IL-8 receptor antagonists

1. A compound according to Formula (I):

wherein

X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, cyano, CF 3 , and OCF 3 ;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of C 3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl and heteroaryl,

wherein the phenyl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted, once or twice, independently, by a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkyl, halogen, CF 3 , OCF 3 , phenyloxy and benzyloxy; or

R2 represents phenyl substituted by methylenedioxy or (di-halo-substituted)-methylenedioxy;

R1 is

R3 is selected, independently, at each occurrence, from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, C 3-7 cycloalkyl, C 3-7 cycloalkyl C 1-3 -alkyl, phenyl and phenylC 1-3 -alkyl, wherein the alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl moieties are optionally substituted, once or twice, independently, by a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkyl, halogen, OH, CF 3 , and OCF 3 ;

Y is a C 1-4 -alkyl diradical attached to the ring system in two positions;

m is 1; and

n is 1;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X is halogen.

3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein X is chlorine.

4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R2 is phenyl, optionally substituted, independently, once or twice, by a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkyl, halogen, OCF 3 and phenyloxy.

5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of 3-fluoro-2-methylphenyl, 2-trifluoromethyloxyphenyl, 2-chloro-3-fluorophenyl, 2-ethylphenyl or 2-phenoxyphenyl.

6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R2 is 3-fluoro-2-methylphenyl, or 2-chloro-3-fluorophenyl.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

8. A method of synthesizing a compound according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a) hydrolyzing a benzoxazole according to formula (II):

wherein R1 is as defined according to claim 1 ;

to form an aminophenol according to formula (III):

and

b) exposing the aminophenol to an isocyanate or isocyanate precursor of the formula

R2C═N═O or R2CON 3

wherein R2 is as defined according to claim 1 ;

to form a final product according to formula (IV):

wherein X, R1 and R2 are as defined according to claim 1 ; and wherein the R1 moiety is protected by an acid labile protecting group which is subsequently removed as necessary.

9. An intermediate according to formula (II) or (III):

wherein

R1 is

R3 is selected, independently, at each occurrence, from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, C 3-7 cycloalkyl, C 3-7 cycloalkyl C 1-3 -alkyl, phenyl and phenylC 1-3 alkyl, wherein the alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl moieties are optionally substituted, once or twice, independently, by a substituent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkyl, halogen, OH, CF 3 , and OCF 3 ;

Y is a C 1-4 -alkyl diradical attached to the ring system in two positions; and

X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, cyano, CF 3 , and OCF 3 .