidinyl, pentazolyl, phenazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperidinyl, piperidonyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranopyridinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridoimidazolyl, pyridooxazolyl, pyridopyrimidinyl, pyridothiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidonyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroquinolyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, tetrahydrothienyl, thiadiazolinyl, thiadiazinyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolidinyl, thiazolinyl, thiazolidinyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thienopyridinyl, thienyl, thiophenyl, thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxidothiomorpholinyl (thiomorpholine sulfone), thiopyranyl, 1,4-diazepanyl, thioanthrenyl, thioxanthenyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, trithianyl, xanthenyl, and variants of the foregoing in which one or more sulfur atoms comprised therein are oxidized.

The term “heterocycloalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group to which is appended a heterocyclyl. For instance, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkoxy means a heterocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a C₁-C₆alkoxy group.

The term “heterocycloalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocycloalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heterocycloC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl).

The term “heterocycloalkoxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocycloalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. For instance, heterocycloC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl means a heterocycloC₁-C₆alkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl).

The term “heterocycloalkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocycloalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group (e.g., heterocycloC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, in which heterocycloC₁-C₆alkyl is appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group).

The term “heterocyclocarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The terms “heterocyclyloxy” or “(heterocyclo)oxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety.

The term “(heterocyclyo)oxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclyloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group.

The term “(heterocyclo)oxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a (heterocyclo)oxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The term “heterocyclothio” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom.

The term “heterocyclothioalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a thioalkoxy group to which is appended a heterocyclyl.

The term “heterocyclothioalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclothioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group.

The term “heterocyclothioalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heterocyclothio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group.

The term “heterocyclocarbocyclyl” refers to a heterocyclyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbocyclyl group (e.g., heterocycloaryl or heterocyclocycloalkyl, in which a heterocyclyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through an aryl or cycloalkyl group, respectively).

The term “heterocyclocarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a heterocyclocarbocyclyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heterocyclocarbocyclylC₁-C₆alkyl, such as heterocycloarylC₁-C₆alkyl or heterocyclocycloalkylC₁-C₆alkyl).

The term “(heterocyclo)alkoxycarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl to which a heterocycloalkoxy group is appended.

The term “(heterocyclo)carbonylcarbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl to which a heterocyclocarbonyl group is appended.

The term “(heterocyclo)heterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which a heterocyclyl group is appended.

The term “(heterocyclo)alkoxyheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl group to which a heterocycloalkoxy group is appended.

The term “(heterocyclo)carbonylheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which a heterocyclocarbonyl is appended.

The term “(heterocycloalkyl)carbocyclylalkyl” refers to a carbocyclylalkyl to which a heterocycloalkyl group is appended.

The term “(heterocycloalkyl)heterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl to which another heterocycloalkyl group is appended. The former heterocycloalkyl group can be identical to or different from the latter heterocycloalkyl group.

The term “hydroxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an —OH group.

The term “heteroaryl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an aromatic heterocyclyl typically containing from 5 to 14 ring atoms. A heteroaryl can be a single ring or two or three fused rings. Representative examples of heteroaryls include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxadiazolyl, dibenzothienyl, dibenzofuranyl, furyl, imidazopyridinyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridoimidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, quinolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, thiazolyl, thienopyridinyl, thienyl, triazinyl, and triazolyl. The heteroaryl groups of the present invention can be independently substituted or unsubstituted, and connected to the parent molecular moiety through any substitutable carbon or nitrogen atom in the groups. In addition, the nitrogen heteroatom may or may not be quaternized, and may or may not be oxidized to the N-oxide. Also, the nitrogen containing rings may or may not be N-protected.

The term “heteroarylalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkoxy group to which is appended a heteroaryl group (e.g., heteroarylC₁-C₆alkoxy). Representative examples of heteroarylalkoxy include, but are not limited to, 2-pyridin-3-ylethoxy, 1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy, 3-quinolin-3-ylpropoxy, and 5-pyridin-4-ylpentyloxy.

The term “heteroarylalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroarylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heteroarylC₁-C₆alkoxyC₁-C₆alkyl). Representative examples of heteroarylalkoxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, (2-pyridin-3-ylethoxy)methyl, (3- quinolin-3-ylpropoxy)methyl, (1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)methyl, and 2-(5-pyridin-4-ylpentyloxy)ethyl.

The term “heteroarylalkoxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroarylalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group (e.g., heteroarylC₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, in which a heteroarylC₁-C₆alkoxy is appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group). Representative examples of heteroarylalkoxycarboliyl include, but are not limited to, (2-pyridin-3-ylethoxy)carbonyl, (3-quinolin-3-ylpropoxy)carbonyl, 2-(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl, and (5-pyridin-4-ylpentyloxy)carbonyl.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl). Representative examples of heteroarylalkyl include, but are not limited to, 3-quinolinylmethyl, 3-pyridinylmethyl, 4-pyridinylmethyl, 1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl, 1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl, pyridin-3-ylmethyl, and 2-pyrimidin-2-ylpropyl.

The term “heteroarylalkylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroarylalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group (e.g., heteroarylC₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, in which a heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl is appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group). Representative examples of heteroarylalkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, ((2,5-dimethoxytetrahydro-3-furanyl)methyl)carbonyl, (3-quinolinylmethyl)carbonyl, (3-pyridinylmethyl)carbonyl, (4-pyridinylmethyl)carbonyl, (1 H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)carbonyl, (1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)carbonyl, (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)carbonyl, and (2-pyrimidin-2-ylpropyl)carbonyl.

The term “heteroarylcarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. Representative examples of heteroarylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, pyridin-3-ylcarbonyl, (1,3-thiazol-5-yl)carbonyl, and quinolin-3-ylcarbonyl.

The term “heteroaryloxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety. Representative examples of heteroaryloxy include, but are not limited to, pyridin-3-yloxy, and quinolin-3-yloxy.

The term “heteroaryloxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group (e.g., heteroaryloxyC₁-C₆alkyl). Representative examples of heteroaryloxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, pyridin-3-yloxymethyl, and 2-quinolin-3-yloxyethyl.

The term “heteroaryloxycarbonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryloxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.

The term “heteroarylthio” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroaryl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom. Representative examples of heteroarylthio include, but are not limited to, (3-quinolinyl)thio, (3-pyridinyl)thio, and (4-pyridinyl)thio.

The term “heteroarylthioalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a thioalkoxy group to which is appended a heteroaryl group. Representative examples of heteroarylthioalkoxy include, but are not limited to, 2-pyridin-3-ylethylthio, 1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethylthio, 3-quinolin-3-ylpropylthio, and 5-pyridin-4-ylpentylylthio.

The term “heteroarylthioalkoxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroarylthioalkoxy group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. Representative examples of heteroarylthioalkoxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, (2-pyridin-3-ylethylthio)methyl, (3-quinolin-3-ylpropylthio)methyl, (1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethylthio)methyl, and 2-(5-pyridin-4-ylpentylthio)ethyl.

The term “heteroarylthioalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a heteroarylthio group appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkylene group. Representative examples of heteroarylthioalkyl include, but are not limited to, (3-quinolinyl)thiomethyl, (3-pyridinyl)thiomethyl, (4-pyridinyl)thiomethyl, and 2-((4-pyridinyl)thio)ethyl.

The term “N-protecting group” or “N-protected” refers to those groups capable of protecting an amino group against undesirable reactions. Commonly used N-protecting groups are described in Greene and Wuts, PROTECTING GRouPs IN CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS (3^rded., John Wiley & Sons, NY (1999), which is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety. Non-limiting examples of N-protecting groups include acyl groups such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, pivaloyl, t-butylacetyl, 2-chloroacetyl, 2-bromoacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, trichloroacetyl, phthalyl, o-nitrophenoxyacetyl, benzoyl, 4-chlorobenzoyl, 4-bromobenzoyl, or 4-nitrobenzoyl; sulfonyl groups such as benzenesulfonyl or p-toluenesulfonyl; sulfenyl groups such as phenylsulfenyl (phenyl-S—) or triphenylmethylsulfenyl (trityl-S—); sulfinyl groups such as p-methylphenylsulfinyl (p-methylphenyl-S(O)—) or t-butylsulfinyl (t-Bu-S(O)—); carbamate forming groups such as benzyloxycarbonyl, p-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, 2-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 3,5-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 2-nitro-4,5-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 1-(p-biphenylyl)-1-methylethoxycarbonyl, dimethyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, benzhydryloxycarbonyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl, diisopropylmethoxycarbonyl, isopropyloxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloro-ethoxy-carbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, 4-nitro-phenoxycarbonyl, fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl, cyclopentyloxycarbonyl, adamantyloxycarbonyl, cyclohexyloxycarbonyl, or phenylthiocarbonyl; alkyl groups such as benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, triphenylmethyl, or benzyloxymethyl; p-methoxyphenyl; and silyl groups such as trimethylsilyl. Preferred N-protecting groups include formyl, acetyl, benzoyl, pivaloyl, t-butylacetyl, phenylsulfonyl, benzyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) and benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz).

The term “hydroxyalkyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group to which is appended at least one hydroxy. Representative examples of hydroxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, and 2-ethyl-4-hydroxyheptyl.

The term “nitro” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —NO₂group.

The term “oxo” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a ═O moiety.

The term “oxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —O— moiety.

The term “sulfonyl” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to a —S(O)₂— group.

The term “thioalkoxy” (alone or in combination with another term(s)) refers to an alkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom. For instance, C₁-C₂₀thioalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀thioalkoxy and C₁-C₆thioalkoxy refer to C₁-C₂₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkyl or C₁-C₆alkyl appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfur atom, respectively. Representative examples of thioalkoxy include, but are not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio, and butylthio.

The term “pharmaceutical acceptable” is used adjectivally to mean that the modified noun is appropriate for use as a pharmaceutical product or as a part of a pharmaceutical product.

The term “prodrug” refers to derivatives of the compounds of the invention which have chemically or metabolically cleavable groups and become, by solvolysis or under physiological conditions, the compounds of the invention which are pharmaceutically active in vivo. A prodrug of a compound can be formed in a conventional manner with a functional group of the compound (e.g., an amino, hydroxy, sulfhydryl, or carboxy group). A prodrug derivative form often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility, or delayed release in a mammalian organism. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, acetate, formate, benzoate or other acylated derivatives of alcohol and amine functional groups within the compounds of the invention. Prodrugs also include acid derivatives, such as esters prepared from reaction of the parent acidic compound with a suitable alcohol, or amides prepared by reaction of the parent acid compound with a suitable amine.

The term “solvate” refers to the physical association of a compound of the invention with one or more solvent molecule, whether organic or inorganic. This physical association often includes hydrogen bonding. In certain instances, the solvate is capable of isolation, for example, when one or more solvate molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. “Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolable solvates. Exemplary solvates include hydrates, ethanolates, and methanolates.

The following abbreviations are used in the description of the Schemes and Examples:

AcOH for acetic acid;

atm for atmospheres;

Boc for tert-butoxycarbonyl;

CDI for 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole;

DCE for 1,2-dichloroethane;

DEAD for diethyl azodicarboxylate;

DMAP for 4-Dimethylaminopyridine DMF for N,N-dimethylformamide;

DMSO for dimethylsulfoxide;

EDCI for (N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride;

Et₃N for triethylamine;

EtOAc for ethyl acetate;

EtOH for ethanol;

Fmoc chloride for 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate;

HOBt for N-Hydroxybenzotriazole;

IPA for isopropyl alcohol;

MeOH for methanol;

MsCl for methanesulfonyl chloride;

TFA for trifluoroacetic acid;

THF for tetrahydrofuran; and

TLC for thin layer chromatography.

Stereoisomers

The compounds of the invention can comprise asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms known as chiral centers. These chiral centers are designated as “R” or “S” depending on the configuration of substituents around the chiral carbon atom. The terms “R” and “S” used herein are configurations as defined in Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry, Section E: Stereochemistry, Recommendations 1974, PURE APPL. CHEM., 45:11-30 (1976). The compounds of this invention may exist as single stereoisomers (e.g., single enantiomers or single diastereomer), mixtures of stereoisomers (e.g. any mixture of enantiomers or diastereomers) or racemic mixtures. All such single stereoisomers, mixtures and racemates are encompassed within the scope of the invention. Compounds identified herein as single stereoisomers are meant to describe compounds that are present in a form that is substantially free from other enantiomers or diastereomers. By “substantially free,” it means that at least 80% of the compound in a composition is the desired enantiomer or diastereomer; preferably, at least 90% of the compound in a composition is the desired enantiomer or diastereomer; and more preferably, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the compound in a composition is the desired enantiomer or diastereomer. Where the stereochemistry of the chiral carbon(s) present in a chemical structure is not specified, the chemical structure is intended to encompass compounds containing either stereoisomer of each chiral center present in the chemical structure.

Individual stereoisomers of the compounds of this invention can be prepared using many methods known in the art. These methods include, but are not limited to, stereospecific synthesis, chromatographic separation of diastereomers, chromatographic resolution of enantiomers, conversion of enantiomers in an enantiomeric mixture to diastereomers followed by chromatographically separation of the diastereomers and regeneration of the individual enantiomers, and enzymatic resolution.

Stereospecific synthesis typically involves the use of appropriate optically pure (enantiomerically pure) or substantial optically pure materials and synthetic reactions that do not cause racemization or inversion of stereochemistry at the chiral centers. Mixtures of stereoisomers of compounds, including racemic mixtures, resulting from a synthetic reaction may be separated by chromatographic techniques as appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Chromatographic resolution of enantiomers can be accomplished on chiral chromatography resins, many of which are commercially available. In a non-limiting example, racemate is placed in solution and loaded onto the column containing a chiral stationary phase. Enantiomers can then be separated by HPLC.

Resolution of enantiomers can also be accomplished by converting enantiomers in a mixture to diastereomers by reaction with chiral auxiliaries. The resulting diastereomers can be separated by column chromatography or crystallization/re-crystallization. This technique is useful when the compounds to be separated contain a carboxyl, amino or hydroxyl group that will form a salt or covalent bond with the chiral auxiliary. Non-limiting examples of suitable chiral auxiliaries include chirally pure amino acids, organic carboxylic acids or organosulfonic acids. Once the diastereomers are separated by chromatography, the individual enantiomers can be regenerated. Frequently, the chiral auxiliary can be recovered and used again.

Enzymes, such as esterases, phosphatases or lipases, can be useful for the resolution of derivatives of enantiomers in an enantiomeric mixture. For example, an ester derivative of a carboxyl group in the compounds to be separated can be treated with an enzyme which selectively hydrolyzes only one of the enantiomers in the mixture. The resulting enantiomerically pure acid can then be separated from the unhydrolyzed ester.

Alternatively, salts of enantiomers in a mixture can be prepared using any method known in the art, including treatment of the carboxylic acid with a suitable optically pure base such as alkaloids or phenethylamine, followed by precipitation or crystallization/re-crystallization of the enantiomerically pure salts. Methods suitable for the resolution/separation of a mixture of stereoisomers, including racemic mixtures, can be found in ENANTIOMERS, RACEMATES, AND RESOLUTIONS (Jacques et al., 1981, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.).

A compound of this invention may possess one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds. All double bond isomers, such as the cis (Z) and trans (E) isomers, and mixtures thereof are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention. In addition, where a compound exists in various tautomeric forms, a recited compound is not limited to any one specific tautomer, but rather is intended to encompass all tautomeric forms.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The present invention features pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention. Typically, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises one or more compounds of the present invention (e.g., any compound described above or in Example 1) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Non-limiting examples of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients include sugars (e.g., lactose, glucose or sucrose), starches (e.g., corn starch or potato starch), cellulose or its derivatives (e.g., sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose or cellulose acetate), oils (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil or soybean oil), glycols (e.g., propylene glycol), buffering agents (e.g., magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide), agar, alginic acid, powdered tragacanth, malt, gelatin, talc, cocoa butter, pyrogen-free water, isotonic saline, Ringer's solution, ethanol, or phosphate buffer solutions. Lubricants, coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring or perfuming agents, preservatives, or antioxidants can also be included in a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, as appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The present invention also features pharmaceutical compositions comprising pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or prodrugs of the compounds of the present invention. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be zwitterions or derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids or bases. Preferably, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound retains the biological effectiveness of the free acid or base of the compound without undue toxicity, irritation, or allergic response, has a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and is effective for their intended use and not biologically or otherwise undesirable. Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include but are not limited to the following: acetate, adipate, alginate, citrate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, digluconate, cyclopentanepropionate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, fumarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate (isethionate), lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, nicotinate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate and undecanoate. The basic nitrogen-containing groups can also be quaternized with such agents as loweralkyl halides (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl chlorides, bromides or iodides), dialkyl sulfates (e.g., dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl or diamyl sulfates), long chain halides (e.g., decyl, lauryl, myristyl or stearyl chlorides, bromides or iodides), aralkyl halides (e.g., benzyl or phenethyl bromides). Other salts that can be used in the present invention include salts with alkali or alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium, or with organic bases. Examples of acids which can be used to form pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, or other suitable inorganic or organic acids.

In addition, the present invention features pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a therapeutic agent. Preferably, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug that is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C9). CYPs are known to be involved in the metabolism of a wide range of drugs, including but not limited to, immunomodulators (e.g., cyclosporine or FK-506), anti-cancer or chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., taxol or taxotere), antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin), antivirals (e.g., indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, or saquinavir), antihistamines (e.g., astemizole, chlorpheniramine,or terfenidine), calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, or verapamil), beta blockers (e.g., carvedilol, S-metoprolol, propafenone, or timolol), and antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, or paroxetine). The inhibition of CYPs by a compound of the present invention can improve the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered drug, leading to an improved C_max(the maximum plasma level), T_max(time to maximum plasma level), AUC (area under the plasma concentration curve), half-life, or blood/liver/tissue level of the drug.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug that can be metabolized by CYP3A4. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug that can be metabolized by CYP2D6. In still another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug that can be metabolized by CYP2C9.

In one example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug selected from the group consisting of an immunomodulator, an anti-cancer or chemotherapeutic agent, an antibiotic agent, an antiviral agent, an antihistamine, a calcium channel blocker, a beta blocker, and an antidepressant. In another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and a drug selected from the group consisting of cyclosporine, FK-506, taxol, taxotere, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, astemizole, chlorpheniramine, terfenidine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, carvedilol, S-metoprolol, propafenone, timolol, amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, and paroxetine.

In still another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and an antiviral agent. In yet another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and an anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) agent. In still yet another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and an anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) agent.

In a further example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and

(hereinafter compound VX-950, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof. In another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and

(hereinafter compound SCH503034, Schering-Plough Co.) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof. In still another example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and lopinavir (i.e., [1S-[1R*,(R*),3R*,4R*]]-N-[4-[[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino]-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(phenylmethyl) pentyl]tetrahydroalpha-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxo-1(2H)-pyrimidineacetamide). In a further example, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound selected from Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and

(hereinafter compound GS9137, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, Calif.) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.

Any compound described herein (e.g., the compounds listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, can be included in a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

A pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered to a subject in need thereof via a variety of routes, such as orally, parenterally, sublingually, rectally, topically or by inhalation spray. Topical administration may involve the use of transdermal administration such as transdermal patches or iontophoresis devices. Parenteral administration includes, but is not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or intrasternal injections, and infusion techniques.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be formulated based on their routes of administration using methods well known in the art. For example, a sterile injectable preparation can be prepared as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Suppositories for rectal administration can be prepared by mixing drugs with a suitable nonirritating excipient such as cocoa butter or polyethylene glycols which are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum and release the drugs. Solid dosage forms for oral administration can be capsules, tablets, pills, powders or granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compounds can be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose lactose or starch. Solid dosage forms may also comprise other substances in addition to inert diluents, such as lubricating agents. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings. Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups or elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art. Liquid dosage forms may also comprise wetting, emulsifying, suspending, sweetening, flavoring, or perfuming agents. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposomes, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,403.

A compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvent or prodrug thereof) can be administered to a human or animal host in a single dose or divided doses. A typical daily dosage can range from 0.001 to 300 mg/kg body weight, such as from 0.1 to 25 mg/kg body weight. Preferably, each dosage contains a sufficient amount of a compound of the present invention that is effective in inhibiting CYP enzyme(s) in the host or improving the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered drug. The amount of active ingredients that are combined to produce a single dosage form may vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. It will be understood that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.

In many cases, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a compound of the invention in such an amount that is effective in improving the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered drug, but is ineffective by itself for the treatment of any disease.

Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

The present invention features methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit cytochrome P450 oxidases, such as CYP3A₄, CYP2D6 or CYP2C_9.The methods comprise contacting a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) with a CYP enzyme (such as CYP3A₄, CYP2D6 or CYP2C₉), thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of the CYP enzyme. As used herein, “inhibiting” means significantly reducing, or abolishing, the original activity of an enzyme. For instance, a compound of the present invention inhibits the activity of a CYP enzyme if the compound can reduce the metabolizing activity of the enzyme by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more. Methods suitable for measuring the metabolizing activity of a CYP enzyme are well known in the art. Any compound of the present invention can be used to inhibit the metabolizing activity of a CYP enzymes (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C9).

In one embodiment, the present invention features methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP3A4. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with CYP3A4, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP3A4. In another embodiment, the present invention features additional methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP3A4. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with cells comprising CYP3A4, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP3A4 in the cells. In yet another embodiment, the present invention features methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP2D6. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with CYP2D6, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP2D6. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention features additional methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP2D6. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with cells comprising CYP2D6, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP2D6 in the cells. In a further embodiment, the present invention features methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP2C9. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with CYP2C9, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP2C9. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention features additional methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit CYP2C9. The methods comprise contacting a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, with cells comprising CYP2C9, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of CYP2C9 in the cells.

The present invention also features methods of using the compounds of the invention to inhibit a CYP enzyme in vivo. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) to a subject of interest, thereby inhibiting the metabolizing activity of a CYP enzyme (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C9) in the subject. As used herein, a subject of interest can be a human or mammal. Because cytochrome P450 sequence homology has been observed among almost all lineages of life, including birds, fish, insects, worms, sea squirts, sea urchins, plants, fungi, slime molds, bacteria and archaea, the present invention also contemplate the use of the compounds of the invention to inhibit the metabolizing activities of CYP enzymes in other animals or organisms.

The present invention further features methods of using the compounds of the invention to improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are metabolized by CYP enzymes (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9). The methods comprise administering a drug which is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9) and an effective amount of a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) to a subject in need thereof. The compound of the present invention, or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, is administered in such an amount that it effectively inhibits the CYP enzyme and therefore the metabolism of the co-administered drug. In many instances, the inhibition of the CYP enzyme leads to an increased C_max, T_max, AUC, half-life, or the blood, liver or tissue level of the co-administered drug. Drugs suitable for co-administration with a compound of the present invention include a wide array of drugs that are metabolizable by CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9 or other CYP enzymes, such as many immunomodulators, anti-cancer or chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics, antivirals (e.g., anti-HIV or anti-HCV agents), antihistamines, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers or antidepressants. Specific examples of these drugs include, but are not limited to, compound VX-950, compound SCH503034, compound GS9137, cyclosporine, FK-506, taxol, taxotere, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, astemizole, chlorpheniramine, terfenidine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, carvedilol, S-metoprolol, propafenone, timolol, amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, and paroxetine.

In one embodiment, the present invention features methods for improving the pharmacokinetics of an antiviral agent. The methods comprise administrating an antiviral agent, and an effective amount of a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to a subject in need thereof, thereby improving the pharmacokinetics of the anti-viral agent in the subject. In many cases, the compound of the invention increases the blood or liver level of the co-administered drug. Many anti-HIV or anti-HCV agents can be boosted by a compound of the invention. Non-limiting examples of these agents include HIV or HCV protease inhibitors that are metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C9.

In another embodiment, the present invention features methods for improving the pharmacokinetics of compound VX-950, SCH503034 or GS9137. The methods comprise administrating compound VA-950, SCH503034 or GS9137, and an effective amount of a compound of the invention (e.g., a compound listed in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to a subject in need thereof, thereby improving the pharmacokinetics of VA-950, SCH503034 or GS9137 in the subject (e.g., increasing the blood or liver level of VA-950, SCH503034 or GS9137 in the subject).

A compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and another drug can be combined in a single formulation and administered simultaneously to a subject of interest. They can also be administered simultaneously but in different formulations, or administered substantially simultaneously (e.g., less than 5 minutes apart) or sequentially (e.g., at least 5 minutes apart). By improving the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered drug, a compound of the present invention can improve the potency or effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of a targeted disease, such as viral infection, cancer, high blood pressure or mental disorder. As used herein, two agents are co-administered if one agent can affect the action of the other agent, including the pharmacokinetics of the other agent, regardless of whether these agents are administered simultaneously or sequentially.

The present invention also features methods of using the compounds of the invention and therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases. The methods comprise administering a therapeutic agent which is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9) and an effective amount of a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) to a subject in need thereof, where the therapeutic agent is effective in treating a disease in the subject, and the compound of the present invention (or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) improves the pharmacokinetics of the therapeutic agent, leading to an increased blood, liver or tissue level, half-life, C_max, T_max, or AUC of the therapeutic agent. Preferably, the compound of the invention increases the blood or liver level of the co-administered therapeutic agent. As used herein, the term “treating” refers to reversing, alleviating, inhibiting the progress of, or preventing the disorder or condition, or one or more symptoms of such disorder or condition to which such term applies. The term “treatment” refers to the act of treating. Therapeutic agents suitable for co-administration with a compound of the invention can be any drug that is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme, such as immunomodulators (e.g., cyclosporine or FK-506), anti-cancer or chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., taxol or taxotere), antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin), antivirals (e.g., indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, or saquinavir), antihistamines (e.g., astemizole, chlorpheniramine,or terfenidine), calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, or verapamil), beta blockers (e.g., carvedilol, S-metoprolol, propafenone, or timolol), or antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, or paroxetine). Preferably, the therapeutic agent co-administered with a compound of the invention is metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9.

In one embodiment, the present invention features methods of using a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) and an antiviral agent for the treatment of viral infection. The methods comprise administering an antiviral agent which is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme (e.g., CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9) and a compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) to a subject in need thereof, where the antiviral agent is effective in treating viral infection in the subject, and the compound of the present invention (or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) increases the blood or liver level or otherwise improves the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered antiviral agent. Non-limiting examples of suitable antiviral agents include anti-HIV agents (e.g., lopinavir, compound GS9137, or other HIV protease, integrase, reverse transcriptase or fusion inhibitors) or anti-HCV agents (compounds VX-950 or SCH503034, or other HCV protease or polymerase inhibitors). In one example, the present invention features methods which comprise administering an HCV inhibitor (e.g., an HCV protease inhibitor such as compound VX-950 or SCH503034), and a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to an HCV patient, wherein the HCV inhibitor is effective in treating HCV infection in the patient, and the compound of the invention (or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) increases the blood or liver level (or otherwise improves the pharmacokinetics) of the HCV inhibitor (e.g., compound VX-950 or SCH503034) in the patient. In another example, the present invention features methods which comprise administering a cocktail of anti-HCV agents (e.g., a cocktail including compound VX-950 or SCH503034), and a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to an HCV patient, wherein the cocktail of anti-HCV agents is effective in treating HCV infection in the patient, and the compound of the invention (or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) increases the blood or liver level (or otherwise improves the pharmacokinetics) of at least one anti-HCV agent in the cocktail (e.g., compound VX-950 or SCH503034) in the patient. In yet another example, the present invention features methods which comprise administering an HIV inhibitor (e.g., an HIV protease or integrase inhibitor such as lopinavir or compound GS9137), and a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to an HIV patient, wherein the HIV inhibitor is effective in treating HIV infection in the patient, and the compound of the invention (or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) increases the blood or liver level (or otherwise improves the pharmacokinetics) of the HIV inhibitor (e.g., lopinavir or compound GS9137) in the patient. In still another example, the present invention features methods which comprise administering a cocktail of anti-HIV agents (e.g., a cocktail comprising lopinavir or compound GS9137), and a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, to an HIV patient, wherein the cocktail is effective in treating HIV infection in the patient, and the compound of the invention (or the salt, solvate or prodrug thereof) increases the blood or liver level (or otherwise improves the pharmacokinetics) of at least one anti-HIV agent in the cocktail (e.g., lopinavir or compound GS9137).

Any compound described herein (e.g., the compounds described in Example 1), or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, can be used in a method of the present invention. Preferably, a compound of the invention is administered in such an amount that is effective in improving the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered drug, but is ineffective by itself for the treatment of any disease.

The present invention further features the use of the compounds of the present invention, or salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease. The medicament includes a compound of the present invention and a drug suitable for the treatment of the disease. Preferably, the drug is metabolizable by a CYP enzyme, such as CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C9. Non-limiting examples of drugs that are metabolizable by CYP enzymes include many immunomodulators, anti-cancer or chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotic agents, antiviral agents, antihistamines, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and antidepressants. Specific examples of these drugs include, but are not limited to, cyclosporine, FK-506, taxol, taxotere, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, astemizole, chlorpheniramine, terfenidine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, carvedilol, S-metoprolol, propafenone, timolol, amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, paroxetine, compound VX-950, compound GS9137, and compound SCH503034.

In one example, the present invention features the use of a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and a drug that is metabolizable by CYP3A4, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder. In another example, the present invention features the use of a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and a drug that is metabolizable by CYP2D6, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder. In still another example, the present invention features the use of a compound of the present invention (e.g., a compound described in Example 1) or a salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, and a drug that is metabolizable by CYP2C9, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder.

Compound Preparation

The following synthetic Schemes illustrate the general methods by which the compounds of the present invention can be prepared. Starting materials can be obtained from commercial sources or prepared using methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example, a synthetic route similar to that shown hereinbelow may be used, together with synthetic methods known in the art of synthetic organic chemistry, or variations thereon as appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The present invention is intended to encompass compounds prepared by either synthetic processes or metabolic processes. Metabolic processes include those occurring in the human or animal body (in vivo), or those occurring in vitro.

If a substituent described herein is not compatible with the synthetic methods of this invention, the substituent may be protected with a suitable protecting group that is stable to the reaction conditions used in these methods. The protecting group may be removed at a suitable point in the reaction sequence to provide a desired intermediate or target compound. Suitable protecting groups and methods for protecting or deprotecting substituents are well know in the art, examples of which can be found in Greene and Wuts, supra.

Compounds of formula 3 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to Scheme 1. Compounds of formula 1, wherein R₁, L₁, A₁and X are as defined in formula (I) and X₁is halo, para-nitrophenol or another leaving group known to those skilled in the art, when treated with compounds of formula 2, wherein L₂, L₃, Z, k, p, R₄and R₅are as defined in formula (I), in a solvent such as but not limited to tetrahydrofuran, DMF, acetonitrile and the like, in the presence or absence of a base such as but not limited to diisopropylethylamine, triethylamine, N-methyl morpholine, sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate, at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 55° C., will provide compounds of formula 3.

Similarly, compounds of formula 5 and compounds of formula 6 which are both representative of compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to Scheme 2. Compounds formula 4, wherein R₁, L₁and A₁are as defined in formula (I), when treated with compounds of formula 2, wherein L₂, L₃, Z, k, p, R₄and R₅are as defined in formula (I), along with an acid coupling reagent commonly known to those skilled in the art, will provide compounds of formula 5. Typical conditions for acid coupling include mixing the acid and the amine components with reagents such as but not limited to 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI), 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), bis(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)phosphinic chloride (BOPCI), O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) or O-benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) or similar coupling reagent, in the presence or absence of 1-hydroxybenzo triazole, with or without an organic base such as N-methylmorpholine or diisopropylethylamine in tetrahydrofuran or dichloromethane, at temperatures of from about 0° C. to about 25° C. Alternatively, the acid of formula 4 can be converted to the corresponding acid chloride by treatment with thionyl chloride under heated conditions or by treatment with oxalyl chloride in dichloromethane containing a catalytic amount of DMF. The newly formed acid chloride when treated with the amine of formula 2 in solvents including tetrahydrofuran will provide compounds of formula 5. The treatment of compounds of formula 5 with Lawesson's Reagent (CAS No. 19172-47-5; available from Sigma-Aldrich Co. (Catalog No. 22, 743-9)) in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or dichloromethane at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 55° C. will provide compounds of formula 6.

Compounds of formula 8, which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein A₁is —O—, can be prepared according to Scheme 3. Compounds of formula 7, (which can be prepared by the treatment of compounds of formula R₁-L₁-OH, wherein R₁and L₁are as defined in formula (I), with para-nitro phenol and carbonyl diimidazole), when treated with compounds of formula 2, wherein L₂, L₃, Z, k, p, R₄and R₅are as defined in formula (I), in solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or acetonitrile, will provide compounds of formula 8. The reaction is typically carried out at temperatures of from about 25° C. to about 65° C.

As outlined in Scheme 4, compounds of formula 10 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein A₁is a bond are prepared accordingly. Compounds of formula 9, wherein R₁and L₁are defined in formula (I), when treated with compounds of formula 2, wherein L₂, L₃, Z, k, p, R₄and R₅are defined in formula (I), in the presence or absence of sodium sulfate followed by the addition of sodium cyanoborohydride or sodium borohydride, will provide compounds of formula 10. Typical solvents include tetrahydrofuran and the reactions can be conducted at temperatures of from about 25° C. to about 45° C.

Alternatively, compounds of formula 11 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, X, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are as defined in formula (I), can be prepared according to the procedures outlined in Scheme 1-4. The replacement of R₄or R₅with a nitrogen protecting group in compounds of formula 2 in any of the procedures outline in Scheme 1-4 will provide compounds of formula 11. Typical nitrogen protecting groups include tert-butyloxycarbonyl and benzyloxycarbonyl. Compounds of formula 11 when treated according to conditions known to one skilled in the art or as disclosed in Greene and Wuts, supra, will provide compounds of formula 12. For example, when compounds of formula 11 contain a tert-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group, treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane will provide compounds of formula 12.

Compounds of formula 14 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₄or R₅is R₈—C(O)— can be prepared according to Scheme 6. The treatment of compounds of formula 12 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, X, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), with compounds of formula 13 wherein R₈is defined in formula (I) and X₂is halo, in the presence of a base such as but not limited to diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, will provide compounds of formula 14. Typical solvents include but are not limited to tetrahydrofuran and DMF.

Alternatively, compounds of formula 14 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to the methods outlined in Scheme 7. When the compounds of formula 12 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, X, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), and the compounds of formula 15 wherein R₈is defined in formula (I), are treated with an acid coupling reagent commonly known to those skilled in the art, compounds of formula 14 will be achieved. Acid coupling reagents described in Scheme 2 can be utilized for this transformation. In addition, compounds of formula 15 can be converted to the corresponding acid chloride utilizing conditions outlined in Scheme 2, followed by treatment with compounds of formula 12 in the presence of a base such as but not limited to diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran or dichloromethane to provide compounds of formula 14.

As outlined in Scheme 8, compounds of formula 17 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₄or R₅is R₈—C(O)-L₆- can be prepared accordingly. The treatment of compounds of formula 12 wherein R_{1, L}₁, A₁, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), and compounds of formula 16 wherein R₈is defined in formula (I), L₆is a bond and X₃is halo, methanesulfonyl, trifluoromethanesulfonyl, para-toluenesulfonyl or a similar leaving group, in the presence of a base, will provide compounds of formula 17. Typical base and solvent conditions useful for this transformation include but are not limited to sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate in acetonitrile, or sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran or DMF or sodium hydroxide and a phase transfer catalyst such as but not limited to tributyl ammonium benzyl bromide and aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence or absence of an organic solvent. Depending on the conditions, heating may or may not be needed to effect the transformation. Alternatively, when formula 16 is R₈—C(O)O—X₃wherein X₃is para-nitrophenyl, the transformation can be carried out in tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 60° C.

Compounds of formula 19, which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₄or R₅is R₈—O—C(O)— and R₈is defined in formula (I), can be prepared according to Scheme 9. Compounds of formula 12 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), when treated with compounds of formula 18 wherein R₈is defined in formula (I) and X₄is halo or para-nitrophenol or a similar leaving group, in the presence or absence of a base, will provide compounds of formula 19. Typical conditions include heating the mixture of compounds at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 60° C. in solvents such as but not limited to tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile.

As outlined in Scheme 10, compounds of formula 21 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₄or R₅is R₈—C(O)-L₆- and R₈and L₆are defined in formula (I) can be prepared accordingly. Compounds of formula 12 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), when treated with compounds of formula 20 wherein R₈and L₆are defined in formula (I) in the presence or absence of sodium sulfate in a solvent such as but not limited to tetrahydrofuran, followed by the addition of sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium borohydride or sodium tri-acetoxyborohydride, will provide compounds of formula 21.

Compounds of formula 23 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₄is R₈—NH—C(O)— can be prepared according to Scheme 11. Compounds of formula 12 wherein R₁, L₁, A₁, L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), when treated with isocyanates of formula 22 in a solvent such as but not limited to tetrahydrofuran, will provide compounds of formula 23.

Compounds of formula 27 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to Scheme 12. Compounds of formula 24, wherein L₂, Z, L₃, k and p are defined in formula (I), are treated with at least two equivalents of benzyl amine and acid coupling conditions outlined in Scheme 2, followed by treating the product with a reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran, will provide di-amine compounds of formula 25. Compounds of formula 25, when treated with compounds of formula 26 wherein R₁, L₁and A₁are defined in formula (I) and X₅is halo or para-nitrophenol in tetrahydrofuran, in the presence or absence of a base such as but not limited to diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, followed by treatment with compounds of formula 18 wherein R₈is defined in formula (I) and X₄is halo or para-nitrophenol in tetrahydrofuran in the presence or absence of a base, will provide compounds of formula 27.

Compounds of formula 35 which are representative of compounds of formula (I) can prepared according to Scheme 13. Compounds of formula 28, wherein L₂and k are defined in formula (I) and P₁is a benzyl or benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ) protecting group, when treated with compounds of formula 29, will provide compounds of formula 30. This transformation can be carried out under heated conditions or in the presence of a lewis acid catalyst. Compounds of formula 30 can be selectively deprotected to provide compounds of formula 31. The selective deprotection of the benzyl or CBZ protecting group can be achieved using standard conditions known to one skilled in the art such as stirring or shaking the compound in the presence of 1-5 atmospheres of hydrogen and a palladium catalyst such as 5-10% Pd on carbon in a variety of solvents including tetrahydrofuran or alcoholic solvents or mixtures thereof. The treatment of compounds of formula 31 with compounds of formula 32 wherein R₁, L₁and A₁are defined in formula (I) and X₆is halo or para-nitrophenol in solvents such as but not limited to tetrahydrofuran will provide compounds of formula 33. The deprotection of compounds of formula 33 using standard Boc deprotection conditions including trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane will provide compounds of formula 34. Compounds of formula 34 can be converted into compounds of formula 35 according to the methods outlined in Schemes 6-11.

Alternatively, compounds of formula 30 wherein L₂and k are defined in formula (I) and P₁is benzyl or benzyloxycarbonyl can be treated according to conditions that will deprotect the Boc protecting group which include but are not limited to trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane to provide compounds of formula 36. Compounds of formula 36 when subjected to conditions outlined in Schemes 6-11 will provide compounds of formula 37. Compounds of formula 37 when treated with conditions that will remove a benzyl or benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group, such as but not limited to stirring or shaking the compound in the presence of 1-5 atmospheres of hydrogen and a palladium catalyst such as 5-10% Pd on carbon in a variety of solvents including tetrahydrofuran or alcoholic solvents or mixtures thereof, will provide compounds of formula 38. The treatment of compounds of formula 38 and compounds of formula 4 wherein R₁, L₁and A₁are defined in formula (I) according to acid coupling conditions as described in Scheme 2 will provide compounds of formula 35.

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments and the following examples are given by way of illustration, not limitation. Various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description.

EXAMPLE 1
Inhibition of CYP Isozymes

The inhibitory effects of the following representative compounds of the present invention on the metabolizing activity of CYP3A4, CYP2D6 or CYP2C₉were evaluated using standard methods as described in Yun et al., DRUG METABOLISM & DISPOSITION, 21: 403-407 (1993):

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-{[N-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valyl]amino}-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl (1S)-1-({[(1R,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

methyl (1S)-1-({[(1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentyl]amino}carbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

methyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-({3-methyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valyl}amino)-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)pentylcarbamate;

methyl (1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-({N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-alanyl}amino)pentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxyearbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-{(1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl}-3-methyl-N²-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-4-(acetylamino)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-4-amino-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

(1S,3S)-3-(acetylamino)-4-phenyl-1-((1S)-2-phenyl-1-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}ethyl)butyl acetate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

methyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2S)-3-methyl-2-(2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-1 (2H)-yl)butanoyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

isobutyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

isopropyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,3R,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (4S,5S)-4-benzyl-5-{(2S)-2-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl]-3-phenylpropyl}-2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidine-3-carboxylate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(methylamino)carbonyl]valinamide;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2-hydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S)-1-[(4S,6S)-4-benzyl-2-oxo-1,3-oxazinan-6-yl]-2-phenylethylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-[(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)carbonyl]-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-{[[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl](methyl)amino]carbonyl}-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-4-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl]-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-{[(2-isopropyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetyl]amino}-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,2S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(tert-butylamino)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

N¹-((1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}pentyl)-N²-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl (1S,3S,4S)-1-benzyl-4-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,2R)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-{isobutyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propylcarbamate;

N,N-dimethyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amine;

N,N-diisobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-isobutyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N,N-dibenzyl-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

N-benzyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalaninamide;

tert-butyl (1S,2S)-1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxypropylcarbamate;

tert-butyl (1S,2R)-1-benzyl-3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxypropylcarbamate;

tert-butyl benzyl((2R,3S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-[benzyl(pyridin-4-ylacetyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

benzyl benzyl(4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-{benzyl[(3-chlorophenyl)acetyl]amino}phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-{[(3-chlorophenyl)acetyl]amino}phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-[(pyridin-4-ylacetyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N²-methyl-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({[(3-methylphenyl)amino]carbonyl}amino)phenylcarbamate;

[3-((2S)-2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-phenyl-propionylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid thiazol-5-ylmethyl ester;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({(2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-phenylethanoyl}amino)phenylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-[(3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-isoleucinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

N²-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-methyl-N¹-(3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)-L-valinamide;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-({(2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-cyclohexylethanoyl}amino)phenylcarbamate;

dibenzyl 2-(4-benzyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}piperidin-1-yl)ethylimido dicarbonate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-(2-{[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino}ethyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-(2-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}ethyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-[2-(dibenzylamino)ethyl]piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1-(²-aminoethyl)-4-benzylpiperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-morpholin-4-ylpropylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-(3-benzyl-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-{4-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]piperazin-1-yl}propylcarbamate;

ethyl 4-[4-(3-benzyl-4-phenyl-3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}butyl)piperazin-1-yl]benzoate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1-dibenzyl-3-piperazin-1-ylpropylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]piperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzyl-4-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}piperidine-1-carboxylate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,4-dibenzylpiperidin-4-ylcarbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-hydroxypropyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}-2-oxopropyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl[9-benzyl-10-oxo-12-(1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-3,6,11-trioxa-9-azadodec-1-yl]carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl cyclohexylmethyl(3-{(cyclohexylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

methyl 4-({(3-{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl][(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino)propyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-benzoylbenzyl(3-{(4-benzoylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl quinolin-3-ylmethyl(3-{(quinolin-3-ylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl(3-{(4-pyridin-2-ylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl(3-{[4-(benzyloxy)benzyl][(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 3-{[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl][4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]amino}propyl[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzyl]carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-methoxybenzyl(3-{(4-methoxybenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 4-methoxybenzyl(3-{(4-methoxybenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 4-tert-butylbenzyl(3-{(4-tert-butylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

tert-butyl 4-benzoylbenzyl(3-{(4-benzoylbenzyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl 1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl(3-{(1,1′-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino) propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-[benzyl(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

ethyl N-(3-{(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}propyl)-N-[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]glycinate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl(3-{benzyl[(5-methylthien-2-yl)methyl]amino}propyl)carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-[benzyl(2-furylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-[benzyl(2-naphthylmethyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;

methyl 4-({(3-{(tert-butoxycarbonyl)[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]amino) propyl)[(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoate;

1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl benzyl{3-[benzyl(neopentyl)amino]propyl}carbamate;