Heterocycle substituted carboxylic acids

1. A compound of the formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein,

L is —SO 2 —, —C(O)—, —O—(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl-, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl-O—, —C(O)—(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl-, —(C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl-C(O)—, —O—, —S—, —SO—, or —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-,

R 2 is H, halogen, arylalkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy optionally substituted with phenyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH 2 , —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) b —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -aryl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or OH,

wherein each heterocycloalkyl is optionally substituted with a total of 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein each aryl group within R 2 is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ;

wherein b is 0, 1, or 2;

each R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, aryl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, alkanoyl, arylalkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —C(O)N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or —SO 2 —aryl, wherein the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy;

R 8 is H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , and R 23 are independently selected from H, arylalkoxy, arylalkyl, halogen, alkyl, OH, alkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, NH-aryl, NHC(O)—(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-aryl, N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-aryl, N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl-aryl, —NHSO 2 -aryl, —N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)SO 2 aryl, wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, OH, NO 2 , haloalkyl, haloalkoxy;

the A ring is aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocycloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

the B ring is heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkyl, arylalkoxy, halogen, alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, or OH;

Q is aryl or heteroaryl, wherein the aforementioned cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl;

Y is selected from a bond, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-optionally substituted with phenyl, and

Z is absent or phenyl optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, halogen, or hydroxyl, and

provided that the compound is not 4′-(3-biphenyl)-6-bromo-3-methyl-cinchopen.

2. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein

R 2 is phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, phenyl, naphthyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, naphthyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH 2 , —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)N(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) b —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -phenyl, —SO 2 -naphthyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-piperidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-pyrrolidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-morpholinyl, or OH,

wherein the piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and morpholinyl rings are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein the phenyl and naphthyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ;

wherein b is 0, 1, or 2;

R 8 is H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , and R 23 are independently selected from H, phenyl C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, phenyl C 1 -C 6 alkyl, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, NH-phenyl, NHC(O)—(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-phenyl, N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-phenyl, N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl-phenyl, —NHSO 2 -phenylor , —N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl)SO 2 phenyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, OH, NO 2 , C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy;

the A ring is phenyl, indolyl, benzofuranyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothienyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, or isoindolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl;

the B ring is pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, dihydroquinoxalinonyl, pyridinonyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, pyridinyl, or pyrimidinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH;

Q is phenyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, quinolinyl, -piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, or indolinyl, wherein each aforementioned cyclic group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; and

Z is absent or phenyl optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, halogen, or hydroxy.

3. A compound according to claim 2 , wherein

R 22 and R 23 are both H;

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenethyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, —CH 2 -naphthyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH 2 , —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) b —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-piperidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-pyrrolidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-morpholinyl, or OH,

wherein the piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and morpholinyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein the phenyl and naphthyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ;

each R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, pyridylcarbonyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, —C(O)NH 2 , —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —C(O)N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, wherein b is 0, 1, or 2; and

Z is absent.

4. A compound according to claim 3 of the formula

wherein

the B ring is pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, dihydroquinoxalinonyl, pyridinonyl, or dihydroisoquinolinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl (benzyl), phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH; and

Q is phenyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, quinolinyl, -piperidinyl, -pyrrolidinyl, or -indolinyl, wherein the aforementioned cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 2 haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; wherein

each R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkoxycarbonyl, pyridylcarbonyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy.

5. A compound according to claim 4 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenethyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, —CH 2 -naphthyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-piperidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-pyrrolidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-morpholinyl, or OH, wherein the piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and morpholinyl groups are optionally substituted with a total of 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein the phenyl and naphthyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 .

6. A compound according to claim 5 , wherein

R 20 , and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, NH-phenyl, or N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl-phenyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, OH, NO 2 , C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy; and

the B ring is pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, thiazolidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, dihydroquinoxalinonyl, or pyridinonyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH.

7. A compound according to claim 6 , of the formula

wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 .

R 20 , and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 ;

the B ring is pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, thiazolidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, dihydroquinoxalinonyl, pyridinonyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH;

Q is H, phenyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, or quinolinyl, wherein the aforementioned cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, CF 3 , OCF 3 , NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; wherein

R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, benzyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkanoyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, CF 3 or OCF 3 .

8. A compound according to claim 1 , of the formula

wherein

the B ring is indolyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidinyl, or pyridinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, OH.

9. A compound according to claim 8 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ; and

R 20 , and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 .

10. A compound according to claim 9 , wherein

the B ring is indolyl, benzimidazolyl, or pyridinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH; and

Y is selected from a bond, or —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl- wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl.

11. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein

the A-ring is benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, dibenzofuranyl, or thiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; and

Q is phenyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, or quinolinyl, wherein the aforementioned cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 2 haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; wherein

R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxycarbonyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy.

12. A compound according to claim 11 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ;

the B ring is indolyl, benzimidazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinonyl, quinoxalinonyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl benzimidazolyl, or quinoxalinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH;

R 20 , and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 , and

R 22 and R 23 are both H.

13. A compound according to claim 12 , wherein

the A-ring is benzofuranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, dibenzofuranyl, or thiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl;

Q is phenyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, or indolyl, wherein the aforementioned cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 2 haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; wherein

R 6 and R 7 are independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, benzyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 2 )alkanoyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, CF 3 , or OCF 3 ;

Z is absent or phenyl optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, halogen, or hydroxy;

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, CF 3 , OCF 3 , or NO 2 ;

the B ring is indolyl, benzimidazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyridinonyl, quinoxalinonyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, benzimidazolyl, or quinoxalinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH;

R 20 , and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 , and

R 22 and R 23 are both H.

14. A compound according to claim 1 , which is

1-{[4({[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-ethylphenyl)1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino}carbonyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}proline; or

1-{4[4-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-5-(4-ethyl-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl]-benzenesulfonyl}-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

15. A compound of the formula

wherein

R 1 is H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

L is —SO 2 —, —C(O)—, or —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-;

R 8 is H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

R 2 is phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, phenyl, naphthyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, naphthyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH 2 , —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)NH(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-C(O)N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) b —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -phenyl, —SO 2 -naphthyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-piperidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-pyrrolidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-morpholinyl, or OH,

wherein the piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and morpholinyl rings are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein the phenyl and naphthyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ;

wherein b is 0, 1, or 2;

A is phenyl, benzofuranyl, or dibenzofuranyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, halogen, C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 2 haloalkoxy, NR 6 R 7 , or phenyl; wherein

each R 6 and R 7 is independently H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkanoyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl(C 1 -C 4 )alkoxycarbonyl, pyridylcarbonyl, or —SO 2 -phenyl, wherein the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy;

R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, NH-phenyl, or N(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl-phenyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, OH, NO 2 , C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, or C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy;

the B ring is pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrazolyl, dihydropyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, dihydroquinoxalinonyl, pyridinonyl, or dihydroisoquinolinyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 ,is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl (benzyl), phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy (benzyloxy), halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH; and

Y is a bond or —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-optionally substituted with phenyl, and

provided that the compound is not 4′-(3-biphenyl)-6-bromo-3-methyl-cinchophen.

16. A compound according to claim 15 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenethyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, —CH 2 -naphthyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-S(O) 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-piperidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-pyrrolidinyl, —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl-morpholinyl, or OH,

wherein the piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and morpholinyl groups are optionally substituted with a total of 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, or —SO 2 —(C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl;

wherein the phenyl and naphthyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 .

17. A compound according to claim 16 wherein R 1 is H.

18. A compound of claim 17 , wherein

R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl.

19. A compound according to claim 16 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 ; and

R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 .

20. A compound according to claim 19 , wherein

the B ring is benzimidazolyl, pyrazolyl, dihydropyrazolyl, or pyridinonyl, wherein each, in addition to being substituted with R 2 , is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl, benzyloxy, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH; and

Y is a bond.

21. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein the A-ring is benzofuranyl or dibenzofuranyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groups that are independently, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl.

22. A compound according to claim 21 , wherein

R 2 is benzyloxy, phenyl, phenyl C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, —SO 2 -phenyl, (C 1 -C 4 ) hydroxyalkyl or OH,

wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 groups that are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, halogen, C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 4 haloalkoxy, or NO 2 .

R 20 and R 21 are independently selected from H, benzyloxy, benzyl, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, and NO 2 .

23. A compound according to claim 15 of the formula:

wherein

L is C 1 -C 2 alkylene;

A represents

where R 10 and R 10 , independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, NO 2 , NH 2 , NH(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or N(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and

Y is a bond.

24. A compound according to claim 23 , wherein R 10 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl.

25. A compound according to claim 24 wherein the B ring is 1-dihydropyrazolyl, 1-pyridinonyl or 1-pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groups that are independently alkyl, alkoxy, benzyl, phenethyl, benzyloxy, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, or OH.

26. A compound according to claim 23 , wherein R 10 is not hydrogen and R 10 , is hydrogen.

27. A compound, which is Methyl 1-{[4-({[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-ethylphenylyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino{carbonyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}prolinate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

28. A method of treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes comprising administering a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a compound of claim 1 or 15 to a patient in need thereof.

29. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or 15 and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, carrier, excipient or adjuvant.