Carboxamide compounds and methods for using the same

1. A compound having the structural formula

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

ring system “B” is

 and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”,

 in which Y is O or S, and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”,

 and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”,

 and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”,

 and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”, in which w is 0 or 1, one of E 1 and E 2 is N and the other is CH, C substituted with R 3 , C substituted with the -J-(ring system “C”), or C substituted with the —C(O)—NR 1 R 2 ,

 and together with the ring system denoted by “C” forms

J is —O—, —N(R 38 )—C(O)—, or absent, provided that:

(a) when J is —O—or —N(R 38 )—C(O)—, J links ring systems “B” and “C”, the dotted line connecting ring system “B” to the carbon denoted by “b” in ring system “C” is absent, and the bond in ring system “C” between the carbon to which J is bound and the carbon atom at the position denoted by “b” is a single bond,

(b) when J is —O—, the ring system denoted by “B” is other than phenyl; and

(c) when J is absent, the ring system denoted by “B” and the ring system denoted by “C” are taken together to be

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), and

R 2 is optionally-substituted piperidin-4-yl

each R 3 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, 3 or 4;

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 or an integer ≦4

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 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 , -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, or two R 16 on the same carbon combine to form oxo,

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 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.

2. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

and is not fused to the azacycloalkyl ring system denoted by “C”.

3. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”.

4. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

5. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”.

6. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

and is not fused to the ring system denoted by “C”.

7. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein ring system “B” is

and is not fused to ring system “C”, in which w is 0 or 1, one of E 1 and E 2 is N and the other is CH, C substituted with R 3 , C substituted with the -J-(ring system “C”), or C substituted with the —C(O)—NR1R2.

8. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula

9. A compound according to claim 1 , 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.

10. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein Q is an unsubstituted —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl)—.

11. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein Q is —CH 2 —, a single bond, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 —or —CH(CH 3 )—.

12. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein y is 0.

13. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein y is 1.

14. A compound according to claim 1 , 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.

15. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is an aryl or a heteroaryl.

16. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is a phenyl.

17. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is a heteroaryl.

18. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula.

19. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula

20. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula

21. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein J is —N(R 38 )—C(O)—.

22. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula

23. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structural formula

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

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

26. A compound according to claim 1 , 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 -0(C 0 -C 6 alkyl).

27. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 2 is substituted at its 1-position with —C(O)—NR 9 -Het or —C(O)—NR9-Ar.

28. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein w is 0.

29. 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.

30. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein x is 0.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. A compound according to claim 32 , wherein each R 15 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 15 on the same carbon optionally combine to form 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.

34. A compound according to claim 32 , wherein G is —CH 2 —, —CH(CH 3 )—, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 —or —C(O)—NH—.

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

36. A compound according to claim 32 , 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.

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

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

38. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound is

tert-butyl 4-(6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzoyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-6-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-7-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-7-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(5-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)pyrazine-2-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(piperidin-4-yl)-5-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)pyrazine-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-5-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)pyrazine-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-5-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)pyrazine-2-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)thiazole-5-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(1-(4-cyanophenyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)thiazole-5-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yloxy)thiazole-5-carboxamide;

tert-butyl 4-(5-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-ylcarbamoyl)thiazol-2-yloxy)piperidine-1-carboxylate;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-cyanobenzyl)-N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-cyanobenzyl)-N-(1-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-cyanobenzyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

N-(1-(4-cyanobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide;

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide; or

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamide.

39. 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.

40. 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.