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

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);

each R 3 is substituted on a benzo and is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN;

w is 0, 1 or 2;

each R 4 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 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;

Q is a single bond, —CH 2 —, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—;

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

each R 5 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN; and

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

G is a single bond, —CH 2 —, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 —, —CH(CH 3 )— or —C(O)NH—;

R 17 is aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN; and

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),

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

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).

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

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

4. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein w is 1 or 2, and each R 3 is halo, methyl, ethyl or propyl.

5. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 38 is H.

6. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 38 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, acetyl or —C(O)O-t-butyl.

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

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

9. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein Q is a single bond or —CH 2 —.

10. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the ring system denoted by “A” is monocyclic heteroaryl or phenyl.

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

12. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein y is 0, 1 or 2.

13. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein y is 1 and R 5 is —Cl, —F, cyano, —C(O)CH 3 , —C(O)OH, —C(O)NH 2 , trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy.

14. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein G is a single bond, —CH 2 — or —C(O)—.

15. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein G is —C(O)NH— or —S(O) 2 —.

16. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein v is 0.

17. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 17 is phenyl optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN.

18. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 17 is pyridyl, imidazolyl, or oxazolyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN.

19. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein x is 0, w is 0 and v is 0.

20. A compound according to claim 19 , wherein R 1 is H.

21. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein Q is a single bond, —S(O) 2 — or —CH 2 —, and G is —CH 2 —, —C(O)NH— or —C(O)—.

22. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein R 17 is phenyl optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN.

23. A compound according to claim 20 , wherein R 17 is pyridyl, imidazolyl, or oxazolyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-L-R 7 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-NR 8 R 9 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-OR 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-C(O)R 10 , —(C 0 -C 3 alkyl)-S(O) 0-2 R 10 , -halogen, —NO 2 and —CN.

24. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein Q is a single bond, —S(O) 2 — or —CH 2 —, and G is —CH 2 —, —C(O)NH— or —C(O)—.

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

in which Q is —CH 2 —, —C(O)— or a single bond; G is a single bond, —CH 2 —, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—NH—; and R 11 , R 12 and R 13 are independently selected from H, halo, cyano, —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 0 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)O—(C 0 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 0 -C 4 alkyl)(C 0 -C 2 alkyl) and NO 2 .

26. A compound according to claim 25 , wherein R 38 is H and R 1 is H.

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

in which Q is —CH 2 —, —C(O)— or a single bond; G is a single bond, —CH 2 —, —C(O)—, —S(O) 2 — or —C(O)—NH—; and R 12 and R 13 are independently selected from H, halo, cyano, —(C 1 -C 3 haloalkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 2 haloalkyl), —(C 1 -C 3 alkyl), —O—(C 1 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)—(C 0 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)O—(C 0 -C 2 alkyl), —C(O)N(C 0 -C 4 alkyl)(C 0 -C 2 alkyl) and NO 2 .

28. A compound according to claim 27 , wherein R 38 is H and R 1 is H.

29. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of

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;

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-(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;

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;

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 and

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,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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.