Discovery of potent, orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitors of the human CCR2 receptor.

We recently reported the discovery of a series of 2-thioimidazoles as CCR2 antagonists. The most potent molecules of this series, the 4,5-diesters, were rapidly hydrolyzed to the inactive acids and were found to be metabolically unstable. Herein we describe the synthesis of a number of analogues with heterocyclic bioisosteric replacements of the ester group(s). Small 5-membered heterocyclic substituents at the 4-position gave highly potent CCR2 antagonists. Hydrolysis of the 5-ester is diminished, thus imparting these compounds with sufficient stability and systemic exposure after oral administration to warrant further study of the in vivo pharmacology of these functional CCR2 inhibitors.