Heterocyclyl-3-sulfonylindazoles as 5-hydroxytryptamine-6 ligands

1. A compound of formula I

wherein

A is CR 8 ;

R 1 is H, halogen, CN, or OR 17 ;

R 2 is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group;

R 3 is H, or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

said optional substituents for R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsuphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, or cyctoalkyl groups;

R 4 is H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or benzyl;

R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are each independently H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

m and p are each independently an integer of 1, 2 or 3;

n is an integer of 1;

R 8 is H or OH;

R 17 is H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl; and

represents a single bond; or

the stereoisomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof;

wherein aryl is phenyl or naphthyl and further wherein heteroaryl is thienyl.

2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R 4 is H or an optionally substituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group.

3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R 2 is an optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl or thienyl group.

4. The compound according to claim 1 wherein the 6-membered azacyclic ring is attached to the indazole in the 5 or 7 position.

5. The compound according to claim 4 wherein R 4 is H or an optionally substituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group.

6. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein

A is CR 8 ;

R 1 is H, halogen, CN, or OR 17 ;

R 2 is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group;

R 3 is H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

said optional substituents for R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsuphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, or cycloalkyl groups;

R 4 is H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or benzyl;

R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are each independently H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

m and p are each independently an integer of 1, 2 or 3;

n is an integer of 1;

R 8 is H or OH;

R 17 is H or a C 1 -C 6 alkyl; and

represents a single bond; or

the stereoisomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof;

wherein aryl is phenyl or naphthyl and further wherein heteroaryl is thienyl.

7. The composition according to claim 6 having a formula I compound wherein R 4 is H or an optionally substituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group.

8. The composition according to claim 7 having a formula I compound wherein R 2 is an optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl or thienyl group.

9. The composition according to claim 8 having a formula I compound wherein the 6-membered azacyclic ring is attached to the indazole in the 5 or 7 position.