This application is a 371 of PCT/JP97/04593, filed Dec. 12, 1997.
This invention relates to sulfonamide and carboamide derivatives. More particularly, thisinvention relates to
(1) the compounds of the formula (I) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinafter defined.),
(2) processes for preparing them and
(3) Prostaglandin E2 (abbreviated as PGE2) antagonists or agonists which comprise them as an active ingredient.
PGE2 has been known as metabolite in the arachidonate cascade. It has been known that PGE2 causes uterine contraction, induction of pain, promotion of digestive peristalsis, awakening effect, vesica contraction, suppression of gastric acid secretion or reduction of blood pressure etc. The PGE2antagonist or PGE2agonist is expected to show the following actions.
To antagonize against PGE2 means to suppress the effects above mentioned, so such an activity is linked to inhibition of uterine contraction, analgesic action, inhibition of digestive peristalsis, induction of sleep or increase of vesical capacity. Therefore, PGE2 antagonists are considered to be useful for the prevention of abortion, as analgesics, as antidiarrheals, as sleep inducers or as agents for treating pollakiuria.
To show PGE2 agonistic activity means to promote the effects above mentioned, so such an activity is linked to uterine contraction, promotion of digestive peristalsis, suppression of gastric acid secretion or reduction of blood pressure or diuresis. Therefore, PGE2 agonists are considered to be useful as abortifacient, cathartic, antiulcer, anti-gastritis, antihypertensive or diuretic agents.
A lot of PGE2 agonists including PGE2 itself etc. have been known, but only a few compounds (PGE2 antagonists) possessing the inhibition of activity of PGE2 by antagonizing against PGE2 have been known.
For example, the patent applications relating to PGE antagonists are as follows:
In the specification of WO-96/03380, it is disclosed that the compounds of the formula (A) 
(wherein A is phenyl which may be substituted etc., B is ring system which may be substituted, D is ring system which may be substituted, R1A is carboxyl etc., R2A is H, C1-6 alkyl etc., R3A is H, C1-4 alkyl, R4A is H, C1-4 alkyl (as excerpt).) are active as PGE antagonists.
In the specification of WO-96/06822, it is disclosed that the compounds of the formula (B) 
(wherein A is ring system which may be substituted, B is hetero aryl ring which may be substituted or phenyl which may be substituted, D is ring system which may be substituted, XB is (CHR4B)n B or (CHR4B)pCR4B=CR4B (CHR4B)q, R1B is carboxyl etc., R3B is H, C1-4 alkyl R4B is H, C1-4 alkyl (as excerpt).)
are active as PGE antagonists.
In the specification of WO-96/11 902, it is disclosed that the compounds of the formula (C) 
(wherein A, B and D are various ring systems, R1C is carboxyl etc., R3C is H, C1-4 alkyl, Z is xe2x80x94(CH(R5C))m etc. (as excerpt))
are active as PGE antagonists.
On the other hand, some compounds having a similar structure to the present invention compounds have been known.
For example, the following compound is described in Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem. (1909), 367, 133. 
(wherein RD is H or ethyl.)
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1974), (6), 760. 
(wherein RE is phenethyl, benzyl, hexadecyl, decyl, nonyl, butyl, propyl, ethyl, methyl.)
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1972), (10), 1341. 
(wherein RF is nitro or methoxy.)
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1972), (5), 616. 
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1976), (5), 641. 
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1971), (7), 1028. 
The following compound is described in Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin (1970), (12), 1597. 
(wherein each RK is Br or Cl.)
The compounds of the formula (A), (B) and (C) in the related arts possess the same pharmacological activity as the present invention compounds. But there is a difference in structure as follows: The present invention compounds have sulfonamide or carboamide as an essential element in their structure. On the other hand, the compounds described in such related arts have ether or alkylene in the corresponding part. So, it is not easy to predict the present invention compounds from the structure of these related arts.
In addition, the compounds of the formula (D) to (K) relate to the study for synthesis only. In these literature, there is no description on pharmacological activity. The carboxyl group in such compounds is connected at the ortho position, so the present invention compounds are different from such compounds in structure. Therefore, it is not easy to predict the present invention from such compounds possessing the different activity and structure.
The present invention relates to
(1) sulfonamide or carboamide derivatives of the formula (I) 
(wherein 
each, independently, is C5-15 carbocyclic ring or 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s),
Z1 is
xe2x80x94COR1,
xe2x80x94C1-4 alkylene-COR1,
xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94COR1,
xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1COR1, or
xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94C1-3 alkylene-COR1 
(wherein R1 is hydroxy, C1-4 alkoxy or formula
NR6R7
(wherein R6 and R7 each, independently, is H or C1-4 alkyl.).), or xe2x80x94C1-5 alkylene-OH,
Z2 is H, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, nitro, halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, hydroxy or COR1 (wherein R1 is as hereinbefore defined.),
Z3 is single bond or C1-4 alkylene,
Z4 is SO2 or CO,
Z5 is
(1) C1-8 alkyl, C2-8 alkenyl, or C2-8 alkynyl,
(2) phenyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl, or 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s), or
(3) C1-4 alkyl, C2-4 alkenyl or C2-4 alkynyl substituted by phenyl or C3-7 cycloalkyl
(phenyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl, and 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) mentioned in the above (2) and (3) may be substituted by 1-5 of R5 (wherein R5 (if two or more R5, each independently) is H, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylthio, nitro, halogen, tifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or hydroxy.).),
R2 is
CONR8,
NR8CO,
CONR8-C1-4 alkylene,
C1-4 alkylene-CONR8,
NR8CO-C1-4 alkylene,
C1-4 alkylene-NR8CO,
C1-3 alkylene-CONR8-C1-3 alkylene, or
C1-3 alkylene-NR8CO-C1-3 alkylene
(wherein each R8 is H or C1-4 alkyl.), O, S, NZ6 
(wherein Z6 is H or C1-4 alkyl.),
Z7-C1-4 alkylene,
C1-4 alkylene-Z7, or
C1-3 alkylene-Z7-C1-3 alkylene
(wherein each Z7 is O, S or NZ6 (wherein Z6 is as hereinbefore defined.).),
NZ6SO2 (wherein Z6 is as hereinbefore defined),
CO,
CO-C1-4 alkylene,
C1-4 alkylene-CO,
C1-3 alkylene-CO-C1-3 alkylene,
C2-4 alkylene,
C2-4 alkenylene, or
C2-4 alkynylene,
R3 is H, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylthio, nitro, halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, hydroxy or hydroxymethyl,
R4 is
(1) H,
(2) C1-8 alkyl, C2-8 alkenyl, or C2-8 alkynyl,
(3) C1-6 alkyl substituted by one or two substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of COOZ8, CONZ9Z10, and OZ8 (wherein Z8, Z9 and Z10 each, independently, is H or C1-4 alkyl.) and C1-4 alkoxy-C1-4 alkoxy,
(4) C3-7 cycloalkyl, or
(5) C1-4 alkyl, C2-4 alkenyl or C2-4 alkynyl substituted by phenyl or C3-7 cycloalkyl
(phenyl and C3-7 cycloalkyl mentioned in the above (4) and (5) may be substituted by 1-5 of R5 (wherein R5 is as hereinbefore defined.).), and n and t each, independently, is an integer of 1-4,
with the proviso that (1) R2 and Z3 should be connected at the 1- or 2-position of 
xe2x80x83and (2) when 
xe2x80x83is a benzene ring and (Z2)t is other than COR1, Z1 should be connected at the 3- or 4-position of the benzene ring.), or a non-toxic salt thereof,
(2) processes for preparing them and
(3) PGE2 antagonists or agonists which comprise them as an active ingredient.
In the formula (I), C1-4 alkyl in Z5 and R4 and C1-4 alkyl represented by Z2, Z6, Z8, Z9, Z10, R6, R7 and R8 means methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-6 alkyl in R4 and C1-6 alkyl represented by R3 and R5 means methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-8 alkyl represented by Z5 and R4 means methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-4 alkenyl in Z5 and R4 means vinyl, propenyl, butenyl and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-8 alkenyl represented by Z5 and R4 means C2-8 alkyl having 1-3 of double bond and, for example, vinyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl etc. and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-4 alkynyl in Z5 and R4 means ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-8 alkynyl represented by Z5 and R4 means C2-8 alkyl having 1-3 of triple bond and, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl etc. and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-4 alkoxy in R4 and C1-4 alkoxy represented by Z2 and R1 means methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-6 alkoxy represented by R3 and R5 means methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-6 alkylthio represented by R3 and R5 means methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio, hexylthio and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-3 alkylene in Z1 and R2 means methylene, ethylene, trimethylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-4 alkylene in Z1 and R2 and C1-4 alkylene represented by Z3 means methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C1-5 alkylene in Z1 means methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-4 alkylene represented by R2 means ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-4 alkenylene represented by R2 means vinylene, propenylene, butenylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C2-4 alkynylene represented by R2 means ethynylene, propynylene, butynylene and isomer thereof.
In the formula (I), C3-7 cycloalkyl in Z5 and R4 and C3-7 cycloalkyl represented by Z5 and R4 means cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl.
In the formula (I), C5-15 carbocyclic ring represented by 
means mono-, bi- or tri-ring of C5-15 carbocyclic aryl, or partially or fully saturated ring thereof.
For example, C5-15 carbocyclic aryl includes benzene, pentalene, indene, naphthalene, azulene, fluorene, anthracene etc. Partially or fully saturated ring thereof includes the above mentioned ring which is partially or fully saturated.
As for C5-15 carbocyclic ring, preferably, mono- or bi-ring of C5-10 carbocyclic aryl and the mentioned C5-7 cycloalkyl is listed, and more preferably, benzene, naphthalene, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.
In the formula (I), 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) represented by 
and Z5 means 5-7 membered heterocyclic aryl ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) or partially or fully saturated ring thereof.
5-7 membered heterocyclic aryl ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) includes pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, azepine, diazepine, furan, pyran, oxepine, oxazepine, thiophen, thiain (thiopyran), thiepine, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxadiazine, oxazepine, oxadiazepine, thiadiazole, thiadiazine, thiadiazepine etc.
5-7 membered heterocyclic aryl ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) which is partially or fully saturated includes pyrroline, pyrrolidine, imidazoline, imidazolidine, pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, piperidine, piperazine, tetrahydropyrimidine, tetrahydropyridazine, dihydrofuran, tetrahydrofuran, dihydropyran, tetrahydropyran, dihydrothiophen, tetrahydrothiophen, dihydrothiain (dihydrothiopyran), tetrahydrothiain (tetrahydrothiopyran), dihydroxazole, tetrahydroxazole, dihydroisoxazole, tetrahydroisoxazole, dihydrothiazole, tetrahydrothiazole, dihydroisothiazole, tetrahydroisothiazole, morpholine, thiomorpholine etc.
In the formula (I), halogen represented by Z2, R3 and R5 means chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine.
In the formula (I), as for Z3 which represents single bond or C1-4 alkylene, preferably, single bond or methylene is listed and more preferably, single bond.
In the formula (I), as for Z4 which represents SO2 or CO, preferably SO2 is listed.
In the formula (I), as for R4, preferably, every group is listed and more preferably, group other than hydrogen.
Unless otherwise specified, all isomers are included in the invention. For example, alkyl, alkylene and alkenylene includes straight-chain or branched-chain ones. Double bond in alkenylene include structure of configurations E, Z and EZ mixtures. Isomers generated by asymmetric carbon(s) e.g. branched alkyl are also included in the present invention.
In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, the compounds wherein 
is C5-15 carbocyclic ring and Z5 is C1-8 alkyl, C2-8 alkenyl, C2-8 alkynyl, or group containing phenyl or C3-7 cycloalkyl (each ring may be substituted.) are preferable. The compounds wherein 
is mono- or bi-ring of C5-10 carbocyclic aryl and C5-7 cycloalkyl and Z5 is the above mentioned group are more preferable.
The compounds wherein at least one of 
and Z5 is 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) (each ring may be substituted.) are also preferable. Such compounds include, for example, the compounds wherein (1) 
is C5-15 carbocyclic ring and Z5 is 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) or (2) one of 
is 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom(s) and the other is C5-15 carbocyclic ring. The compounds wherein carbocyclic ring represented by 
and/or 
in case of the above (1) and (2) is mono- or bi-ring of C5-10 carbocyclic aryl and C5-7 cycloalkyl are more preferable.
In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, concrete and preferable compounds include the compounds described in the Examples and corresponding esters and amides.
[Salt]
The compounds of the present invention of the formula (I) may be converted into the corresponding salts by methods known per se. Non-toxic and water-soluble salts are preferable. Suitable salts, for example, are as follows: salts of alkali metals (potassium, sodium etc.), salts of alkaline earth metals (calcium, magnesium etc.), ammonium salts, salts of pharmaceutically acceptable organic amines (tetramethylammonium, triethylamine, methylamine, dimethylamine, cyclopentylamine, benzylamine, phenethylamine, piperidine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, lysine, arginine, N-methyl-D-glucamine etc.).
The compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention may be prepared by the method described in the following, the method described in the Examples as hereinafter or known methods.
(1) In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, the carboxylic acid compounds of the formula (Ia) 
(wherein Z1a and Z2a are as Z1 and Z2, respectively, with the proviso that at least one of them is COOH or a group containing COOH, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared from the ester compound of the formula (Ib) 
(wherein Z1b and Z2b are as Z1 and Z2, respectively, with the proviso that at least one of them is COR1b or a group containing COR1b (wherein R1b is C1-4 alkoxy or methoxymethoxy (abbreviated as OMOM.).),
R3b, R4b and Z5b are as R3, R4 and Z5, respectively, with the proviso when R3, R4 or R5 in Z5 is COOH or hydroxy, or a group containing COOH or hydroxy, each COOH and hydroxy is protected by a protecting group which is removable under an acidic, neutral or alkaline condition, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
by hydrolysis under an alkaline, acidic or neutral condition, if necessary, followed by hydrolysis under the different condition.
The removal of a protecting group by hydrolysis under an alkaline, acidic or neutral condition is a well-known reaction as hereinafter described.
(2) In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, the ester compounds of the formula (Ic) 
(wherein Z1c and Z2c are as Z1 and Z2, respectively, with the proviso that at least one of them is COR1c or a group containing COR1c (wherein R1c is C1-4 alkoxy.) and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared from the compound of the formula (Ia) by esterification.
Esterification is well known, it may be carried out, for example;
(a) by the method using diazoalkane,
(b) by the method using alkyl halide,
(c) by the method using dimethylformamide (DMF)-dialkyl acetal or
(d) by the method reacting corresponding alkanol etc.
Concrete description of the methods described above are as follows:
(a) The method using diazoalkane may be carried out, for example, using corresponding diazoalkane in an organic solvent (diethylether, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, acetone, methanol or ethanol etc.) at xe2x88x9210xcx9c40xc2x0 C.
(b) The method using alkyl halide may be carried out, for example, in an organic solvent (acetone, DMF, dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) etc.) in the presence of base (potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium oxide etc.) using corresponding alkyl halide at xe2x88x9210xcx9c40xc2x0 C.
(c) The method using DMF-dialkyl acetal may be carried out, for example, in an organic solvent (benzene, toluene etc.) using corresponding DMF-dialkyl acetal at xe2x88x9210xcx9c40xc2x0 C.
(d) The method of reacting corresponding alkanol may be carried out, for example, in corresponding alkanol (HR1c (R1c is as hereinbefore defined.)) using acid (HCl, sulfuric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, hydrochloride gas etc.) or condensing agents (DCC, pivaloyl halide, aryl sulfonyl halide, alkyl sulfonyl halide etc.) at 0xcx9c40xc2x0 C.
Of course, an organic solvent (tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride etc.) which does not relate to the reaction may be added in these esterification.
(3) In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, the amide compounds of the formula (Id) 
(wherein Z1d and Z2d are as Z1 and Z2, respectively, with the proviso that at least one of them is COR1d or a group containing COR1d (wherein R1d is NR6R7 (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (Ia) with the compound of the formula (III)
HNR6R7xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) to form the amide bond.
Reaction to form amide-bond is well known, it may be carried out, for example, in an organic solvent (THF, methylene chloride, benzene, acetone, acetonitrile etc.), in the presence or absence of tertiary amine (dimethylaminopyridine, pyridine, triethylamine etc.) using a condensing agent (EDC or DCC etc.) at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
(4) In the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention, the alcohol compounds of the formula (Ie) 
(wherein Z1e is C1-5 alkylene-OH, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by the reduction of the compound of the formula (If) 
(wherein Z1f is COOYf or C1-4 alkylene-COOYf (wherein Yf is C1-4 alkyl.), and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.).
The reductive reaction is known, and for example, this reaction may be carried out in the presence of organic solvent (THF, methylene chloride, diethylether, lower alkanol etc.) using lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) or diisobutyl aluminum hydride (DIBAL) at xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. to room temperature.
(5) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is CONR8, C1-4 alkylene-CONR8, CONR8-C1-4 alkylene, C1-3 alkylene-CONR8-C1-3 alkylene, (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-1) 
(wherein R20 is CONR8, C1-4 alkylene-CONR8, CONR8-C1-4 alkylene, C1-3 alkylene-CONR8-C1-3 alkylene, (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (IV) 
(wherein R200 is single bond or C1-4 alkylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (V) 
(wherein R201 is single bond or C1-4 alkylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) to form amide bond.
Reaction to form amide bond may be carried out as the method described in the said (3).
(6) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is NR8CO, C1-4 alkylene-NR8CO, NR8CO-C1-4 alkylene, C1-3 alkylene-NR8CO-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-2) 
(wherein R21 is NR8CO, C1-4 alkylene-NR8CO, NR8CO-C1-4 alkylene, C1-3 alkylene-NR8CO-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (VI) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (VIl) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
to form amide bond.
Reaction to form amide bond may be carried out as the method described in the said (3).
(7) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is O, S, NZ6, Z7-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-N7 or C1-3 alkylene N7-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-3) 
(wherein R22 is O, S, NZ6, Z7-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-N7 or C1-3 alkylene-N7-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.).)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (VIII) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (IX)
Xxe2x80x94Z4xe2x80x94Z5bxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IX)
(wherein X is halogen and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond.
Reactions to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond may be carried out, for example, in an organic solvent (THF, methylene chloride, benzene, acetone, acetonitrile etc.), in the presence or absence of tertiary amine (dimethylaminopyridine, pyridine, triethylamine etc.) at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
(8) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is NZ6-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-NZ6 or C1-3 alkylene-NZ6-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-4) 
(wherein R23 is NZ6-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-NZ6 or C1-3 alkylene-NZ6-C1-3 alkylene (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by
(a) reacting (reductive amination) the compound of the formula (VI-a) 
(wherein R230 is single bond or C1-4 alkylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (VII-a) 
xe2x80x83(wherein R231 is single bond or C1-3 alkylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.) or
(b) reacting (reductive amination) the compound of the formula (VI-b) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (VII-b) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.).
The reaction of reductive amination described in the above (a) and (b) may carried out, for example, in organic solvent (methanol etc.), in an acidic condition, using a boron reagent such as sodium cyanoborohydride etc. at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
(9) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is C2-4 alkenylene, i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-5) 
(wherein R25 is C2-4 alkenylene and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (XI) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (IX)
Xxe2x80x94Z4xe2x80x94Z5bxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IX)
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond.
Reaction to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond may be carried out as the method described in the said (7).
(10) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is C2-4 alkylene, i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-6) 
(wherein R26 is C2-4 alkylene, Z1cc, Z5cc and Z4cc are as Z1b, Z5b and Z4b, respectively, with the proviso that none of Z1cc, Z5cc and Z4cc are alkenylene, alkynylene, alkenylene-containing group and alkynylene-containing group, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by catalytic reduction of the compound of the formula (Ib-5).
The catalytic reduction is known, and for example, this reaction may be carried out under the condition of atmosphere of hydrogen gas, in an organic solvent (THF, alkanol or acetone etc.), using a reductive catalyst (Pd, Pdxe2x80x94C, Pt or platinum oxide etc.) at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
(11) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is C2-4 alkynylene, i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-7) 
(wherein R27 is C2-4 alkynylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (XII) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (IX)
Xxe2x80x94Z4xe2x80x94Z5bxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IX)
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond.
Reaction to form sulfonamide bond or carboamide bond may be carried out as the method described in the said (7).
(12) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is NZ6SO2 (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-8) 
(wherein R28 is NZ6SO2 (wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.), and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (Z-1) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (Z-2) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
to form sulfonamide bond.
Reaction to form sulfonamide bond may be carried out as the method described in the said (7).
(13) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R2 is CO, CO-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-CO or C1-3 alkylene-CO-C1-3 alkylene, i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-9) 
(wherein R29is CO, CO-C1-4 alkylene, C1-4 alkylene-CO or C1-3 alkylene-CO-C1-3 alkylene, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (Z-3) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
with the compound of the formula (Z-4) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
This reaction may be carried out, for example, in organic solvent (THF, methylene chloride, benzene, acetone, acetonitrile etc.) in the presence of Zn or cyano copper at xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. to room temperature.
(14) In the compounds of the formula (Ib), wherein R4b is group other than H, i.e. the compounds of the formula (Ib-10) 
(wherein R44 is as R4 other than H, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula (Ib-11) 
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
and (a) the compound of the formula (Z-5)
Xxe2x80x94R44xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(Z-5)
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.)
or (b) the compound of the formula (Z-6)
HOxe2x80x94R44xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(Z-6)
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.).
The above reaction is N-alkylation reaction or corresponding reaction. For example, this reaction (a) in case of using alkyl halide of the formula
Xxe2x80x94R44
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.),
may be carried out in organic solvent (acetone, THF or methylene chloride etc.), in the presence of base (potassium carbonate etc.) at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
The reaction (b) in case of using alcohol of the formula
HOxe2x80x94R44
(wherein all symbols are as hereinbefore defined.),
may be carried out in organic solvent (acetone, THF or methylene chloride etc.), in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diethyldiazocarboxylate (DEAD) at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
(15) The compounds wherein R3 is hydroxymethyl may be prepared by the method mentioned above or the method described in the Examples hereinafter.
(16) The compounds wherein Z4 is SO2 and Z5 is cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl (each ring may be substituted by 1-5 of R5 (R5 is as hereinbefore defined.).) or isopropyl may be prepared by the method mentioned above or the method described in the Examples hereinafter.
(17) The compounds wherein symbol(s) other than Z1 is/are COOH, COOZa (wherein Za is C1-4 alkyl) or hydroxy or group containing COOH, COOZa (wherein Za is as hereinbefore defined.) or hydroxy may be prepared by reacting under the condition that each of the above groups and Z1 if necessay are protected by a protecting group which is removable under an alkaline, acidic or neutral condition and removing a protecting group under an alkaline, acidic or neutral condition or combining removal of protecting groups under different conditions (for example, removal of a protecting group under an acidic condition and removal of a protecting group under an alkaline condition may be carried out successively, either reaction being started first.).
A protecting group of COOH which is removable under an acidic condition includes, for example, silyl containing group such as t-butyldimethylsilyl etc. or t-butyl.
A protecting group of COOH which is removable under an alkaline condition includes alkyl group (for example, methyl etc.) other than t-butyl.
A protecting group of COOH which is removable under both an acidic condition and an alkaline condition includes, for example, methoxymethyl.
A protecting group of COOH which is removable under a neutral condition includes benzyl etc.
A protecting group of hydroxy which is removable under an acidic condition includes, for example, tetrahydoropyranyl, silyl containing group such as t-butyidimethylsilyl etc. 1-ethoxyethyl or methoxymethyl etc.
A protecting group of hydroxy which is removable under an alkaline condition includes acyl group such as acetyl etc.
A protecting group of hydroxy which is removable under a neutral condition includes benzyl or silyl containing group such as t-butyidimethylsilyl etc.
The removal of a protecting group under an alkaline condition is well known. For example, this reaction may be carried out in an organic solvent (methanol, THF, dioxane etc.), using a hydroxide of an alkali metal (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide etc.), a hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal (calcium hydroxide etc.) or a carbonate salt (sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate etc.) or an aqueous solution thereof, or mixture thereof at 0xcx9c40xc2x0 C.
The removal of a protecting group under an acidic condition is well known. For example, this reaction may be carried out in a solvent (methylene chloride, dioxane, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, water or mixture thereof etc.), using an organic acid (trifluoroacetic acid etc.) or an inorganic acid (HCl, HBr etc.) at 0xcx9c120xc2x0 C.
The removal of a protecting group under a neutral condition is well known. For example, this reaction using benzyl may be carried out in a solvent (ether (THF, dioxane, dimethoxyethane, diethyl ether etc.), alcohol (methanol, ethanol etc.), benzene (benzene, toluene etc.), ketone (acetone, methylethyl ketone etc.), nitrile (acetonitrile etc.) amide (dimethylformamide etc.) water, ethyl acetate, acetic acid or mixture thereof etc.) in the presence of catalyst (Pdxe2x80x94C, palladium black, PdOH, PtO2, Raney nickel etc.), at ordinary or increased pressure under the condition of atmosphere of hydrogen gas or in the presence of ammonium formate at 0xcx9c200xc2x0 C.
This reaction using silyl containing group such as t-butyldimethylsilyl etc. may be carried out in a solvent such as ether (THF etc.), using tetrabutylammonium fluoride at 0xcx9c50xc2x0 C.
The compounds of the formula (III), (V), (VII), (IX), (VII-a), (VII-b), (Z-2), (Z-4), (Z-5) or (Z-6) are known or may be prepared easily by known methods or the methods described in the Examples hereinafter. The compounds of the formula (IV), (VI), (VIII), (X), (XI), (XII) or (Z-3) may be prepared by the following reaction schemes (A)-(F).
In each reaction scheme, each symbol is as hereinbefore defined, or as defined as follows.
R200: single bond or C1-4 alkylene;
R202: single bond or C1-4 alkylene;
R203: single bond or C1-4 alkylene;
R204: single bond or C1 or 2 alkylene;
R205: C1, 2 or 3 alkylene;
R206: single bond or C1 or 2 alkylene;
R207: C1, 2 or 3 alkylene;
R208: C1 or 2 alkylene;
R50: C1-4 alkyl;
R51: trifluoroacetyl;
X1, X2, X3, X4: halogen. 
In each reaction in the present specification, obtained products may be purified by conventional techniques. For example, purification may be carried out by distillation at atmospheric or reduced pressure, by high performance liquid chromatography, by thin layer chromatography or by column chromatography using silica gel or magnesium silicate, by washing or by recrystallization. Purification may be carried out after each reaction, or after a series of reactions.
The other starting materials and reagents in the present invention are known per se or may be prepared by known methods.
The compounds of the present invention of the formula (I) can bind to the receptors of prostaglandin E2 and show antagonistic activity against the action thereof or agonistic activity, so they are useful as PGE2 antagonists or agonists.
As mentioned hereinbefore, to antagonize against PGE2 is linked to inhibition of uterine contraction, analgesic action, inhibition of digestive peristalsis, induction of sleep or increase of vesical capacity. Therefore, PGE2 antagonists are considered to be useful for the prevention of abortion, as analgesics, as antidiarrheals, as sleep inducers or as agents for treating pollakiuria.
As mentioned hereinbefore, to show PGE2 agonistic activity is linked to uterine contraction, promotion of digestive peristalsis, suppression of gastric acid secretion or reduction of blood pressure or diuresis. Therefore, PGE2 agonists are considered to be useful as abortifacient, cathartic, antiulcer, anti-gastritis, antihypertensive or diuretic agents.
For example, in standard laboratory test, it was confirmed that the compounds of the formula (I) of the present invention can bind to receptor of PGE2 (EP1 receptor) according to assay using expression cell of prostanoid receptor subtype.
(i) Bindina Assay Using Expression Cell of Prostanoid Receptor Subtype
The preparation of membrane fraction was carried out according to the method of Sugimoto et al (J. Biol. Chem. 267, 6463-6466 (1992)), using expression CHO cell of prostanoid receptor subtype (mouse EP1).
The standard assay mixture contained membrane fraction (0.5 mg/ml), 3H-PGE2 in a final volume of 200 xcexcl was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. The reaction was terminated by addition of 3 ml of ice-cold buffer. The mixture was rapidly filtered through a glass filter (GF/B). The radioactivity associated with the filter was measured by liquid scintillation counting.
Kd and Bmax values were determined from Scatchard plots (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 51, 660 (1949)). Non-specific binding was calculated as the bond in the presence of an excess (2.5 xcexcM) of unlabeled PGE2. In the experiment for competition of specific 3H-PGE2 binding by the compounds of the present invention, 3H-PGE2 was added at a concentration of 2.5 nM and the compound of the present invention was added at a various concentration of. The following buffer was used in all reaction.
Buffer: potassium phosphate (pH6.0, 10 mM), EDTA (1 mM), MgCl2 (10 mM), NaCl (0.1M).
The dissociation constant Ki (xcexcM) of each compound was calculated by the following equation.
Ki=IC50/(1+([C]/Kd))
The results were shown in Table 1.
The toxicity of the compounds of the present invention is very low and therefore, it is confirmed that these compounds are safe for use as medicine.
The compounds of the present invention of the formula (I) can bind to the receptors of prostaglandin E2 and show antagonistic activity against the action thereof or agonistic activity, so they are useful as PGE2 antagonists or agonists.
As mentioned hereinbefore, to antagonize against PGE2 is linked to inhibition of uterine contraction, analgesic action, inhibition of digestive peristalsis, induction of sleep or increase of vesical capacity. Therefore, PGE2 antagonists are considered to be useful for the prevention of abortion, as analgesics, as antidiarrheals, as sleep inducers or as agents for treating pollakiuria.
As mentioned hereinbefore, to show PGE2 agonistic activity is linked to uterine contraction, promotion of digestive peristalsis, suppression of gastric acid secretion or reduction of blood pressure or diuresis. Therefore, PGE2 agonists are considered to be useful as abortifacient, cathartic, antiulcer, anti-gastritis, antihypertensive or diuretic agents.
The compounds of the present invention can bind to receptors of prostaglandin E2, especially, EP1 receptor strongly, so they are expected to be useful as analgesics or as agents for treating pollakiuria.
For the purpose above described, the compounds of the formula (I), non-toxic salts thereof and hydrates thereof may be normally administered systemically or locally, usually by oral or parenteral administration.
The doses to be administered are determined depending upon age, body weight, symptom, the desired therapeutic effect, the route of administration, and the duration of the treatment etc. In the human adult, the doses per person per dose are generally between 1 xcexcg and 100 mg, by oral administration, up to several times per day, and between 0.1 xcexcg and 10 mg, by parenteral administration (preferred into vein) up to several times per day, or continuous administration between 1 and 24 hours per day into vein.
As mentioned above, the doses to be used depend upon various conditions. Therefore, there are cases in which doses lower than or greater than the ranges specified above may be used.
On administration of the compounds of the present invention, it is used as solid compositions, liquid compositions or other compositions for oral administration, as injections, liniments or suppositories etc. for parenteral administration.
Solid compositions for oral administration include compressed tablets, pills, capsules, dispersible powders, and granules etc.
Capsules contain hard capsules and soft capsules.
In such solid compositions, one or more of the active compound(s) is or are, admixed with at least one inert diluent such as lactose, mannitol, mannit, glucose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, magnesium metasilicate aluminate. The compositions may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents: e.g. lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, disintegrating agents such as cellulose calcium glycolate, and assisting agents for dissolving such as glutamic acid or asparaginic acid. The tablets or pills may, if desired, be coated with film of gastric or enteric material such as sugar, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose phthalate etc., or be coated with two or more films. And further, coating may include containment within capsules of absorbable materials such as gelatin.
Liquid compositions for oral administration include pharmaceutically-acceptable emulsions, solutions, syrups and elixirs etc. In such liquid compositions, one or more of the active compound(s) is or are comprised in inert diluent(s) commonly used in the art (for example, purified water, ethanol etc.). Besides inert diluents, such compositions may also comprise adjuvants such as wetting agents, suspending agents, sweetening agents, flavouring agents, perfuming agents and preserving agents.
Other compositions for oral administration include spray compositions which may be prepared by known methods and which comprise one or more of the active compound(s). Spray compositions may comprise additional substances other than inert diluents: e.g. stabilizing agents such as sodium hydrogen sulfate, stabilizing agents to give the title compound isotonicity, isotonic buffer such as sodium chloride, sodium citrate, citric acid. For preparation of such spray compositions, for example, the method described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,868,691 or 3,095,355 may be used.
Injections for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Aqueous solutions or suspensions include distilled water for injection and physiological salt solution. Non-aqueous solutions or suspensions include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, plant oil such as olive oil, alcohol such as ethanol, POLYSORBATE80 (registered trade mark) etc. Such compositions may comprise additional diluents: e.g. preserving agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents, stabilizing agent, assisting agents such as assisting agents for dissolving (for example, glutamic acid, asparaginic acid). They may be sterilized for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporation of sterilizing agents in the compositions or by irradiation. They also be manufactured in the form of sterile solid compositions and which can be dissolved in sterile water or some other sterile diluents for injection immediately before used.
Other compositions for parenteral administration include liquids for external use, and endemic liniments, ointment, suppositories and pessaries which comprise one or more of the active compound(s) and may be prepared by known methods.
The following reference examples and examples are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the present invention.
The solvents in parentheses show the developing or eluting solvents and the ratios of the solvents used are by volume in chromatographic separations. Without special explanation, NMR data was determined in CDCl3 solution.

To a suspension of 5-chloroanthranilic acid (6.1 g) in AcOEt-MeOH (20 ml+10 ml), a solution of an excess amount of diazomethane in ether (50 ml) was added at 0xc2x0 C. After termination of reaction, reaction solvent was evaporated to dryness to give the title compound (6.6 g) having the following physical data.
NMR: xcex4 7.82 (1H, d), 7.21 (1H, dd), 6.60 (1H, d), 5.73 (2H, brs), 3.88 (3H, s).

To a solution of 5-chloroanthranilic acid methyl ester (400 mg;. prepared in Reference Example 1.) and pyridine (0.87 ml) in methylene chloride, benzenesulfonylchloride (0.33 ml) was added at 0xc2x0 C. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into diluted HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed, dried over and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on silica gel column chromatography (hexane-AcOEt) to give the title compound (664 mg) having the following physical data.
TLC: Rf 0.30 (hexane:AcOEt=4:1); NMR: xcex4 10.5 (1H, s), 7.90-7.79 (3H, m), 7.79 (1H, d), 7.60-7.37 (4H, m), 3.88 (3H, s).

To a solution of methyl 2-phenylsulfonylamino-5-chlorobenzoate (600 mg; prepared in Reference Example 2.) in the mixture of THF-MeOH (6 ml+3 ml), 2N NaOH solution (2 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 days. To the reaction mixture, 1N HCl (4.5 ml) was added. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed and dried over to give the title compound (575 mg) having the following physical data.
NMR: xcex4 10.31 (1H, s), 7.99 (1H, d), 7.92-7.83 (2H, m), 7.70 (1H, d), 7.63-7.42 (4H, m), 6.20 (1H, brs).