Carboxamide, sulfonamide and amine compounds and methods for using the same

1. A compound having the structural formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof, wherein

“B” represents -(aryl or heteroaryl)- substituted by w R 3 and k R 14 ;

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond or a double bond;

the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond or absent, provided that if the dotted line denoted by “b” is a double bond, then the dotted line denoted by “a” is absent;

D is a carbon or N when the dotted line denoted by “a” is absent, and a carbon when the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond;

J is —O—, —N(R 38 )—, —CH 2 —, —CH(R 26 )— or —C(R 26 ) 2 —;

E is —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or a single bond, provided that when “B” is phenyl, J is —O— and D is a carbon, E is not —C(O)—;

R 1 is H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl);

R 2 is -Hca, -Cak-N(R 9 )-G-R 22 or —(C 2 -C 8 alkyl)-N(R 9 )—R 24 in which one or two carbons of the (C 2 -C 8 alkyl) are optionally replaced by —O—, —S— or —N(R 9 )— and R 24 is —R 23 , -G-R 23 , or —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), provided that two consecutive carbons of the (C 2 -C 8 alkyl) are not replaced by —O—;

each R 3 is substituted on a benzo, pyrido or pyrazino carbon of the ring system denoted by “B” and is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN;

w is 0, 1, 2 or 3;

each R 14 is substituted on a non-benzo, non-pyrido, non-pyrazino carbon of the ring system denoted by “B”, and is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 halooalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN;

k is 0, 1 or 2;

each R 4 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, and two R 4 on the same carbon optionally combine to form oxo;

x is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

q is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

the sum of p and q is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

T is —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 or

Q is —S(O) 2 — L or —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-, in which each carbon of the —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)- is optionally and independently substituted with one or two R 16 ;

the ring system denoted by “A” is heteroaryl, aryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl;

each R 5 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN; and

y is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

in which

each L is independently selected from —NR 9 C(O)O—, —OC(O)NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(O)—NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(O)S—, —SC(O)NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(O)—, —C(O)—NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(S)O—, —OC(S)NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(S)—NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(S)S—, —SC(S)NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(S)—, —C(S)NR 9 —, —SC(O)NR 9 —, —NR 9 C(S)—, —S(O) 0-2 —, —C(O)O, —OC(O)—, —C(S)O—, —OC(S)—, —C(O)S—, —SC(O)—, —C(S)S—, —SC(S)—, —OC(O)O—, —SC(O)O—, —OC(O)S—, —SC(S)O—, —OC(S)S—, —NR 9 C(NR 2 )NR 9 —, —NR 9 SO 2 —, —SO 2 NR 9 — and —NR 9 SO 2 NR 9 —,

each R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 10 is independently selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl) and —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl),

each R 9 is independently selected from —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) and —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl),

each G is independently —S(O) 2 —, L or —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-, in which each carbon of the —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)- is optionally and independently substituted with one or two R 16 ,

each R 16 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, and optionally two of R 16 on the same carbon combine to form oxo,

each R 26 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, and optionally two of R 26 on the same carbon combine to form oxo,

each R 38 is independently selected from —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) and —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl),

each R 22 and R 23 is independently Ar or Het,

each Ar is an optionally substituted aryl,

each Het is an optionally substituted heteroaryl,

each Cak is an optionally substituted cycloalkyl,

each Hca is an optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, and

each alkyl is optionally substituted,

wherein when the compound has the structure formula (II) or (III)

wherein R 1 , R 3 , R 4 , w, x, p, q, T, and R 38 are as defined above,

then R 2 is not tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl or tetrahydrothiophene S,S-dioxide.

2. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon.

3. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the “B” represents

in which X 1 and X 2 are independently a carbon or N, and k is 0.

4. A compound according to claim 3 , wherein one of X 1 and X 2 is a carbon and the other is N.

5. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein “B” represents

in which R 39 is H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl).

6. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein E is —C(O)—.

7. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein T is

8. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein each R 16 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, and two R 16 on the same carbon optionally combine to form an oxo, in which each R 7 , R 8 and R 10 is independently selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and in which no alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group.

9. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein Q is —CH 2 —, a single bond, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —CH(CH 3 )—.

10. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein each R 5 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, in which each R 7 , R 8 and R 10 is independently selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl) and —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and in which no alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group.

11. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is an aryl or a heteroaryl.

12. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is a phenyl.

13. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the sum of p and q is 2 or 3.

14. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is H.

15. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 2 is Hca.

16. A compound according to claim 15 , wherein R 2 is an optionally-substituted monocyclic heterocycloalkyl.

17. A compound according to claim 15 , wherein R 2 is -(optionally-substituted azetidin-3-yl), -(optionally substituted piperidin-4-yl), -(optionally substituted pyrrolidin-3-yl) or -(optionally-substituted azepan-4-yl).

18. A compound according to claim 17 , wherein R 2 is substituted at its 1-position with —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-Ar or —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-Het.

19. A compound according to claim 17 , wherein R 2 is substituted at its 1-position with —C(O)—O(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —C(O)-Het, —C(O)-Ar, —S(O) 2 -Het, —S(O) 2 -Ar or —S(O) 2 —O(C 0 -C 6 alkyl).

20. A compound according to claim 17 , wherein R 2 is substituted at its 1-position with —C(O)—NR 9 -Het or —C(O)—NR 9 -Ar.

21. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R 2 is -Cak-N(R 9 )-G-R 22 .

22. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 2 is —(C 2 -C 8 alkyl)-N(R 9 )—R 24 in which one or two carbons of the (C 2 -C 8 alkyl) are optionally replaced by —O— or —N(R 9 )— and R 24 is —R 23 , -GR 23 , or —C(O)O—(C 1 -C 6 alkyl).

23. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein each R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, in which each R 7 , R 8 and R 10 is independently selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and in which no alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group.

24. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein each R 4 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, in which each R 7 , R 8 and R 10 is independently selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl) and —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), and in which no alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group.

25. A compound according to claim 1 , having the structural formula

in which

Q and G are each independently a bond, —CH 2 —, —C(H)(R 16 )—, —C(R 16 ) 2 —, L or —S(O) 2 —;

v is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

each R 15 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Ar, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Het, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Cak, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-Hca, —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN, and two R 15 on the same carbon optionally combine to form oxo;

R 17 is Het or Ar.

26. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl) -C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

27. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

28. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

29. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

30. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

31. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 25 is selected from halo, cyano, —(C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 4 haloalkyl), —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 0 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)O—(C 0 -C 4 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 0 -C 4 alkyl)(C 0 -C 4 alkyl), NO 2 and —C(O)-Hca in which the Hca contains a ring nitrogen atom through which it is bound to the —C(O)—, in which no alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group.

32. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which Q is —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—NH—.

33. A compound according to claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

34. A compound according claim 25 , having the structural formula

in which R 27 is selected from H, —(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-L-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-NR 9 (C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-O—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-C(O)—(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-(C 0 -C 6 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 —(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), in which no heterocycloalkyl, alkyl or haloalkyl is substituted with an aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl- or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, and R 29 is —H, —(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) or —CO—O—(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) in which no (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) is substituted by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl-containing group, or R 27 and R 29 together with the nitrogen to which they are bound form Hca.

35. A compound according to claim 25 , wherein the

moiety has the structure

in which G is —CH 2 —, —CH(CH 3 )—, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—NH—.

36. A compound according to claim 25 , wherein the

moiety has the structure

in which G is —CH 2 —, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—NH—.

37. A compound which is

benzyl 8-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(5H)-carboxylate;

benzyl 8-(1-(4-benzyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(5H)-carboxylate;

benzyl 8-(1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(5H)-carboxylate;

2-benzyl-N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-benzyl-N-(1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

2-benzyl-N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-5-methyl-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-5-methyl-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

5-methyl-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

5-acetyl-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanophenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-cyanophenylsulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanophenylcarbamoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(3-cyanophenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-N-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(3-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-N-(1-(4- (trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-nicotinoylpiperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-nicotinoylpiperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-isonicotinoylpiperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

2-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)-N-(1-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide

N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-isonicotinoylpiperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-carbamoylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-((1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

N-(1-(oxazol-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-8-carboxamide;

4-((4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)benzamide

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-((4-(cyclohexylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)benzamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-((4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)benzamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-((4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)benzamide

4-((4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide;

4-((4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide;

4-((4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide

4-((4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)-2-naphthamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)-2-naphthamide

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)-2-naphthamide;

tert-butyl 4-(7-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)-2-naphthamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

tert-butyl 4-(6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxamide;

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)quinoline-3-carboxamide; or

N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-5-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide.

38. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient; and

a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

39. A method for activating the AMPK pathway in a cell, the method comprising

contacting the cell with an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

40. A method for increasing fatty acid oxidation in a cell, the method comprising

contacting the cell with an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

41. A method for decreasing glycogen concentration in a cell, the method comprising

contacting the cell with an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

42. A method for increasing glucose uptake in a cell, the method comprising

contacting the cell with an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

43. A method for reducing triglyceride levels in a subject, the method comprising

administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

44. A method for treating type II diabetes in a subject, the method comprising

administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

45. A method for treating atherosclerosis in a subject, the method comprising

administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

46. A labeled conjugate having the structural formula

in which the “LINK” moiety is a linker and is optional, and the “LABEL” moiety is a labeling agent, and the

moiety is as described in claim 1 .

47. A compound according to claim 25 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon.

48. A compound according to claim 47 , wherein w is 0 and v is 0.

49. A compound according to claim 47 , wherein E is C(O).

50. A compound according to claim 7 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon.

51. A compound according to claim 9 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon.

52. A compound according to claim 11 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon.

53. A compound according to claim 17 , wherein “B” represents

the dotted line denoted by “b” is a single bond, the dotted line denoted by “a” is a bond, k is 0, J is —N(R 38 )— and D is a carbon, and R 2 is substituted at its 1-position with —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)—Ar, —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)—Het, C(O)—O(C 0 -C 6 alkyl), —C(O)—Het, —C(O)—Ar, —S(O) 2 —Het, —S(O) 2 —Ar or —S(O) 2 —O(C 0 -C 6 alkyl).