Prevention of loss and restoration of bone mass by certain prostaglandin agonists.

PREVENTION OF LOSS AND RESTORATION OF BONE MASS BY CERTAIN PROSTAGLANDIN AGONISTS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to prostaglandin agonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing such agonists and the use of such agonists to prevent bone loss or restore or augment bone mass including the treatment of conditions which present with low bone mass in mammals, including humans.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease, characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. In the U.S., the condition affects more than 25 million people and causes more than 1.3 million fractures each year, including 500,000 spine, <t 250,000 hip and 240,000 wrist fractures annually. Hip fractures are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, with 5-20% of patients dying within one year, and over 50% of survivors being physically impaired.

The elderly are at greatest risk of osteoporosis, and the problem is therefore predicted to increase significantly with the aging of the population. Worldwide fracture incidence is forecasted to increase three-fold over the next 60 years, and one study -estimated that there will be 4.5 million hip fractures worldwide in 2050.

Women are at greater risk of osteoporosis than men. Women experience a sharp acceleration of bone loss during the five years following menopause. Other factors that increase the risk include smoking, alcohol abuse, a sedentary lifestyle and low calcium intake.

There are currently two main types of pharmaceutical therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis. The first is the use of anti-resorptive compounds to reduce the resorption of bone tissue.

Estrogen is an example of an anti-resorptive agent. It is known that estrogen reduces fractures. In addition, Black, et al. in EP 0605193A1 report that estrogen, particularly when taken orally, lowers plasma levels of LDL and raises those of the beneficial high density lipoproteins (HDL’s). However, estrogen failed to restore bone back to young adult levels in the established osteoporotic skeleton. Furthermore, long-term estrogen therapy, however, has been implicated in a variety of disorders, including an increase in the risk of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and possibly breast cancer, causing many women to avoid this treatment. The significant undesirable effects associated with estrogen therapy support the need to develop alternative therapies for osteoporosis that have the desirable effect on serum LDL but do not cause undesirable effects. A second type of pharmaceutical therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis is the use of anabolic agents to promote bone formation and increase bone mass. This class of agents is expected to restore bone to the established osteoporotic skeleton. U.S. pat. no. 4,112,236 discloses certain interphenylene 8-aza-9-dioxothia-11,12-secoprostaglandins for the treatment of patients with renal impairment.

Certain prostagladin agonists are disclosed in GB 1478281, GB1479156 and U.S. pat. nos. 4,175,203, 4,055,596, 4,175,203, 3,987,091 and 3,991,106 as being useful as, for example, renal vasodilators. U.S. pat. no. 4,033,996 discloses certain 8-aza-9-oxo(and dioxo)-thia-11,12-secoprostaglandins which are useful as renal vasodilators, for the prevention of thrombus formation, to induce growth hormone release, and as regulators of the immune response.

French patent no. 897,566 discloses certain amino acid derivatives for the treatment of neurological, mental or cardiovascular disease. J. Org. Chem. 26; 1961; 1437 discloses N-acetyi-N-benzyl-p-aminophenyimercaptoacetic acid.

In addition to osteoporosis, approximately, 20-25 million women and an increasing number of men have detectable vertebral fractures as a consequence of reduced bone mass, with an additional 250,000 hip fractures reported yearly in America alone. The latter case is associated with a 12% mortality rate within the first two years and with a 30% rate of patients requiring nursing home care after the fracture. While this is already significant, the economic and medical consequences of convalescence due to slow or imperfect healing of these bone fractures is expected to increase, due to the aging of the general population. While there are several promising therapies (bis-phosphonates, etc.) in development to prevent bone loss with age and thus reduce the probability of incurring debilitating fractures, these therapies are not indicated for restoration of bone mass once the fracture has occurred.

Estrogens have been shown (Bolander et al., 38th Annual Meeting Orthopedic Research Society, 1992) to improve the quality of the healing of appendicular fractures. Therefore, estrogen replacement therapy might appear to be a method for the treatment of fracture repair. However, patient compliance with estrogen therapy is relatively poor due to its side effects, including the resumption of menses, mastodynia, an increased risk of uterine cancer, an increased perceived risk of breast cancer, and the concomitant use of progestins. In addition, men are likely to object to the use of estrogen treatment. Clearly the need exists for a therapy which would be beneficial to patients who have suffered debilitating bone fractures or who have low bone mass and which would increase patient compliance.

Although there are a variety of osteoporosis therapies there is a continuing need and a continuing search in this field of art for alternative osteoporosis therapies.

In addition, there is a need for bone fracture healing therapies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <

This invention is directed to a compound of Formula I <

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Formula I or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or prodrug thereof wherein either (i):

Bis N; A is (CrCsjalkylsulfonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkylsulfonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C6)alkylsuifonyl, said A moieties optionally mono-, di- or tri- substituted on carbon independently with hydroxy, (CrC4)aIkyl or halo; Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-, -(C3-C8)alkylene-, said -(C3-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (C1-C4)alkyl, -X-iC-i-Csjalkylene-, -(Ci-C5)alkylene-X-,

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-(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-, -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-, -(C2-C5)alkylene-W-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, wherein the two occurrences of W are independent of each other, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(Co-C2)alkylene-X-(Co-C5)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(Ci-C4)alkylene-, or -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-X-(C0-C3)aIkylene-; W is oxy, thio, suifino, sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl-, -mono-N-(Ci-C4)alky!eneaminosulfonyl-, sulfonylamino, N-{C1-C4)alkylenesulfonylamino, carboxamido, N-(Ci-C4)alkylenecarboxamido, carboxamidooxy, N-(Cr C4)alky!enecarboxamidooxy, carbamoyl, -mono-N-(Ci-C4)alkylenecarbamoyl, carbamoyloxy, or -mono-N-(C1-C4)alkylenecarbamoyloxy, wherein said W alkyl groups are optionally substituted on carbon with one to three fluorines; X is a five or six membered aromatic ring optionally having one or two heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; said ring optionally mono-, or di-substituted independently with halo, (CpCsJalkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy, difluoromethyloxy, hydroxyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxy, or carbamoyl; Z is carboxyl, (C-j-Cgjalkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 5-oxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, (CrC4)alkylsulfonylcarbamoyl or phenylsutfonylcarbamoyl; K is a bond, (C5-Cfi)aikylene, thio(C1-C4)alkylene or oxy(Ci-C4)alkylene, said (C.|-C8)alkylene optionally mono-unsaturated and wherein K is optionally mono-; di- or tri-substituted independently with fluoro, methyl or chloro; M is -Ar, -ArkV-Ar2, -Ap-S-Ar2 or -AF-O-Ar2 wherein Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently a partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five to eight membered ring optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, or, a bicyclic ring consisting of two fused partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five or six membered rings, taken independently, optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; said Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 moieties optionally substituted, on one ring if the moiety is monocyclic, or one or both rings if the moiety is bicyclic, on carbon with up to three substituents independently selected from R1, R2 and R3 wherein R1, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, nitro, halo, (CpC^alkoxy, (Ci-C4)alkoxy(C1-C4)alkyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxycarbonyl, (C-|-C7)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyi(Cr C4)alkanoyl, formyl, (Ci-C8)alkanoyl, (C^CgJalkanoyliC^Cgjalkyl, (Cr C4)alkanoylamino, (C-,-C4)alkoxycarbonylamino, sulfonamido, (C,- C4)alkylsulfonamido, amino, mono-N- or di-N.N-CC-pCDalkylamino, carbamoyl, mono-N- or di-N,N-(C,-C4)alkylcarbamoyl, cyano, thiol, (Ci-Cs)alkylthio, (C,-Cs)alkylsulfinyl, {C-i-C4)alkylsulfonyi or mono-N- or di-N,N-(Ci-C4)alkylaminosu!finyl; R1, R2 and R3 are optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted on carbon independently with halo or hydroxy; and V is a bond or (CrC3)alkylene optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro with the proviso that when K is (C2-C4)alkylene and M is Ar and Ar is cyclopent-1-yl, cyclohex-1-yl, cyclohept-1-y! orcyclooct-1-yl then said (Cs-C8)cycloalkyl substituents are not substituted at the one position with hydroxy; or (ii): B is N; A is (CrC6)alkanoyl, or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(CrC6)alkanoyl, said A moieties optionally mono-, di- or tri- substituted independently on carbon with hydroxy or halo; Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, -(C4-C8)alkylene-, said -(C4-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (Ci-C4)alkyl, -X-(C2-C5)alkylene-, -(Ci-C5)alkylene-X-, -(C-rC^alkylene-X-CCrCslalkylene-, -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-, -(Co-CDalkylene-X-WHCrCslalkylene-, -(C2-C5)alkylene-W-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, wherein the two occurrences of W are independent of each other, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-(C0-C5)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkyiene-X-W-(C-|-C3)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-, or -(Ci-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy, thio, sulfino, sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl-, -mono-N-fC-,-C4)alkyleneaminosulfonyl-, sulfonylamino, N-(C1-C4)alkylenesulfonylamino, carboxamido, N-(Ci-C4)alkylenecarboxamido, carboxamidooxy, N-(Cr C4)alkylenecarboxamidooxy, carbamoyl, -mono-N-(C1-C4)alkylenecarbamoyl, carbamoyloxy, or -mono-N-(C1-C4)alkylenecarbamoyloxy, wherein said W alkyl groups are optionally substituted on carbon with one to three fluorines; X is a five or six membered aromatic ring optionally having one or two * heteroatoms independently selected fromoxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; said ring optionally mono-, or di-substituted independently with halo, (C-rC^alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy, difluoromethyloxy, hydroxyl, (C-|-C4)alkoxy, or carbamoyl; Z is carboxyl, (C1-C6)alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 5-oxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, (C1-C4)alkylsulfonylcarbamoyl or phenylsulfonylcarbamoyl; K is (Ci-C8)alkylene, thio(C.,-C4)alkylene or oxy(C1-C4)alkyiene, said (Ο4-C8)alkylene optionally mono-unsaturated and wherein K is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with fluoro, methyl or chloro; M is -Ar, -Ap-V-Ar2, -AH-S-Ar2 or -A^-O-Ar2 wherein Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently a partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five to eight membered ring optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, or, a bicyclic ring consisting of two fused partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five or six membered rings, taken independently, optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; said Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 moieties optionally substituted, on one ring if the moiety is monocyclic, or one or both rings if the moiety is bicyclic, on carbon with up to three substituents independently selected from R1, R2 and R3 wherein R1, R2 and R3 are H, hydroxy, nitro, halo, (Ci-C8)alkoxy, (C1-C4)alkoxy(C1-C4)alkyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxycarbonyl, (C-i-Cyjalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1- C4)alkanoyl, formyl, (CpCgJalkanoyl, (CvC^alkanoyKCrCgjalkyl, (Cr C4)alkanoylamino, (CrC4)alkoxycarbonylamino, sulfonamido, (C:- C4)alkylsulfonamido, amino, mono-N- or di-N,N-(C5-C4)alkyiamino, carbamoyl, mono-N- or di-N,N-(C1-C4)alky!carbamoyl, cyano, thiol, (Cj-Cgjalkylthio, (C-,-C6)alkylsulfinyl, (CrCiJalkylsulfonyl or mono-N- or di-N,N-(Ci-C4)alkylaminosulfinyl; R1, R2 and R3 are optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted on carbon independently with halo or hydroxy; and V is a bond or (C^^jalkylene optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro with the proviso that when K is (C2-C4)aikylene and M is Ar and Ar is cyclopent-1-yl, cyclohex-1-yl, cyclohept-1-yl or cycloct-1-yl then said (C5-C8)cycioalkyl substituents are not substituted at the one position with hydroxy .and with the proviso that 6-[(3-Phenyl-propyl)-(2-propyl-pentanoyl)-amino]-hexanoic acid and its ethyl ester are not included or (iii): B is C(H); A is (CrCgjalkanoyl, or (C3-C7)cycloalkyi(C1-G6)alkanoyl, said A moieties optionally mono-, di- or tri- substituted on carbon independently with hydroxy or halo; Q is -(C2-Ce)aikylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-, -(C4-C8)alkylene-, said -(C4-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (C1-C4)alkyl, -X-CCrCsJalkylene-, -(Ci-C5)alkylene-X-, -(Ci-CaJalkylene-X-iC-j-CsJalkylene-, -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-, -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, -(C2-C5)alky!ene-W-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, wherein the two occurrences of W are independent of each other, -(C1-C4)aikylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-, -(Ci-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(Co-C2)alkylene-X-(Co-C5)alkylene-, -(C5-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-, or -(CrC4)alkylene-ethynylene-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy, thio, sulfino, sulfonyl, aminosuifonyl-, -mono-N-(C1-C4)alkyleneaminosulfonyl-, sulfonylamino, hHC-pCDalkylenesulfonylamino, carboxamido, N-iC-i-CLJalkylenecarboxamido, carboxamidooxy, N-(Cr C4)alkylenecarboxamidooxy, carbamoyl, -mono-N-(Ci-C4)alkylenecarbamoyl, carbamoyloxy, or -mono-NHCrCXOalkylenecarbamoyloxy, wherein said W alkyl groups are optionally substituted on carbon with one to three fluorines; X is a five or six membered aromatic ring optionally having one or two heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, said ring optionally mono-, or di-substituted independently with halo, (C1-C3)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy, difluoromethyloxy, hydroxyl, (C-|-C4)alkoxy, or carbamoyl; Z is carboxyl, (C1-C6)alkoxycarbonyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 5-oxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, (CrC^alkyisulfonylcarbamoyl or phenylsulfonylcarbamoyl; K is a bond, (C.,-C8)alkylene, thio(C1-C4)alkylene, (C4-C7)cycloalkyi(C.i-C6)alkylene or oxy(C1-C4)alkylene, said (C-,-C8)alkylene optionally mono-unsaturated and wherein K is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with fluoro, methyl or chloro; M is -Ar, -Ar^V-Ar2, -Ar^S-Ar2 or -Ari-O-Ar2 wherein Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently a partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five to eight membered ring optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, or, a bicyclic ring consisting of two fused partially saturated, fully saturated or fully unsaturated five or six membered rings, taken independently, optionally having one to four heteroatoms selected independently from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; said Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 moieties optionally substituted, on one ring if the moiety is monocyclic, or one or both rings if the moiety is bicyclic, on carbon with up to three substituents independently selected from R1, R2 and R3 wherein R1, R2 and R3 are H, hydroxy, nitro, halo, (C-,-C6)alkoxy, (CrC^alkoxyiCrC^alkyl, (CrC4)alkoxycarbonyl, (Ct-C7)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycioalkyl(C1-C4)alkanoyl, formyi, (C-i-Cglalkanoyl, (Ci-C6)alkanoyl(Ci-C6)alkyl, (C5-C4)alkanoylamino, (Ct-C4)alkoxycarbonylamino, suffonamido, (C·,- C4)alkylsulfonamido, amino, mono-N- or di-N,N-(Ci-C4)alkylamino, carbamoyl, mono-N- or di-N.NJCvCJalkylcarbamoyi, cyano, thiol, (C-|-Cs)alkylthio, (CrCgjalkylsulfinyl, (Ci-C4)alkylsulfonyl or mono-N- or di-N,N-(Ci-C4)alkylaminosulfinyl; R1, R2 and R3 are optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently on carbon with halo or hydroxy; and V is a bond or (C1-C3)alkylene optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro with the proviso that when K is (C2-C4)alkylene and M is Ar and Ar is cyclopent-1-yl, cyclohex-1-yl, cyclohept-1-yl or cyclooct-1-y! then said (Cs-C8)cycloalkyl substituents are not substituted at the one position with hydroxy. A preferred group of compounds, designated the A Group, contains those compounds having the Formula I as shown above wherein

BisN; A is (C1-Cs)alkylsutfonyl, (C3-C6)cycloalkylsulfonyl or (C3-C6)cycloalkyl(C-|-Cs)alkylsulfonyl, said A moieties optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted on carbon with fluoro; X is phenyl, thienyl, or thiazolyl said phenyl, thienyl or thiazolyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chioro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy; W is oxy, thio or sulfonyl; Z is carboxyl, (C1-C4)alkoxycarbonyl or tetrazolyl; K is methylene or ethylene;

Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently (C5-C7)cycloalkyl, phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, oxazolyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazinyl or pyrazolyl; R1 is halo, (CrCejalkoxy, (CrC7)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, or (C3-C7)cycioalkyl(C-,-C4)alkyl, said (Ci-C6)alkoxy, (CrC7)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy, fluoro or chloro; and R2 and R3 are chloro, fluoro, methyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the A Group of compounds designated the B Group, contains those compounds wherein A is (C1-C3)alkylsulfonyl; Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(Ct-C3)alkylene-, -(C4-C8)alkylene-, said -(C4-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (Ci-C4)alkyl, -X-{C2-C5)alkylene-, -(CrCsjalkylene-X-, -(CrC3}alkylene-X-(Ci-C3)alkylene-, -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-, or -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(C-|-C3)alkylene-; M is -A^-V-Ar2 or -Ari-O-Ar2 wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl; V is a bond or (C-nC2)alkylene; R1 is chloro, fluoro, (Ci-C4)alkyl or (C1-C4)alkoxy, said (C1-C4)alkyl and (Cr C4)alkoxy optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro; and R2 and R3 are each independently chloro or fluoro.

Especially preferred compounds within the B Group of compounds are 7-[(2’-Hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-methanesulfonyl-amino]-heptanoic acid, 7-{[4-(3-Hydroxymethyl-thiophen-2-yl)-benzyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-heptanoic acid, and 7-[(2,-Chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-methanesulfonyl-amino]-heptanoic acid.

Especially preferred compounds within the B Group of compounds are compounds wherein a. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(2-hydroxymethylphenyl)phenyl; b. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(3-hydroxymethylthien-2-yl)phenyl; and c. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(2-chlorophenyl)phenyl. A preferred group of compounds, designated the C Group, contains those compounds having the Formula I as shown above wherein B is N; A is (CrC6)alkylsulfonyl, (C3-C6)cycloalkylsulfonyl, (C3-C6)cycloalkyl(Ct-C6)alkylsulfonyl;

A X is phenyl, thienyl, or thiazolyl said phenyl, thienyl or thiazolyl optionally ’ mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethyloxy; , W is oxy, thio or sulfonyl; ( Z is carboxyl, (Ci-C4)alkoxycarbonyl or tetrazolyl; K is (CrCgjalkylene or oxy(CrC4)alkylene, said (C-,-C8)alkylene optionally ' mono-unsaturated and wherein K is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted * independently with methyl, fluoro or chloro; | M is -Ar, said -Ar is phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, j naphthalenyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, indanyl, furanyl, benzo[1,3]dioxoiyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxinyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzoxazolyi, benzothiazolyl, indolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl, cycloheptyl or chromanyl; R1 is halo, (CrC6)alkoxy, (CpC^alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C-,-C7)alkanoyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, said (C-pC^alkoxy, (C^Cyjalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (Cr C7)alkanoyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(Ci-C4)alkyl, optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy, fluoro or chloro; and R2 and R3 are each independently hydroxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, (CrC^alkyl, (C·,-C4)alkoxy, (Ci-C5)alkanoyl, cyano, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(CrC4)alkyl, formyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy or carbamoyl.

It is especially preferred for Group C compounds that K is not optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with methyl, fluoro or chloro. A group of compounds which is preferred among the C Group of compounds, designated the D Group, contains those compounds wherein K is methylene; A is (CrC3)alkylsulfonyl; M is -Ar and -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, furanyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl wherein -Ar is substituted with at least R1; R1 is (CrC7)alkyl or (CrC5)alkoxy, said (C1-C7)alkyl or (CrC5)alkoxy r optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro; and R2 and R3 are each independently chloro, fluoro, methyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethyl.

Especially preferred among the D Group of compounds are 7-{[4-(1-Hydroxy-hexyl)-benzyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino]-heptanoic acid, 7-[(4-Butyl-benzyl)-methanesulfonyl-amino]-heptanoicacid, 7-{[5-(1-Hydroxy-hexyl)-thiophen-2-ylmethyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-heptanoic acid and (3-{[(4-Butyl-benzyl)-methanesulfonyl-amino]-methyl)-phenyl)-aceticacid. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the E Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the F Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C3-C8)alkylene-, said -(C3-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with from one to four fluorines.

Especially preferred compounds among the F Group of compounds are compounds wherein a. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(1-hydroxy-n-hexylene-1-yl)phenyl; b. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(n-butyiene-1 -yl)phenyi; and c. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and » M is 5-(1-hydroxy-n-hexylene-1-yi)thien-2-yl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the G Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -X-(CrC5)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the H Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(CrCsjalkylene-X-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the I Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-X-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy.

An especially preferred compound within the I Group of compounds is a compound wherein A is methylsulfonyl; Q is 3-methylenephenylmethyl; Z is carboxyl; K is methylene; and M is 4-(n-butylene-1-yl)phenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the J Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the K Group, contains those compounds wherein * Q is -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the L Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and

X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- I substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the M Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-; and M is -Ar and -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl or thienyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the N Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(Co-C2)alkylene-X-(Co-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the O Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)aikylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)aIkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds, designated the P Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-. A group of compounds which is preferred among the D Group of compounds designated the Q Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the C Group of compounds designated the R Group, contains those compounds wherein « A is (Ci-C3)alkylsulfonyl; &lt; K is (Cj-Cgjalkylene; ’ -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, thienyl, benzofuranyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, 2,3- ' dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxine, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, ' benzo[b]thiophenyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; and R1, R2 and R3 are each independently hydroxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, (C-pCijalkoxy or (Ci-C7)alkyl.

Preferred compounds among the R Group are 7-{[3-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-propyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-heptanoic acid, 7-{[3-(3,5-Dichloro-phenyl)-propyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-heptanoic acid and 5-(3-{[3-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-propyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-propyl)-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the S Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-Cs)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the T Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C3-Cs)alkylene-, said -(C3-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with from one to four fluorines.

Especially preferred compounds among the T Group are compounds wherein a. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is propylene; and M is 3-chlorophenyl; and b. A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is propylene; and &lt;r M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the U Group, contains those compounds wherein * Q is -X-iCi-CsJalkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is prefemed among the R Group of compounds, designated the V Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(CrCsJalkylene-X-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy.

An especially preferred compound among the V group is a compound wherein A is methylsulfonyl; Q-Z is 3-(2-carboxylthien-5-yl)-n-propylene K is propylene; and M is 3-chlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group.of compounds, designated the W Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-X-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the X Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the Y Group, contains those compounds wherein. Q is -(C0-G4)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the Z Group, contains those compounds wherein 4 Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; ' W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chioro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the A1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(Ci-C4)alkylene-; and M is -Ar and -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl or thienyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the B1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C-|-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)aikylene-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chioro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the C1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the D1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-. A group of compounds which is preferred among the R Group of compounds, designated the E1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)a!kylene-ethynylene-X-(Co-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the C Group of compounds, 9 designated the F1 Group, contains those compounds wherein A is (Ct-C3)alkylsulfonyl; K is oxy(CrC4)alkylene; -Ar is phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; and R1, R2 and R3 are each independently hydroxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, (CrC4)alkoxy or (Ci-CzJalkyl.

Especially preferred compounds within the F1 Group are 7-{[2-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-ethyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-heptanoic acid, 5-(3-{[2-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-ethyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-propyl)- thiophene-2-carboxylic acid and N-[2-(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-ethyl]-N-[6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-hexyl]- methanesulfonamide. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the G1 group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the H1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C3-C8)alkylene-, said -(C3-C8)aikylene- optionally substituted with from one to four fluorines.

An especially preferred compound among the H1 group of compounds is a compound wherein A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is carboxyl; K is oxyethylene; and M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the 11 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -X-(Ci-C5)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Grouptif compounds, designated the J1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(CrCsJalkylene-X-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy.

An especially preferred compound among the J1 group is a compound wherein β A is methylsulfonyl; £ Q-Z is 3-(2-carboxylthien-5-yl)-n-propylene; g K is oxyethylene; and &lt; M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the K1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-X-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the L1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and V*J is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the M1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the N1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the O1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-; and M is -Ar and -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl or thienyl. -- A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of I* compounds, designated the P1 Group, contains those compounds wherein ® Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(Co-C2)alkylene-X-(Co-C3)alkylene-; and a X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- Λ substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. 4( A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the Q1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-W-(Ci-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the F1 Group of compounds, designated the R1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)aikylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-. A group of compounds which is preferred among the Ft Group of compounds, designated the S1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynyiene-X-(Co-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- iubstituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the C1 Group of aompounds, designated the T1 Group, contains those compounds wherein A is (Ci-C3)alkyisulfonyl; K is (C3-C8)alkylene, said (C3-C8)alkylene being mono-unsaturated; -Ar is phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; and R1, R2 and R3 are each independently hydroxy, halo, trifluoromethyl,

Jifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, (C1-C4)alkoxy or (CrC/jalkyl.

Especially preferred compounds among the T1 Group are Trans-(4-{[3-(3,5-Dichloro-phenyl)-allyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-butoxy)- acetic acid, ·

O T rans-N-[3-(3,5-Dichioro-phenyl)-allyI]-N-[6-(1 H-tetrazolyl-5-yl)-hexyl]-nethanesulfonamide,

Trans-5-(3-{[3-(3,5-Dichloro-phenyl)-allyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-propyl)- t—

hiophene-2-carboxylic acid and O

Trans-[3-({[3-(3,5-Dichloro-phenyl)-ailyl]-methanesulfonyl-amino}-methyl)- ** ahenylj-acetic acid. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of impounds, designated the U1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C5)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and fi W is oxy. ^n especially preferred compound among the U1 group is a compound wherein A is methylsulfonyl; Q is methyloxy-n-butylene; Z is carboxyl; K is trans-2-n-propenylene; and M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of impounds, designated the V1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C3-C8)alkylene-, said -(C3-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with from ane to four fluorines. A preferred compound among the V1 group of compound is a compound wherein A is methylsulfonyl; Q is n-hexylene; Z is 5-(1 H-tetrazolyl); K is trans-2-n-propeneylene; and M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the W1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -X-(Ci-C5)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. 9 A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the X1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(CvCslalkylene-X-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A preferred compound among the X1 Group is a compound wherein A is methyisuifonyl; Q-Z is 3-(2-carboxylthien-5-yl)-n-propylene; K is trans-2-n-propeneyiene; and M is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the Y1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-X-(C1-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the Z1 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the A2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C0-C4)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy; and W is oxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the B2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the C2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(CrC4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-; and M is -Ar and -Ar is phenyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl or thienyl. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the D2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(Ci-C4)alkylene-ethenylene-(C0-C2)alkylene-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di- substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the E2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C3)alkylene-ethenylene-(Co-C2)alkylene-X-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-; W is oxy; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chioro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the F2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C1-C4)alkylene-ethynylene-(C1-C4)alkylene-. A group of compounds which is preferred among the T1 Group of compounds, designated the G2 Group, contains those compounds wherein Q is -(C-i-CDalkylene-ethynylene-X-fCo-CLOalkylene-; and X is thienyl or phenyl; said phenyl and thienyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl or methoxy. A preferred group of compounds, designated the H2 Group, contains those compounds having the Formula I as shown above wherein B is N; A is (CpC^alkanoyl, or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C6)alkanoyl, said A moieties optionally mono-, di- or tri- substituted on carbon independently with hydroxy or halo; X is phenyl, thienyl, or thiazolyl said phenyl, thienyl or thiazolyl optionally mono- or di-substituted independently with fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy; W is oxy, thio or sulfonyl; Z is carboxyl, (C.,-C4)alkoxycarbonyl or tetrazolyl; &lt; K is (C-,-C8)alkylene or oxy(Ci-C4)alkylene, said (C^-C^alkylene optionally mono-unsaturated and wherein K is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with methyl, fluoro or chloro;

Ar is (C5-C7)cycloalkyl, phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthalenyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, indanyl, furanyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxinyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, or chromanyl;

Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently (C5-C7)cycloalkyl, phenyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, oxazolyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazinyl or pyrazolyl; R1 is halo, (Ci-C6)alkoxy, (CrC^alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (CrC7)alkanoyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(Ci-C4)alkyl, said (CrC6)alkoxy, (Ct-C7)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (Cr C7)alkanoyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, optionally mono-, dir or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy, fluoro or chloro; and R2 and R3 are each independently hydroxy, halo, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, (C1-C7)alkyl, (CrC4)alkoxy, (CrC5)alkanoyl, cyano, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, {C3-C7)cycloalkyl(Ci-C4)alkyl, formyl or carbamoyl.

It is especially preferred for the H2 Group that K is not optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently with methyl, fluoro or chloro. A group of compounds which is preferred among the H2 Group of compounds, designated the 12 Group, contains those compounds wherein A is (Ci-C6)alkanoyl, said (Ci-Cs)alkanoyl optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted on carbon independently with halo; Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(C1-C3)alkylene-, -(C4-C8)alkylene-, said -(C4-C8)alkyiene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (Cr^jalkyl. -X-(C2-C5)aikylene-, -(CrCsJalkylene-X-, -(Ci-C^alkylene-Ti-iC-i-C^lkylene-, ( -(C2-C4)alkylene-W-X-(C0-C3)alkylene-, or t -(Co-C4)alkylene-X-W-(CrC3)alkylene-, K is methylene or ethylene; M is -Ap-V-Ar2 or -ArDo-Ar2 wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl; V is a bond or (Ct-C2)alkylene; R1 is chloro, fluoro, (CrC4)alkyl or (CrC6)alkoxy, said (C-|-C4)alkyl and (C-|-C6)alkoxy optionally mono-, di-or tri-substituted independently with hydroxy or fluoro; and R2 and R3 are each independently chloro or fluoro. A group of compounds which is preferred among the H2 Group of compounds, designated the J2 Group, contains those compounds wherein A is (CrCeJalkanoyl said (CrC6)alkanoyi optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted independently on carbon with hydroxy or halo; K is methylene; Q is -(C2-C6)alkylene-W-(C-|-C3)alkylene-, -(C4-C8)alkylene-, said -(C4-C8)alkylene- optionally substituted with up to four substituents independently selected from fluoro or (Ci-C4)alkyl,