the compounds of this invention incorporate an n - substituted indole ring . such a substituted indole ring was previously thought to inhibit the binding of such molecules to ice , and by analogy , to the other members of this ice / ced - 3 family of proteases , thus reducing their activity and utility . surprisingly , the n - substituted indole compounds of the instant invention have high activity as inhibitors of ice / ced - 3 protease family of enzymes , as well as other advantages . one aspect of the instant invention is the compounds of the formula 1 : ## str1 ## wherein : n is 1 or 2 ; r 1 is alkyl , cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenyl , ( substituted ) phenyl , phenylalkyl , ( substituted ) phenylalkyl , heteroaryl , ( heteroaryl ) alkyl or ( ch 2 ) m co 2 r 4 , wherein m = 1 - 4 , and r 4 is as defined below ; r 2 is a hydrogen atom , chloro , alkyl , cycloalkyl ,( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenyl , ( substituted ) phenyl , phenylalkyl , ( substituted ) phenylalkyl , heteroaryl , ( heteroaryl ) alkyl or ( ch 2 ) p co 2 r 5 , wherein p = 0 - 4 , and r 5 is as defined below ; r 3 is a hydrogen atom , alkyl , cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenylalkyl , or ( substituted ) phenylalkyl ; r 4 is a hydrogen atom , alkyl , cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenylalkyl , or ( substituted ) phenylalkyl ; r 5 is a hydrogen atom , alkyl , cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenylalkyl , or ( substituted ) phenylalkyl ; b is a hydrogen atom , a deuterium atom , alkyl , cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenyl , ( substituted ) phenyl , phenylalkyl , ( substituted ) phenylalkyl , heteroaryl , ( heteroaryl ) alkyl , halomethyl , ch 2 zr 6 , ch 2 oco ( aryl ), or ch 2 oco ( heteroaryl ), where z is an oxygen or a sulfur atom ; r 6 is phenyl , substituted phenyl , phenylalkyl , ( substituted phenyl ) alkyl , heteroaryl or ( heteroaryl ) alkyl ; and x and y are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom , halo , trihalomethyl , amino , protected amino , an amino salt , mono - substituted amino , di - substituted amino , carboxy , protected carboxy , a carboxylate salt , hydroxy , protected hydroxy , a salt of a hydroxy group , lower alkoxy , lower alkylthio , alkyl , substituted alkyl , cycloalkyl , substituted cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , substituted ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenyl , substituted phenyl , phenylalkyl , and ( substituted phenyl ) alkyl ; as used in the above formula , the term &# 34 ; alkyl &# 34 ; means a straight or branched c 1 to c 8 carbon chain such as methyl , ethyl , tert - butyl , iso - propyl , n - octyl , and the like . the term &# 34 ; cycloalkyl &# 34 ; means a mono -, bi -, or tricyclic ring that is either fully saturated or partially unsaturated . examples of such a ring include cyclopropyl , cyclobutyl , cyclopentyl , cyclohexyl , cycloheptyl , adamantyl , cyclooctyl , cis - or trans decalin , bicyclo 2 . 2 . 1 ! hept - 2 - ene , cyclohex - 1 - enyl , cyclopent - 1 - enyl , 1 , 4 - cyclooctadienyl , and the like . the term &# 34 ;( cycloalkyl ) alkyl &# 34 ; means the above - defined alkyl group substituted with one of the above cycloalkyl rings . examples of such a group include ( cyclohexyl ) methyl , 3 -( cyclopropyl )- n - propyl , 5 -( cyclopentyl ) hexyl , 6 -( adamantyl ) hexyl , and the like . the term &# 34 ; substituted phenyl &# 34 ; specifies a phenyl group substituted with one or more , and preferably one or two , moieties chosen from the groups consisting of halogen , hydroxy , protected hydroxy , cyano , nitro , trifluoromethyl , c 1 to c 7 alkyl , c 1 to c 7 alkoxy , c 1 to c 7 acyl , c 1 to c 7 acyloxy , carboxy , protected carboxy , carboxymethyl , protected carboxymethyl , hydroxymethyl , protected hydroxymethyl , amino , protected amino , ( monosubstituted ) amino , protected ( monosubstituted ) amino , ( disubstituted ) amino , carboxamide , protected carboxamide , n -( c 1 to c 6 alkyl ) carboxamide , protected n -( c 1 to c 6 alkyl ) carboxamide , n , n - di ( c 1 to c 6 alkyl ) carboxamide , n -(( c 1 to c 6 alkyl ) sulfonyl ) amino , n -( phenylsulfonyl ) amino or by a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group , such that in the latter case a biphenyl or naphthyl group results . examples of the term &# 34 ; substituted phenyl &# 34 ; includes a mono - or di ( halo ) phenyl group such as 2 -, 3 - or 4 - chlorophenyl , 2 , 6 - dichlorophenyl , 2 , 5 - dichlorophenyl , 3 , 4 - dichlorophenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 - bromophenyl , 3 , 4 - dibromophenyl , 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 - fluorophenyl and the like ; a mono or di ( hydroxy ) phenyl group such as 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - hydroxyphenyl , 2 , 4 - dihydroxyphenyl , the protected - hydroxy derivatives thereof and the like ; a nitrophenyl group such as 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - nitrophenyl ; a cyanophenyl group , for example , 2 -, 3 - or 4 - cyanophenyl ; a mono - or di ( alkyl ) phenyl group such as 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - methylphenyl , 2 , 4 - dimethylphenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( iso - propyl ) phenyl , 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - ethylphenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( n - propyl ) phenyl and the like ; a mono or di ( alkoxy ) phenyl group , for example , 2 , 6 - dimethoxyphenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( iso - propoxy ) phenyl , 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( t - butoxy ) phenyl , 3 - ethoxy - 4 - methoxyphenyl and the like ; 2 -, 3 - or 4 - trifluoromethylphenyl ; a mono - or dicarboxyphenyl or ( protected carboxy ) phenyl group such as 2 -, 3 - or 4 - carboxyphenyl or 2 , 4 - di ( protected carboxy ) phenyl ; a mono - or di ( hydroxymethyl ) phenyl or ( protected hydroxymethyl ) phenyl such as 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( protected hydroxymethyl ) phenyl or 3 , 4 - di ( hydroxymethyl ) phenyl ; a mono - or di ( aminomethyl ) phenyl or ( protected aminomethyl ) phenyl such as 2 -, 3 - or 4 -( aminomethyl ) phenyl or 2 , 4 -( protected aminomethyl ) phenyl ; or a mono - or di ( n -( methylsulfonylamino )) phenyl such as 2 , 3 or 4 -( n -( methylsulfonylamino )) phenyl . also , the term &# 34 ; substituted phenyl &# 34 ; represents disubstituted phenyl groups wherein the substituents are different , for example , 3 - methyl - 4 - hydroxyphenyl , 3 - chloro - 4 - hydroxyphenyl , 2 - methoxy - 4 - bromophenyl , 4 - ethyl - 2 - hydroxyphenyl , 3 - hydroxy - 4 - nitrophenyl , 2 - hydroxy - 4 - chlorophenyl , and the like . the term &# 34 ;( substituted phenyl ) alkyl &# 34 ; means one of the above substituted phenyl groups attached to one of the above - described alkyl groups . examples of such groups include 2 - phenyl - 1 - chloroethyl , 2 -( 4 &# 39 ;- methoxyphenyl ) ethyl , 4 -( 2 &# 39 ; 6 &# 39 ;- dihydroxy phenyl ) n - hexyl , 2 -( 5 &# 39 ;- cyano - 3 &# 39 ;- methoxyphenyl ) n - pentyl , 3 -( 2 &# 39 ; 6 &# 39 ;- dimethylphenyl ) n - propyl , 4 - chloro - 3 - aminobenzyl , 6 -( 4 &# 39 ;- methoxyphenyl )- 3 - carboxy ( n - hexyl ), 5 -( 4 &# 39 ;- aminomethylphenyl )- 3 -( aminomethyl ) n - pentyl , 5 - phenyl - 3 - oxo - n - pent - 1 - yl , ( 4 - hydroxynapth - 2 - yl ) methyl , and the like . the terms &# 34 ; halo &# 34 ;, and &# 34 ; halogen &# 34 ; refer to the fluoro , chloro , bromo or iodo groups . there can be one or more halogen , which are the same or different . preferred halogens are chloro and fluoro . the term &# 34 ; aryl &# 34 ; refers to aromatic five and six membered carbocyclic rings . six membered rings are preferred . the term &# 34 ; heteroaryl &# 34 ;, denotes optionally substituted five - membered or six - membered rings that have 1 to 4 heteroatoms , such as oxygen , sulfur and / or nitrogen atoms , in particular nitrogen , either alone or in conjunction with sulfur or oxygen ring atoms . these five - membered or six - membered rings are fully unsaturated . the following ring systems are examples of the heterocyclic ( whether substituted or unsubstituted ) radicals denoted by the term &# 34 ; heteroaryl &# 34 ;: thienyl , furyl , pyrrolyl , pyrrolidinyl , imidazolyl , isoxazolyl , triazolyl , thiadiazolyl , oxadiazolyl , tetrazolyl , thiatriazolyl , oxatriazolyl , pyridyl , pyrimidyl , pyrazinyl , pyridazinyl , oxazinyl , triazinyl , thiadiazinyl tetrazolo , 1 , 5 - b ! pyridazinyl and purinyl , as well as benzo - fused derivatives , for example , benzoxazolyl , benzothiazolyl , benzimidazolyl and indolyl . substituents for the above optionally substituted heteroaryl rings are from one to three halo , trihalomethyl , amino , protected amino , amino salts , mono - substituted amino , di - substituted amino , carboxy , protected carboxy , carboxylate salts , hydroxy , protected hydroxy , salts of a hydroxy group , lower alkoxy , lower alkylthio , alkyl , substituted alkyl , cycloalkyl , substituted cycloalkyl , ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , substituted ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl , phenyl , substituted phenyl , phenylalkyl , and ( substituted phenyl ) alkyl groups . substituents for the heteroaryl group are as heretofore defined , or as set forth below . as used in conjunction with the above substituents for heteroaryl rings , &# 34 ; trihalomethyl &# 34 ; can be trifluoromethyl , trichloromethyl , tribromomethyl or triiodomethyl , &# 34 ; lower alkoxy &# 34 ; means a c 1 to c 4 alkoxy group , similarly , &# 34 ; lower alkylthio &# 34 ; means a c 1 to c 4 alkylthio group . the term &# 34 ; substituted alkyl &# 34 ; means the above - defined alkyl group substituted from one to three times by a hydroxy , protected hydroxy , amino , protected amino , cyano , halo , trifluoromethyl , mono - substituted amino , di - substituted amino , lower alkoxy , lower alkylthio , carboxy , protected carboxy , or a carboxy , amino , and / or hydroxy salt . as used in conjunction with the substituents for the heteroaryl rings , the terms &# 34 ; substituted ( cycloalkyl ) alkyl &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; substituted cycloalkyl &# 34 ; are as defined above substituted with the same groups as listed for a &# 34 ; substituted alkyl &# 34 ; group . the term &# 34 ;( monosubstituted ) amino &# 34 ; refers to an amino group with one substituent chosen from the group consisting of phenyl , substituted phenyl , alkyl , substituted alkyl , c 1 to c 7 acyl , c 2 to c 7 alkenyl , c 2 to c 7 substituted alkenyl , c 2 to c 7 alkynyl , c 7 to c 16 alkylaryl , c 7 to c 16 substituted alkylaryl and heteroaryl group . the ( monosubstituted ) amino can additionally have an amino - protecting group as encompassed by the term &# 34 ; protected ( monosubstituted ) amino .&# 34 ; the term &# 34 ;( disubstituted ) amino &# 34 ; refers to amino groups with two substituents chosen from the group consisting of phenyl , substituted phenyl , alkyl , substituted alkyl , c 1 to c 7 acyl , c 2 to c 7 alkenyl , c 2 to c 7 alkynyl , c 7 to c 16 alkylaryl , c 7 to c 16 substituted alkylaryl and heteroaryl . the two substituents can be the same or different . the term &# 34 ; heteroaryl ( alkyl )&# 34 ; denotes an alkyl group as defined above , substituted at any position by a heteroaryl group , as above defined . furthermore , the above optionally substituted five - membered or six - membered heterocyclic rings can optionally be fused to a aromatic 5 - membered or 6 - membered aryl or heteroaryl ring system . for example , the rings can be optionally fused to an aromatic 5 - membered or 6 - membered ring system such as a pyridine or a triazole system , and preferably to a benzene ring . the term &# 34 ; pharmaceutically - acceptable salt &# 34 ; encompasses those salts that form with the carboxylate anions and includes salts formed with the organic and inorganic cations such as those chosen from the alkali and alkaline earth metals , ( for example , lithium , sodium , potassium , magnesium , barium and calcium ); and ammonium ion ; and the organic cations ( for example , dibenzylammonium , benzylammonium , 2 - hydroxyethylammonium , bis ( 2 - hydroxyethyl ) ammonium , phenylethylbenzylammonium , dibenzylethylenediammonium , and like cations .) other cations encompassed by the above term include the protonated form of procaine , quinine and n - methylglucosamine , the protonated forms of basic amino acids such as glycine , ornithine , histidine , phenylglycine , lysine , and arginine . furthermore , any zwitterionic form of the instant compounds formed by a carboxylic acid and an amino group is referred to by this term . a preferred cation for the carboxylate anion is the sodium cation . furthermore , the term includes salts that form by standard acid - base reactions with basic groups ( such as amino groups ) and includes organic or inorganic acids . such acids include hydrochloric , sulfuric , phosphoric , acetic , succinic , citric , lactic , maleic , fumaric , palmitic , cholic , pamoic , mucic , d - glutamic , d - camphoric , glutaric , phthalic , tartaric , lauric , stearic , salicyclic , methanesulfonic , benzenesulfonic , sorbic , picric , benzoic , cinnamic , and the like acids . the compounds of formula i may also exist as solvates and hydrates . thus , these compounds may crystallize with , for example , waters of hydration , or one , a number of , or any fraction thereof of molecules of the mother liquor solvent . the solvates and hydrates of such compounds are included within the scope of this invention . the term &# 34 ; carboxy - protecting group &# 34 ; as used herein refers to one of the ester derivatives of the carboxylic acid group commonly employed to block or protect the carboxylic acid group while reactions are carried out on other functional groups on the compound . examples of such carboxylic acid protecting groups include t - butyl , 4 - nitrobenzyl , 4 - methoxybenzyl , 3 , 4 - dimethoxybenzyl , 2 , 4 - dimethoxybenzyl , 2 , 4 , 6 - trimethoxybenzyl , 2 , 4 , 6 - trimethylbenzyl , pentamethylbenzyl , 3 , 4 - methylenedioxybenzyl , benzhydryl , 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- dimethoxytrityl , 4 , 4 &# 39 ;, 4 &# 34 ;- trimethoxytrityl , 2 - phenylpropyl , trimethylsilyl , t - butyldimethylsilyl , phenacyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethyl , β -( trimethylsilyl ) ethyl , β -( di ( n - butyl ) methylsilyl ) ethyl , p - toluenesulfonylethyl , 4 - nitrobenzylsulfonylethyl , allyl , cinnamyl , 1 -( trimethylsilylmethyl )- propenyl and like moieties . the species of carboxy - protecting group employed is not critical so long as the derivatized carboxylic acid is stable to the conditions of subsequent reaction ( s ) and can be removed at the appropriate point without disrupting the remainder of the molecule . further examples of these groups are found in c . b . reese and e . haslam , &# 34 ; protective groups in organic chemistry ,&# 34 ; j . g . w . mcomie , ed ., plenum press , new york , n . y ., 1973 , chapter 5 , respectively , and t . w . greene and p . g . m . wuts , &# 34 ; protective groups in organic synthesis ,&# 34 ; 2nd ed ., john wiley and sons , new york , n . y ., 1991 , chapter 5 , each of which is incorporated herein by reference . a related term is &# 34 ; protected carboxy ,&# 34 ; which refers to a carboxy group substituted with one of the above carboxy - protecting groups . the term &# 34 ; hydroxy - protecting group &# 34 ; refers to readily cleavable groups bonded to hydroxyl groups , such as the tetrahydropyranyl , 2 - methoxyprop - 2 - yl , 1 - ethoxyeth - 1 - yl , methoxymethyl , β - methoxyethoxymethyl , methylthiomethyl , t - butyl , t - amyl , trityl , 4 - methoxytrityl , 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- dimethoxytrityl , 4 , 4 &# 39 ;, 4 &# 34 ;- trimethoxytrityl , benzyl , allyl , trimethylsilyl , ( t - butyl ) dimethylsilyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxycarbonyl , and the like . further examples of hydroxy - protecting groups are described by c . b . reese and e . haslam , &# 34 ; protective groups in organic chemistry ,&# 34 ; j . g . w . mcomie , ed ., plenum press , new york , n . y ., 1973 , chapters 3 and 4 , respectively , and t . w . greene and p . g . m . wuts , &# 34 ; protective groups in organic synthesis ,&# 34 ; second edition , john wiley and sons , new york , n . y ., 1991 , chapters 2 and 3 . a preferred hydroxy - protecting group is the tert - butyl group . the related term &# 34 ; protected hydroxy &# 34 ; denotes a hydroxy group bonded to one of the above hydroxy - protecting groups . the term &# 34 ; amino - protecting group &# 34 ; as used herein refers to substituents of the amino group commonly employed to block or protect the amino functionality while reacting other functional groups of the molecule . the term &# 34 ; protected ( monosubstituted ) amino &# 34 ; means there is an amino - protecting group on the monosubstituted amino nitrogen atom . examples of such amino - protecting groups include the formyl (&# 34 ; for &# 34 ;) group , the trityl group , the phthalimido group , the trichloroacetyl group , the trifluoroacetyl group , the chloroacetyl , bromoacetyl , and iodoacetyl groups , urethane - type protecting groups , such as t - butoxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; boc &# 34 ;), 2 -( 4 - biphenylyl ) propyl - 2 - oxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; bpoc &# 34 ;), 2 - phenylpropyl - 2 - oxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; poc &# 34 ;), 2 -( 4 - xenyl ) isopropoxycarbonyl , 1 , 1 - diphenylethyl - 1 - oxycarbonyl , 1 , 1 - diphenylpropyl - 1 - oxycarbonyl , 2 -( 3 , 5 - dimethoxyphenyl ) propyl - 2 - oxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; ddz &# 34 ;), 2 -( p - toluyl ) propyl - 2 - oxycarbonyl , cyclopentanyloxycarbonyl , 1 - methylcyclopentanyloxycarbonyl , cyclohexanyloxy - carbonyl , 1 - methylcyclohexanyloxycarbonyl , 2 - methylcyclohexanyloxycarbonyl , 2 -( 4 - toluylsulfonyl ) ethoxycarbonyl , 2 -( methylsulfonyl ) ethoxycarbonyl , 2 -( triphenylphosphino ) ethoxycarbonyl , 9 - fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; fmoc &# 34 ;), 2 -( trimethylsilyl ) ethoxycarbonyl , allyloxycarbonyl , 1 -( trimethylsilylmethyl ) prop - 1 - enyloxycarbonyl , 5 - benzisoxalylmethoxycarbonyl , 4 - acetoxybenzyloxycarbonyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxycarbonyl , 2 - ethynyl - 2 - propoxycarbonyl , cyclopropylmethoxycarbonyl , isobornyloxycarbonyl , 1 - piperidyloxycarbonyl , benzyloxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; cbz &# 34 ;), 4 - phenylbenzyloxycarbonyl , 2 - methylbenzyloxycarbonyl , β - 2 , 4 , 5 ,- tetramethylbenzyloxycarbonyl (&# 34 ; tmz &# 34 ;), 4 - methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 - fluorobenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 - chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl , 3 - chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl , 2 - chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl , 2 , 4 - dichlorobenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 - bromobenzyloxycarbonyl , 3 - bromobenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 - nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 - cyanobenzyloxycarbonyl , 4 -( decyloxy ) benzyloxycarbonyl and the like ; the benzoylmethylsulfonyl group , the 2 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 - pentamethylchroman - 6 - sulfonyl group (&# 34 ; pmc &# 34 ;), the dithiasuccinoyl (&# 34 ; dts &# 34 ;) group , the 2 -( nitro ) phenylsulfenyl group (&# 34 ; nps &# 34 ;), the diphenylphosphine oxide group , and like amino - protecting groups . the species of amino - protecting group employed is not critical so long as the derivatized amino group is stable to the conditions of the subsequent reaction ( s ) and can be removed at the appropriate point without disrupting the remainder of the molecule . preferred amino - protecting groups are boc , cbz and fmoc . further examples of amino - protecting groups embraced by the above term are well known in organic synthesis and the peptide art and are described by , for example , t . w . greene and p . g . m . wuts , &# 34 ; protective groups in organic synthesis ,&# 34 ; 2nd ed ., john wiley and sons , new york , n . y ., 1991 , chapter 7 , m . bodanzsky , &# 34 ; principles of peptide synthesis ,&# 34 ; 1st and 2nd revised ed ., springer - verlag , new york , n . y ., 1984 and 1993 , and j . m . stewart and j . d . young , &# 34 ; solid phase peptide synthesis ,&# 34 ; 2nd ed ., pierce chemical co ., rockford , ill ., 1984 , e . atherton and r . c . shephard , &# 34 ; solid phase peptide synthesis -- a practical approach &# 34 ; irl press , oxford , england ( 1989 ), each of which is incorporated herein by reference . the related term &# 34 ; protected amino &# 34 ; defines an amino group substituted with an amino - protecting group discussed above . the terms &# 34 ; natural and unnatural amino acid &# 34 ; refers to both the naturally occurring amino acids and other non - proteinogenic β - amino acids commonly utilized by those in the peptide chemistry arts when preparing synthetic analogues of naturally occurring peptides , including d and l forms . the naturally occurring amino acids are glycine , alanine , valine , leucine , isoleucine , serine , methionine , threonine , phenylalanine , tyrosine , tryptophan , cysteine , proline , histidine , aspartic acid , asparagine , glutamic acid , glutamine , γ - carboxyglutamic acid , arginine , ornithine and lysine . examples of unnatural alpha - amino acids include hydroxylysine , citrulline , kynurenine , ( 4 - aminophenyl ) alanine , 3 -( 2 &# 39 ;- naphthyl ) alanine , 3 -( 1 &# 39 ;- naphthyl ) alanine , methionine sulfone , ( t - butyl ) alanine , ( t - butyl ) glycine , 4 - hydroxyphenyl - glycine , aminoalanine , phenylglycine , vinylalanine , propargyl - gylcine , 1 , 2 , 4 - triazolo - 3 - alanine , thyronine , 6 - hydroxytryptophan , 5 - hydroxytryptophan , 3 - hydroxy - kynurenine , 3 - aminotyrosine , trifluoromethylalanine , 2 - thienylalanine , ( 2 -( 4 - pyridyl ) ethyl ) cysteine , 3 , 4 - dimethoxy - phenylalanine , 3 -( 2 &# 39 ;- thiazolyl ) alanine , ibotenic acid , 1 - amino - 1 - cyclopentane - carboxylic acid , 1 - amino - 1 - cyclohexanecarboxylic acid , quisqualic acid , 3 -( trifluoromethylphenyl ) alanine , ( cyclohexyl ) glycine , thiohistidine , 3 - methoxytyrosine , norleucine , norvaline , alloisoleucine , homoarginine , thioproline , dehydroproline , hydroxyproline , homoproline , indoline - 2 - carboxylic acid , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 - tetrahydroisoquinoline - 3 - carboxylic acid , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 - tetrahydroquinoline - 2 - carboxylic acid , β - amino - n - butyric acid , cyclohexylalanine , 2 - amino - 3 - phenylbutyric acid , phenylalanine substituted at the ortho , meta , or para position of the phenyl moiety with one or two of the following groups : a ( c 1 to c 4 ) alkyl , a ( c 1 to c 4 ) alkoxy , a halogen or a nitro group , or substituted once with a methylenedioxy group ; β - 2 - and 3 - thienylalanine ; β - 2 - and 3 - furanylalanine ; β - 2 -, 3 - and 4 - pyridylalanine ; β -( benzothienyl - 2 - and 3 - yl ) alanine ; β -( 1 - and 2 - naphthyl ) alanine ; o - alkylated derivatives of serine , threonine or tyrosine ; s - alkylated cysteine , s - alkylated homocysteine , the o - sulfate , o - phosphate and o - carboxylate esters of tyrosine ; 3 -( sulfo ) tyrosine , 3 -( carboxy ) tyrosine , 3 -( phospho ) tyrosine , the 4 - methane - sulfonic acid ester of tyrosine , 4 - methanephosphonic acid ester of tyrosine , 3 , 5 - diiodotyrosine , 3 - nitrotyrosine , ε - alkyllysine , and delta - alkyl ornithine . any of these α - amino acids may be substituted with a methyl group at the alpha position , a halogen at any position of the aromatic residue on the α - amino side chain , or an appropriate protective group at the o , n , or s atoms of the side chain residues . appropriate protective groups are discussed above . depending on the choice of solvent and other conditions known to the practitioner skilled in the art , compounds of this invention may also take the ketal or acetal form , which forms are included in the instant invention . in addition , it should be understood that the equilibrium forms of the compounds of this invention may include tautomeric forms . all such forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention . the compounds of this invention may be modified by appropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties . such modifications are known in the art and include those which increase biological penetration into a given biological system ( e . g ., blood , lymphatic system , central nervous system ), increase oral availability , increase solubility to allow administration by injection , alter metabolism and alter rate of exertion . in addition , the compounds may be altered to pro - drug form such that the desired compound is created in the body of the patient as the result of the action of metabolic or other biochemical processes on the pro - drug . some examples of pro - drug forms include ketal , acetal , oxime , and hydrazone forms of compounds which contain ketone or aldehyde groups , especially where they occur in the group donated as &# 34 ; a &# 34 ; in formula i or the modified aspartic or glutamic residues attached to the group denoted as &# 34 ; a &# 34 ;. in the above formula 1 , a group of optimal compounds occurs when n is one , more so when b is a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom or a t - butyl group . of note within this group of compounds as those when a is naturally - occurring amino acid . this latter group of compounds will be referred to herein as the &# 34 ; 4 - oxobutanoic compounds &# 34 ;. within this group of 4 - oxobutanoic compounds is a group of optimal compounds wherein r 1 is a methyl group , that is , the n - methylindole compounds . one embodiment of this group of n - methylindole compounds occurs when a is an alanine , valine , leucine , phenylalanine , glycine or a proline residue . compounds of note within each one of these groups of natural amino acid , n - methylindole compounds occur when the n - methylindole is otherwise unsubstituted , that is , wherein x , y and r 2 are each a hydrogen atom , and optimally so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . another optimal group of 4 - oxobutanoic compounds consists of the n - benzylindole compounds . for example , one group of the n - benzylindole compounds occurs when a is an alanine residue . of note within this group of alanine compounds are those in which x , y and r 2 are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so where r 3 is a hydrogen atom . an alternate optimal group of 4 - oxobutanoic compounds occurs when the n - substituent of the indole group is a 1 - butenyl group . an embodiment of this group of n -( 1 - butenyl ) indole compounds occurs when a is a valine residue , and especially so when x , y and r 2 are each a hydrogen atom . an optimal group of this latter group of compounds occurs when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . yet another group of optimal 4 - oxobutanoic compounds occurs when the n - substituent of the indole ring is a 2 &# 39 ;- acetic acid residue . an exemplary group of the n -( 2 &# 39 ;- acetic acid compounds ) occurs when a is an alanine residue . an embodiment of this particular group of alanine compounds occurs when x , y and r 2 are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . a group of the 4 - oxobutanoic compounds when the indole group is substituted on the nitrogen with 3 &# 39 ;- propionic acid residue is another example of this invention . an optimal group of such n -( propionic acid ) indole compounds occurs when a is an alanine residue . of note within this group of alanine compounds are those when x , y and r 2 are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . another optimal group of compounds of formula 1 occurs wherein n is one and more so when b is a monofluoromethyl group . an embodiment of these monofluoromethyl compounds occurs when r 3 is a hydrogen atom or a t - butyl group , and an even more so when a is a natural amino acid . an example of these compounds wherein a is a natural amino acid occurs when a is a valine residue . this latter group of valine compounds will be referred to herein as the &# 34 ; 4 - oxo - 5 -( fluoropentanoic acid ) compounds &# 34 ;. one optimal group of 4 - oxo - 5 -( fluoropentanoic acid ) compounds occurs when r 1 is a methyl group , in other words , the n - methylindole compounds . an exemplary group of such n - methylindole compounds occurs when r 2 is a methyl group and x and y are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . another exemplary group of such n - methylindole compounds occurs when r 2 is a chloro atom and x and y are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . a third exemplary group of n - methylindole compounds occurs when r 2 is a chloro group , x is a 5 - fluoro group , and y is a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . another optimal group of 4 - oxo - 5 -( fluoro - pentanoic acid ) compounds is composed of n -( 3 &# 39 ;- phenylprop - 1 - yl ) indole compounds . a group of note within this latter class of compounds occurs when r 2 , x and y are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom . a third optimal group of 4 - oxo - 5 -( fluoro - pentanoic acid ) compounds has an n -( carboxymethyl or protected carboxymethyl ) indole moiety . an embodiment of this group occurs wherein r 2 , x and y are each a hydrogen atom , and especially so wherein r 3 is a hydrogen atom and the nitrogen atom of the indole ring is substituted with a carboxymethyl group . another optimal class of compounds of formula 1 occurs when n is one and b is a ( 2 , 6 - dichlorobenzyloxy ) methyl group and especially so when r 3 is a hydrogen atom or a t - butyl group , and when a is a natural amino acid . an example of such a compounds occurs when r 1 is a methyl group and especially so when r 2 is a methyl group . the compounds of formula 1 may be synthesized using conventional techniques as discussed below . advantageously , these compounds are conveniently synthesized from readily available starting materials . one synthetic route for synthesizing the instant compounds is set forth in the following scheme 1 : ## str2 ## stands for an amino protecting group and ( a ) stands for a natural or unnatural amino acid , as discussed above . the modified aspartic or glutamic acids of formula 2a - d can be prepared by methods well known in the art . see , for example , european patent application 519 , 748 ; pct patent application no . pct / ep92 / 02472 ; pct patent application no . pct / us91 / 06595 ; pct patent application no . pct / us91 / 02339 ; european patent application no . 623 , 592 ; world patent application no . wo 93 / 09135 ; pct patent application no . pct / us94 / 08868 ; european patent application no . 623 , 606 ; european patent application no . 618 , 223 ; european patent application no . 533 , 226 ; european patent application no . 528 , 487 ; european patent application no . 618 , 233 ; pct patent application no . pct / ep92 / 02472 ; world patent application no . wo 93 / 09135 ; pct patent application no . pct / us93 / 03589 ; and pct patent application no . pct / us93 / 00481 , all of which are herein incorporated by reference . the coupling reactions carried out under step a are performed in the presence of a standard peptide coupling agent such as the combination of the combination of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ( dcc ) and 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole ( hobt ), as well as the bop ( benzotriazolyloxy - trio -( dimethylamino ) phosphonium hexafluorophosphate ) reagent , pybop ( benzotriazolyloxytris ( n - pyrolidinyl ) phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate ), hbtu ( o - benzotriazolyly - tetramethylisouronium - hexafluorophosphate ), and eedq ( 1 - ethyloxycarbonyl - 2 - ethyloxy - 1 , 2 - dihydroquinoline ) reagents , the combination of 1 - ethyl ( 3 , 3 &# 39 ;- dimethyl - 1 &# 39 ;- aminopropyl ) carbodiimide ( edac ) and hobt , and the like , as discussed in j . jones , &# 34 ; amino acid and peptide synthesis ,&# 34 ; steven g . davis ed ., oxford university press , oxford , pp . 25 - 41 ( 1992 ); m . bodanzky , &# 34 ; principles of peptide synthesis ,&# 34 ; hafner et al . ed ., springer - verlag , berlin heidelberg , pp . 9 - 52 and pp . 202 - 251 ( 1984 ); m . bodanzky , &# 34 ; peptide chemistry , a practical textbook ,&# 34 ; springer - verlag , berlin heidelberg , pp . 55 - 73 and pp . 129 - 180 ; and stewart and young , &# 34 ; solid phase peptide synthesis ,&# 34 ; pierce chemical company , ( 1984 ), all of which are herein incorporated by reference . the amino protecting group is then removed and the resulting amine is coupled to the 2 -( carboxy ) indole of formula 3 ( step b ). again , this coupling reaction uses the standard peptide coupling reactions mentioned above . the indole ring of formula 3 can be substituted before the reaction in step b or afterwards . the synthesis and substitution reactions of such an indole ring is well known , as is described , for example , in brown , r . t . and joule , j . a . in &# 34 ; heterocyclic chemistry ( ed . p . g . sammes ) ( vol . 4 of comprehensive organic chemistry , ed . d . barton and w . d . ollis ), ( 1979 ), pergamon press , oxford ; houlihan , w . j .,( ed .) in &# 34 ; indoles ( the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds ed . a . weissburger and e . c . taylor !, vol . 25 , parts 1 - 3 ), wiley interscience , new york ( 1972 ); and saxton , j . e . ( ed .) in &# 34 ; indoles ( the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds ),&# 34 ; ed . a . weissburger and e . c . taylor !, vol . 25 , part 4 ), wiley interscience , new york , ( 1979 ); all of which are incorporated herewith by reference . in the case where the coupling reaction was carried out with the amino alcohol of formula 2c , the alcohol moiety must be oxidized to the corresponding carbonyl compound prior to removal of the protecting groups . preferred methods for the oxidation reaction include swern oxidation ( oxalyl chloride - dimethyl sulfoxide , methylene chloride at - 78 ° c . followed by triethylamine ); and dess - martin oxidation ( dess - martin periodinane , t - butanol , and methylene chloride .) the protecting groups contained in substructures of the formula 2a - d and a are removed by methods well known in the art . these reactions and removal of some or all of the protecting groups are involved in step c in the above scheme . pharmaceutical compositions of this invention comprise any of the compounds of the present invention , and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof , with any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier , adjuvant or vehicle ( hereinafter collectively referred to as &# 34 ; pharmaceutically - acceptable carriers &# 34 ;). pharmaceutically acceptable carriers , adjuvants and vehicles that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention include , but are not limited to , ion exchange , alumina , aluminum stearate , lecithin , serum proteins , such as human serum albumin ; buffer substances such as the various phosphates , glycine , sorbic acid , potassium sorbate , partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids ; water , salts or electrolytes , such as protamine sulfate , disodium hydrogen phosphate , potassium hydrogen phosphate , sodium chloride , and zinc salts ; colloidal silica , magnesium trisilicate , polyvinyl pyrrolidone , cellulose - based substances , polyethylene glycol , sodium carboxymethylcellulose , polyarylates , waxes , polyethylene - polyoxypropylene - block polymers , polyethylene glycol and wool fat , and the like . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered orally , parenterally , by inhalation spray , topically , rectally , nasally , buccally , vaginally or by an implanted reservoir . oral and parenteral administration are preferred . the term &# 34 ; parenteral &# 34 ; as used herein includes subcutaneous , intracutaneous , intravenous , intramuscular , intra - articular , intrasynovial , intrasternal , intrathecal , intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques . the pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation , for example , as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension . this suspension may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents ( such as , for example , tween 80 ) and suspending agents . the sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non - toxic parenterally - acceptable diluent or solvent , for example , as a solution in 1 , 3 - butanediol . among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are mannitol , water , ringer &# 39 ; s solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution . in addition , sterile , fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium . for this purpose , any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono - or diglycerides . fatty acids , such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables , as are natural pharmaceutically - acceptable oils , such as olive oil or castor oil , especially in their polyoxyethylated versions . these oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long - chain alcohol diluent or dispersant . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including , but not limited to , capsules , tablets , and aqueous suspensions and solutions . in the case of tablets for oral use , carrier which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch . lubricating agents , such as magnesium stearate , are also typically added . for oral administration in capsule form useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch . when aqueous suspensions are administered orally , the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents . if desired , certain sweetening and / or flavoring and / or coloring agents may be added . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration . these compositions can be prepared by mixing a compound of this invention with a suitable non - irritating excipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature . such materials include , but are not limited to , cocoa butter , beeswax and polyethylene glycols . topical administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention is especially useful when the desired treatment involves areas or organs readily accessible to topical application . for application topically to the skin , the pharmaceutical composition should be formulated with a suitable ointment containing the active components suspended or dissolved in a carrier . carriers for topical administration of the compounds of this invention include , but are not limited to , mineral oil , liquid petroleum , white petroleum , propylene glycol , polyoxyethylene , polyoxypropylene compound , emulsifying wax and water . alternatively , the pharmaceutical composition can be formulated with a suitable lotion or cream containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier . suitable carriers include , but are not limited to , mineral oil , sorbitan monostearate , polysorbate 60 , cetyl esters wax , cetearyl alcohol , 2 - octyldodecanol , benzyl alcohol and water . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be topically applied to the lower intestinal tract by rectal suppository formulation or in a suitable enema formulation . topically - applied transdermal patches are also included in this invention . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation . such compositions are prepared according to techniques well - known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline , employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives , absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability , fluorocarbons , and / or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art . the compounds of this invention may be used in combination with either conventional anti - inflammatory agents or with matrix metalloprotease inhibitors , lipoxygenase inhibitors and antagonists of cytokines other than il - 1β . the compounds of this invention can also be administered in combination with immunomodulators ( e . g ., bropirimine , anti - human alpha interferon antibody , il - 2 , granulocyte - macrophage colony - stimulating factor ( gm - csf ), methionine enkephalin , interferon alpha , diethyldithiocarbamate , tumor necrosis factor , naltrexons and recombinant erythropoietin ( repo ) or with prostaglandins , to prevent or combat il - 1 - mediated disease symptoms such as inflammation . when the compounds of this invention are administered in combination therapies with other agents , they may be administered sequentially or concurrently to the patient . alternatively , pharmaceutical compositions according to this invention may be comprised of a combination of a compound of formula 1 and another therapeutic or prophylactic agent mentioned above . the disease states which may be treated or prevented by the instant pharmaceutical compositions include , but are not limited to , inflammatory diseases , autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases , and for inhibiting unwanted apoptosis involved in ischemic injury , such as ischemic injury to the heart ( e . g ., myocardial infarction ), brain ( e . g ., stroke ), and kidney ( e . g ., ischemic kidney disease ). as a consequence of their ability to inhibit apoptosis , the present pharmaceutical compositions are also useful for the repopulation of hematopoietic cells of a patient following chemotherapy . methods of administering an effective amount of the above - described pharmaceutical compositions to mammals , also referred to herein as patients , in need of such treatment ( that is , those suffering from inflammatory diseases , autoimmune diseases , neurodegenerative diseases and for the repopulation of hematopoietic cells in cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy ) are another aspect of the instant invention . finally , as a further consequence of their ability to inhibit apoptosis , the instant pharmaceutical compositions may be used in a method to prolong the viability of organs to be used in transplantations . inflammatory disease which may be treated or prevented include , for example , septic shock , septicemia , and adult respiratory distress syndrome . target autoimmune diseases include , for example , rheumatoid , arthritis , systemic lupus erythematosus , scleroderma , chronic thyroiditis , graves &# 39 ; disease , autoimmune gastritis , insulin - dependent diabetes mellitus , autoimmune hemolytic anemia , autoimmune neutropenia , thrombocytopenia , chronic active hepatitis , myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis . target neurodegenerative diseases include , for example , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease , parkinson &# 39 ; s disease , and primary lateral sclerosis . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be used to promote wound healing . target diseases associated with harmful , apoptosis , in other words , those associated with ischemic injury , includes myocardial infarction , stroke , and ischemic kidney disease . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be used to treat infectious diseases , especially those involved with viral infections . the term &# 34 ; effective amount &# 34 ; refers to dosage levels of the order of from about 0 . 05 milligrams to about 140 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day for use in the treatment of the above - indicated conditions ( typically about 2 . 5 milligrams to about 7 grams per patient per day ). for example , inflammation may be effectively treated by the administration of from about 0 . 01 to 50 milligrams of the compound per kilogram of body weight per day ( about 0 . 5 milligrams to about 3 . 5 grams per patient per day ). the amount of the compounds of formula 1 that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration . for example , a formulation intended for the oral administration of humans may contain from 0 . 5 milligrams to 5 grams of a compound of formula 1 combined with an appropriate and convenient amount of a pharmaceutically - acceptable carrier which may vary from about 5 to about 95 percent of the total composition . dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 1 milligram to about 500 milligrams of an active compound of formula 1 . it will be understood , however , that the specific &# 34 ; effective amount &# 34 ; 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 prevention or therapy . although this invention focuses on the use of the compounds disclosed herein for preventing and treating il - 1 - mediated diseases , the compounds of this invention can also be used as inhibitory agents for other cysteine proteases . the compounds of this invention are also useful as commercial reagents which effectively bind to the ice / ced - 3 family of cysteine protease or other cysteine proteases . as commercial reagents , the compounds of this invention , and their derivatives , may be used to block proteolysis of a target peptide or may be derivatized to bind to a stable resin as a tethered substrate for affinity chromatography applications . these and other uses which characterize commercial cystine protease inhibitors will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art . the following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the present invention . in the following examples , proton nmr spectra were obtained at 300 mhz ; chemical shifts are quoted downfield from internal tetramethylsilane . fluorescence enzyme assays detecting the activity of the compounds of formula 1 utilizing the recombinant ice and cpp32 enzymes were performed essentially according to thornberry et al . ( nature , 356 : 768 : 774 ( 1992 )) and nicholson et al . ( nature , 376 : 37 - 43 ( 1995 )) respectively , ( herein incorporated by reference ) in 96 well microtiter plates . the substrate for these assays was acetyl - tyr - val - ala - asp - amino - 4 - methylcoumarin ( amc ) for the ice assay and acetyl - asp - glu - val - asp - amino - 4 - methylcoumarin for the cpp32 and mch5 assay . enzyme reactions were run in ice buffer ( 25 mm hepes , 1 mm edta , 0 . 1 % chaps , 10 sucrose , ph 7 . 5 ) containing 2 mm dtt at room temperature in duplicate . the assays were performed by mixing the following components : 50 μl of either ice , mch5 or cpp32 ( 18 . 8 , 8 . 1 and 0 . 153 nm concentrations , respectively ) enzyme in ice buffer containing either 8 . 0 ( ice , cpp32 ) or 20 ( mch5 ) mm dtt ; 50 μl of either the compound of formula 1 or ice buffer ( control ); and the enzyme and the compound of formula 1 to be assayed were preincubated in the microtitre plate wells for 30 minutes at room temperature prior to the addition of substrate to initiate the reaction . fluorescent amc product formation was monitored for one hour at room temperature by measuring the fluorescence emission at 460 nm using an excitation wavelength of 360 nm . the fluorescence change in duplicate ( control ) wells were averaged and the mean values were plotted as a function of inhibitor concentration to determine the inhibitor concentration producing 50 % inhibition ( ic 50 ). the reference compound for this assay was cbz - valalaasp - h , which had an ic 50 for ice of 0 . 064 μm and for hcpp32 of 50 μm . the results are set forth in table 1 ( fig1 ). b . determination of the dissociation constant k i and irreversible rate constant k3 for irreversible inhibitors for the irreversible inhibition of a ice / ced - 3 family protease enzyme with a competitive irreversible inhibitor ; using the model represented by the following formulas : ## str3 ## the product formation at time t may be expressed as : ## equ1 ## where e , i , ei , and e - i denote the active enzyme , inhibitor , non - covalent enzyme - inhibitor complex and covalent enzyme - inhibitor adduct , respectively . the k i value is the overall dissociation constant of reversible binding steps , and k 3 is the irreversible rate constant . the s ! and k s values are the substrate concentration and the dissociation constant of the substrate bound to the enzyme , respectively . the above equations were used to determine the k i and k 3 values of a given inhibitor bound to a ice / ced - 3 family protease . thus , a continuous assay was run for sixty minutes at various concentrations of the inhibitor and the substrate . the assay was formulated essentially the same as described above for generating the data in table 1 , except that the reaction was initiated by adding the enzyme to the substrate - inhibitor mixture . the ki and k 3 values were obtained by simulating the product amc formation as a function of time according to equation i . the results of this second assay are set forth below in table 2 ( fig2 ). the reference compound for this assay was cbz - valalaasp - ch 2 f and the values are denoted in table 2 as &# 34 ; reference &# 34 ;. 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 107 mg , 0 . 6 mmol ) and ( 3s )- 3 -( alaninyl )- amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 188 mg , 96 %, 0 . 6 mmol ) were dissolved in dmf ( 2 ml ) then both 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole - hydrate ( 96 mg , 0 . 63 mmol ) and 1 -( 3 - dimethylaminopropyl )- 3 - ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride ( edac ) ( 161 mg , 0 . 84 mmol ) was added to the resultant mixture under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 20 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate , washed successively with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a yellow solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 213 mg , 77 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 47 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 + cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 96 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 57 - 7 . 67 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 42 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 19 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 06 ( s , 1h ), 4 . 91 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 65 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 4 . 01 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 59 - 2 . 78 ( m , j = 5 . 6 , 15 . 7 , 2h ), 1 . 49 ( d , j = 7 . 1 , 3h ), 1 . 39 ( s , 9h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 127 mg , 0 . 28 mmol ) was suspended in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the suspension was treated with trifluroacetic acid ( tfa ) ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was then concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a purple foam . trituration of the foam with ether gave the title product as a purple powder ( 108 mg , 97 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 27 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 44 ( d , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 24 - 7 . 32 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 07 - 7 . 13 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 91 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 56 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 3 . 98 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 78 ( d , j = 6 . 5 , 2h ), 1 . 49 ( d , j = 7 . 3 , 3h ) ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 87 mg , 0 . 22 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resultant mixture was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a glassy material which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a gray powder ( 24 mg , 32 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 44 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 44 ( dd , j = 0 . 8 , 8 . 4 , 1h ), 7 . 26 - 7 . 32 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 08 - 7 . 13 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 63 - 4 . 53 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 31 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 99 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 48 - 2 . 73 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 46 ( 7 . 1 , 3h ). 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 102 mg , 0 . 58 mmol ) and ( 3s )- 3 -( prolinyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 189 mg , 0 . 58 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and dmf ( 1 ml ) and then both 4 - dimethylamino pyridine ( dmap ) ( 71 mg , 0 . 58 mmol ) and edac ( 155 mg , 0 . 81 mmol ) were added to the mixture under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 2 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 153 mg of brown foam . the foam was purified by flash chromatograph on silica gel using 2 % methanol - methylene chloride as the eluant to give the title product as a light brown foam ( 50 mg ). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 5 / 95 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 27 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 + cd 3 od ): δ 8 . 87 ( bs , 1h ) , 7 . 63 ( d , j = 7 . 7 , 1h ), 7 . 38 - 7 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 17 - 7 . 13 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 85 ( bs , 1h ), 4 . 90 - 4 . 81 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 92 - 3 . 74 ( m , 5h ), 2 . 78 - 1 . 93 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 37 ( s , 9h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) prolinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 50 mg , 0 . 1 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resultant solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). this reaction mixture was then stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and chased with methylene chloride to give a purple film . the film was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a purple powder ( 47 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 18 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 63 - 6 . 93 ( m , 6h ) , 6 . 67 ( bs , 1h ), 4 . 89 - 4 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 86 - 3 , 74 ( m , 5h ), 2 . 82 - 2 . 74 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 40 - 2 . 30 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 15 - 1 . 90 ( m , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) prolinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 87 mg , 0 . 22 ) mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give brown oil ( 22 mg ) which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a light brown powder ( 8 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 28 ; ms ( ei ) for c 19 h 21 n 3 o 5 + h + = 372 ; c 19 h 21 n 3 o 5 - h + = 370 ). 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 88 mg , 0 . 5 mmol ) and ( 3s )- 3 -( valinyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 163 mg , 0 . 5 mmol ) were dissolved in dmf ( 1 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) then both dmap ( 61 mg , 0 . 50 mmol ) and edac ( 134 mg , 0 . 7 mmol ) were added to the solution under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution . the ethyl acetate solution was washed successively with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine solutions , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a yellow foam . trituration of the foam with ether afforded the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 203 mg , 86 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 5 / 95 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 17 . ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 170 mg , 0 . 36 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 3 . 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and chased with methylene chloride to give a purple foam . trituration of the foam with ether afforded the title product as a solid purple powder ( 133 mg , 89 %). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 136 mg , 0 . 33 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give a purple foam which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a purple powder ( 40 mg , 33 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 36 ; ms ( ei ) for c 19 h 23 n 3 o 5 = h + = 374 ; c 19 h 23 n 3 o 5 = h + = 372 . 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 70 mg , 0 . 4 mmol ) and 3 ( s )-( leucinyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 131 mg , 0 . 4 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and both dmap ( 49 mg , 0 . 40 mmol ) and edac ( 107 mg , 0 . 56 mmol ) were added to the solution under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 3 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution . the ethyl acetate solution was washed successively with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated with sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated in vacuo to give a crude solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a white powder ( 156 mg , 80 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 5 / 95 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 42 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 + cd 3 od ): δ 8 . 18 ( s , 1h ) , 7 . 66 - 7 . 11 ( m , 6h ), 6 . 97 ( s , 1h ), 6 . 32 ( d , j = 7 . 7 , 1h ), 4 . 95 - 4 . 88 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 70 - 4 . 62 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 03 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 82 - 2 . 56 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 87 - 1 . 58 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 38 ( 9h ), 1 . 00 ( t , j - 6 . 3 , 6h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) leucinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 132 mg , 0 . 27 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and chased with methylene chloride to give a pink foam . trituration of the foam with ether afforded the title product as a pink powder ( 108 mg , 92 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 22 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 62 ( dt , j = 8 . 0 , 1 . 1 , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 32 - 7 . 23 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 08 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 94 - 4 . 89 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 64 - 4 . 59 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 98 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 78 ( d , j = 6 . 2 , 2h ), 1 . 82 - 1 . 70 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 02 ( d , j = 6 . 0 , 3h ), 0 . 99 ( d , j = 6 . 3 , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) leucinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 90 mg , 0 . 21 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting solution was stirred for 7 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated in vacuo to give a purple foam which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a purple powder ( 35 mg , 43 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 45 ; ms ( ei ) for c 20 h 25 n 3 o 5 ; m + h + = 388 ; m - h += 386 . 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 72 mg , 0 . 41 mmol ) and 3 ( s )-( phenylalaninyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 154 mg , 0 . 41 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and both dmap ( 53 mg , 0 . 43 mmol ) and edac ( 109 mg , 0 . 57 mmol ) were added to the solution under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution , successively , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrate to give a white solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a white powder ( 179 mg , 82 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 5 / 95 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 44 . ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) phenylalaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 154 mg , 0 . 30 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and azeotroped with methylene chloride to give a purple solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a purple powder ( 141 mg , 100 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 25 . ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) phenylalaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 116 mg , 0 . 25 mmol ) were dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting solution was stirred for 9 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a crude product which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a brown powder ( 26 mg , 25 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 33 ; ms ( ei ) for c 23 h 21 n 3 o 5 ; m + h + = 422 ; m - h + = 420 . dmap ( 1 . 222 g , 0 . 01 mol ) and edac ( 2 . 680 g , 0 . 014 mol ) were added as solids to a solution of 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 1 . 752 g , 0 . 01 mol ) and glycine methyl ester hydrochloride ( 1 . 256 g , 0 . 01 mol ) in methylene chloride ( 30 ml ) and dmf ( 5 ml ) under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . stirring was continued for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and then for 3 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned with ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solution was washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a purple powder as crude product . trituration of the powder with ether afforded the title product ( 1 . 734 mg , 70 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride 1 : 9 ): r f = 0 . 61 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ): δ 7 . 65 ( dt , j = 8 . 0 , 1 . 1 , 1h ), 7 . 41 - 7 . 31 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 16 ( dd , j = 6 . 6 , 1 . 4 , 1h ) 6 . 96 ( d , j = 0 . 5 , 1h ), 6 . 67 ( bs , 1h ), 4 . 25 ( d , j = 5 . 2 , 2h ), 4 . 05 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 82 ( s , 3h ). ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) glycine methyl ester ( 1 . 687 g , 6 . 85 mmol ) was dissolved in 1 , 4 - dioxane ( 10 ml ) and was treated with 1n lithium hydroxide ( 7 . 0 ml , aq ) with stirring . the reaction mixture turned clear immediately and was acidified with 1n hcl and concentrated to remove 1 , 4 - dioxane to result in a purple precipitate . the precipitate was filtered , washed with water , and dried in vacuo to give the title product as a purple powder ( 1 . 482 g , 93 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 28 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 61 ( dt , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ). 7 . 44 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 32 - 7 . 26 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 09 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 04 ( s , 1h ), 4 . 08 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 99 ( s , 3h ). ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) glycine ( 186 mg , 0 . 8 mmol ) was dissolved in methylene chloride ( 5 ml ) and dmf ( 1 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate ( 129 mg , 0 . 84 mmol ) and edac ( 215 mg , 1 . 12 mmol ) under a nitrogen atmosphere and the reaction mixture stirred for 10 minutes at 0 ° c . 3 ( s )- amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone p - toluenesulfate ( 312 mg , 0 . 8 mmol ) followed by n - methylmorpholine ( 0 . 09 ml , 0 . 8 mmol ), were added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 , and the product precipitated out during the work - up . the white precipitate from the aqueous portion was obtained by filtration and washing with water and ether . another portion of white precipitate was obtained by concentration of the organic layer and trituration of the residue with ether . the combined precipitate was the title product ( 297 mg , 66 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 42 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 41 - 7 . 34 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 19 - 7 . 13 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 05 ( d , j = 0 . 5 , 1h ), 4 . 95 - 4 . 93 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 08 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 03 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 79 - 2 . 59 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 41 ( s , 9h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) glycinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 118 mg , 0 . 26 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and chased with methylene chloride to give a green solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a green powder ( 88 mg , 87 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 47 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 63 - 7 . 08 ( m , 6h ) , 4 . 95 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 05 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 01 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 77 ( d , j = 5 . 8 , 2h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) glycinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 76 mg , 0 . 20 mmol ) was dissolved in a mixture of methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the mixture was stirred for 6 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude product which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a light yellow powder ( 29 mg , 44 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 61 ; ms ( ei ) for c 16 h 17 n 3 o 5 : m + h + , 330 . 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 73 - 7 . 08 ( m , 5h ), 4 . 90 - 3 . 8 ( m , 7h ), 2 . 72 - 2 . 47 ( m , 2h ). 1 - benzylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 477 mg , 1 . 9 mmol ) and 3 ( s )-( alaninyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 581 mg , 1 . 9 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 8 ml ) and both dmap ( 232 mg , 1 . 9 mmol ) and edac ( 498 mg , 2 . 6 mmol ) were added to the solution under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . the resultant solution was stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 2 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate , washed successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a yellow foam . flash column chromatographic purification of the foam ( silica gel , methanol / methylene chloride 2 - 5 %) afforded the title product as a white powder ( 570 mg , 56 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 38 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ): δ 8 . 60 ( bs , 1h ), 7 . 67 ( dd , j = 8 . 0 , 1 . 1 , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 33 - 7 . 01 ( m , 8h ), 6 . 79 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 1h ), 5 . 78 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 87 - 4 . 83 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 67 - 4 . 62 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 73 - 2 . 43 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 46 ( d , j = 7 . 1 , 3h ), 1 . 39 ( s , 9h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - benzylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 247 mg , 0 . 46 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 5 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resultant mixture was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 3 . 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a light green solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a green powder ( 215 mg , 98 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 50 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 8 . 26 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ) 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 39 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 26 - 7 . 01 ( m , 8h ), 5 . 79 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 2h ), 4 . 56 - 4 . 49 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 77 - 2 . 62 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 43 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 - benzylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 176 mg , 0 . 37 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 4 . 5 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 . 5 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 . 5 ml ) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude product which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a light green powder ( 113 mg , 72 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 38 ; ms for c 23 h 23 n 3 o 5 ; m + h + = 422 ; m - h + = 420 . 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 37 ( dd , j = 8 . 2 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 24 - 7 . 04 ( m , 8h ), 5 . 87 - 5 . 73 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 60 - 4 . 49 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 32 - 4 . 23 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 69 - 2 . 44 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 41 ( d , j = 7 . 1 , 2 sets , 3h ) 1 -( 4 &# 39 ;- butenyl ) indole !- 2 - carboxylic acid ( 108 mg , 0 . 5 mmol ) and 3 ( s )-( valinyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 163 mg , 0 . 5 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 3 ml ). to this solution was added both dmap ( 61 mg , 0 . 5 mmol ) and edac ( 134 mg , 0 . 7 mmol ) under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and an additional 5 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate , washed successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine , dried under sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a yellow foam . trituration of the foam with ether afforded the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 146 mg , 55 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 23 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ): δ 8 . 69 ( bs , 1h ), 7 . 64 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ) 7 . 41 - 7 . 13 ( m , 3h ), 6 . 99 ( s , 1h ), 6 . 91 ( d , j = 8 . 8 , 1h ), 5 . 85 - 5 . 71 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 04 - 4 . 94 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 65 - 4 . 45 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 52 - 2 . 50 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 33 - 2 . 26 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 41 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 05 - 1 . 02 ( m , 6h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( 4 &# 39 ;- butenyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 126 mg , 0 . 24 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the acidified reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a crude solid . trituration of the solid with ether afforded the title product as a purple powder ( 99 mg , 88 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 36 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 8 , 46 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ) 8 . 12 ( d , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 46 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 21 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 05 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 84 - 5 . 70 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 99 - 4 . 78 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 62 - 4 . 57 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 39 - 4 . 33 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 88 - 2 . 69 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 52 - 2 . 45 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 24 - 2 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 07 - 1 . 02 ( m , 6h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( 4 &# 39 ;- butenyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 79 mg , 0 . 17 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 7 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water , and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the ethyl combined acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a crude product which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a light purple powder ( 24 mg , 34 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 60 ; ms ( ei ) for c 22 h 27 n 3 o 5 : m + h + = 414 ; m - h + = 412 . 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 8 . 09 - 8 . 05 ( m , 1h ) , 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 46 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 25 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 07 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 85 - 5 . 71 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 99 - 4 . 90 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 62 - 4 . 54 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 41 - 4 . 30 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 75 - 2 . 46 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 22 - 2 . 14 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 06 - 1 . 02 ( m , 6h ). 1 - 2 &# 39 ;-( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) ethyl ! indole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 220 mg , 0 . 8 mmol ) and 3 ( s )-( alaninyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 241 mg , 0 . 8 mmol ) were dissolved in methylene chloride ( 3 ml ) and dmf ( 1 ml ) and the resulting solution was treated with both dmap ( 98 mg , 0 . 8 mmol ) and edac ( 211 mg . 1 . 1 mmol ). the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and then an additional 3 hours at room temperature to give a white precipitate . the reaction mixture was concentrated to remove methylene chloride and quenched with 5 % khso 4 solution . the white solid was collected by filtration , washed with water and ether and dried in vacuo to afford the title product as a white powder ( 297 mg , 66 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 27 . 1 h nmr : ( cd 3 od ) δ 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 41 ) d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 26 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 22 ( d , j = 3 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 16 - 7 . 11 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 32 ( d , j = 2 . 2 , 2h ), 4 . 94 - 4 . 89 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 54 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 2 . 76 ( d , 2h ), 1 . 48 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( 2 &# 39 ;-( 1 - t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) ethyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl )! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester , semicarbazone ( 274 mg , 0 . 51 mmol ) in methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a solid . trituration of the solid with ether gave the title product as a light gray powder ( 262 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 08 . 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ) δ 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 41 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 26 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 22 ( d , j = 3 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 16 - 7 . 11 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 32 ( d , j = 2 . 2 , 2h ), 4 . 94 - 4 . 89 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 54 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 2 . 76 ( d , 2h ), 1 . 48 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( carboxymethyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 241 mg , 0 . 47 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resulting solution was stirred for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo , diluted with water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried under sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a glassy material which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 114 mg , 63 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 16 . 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ) 7 . 40 ( d , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 33 - 7 . 27 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 24 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 16 - 7 . 10 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 36 and 5 . 26 ( ab , j = 17 . 9 , 2h ), 4 . 64 - 4 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 34 - 4 . 20 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 72 - 2 . 48 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 45 ( d , j = 7 . 14 , 3h , 2 sets ). 1 -( 3 &# 39 ;-( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) propyl ) indole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 147 mg , 0 . 51 mmol ) was dissolved in dmf 3 ml ) and to the resulting solution was added both dmap ( 68 mg , 0 . 56 mmol ) and edac ( 140 mg , 0 . 73 mmol ). stirring was continued for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . ( 3s )- 3 -( alaninyl ) amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 154 mg , 0 . 51 mmol ) was added to the reaction mixture , and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and then an additional 4 hours at room temperature . the reason mixture was partitioned between 5 % khso 4 solution and ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed successively with 50 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a foam as crude product . trituration of the foam with ether afforded the title product as a white powder ( 161 mg , 55 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride : 1 / 9 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 36 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( d , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 29 ( t , j - 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 22 ( d , j = 3 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 16 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 11 ( t , j = 7 . 4 , 1h ), 4 . 96 - 4 . 90 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 82 - 4 . 72 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 56 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 2 . 78 - 2 . 66 ( m , 4h ), 1 . 49 ( d , j = 7 . 4 , 3h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 28 ( s , 9h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( 3 &# 39 ;-( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) propyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , t - butyl ester semicarbazone ( 140 mg , 0 . 24 mmol ) was dissolved in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) and the suspension was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred for 2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a solid . trituration of the solid with ether gave the title product as a colorless powder ( 107 mg , 95 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 17 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( d , j = 8 . 2 , 1h ), 7 . 32 - 7 . 27 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 23 ( d , j = 3 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 08 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 97 - 4 . 90 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 80 - 4 . 69 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 54 ( q , j = 7 . 1 , 1h ), 2 . 82 - 2 . 73 ( m , 4h ), 1 . 49 ( d , j = 7 . 1 , 3h ). ( 3s )- 3 - ( 1 -( 2 &# 39 ;- carboxyethyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) alaninyl ! amino - 4 - oxobutanoic acid , semicarbazone ( 95 mg , 0 . 21 mmol ) was dissolved in methanol ( 3 ml ), formaldehyde ( 1 ml , 37 % wt . aq ) and acetic acid ( 1 ml ) and the resultant solution was stirred for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated to remove methanol , diluted with water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a glassy material which was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 20 mg , 20 %). tlc : ( methylene chloride : methanol : acetic acid , 8 : 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 26 ; 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 0 , 1h ), 7 . 51 ( d , j = 1h ), 7 . 32 - 7 . 27 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 13 - 7 . 08 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 80 - 4 . 76 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 68 - 4 . 52 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 37 - 4 . 25 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 84 - 2 . 50 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 47 ( d , j = 7 . 1 , 3h , 2 sets ). sodium hydride ( 1 . 76 g , 0 . 044 mol , 60 % wt . in mineral oil ) was slowly added to a solution of ethylene glycol ( 11 . 2 ml ) in dry thf ( 100 ml ). the resultant mixture was stirred briefly under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . α - bromo - 2 , 6 - dichlorotoluene ( 9 . 894 g , 0 . 04 mol ) was added to the mixture and the mixture was stirred for an additional 5 . 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . additional sodium hydride ( 0 . 400 g ) was added and the mixture was then stirred for 24 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated to remove thf , and the residue was partitioned between ether and water . the aqueous layer was back extracted with ether ( 2 ×). the combined organic solution was washed with water and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , filtered and concentrated to give a crude oil . the oil was flash chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( 10 - 50 %) to give the title product as a yellow oil ( 4 . 56 g , 51 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes , 30 / 70 ): r f = 0 . 26 . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ): δ 7 . 35 - 7 . 18 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 84 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 76 - 3 . 66 ( m , 4h ). dmso was added dropwise to a solution of ( 47 . 5 ml ) oxalyl chloride ( 7 . 5 ml , 15 . 0 mmol , 2 . 0m in methylene chloride ) and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min at - 78 ° c . 2 , 6 - dichlorobenzyloxy - ethanol ( 2211 mg , 10 mmol ) in dry methylene chloride ( 5 ml ) was added dropwise to the mixture and the mixture was then stirred for 15 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at - 78 ° c . triethylamine ( 8 . 4 ml , 60 mmol ) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture , and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 min at - 78 ° c ., then allowed to warm to 0 ° c . ( over a period of approximately 20 min ). a methylene chloride solution of tert - butyl 3 - nitropropionate ( 1927 mg , 11 . 0 mmol in 5 ml of dry methylene chloride ) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour . the residue was extracted with ether and the resultant white solid was collected by filtration . the organic filtrate was washed with 5 % khso 4 solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude oil ( 3 . 95 g ). the oil was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( 1 : 2 ) to afford the title product as a yellow oil ( 2 . 917 g , 74 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate , hexanes , 60 / 40 ): r f = 0 . 54 . a mixture of 5 -( 2 &# 39 ;, 6 &# 39 ;- dichlorobenzyloxy )- 4 - hydroxy - 3 - nitropentanoic acid t - butyl ester ( 2 . 213 g , 0 . 0056 mol ) and wet raney nickel ( 3 . 4 g ) in methanol ( 150 ml ) was stirred for 2 hours under a hydrogen balloon at room temperature . the reaction mixture was filtered through celite and the filter cake was washed with methanol . the filtrate was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give the title product ( 2 . 078 g , 100 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride 1 / 9 ): r f = 0 . 21 . dmap ( 367 mg , 3 . 0 mmol ) and edac ( 748 mg , 3 . 9 mmol ) were added as solids to a solution of 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 568 mg , 3 . 3 mmol ) in dmf ( 5 ml ), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of the methyl ester of valine ( 553 mg , 3 . 3 mmol , in 5 ml of methylene chloride ) was added to the mixture , and the mixture was first stirred for one hour at 0 ° c . then for 5 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate washes were in turn washed with 5 % khso 4 solution saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give the title product as a yellow syrup ( 900 mg ). a 1 , 4 - dioxane solution ( 5 ml ) of the above yellow syrup was treated with an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide ( 1 . 0m lioh , 3 . 0 ml ) and the resultant mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature ( the mixture became homogeneous ). the reaction mixture was acidified with 1m hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate ( 3 ×). the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give the title product as a yellow foam ( 839 mg ). 1 h nmr ( cd 3 od ): δ 7 . 58 ( dt , j = 8 . 0 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 37 ( dd , j - 8 . 0 , 0 . 8 , 1h ), 7 . 29 - 7 . 24 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 12 - 7 . 06 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 57 ( d , j = 5 . 8 , 1h ), 3 . 80 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 48 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 34 - 2 . 28 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 10 ( d , j = 6 . 9 , 3h ), 1 . 07 ( d , j = 6 . 9 , 3h ). 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate ( 153 mg , 1 . 0 mmol ) and edac ( 268 mg , 1 . 4 mmol ) were added to a methylene chloride solution of n -( 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valine ( 288 mg , 1 . 0 mmol , in 3 ml of methylene chloride ). the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . a methylene chloride solution of 3 - amino - 5 -( 2 &# 39 ;, 6 &# 39 ;- dichlorobenzyloxy )- 4 - hydroxypentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 364 mg , 1 . 0 mmol , in 2 ml of methylene chloride ) was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was first stirred for one hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c ., and then for 16 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give crude product ( 583 mg ). the crude product was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexane ( 2 / 3 ) to give the title product as a white solid ( 260 mg ). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 38 . dess - martin periodinane ( 195 mg ) was added as a solid to a solution of n - ( 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 -( 2 &# 39 ;, 6 &# 39 ;- dichlorobenzyloxy ) pentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 96 mg ) in dmso ( 1 . 5 ml ). the resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature for thirty minutes , then partitioned between etoac and water . the organic phase was washed with water ( 2 ×) and brine , dried ( na 2 so 4 ), and concentrated to give a white solid ( 83 mg ). flash chromotographic purification with etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 1 ) afforded the title product as a white solid ( 54 mg ). tlc ( etoac / hexanes ; 1 : 1 , silica gel ): r f = 0 . 52 . a solution of n - ( 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 -( 2 &# 39 ;, 6 &# 39 ;- dichlorobenzyloxy ) pentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 49 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ) and stirred for 30 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the resultant solution was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a white solid as the crude product . the crude product was triturated with ether to yield the title product as a white powder ( 34 mg ). ms ( ei ) for c 28 h 31 cl 2 n 3 o 6 ; mh + = 576 / 578 ; ( mh ) - = 574 / 576 . 4 - dimethylaminopyridine ( dmap ) ( 67 mg , 0 . 55 mmol ) and 1 -( 3 &# 39 ;- dimethylaminopropyl )- 3 - ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride ( edac ) ( 125 mg , 0 . 65 mmol ) were added as solids to a dmf solution of 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 95 mg , 0 . 5 mmol in 1 ml of dmf ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 153 mg , 0 . 5 mmol in 1 ml of methylene chloride ) was added and the resultant reaction mixture was first stirred for 1 hour at 0 ° c . and then for 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×), and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a solid . the solid was triturated with ether / hexane to yield the title product as a white solid ( 134 mg , 56 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes , 2 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 42 . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ): δ 7 . 59 ( d , j = 8 . 8 , 1h ) , 7 . 37 ( d , j = 7 . 7 , 1h ), 7 . 29 - 7 . 24 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 12 - 7 . 07 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 49 - 4 . 26 ( m , 5h ), 3 . 81 - 3 . 79 ( m , 3h ), 2 . 66 - 2 . 47 ( m , 5h ), 2 . 22 - 2 . 10 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 45 - 1 . 41 ( m , 9h ), 1 . 09 - 1 . 03 ( m , 6h ). dimethyl sulfoxide ( 0 . 09 ml , 1 . 25 mmol ) was added to a solution of oxalyl chloride ( 0 . 19 ml , 2 . 0m , 0 . 38 mmol ) in methylene chloride ( 4 ml ), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at - 78 ° c . a dry methylene chloride solution of n - 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 119 mg , 0 . 25 mmol in 1 ml of dry methylene chloride ), was added dropwise to the mixture and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at - 78 ° c . triethylamine ( 0 . 21 ml , 1 . 5 mmol ) was added dropwise , and the reaction mixture was then stirred for 10 minutes at - 78 ° c . then was allowed to warm to room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude product . the crude product was chromatographed with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( 2 : 1 ) on silica gel gave the title product as a white solid ( 48 mg , 41 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes , 2 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 58 . a solution of n - ( 1 , 3 - dimethylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 40 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid ( 1 ml ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride to give a solid . the solid was triturated with ether to yield the title product as a brown powder ( 17 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride / methanol / acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 40 . ms ( ei ) for c 21 h 26 fn 3 o 5 : mh + = 420 ; mh - = 418 . dmap ( 95 mg , 0 . 78 mmol ) and edac ( 200 mg , 1 . 04 mmol ) were added as solid to a solution of 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 130 mg , 0 . 74 mmol ) and n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 227 mg , 0 . 74 mmol ) in methylene chloride ( 5 ml ), and the resultant solution was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and then 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a foam . the foam was triturated with ether to yield the title product as a slightly brown solid ( 224 mg , 65 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride , 1 : 9 ): r f = 0 . 46 . dmso ( 0 . 06 ml , 0 . 9 mmol ) was added to a solution of oxalyl chloride ( 0 . 14 ml , 2 . 0m , 0 . 28 mmol , in 4 ml of methylene chloride ) and the solution was then stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at - 78 ° c . a solution of n - ( 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 85 mg , 0 . 18 mmol ) in dry methylene chloride ( 1 ml ), was added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at - 78 ° c . triethylamine ( 0 . 15 ml , 1 . 08 mmol ) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at - 78 ° c . and then was allowed to warm to room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a brown foam . the foam was triturated with ether to afford the title product as a light brown powder ( 64 mg ). ms for c 24 h 31 clfn 3 o 5 : ( mh ) - = 494 / 496 . a solution n - ( 3 - chloro - 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 47 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ) and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride , then triturated with ether to afford a brown powder ( 28 mg ). the powder was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel with methanol / methylene chloride containing a drop of acetic acid to give the title product ( 25 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride / methanol , 9 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 29 . ms ( ei ) for c 20 h 23 clfn 3 o 5 : mh + = 440 . 442 ; ( m - h ) - = 438 / 440 . dmap ( 257 mg , 2 . 08 mmol ) and edac ( 427 mg , 2 . 23 mmol ) were added as solids to a solution of 5 - fluoro - 1 - methylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 359 mg , 86 mmol in 3 ml of dmf ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 579 mg , 1 . 86 mmol ) in dmf ( 3 ml ) was added and the resulting solution was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and 4 hours at room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give the title product as a slightly yellow solid ( 0 . 827 mg ). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride , 1 : 9 ): r f = 0 . 52 . dmso ( 0 . 60 ml , 8 . 5 mmol ) was added to a methylene chloride solution of oxalyl chloride ( 2 . 1 ml , 2 . 0m , 4 . 2 mmol , in 15 ml of methylene chloride ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at - 78 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n - ( 5 - fluoro - 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 820 mg , 1 . 7 mmol , in 8 ml of dry methylene chloride ), and dmso ( 0 . 4 ml ) were added dropwise to the reaction mixture and stirred for 15 minutes at - 78 ° c . tea ( 1 . 4 ml , 10 . 2 mmol ) was added to the mixture dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at - 78 ° c ., then was allowed to warm to room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give the title product as a slightly yellow solid . trituration with ether afforded the title product as a white powder ( 705 mg , 85 %). tlc : ( methanol / methylene chloride , 1 : 9 ): r f = 0 . 63 . ms for c 24 h 30 clf 2 n 3 o 5 : mh + = 514 / 516 ; ( m - h ) - = 512 / 514 . a solution of n - ( 3 - chloro - 5 - fluoro - 1 - methylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 682 mg ) in anisole ( 1 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 10 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 5 ml ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 45 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride , then triturated with ether to afford the title product as a white powder ( 500 mg ). ms ( ei ) for c 20 h 22 clf 2 n 3 o 5 : mh + = 458 / 460 ; ( m - h ) - = 456 / 458 . dmap ( 122 mg , 1 . 0 mmol ) and edac ( 249 mg 1 . 3 mmol ) were added as solids to a dmf solution of 1 -( 3 &# 39 ;- phenylpropyl ) indole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 279 mg , 1 . 0 mmol , 2 ml in dmf ), and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 306 mg , 1 . 0 mmol in 2 ml of methylene chloride ) was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and then 4 hours at room temperature . the yellow reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude solid ( 0 . 827 g ). the crude solid was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( 1 : 2 ) afforded the title product as a slightly yellow solid ( 171 mg ). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 2 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 57 . dmso ( 0 . 11 ml , 1 . 5 mmol ) was added to a methylene chloride solution of oxalyl chloride ( 0 . 22 ml , 2 . 0m , 0 . 44 mmol in 3 . 5 ml in methylene chloride ), and the resultant solution was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at - 78 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n - ( 1 -( 3 &# 39 ;- phenylpropyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 169 mg , 0 . 3 mmol in 1 . 5 ml of dry methylene chloride ) was added dropwise and the resulting solution stirred for 15 minutes at - 78 ° c . triethylamine ( 0 . 25 ml , 1 . 8 mmol ) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at - 78 ° c ., then was allowed to warm to room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude product . the crude product was triturated with hexanes to yield the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 129 mg , 77 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 2 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 69 . a solution of n - ( 1 -( 3 |- phenylpropyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 97 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride , then triturated with ether to yield the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 44 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride / methanol / acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 4 ; ms ( et ) for c 32 h 40 fn 3 o 5 : mh + = 510 ; ( m - h ) - = 508 . dmap ( 122 mg , 1 . 0 mmol ) and edac ( 249 mg , 1 . 3 mmol ) were added as solids to a dmf solution of 1 - phenylindole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 237 mg , 1 . 0 mmol in 2 ml dmf ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 306 mg , 1 . 0 mmol in 2 ml of methylene chloride ) was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and 4 hours at room temperature . the yellow reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a colorless film ( 0 . 827 g ). the film was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( 1 : 2 ) to yield the title product as a white foam ( 400 mg , 78 %). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 27 . dmso ( 0 . 13 ml , 1 . 9 mmol ) was added to a methylene chloride solution of oxalyl chloride ( 0 . 29 ml , 2 . 0m , 0 . 58 mmol in 4 ml of methylene chloride ), and the resultant solution was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 78 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n - ( 1 - phenylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 200 mg , 0 . 38 mmol in 2 ml of dry methylene chloride ) was added dropwise and resulting mixture stirred for 15 minutes at - 78 ° c . triethylamine ( 0 . 30 ml , 2 . 1 mmol ) was added dropwise to the mixture , and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at - 78 ° c ., then was allowed to warm to room temperature . the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous layer was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a crude product . the crude product was triturated to yield the title product as a slightly yellow powder ( 181 mg ). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 43 . a solution of n - ( 1 - phenylindole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 154 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ), and the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for one hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride , then triturated with ether to yield the title product as a white powder ( 100 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride / methanol / acetic acid , 20 : 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 38 , ms ( ei ) for c 25 h 26 fn 3 o 5 : mh + = 468 ; ( m - h ) - = 466 . dmap ( 122 mg , 1 . 0 mmol ) and edac ( 249 mg , 1 . 3 mmol ) were added as solids to a dmf solution of ( 1 -( 2 &# 39 ;-(( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) ethyl ) indole - 2 - carboxylic acid ( 275 mg , 1 . 0 mmol in 2 ml of dmf ), and the resultant solution was stirred for 10 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . a methylene chloride solution of n -( valinyl )- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 306 mg , 1 . 0 mmol in 2 ml of methylene chloride ) was added to it , stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0 ° c . and 4 hours at room temperature . the yellow reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 5 % khso 4 solution and the aqueous solution was back - extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined ethyl acetate solutions were washed with 5 % khso 4 solution , saturated with sodium bicarbonate solution ( 2 ×) and brine , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated to give a colorless film ( 0 . 827 g ). the film was flash chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexane ( 1 : 1 ) to yield the title product as a white foam ( 461 mg ). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 30 : 70 ): r f = 0 . 11 . a mixture of n - ( 1 -( 2 &# 39 ;-(( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) ethyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - hydroxy - 5 - fluoropentanic acid , t - butyl ester ( 230 mg , 0 . 41 mmol ), n - methylmorpholine n - oxide ( 71 mg , 0 . 61 mmol ) and powdered molecular sieves ( 205 mg ) in dry methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was stirred for 1 . 5 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . tetra ( propyl ) ammonium perruthenate ( 7 mg ) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was filtered through silica gel with ethyl acetate as the eluent . the filtrate was concentrated and chromatographed on silica gel with ethyl acetate / hexanes ( approximately 1 : 2 to approximately 1 : 1 ) to yield the title product as a yellow oil ( 100 mg ). tlc : ( ethyl acetate / hexanes 30 / 70 ): r f = 0 . 27 . a solution of n ( 1 -( 2 &# 39 ;-(( 1 &# 39 ;- t - butoxy - 1 &# 39 ;- oxo ) ethyl ) indole - 2 - carbonyl ) valinyl !- 3 - amino - 4 - oxo - 5 - fluoropentanoic acid , t - butyl ester ( 100 mg ) in anisole ( 0 . 2 ml ) and methylene chloride ( 2 ml ) was treated with tfa ( 1 ml ). the resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature . the reaction mixture was concentrated and chased with methylene chloride , then triturated with ether to yield the title product as a light yellow powder ( 26 mg ). tlc : ( methylene chloride / methanol , 8 : 1 : 1 ): r f = 0 . 32 . ms ( ei ) for c 21 h 24 fn 3 o 7 : mh + = 450 ; ( m - h ) - = 448 . although the invention has been described with reference to the examples provided above , it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention . accordingly , the invention is limited only by the claims .
this invention is directed to novel indole ice - inhibitor compounds . the invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such indole compounds , plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory , autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases , for the prevention of ischemic injury , and for the preservation of organs that are to undergo a transplantation procedure .