CA2579302A1 - 2-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl purine derivatives with adenosine-a3 antagonistic activity - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to 2-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl purine derivatives as selective adenosine antagonists, in particular adenosine -A3 receptor antagonists, to methods for the preparation of these compounds and to novel intermediates useful for the synthesis of said purine derivatives. The compounds have the general formula (1) wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the specification.

Description

The present invention relates to 2-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl purine derivatives as selective adenosine antagonists, in particular adenosine-A3 receptor antagonists, to methods for the preparation of these compounds and to novel intermediates useful for the synthesis of said purine derivatives. The invention also relates to the use of a compound disclosed herein for the manufacture of a medicament giving a beneficial effect. A beneficial effect is disclosed herein or apparent to a person skilled in the art from the specification and general knowledge in the art. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of the invention for the manufacture of a me dicament for treating or preventing a disease or condition. More particularly, the invention relates to a new use for the treatment of a disease or condition disclosed herein or apparent to a person skilled in the art from the specification and general kno wledge in the art.
In embodiments of the invention specific compounds disclosed herein are used for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment of disorders in which adenosine-A3 receptors are involved, or that can be treated via manipulation of those receptors.

At present, four types of adenosine receptors have been identified and designated A,, A2Aõ A2B and A3 respectively. All four belong to the super-family of seven transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors. Adenosine receptors are ubiquito us and involved in a great variety of biological processes. Thus, during the past decades the therapeutic potential of adenosine receptor ligands has resulted in a substantial research interest.

Several studies indicate that adenosine A3 receptors may play a basic role in different pathologies such as inflammation and neurodegeneration, ischemic brain damage, cardiac ischemia, hypotension, ischemic heart pre -conditioning, asthma and cancer. (P.G. Baraldi et al., European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 38, 367-382, 2003, and references cited therein). In the (patent) literature, adenosine A3 receptor antagonists have been claimed to be useful for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, inflammatory diseases including, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma and psoriasis; gastro-intestinal disorders such as ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease) and ulcerative colitis; allergic responses such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and rhinitis; cardio-vascular disorders such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, hypertension, thrombosis, anaemia, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, cutaneous diseases such as urticaria, lupus erythematosus and pruritus;
opthalmological disorders like glaucoma; respiratory disorders including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis and cystic fibrosis; central nervous system disorders including various forms of epilepsy, stroke, depression, sleep apnoea;
disorders characterized by impairment of cognition and memory such as Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurorehabilitation (post-traumatic brain lesions); acute brain or spinal cord injury;
diabetes, osteoporosis, diseases of the immune system, various carcinomas and leukemia, bacterial and viral infections.
Selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonists are known. Diverse lead structures belonging to the classes of flavonoids, 1,4-dihydropyridines, pyridines, pyranes, pyrazolotriazolopyrimidines, triazoloquinazolines, isoquino-lines, quinazolines and xanthines have been reviewed by S. Hess (Expert Opin. Ther.
Patents, 11, 1547-1562, 2001) and M.A. Jacobson (Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 12(4), 489-501, 2002). Despite the fact that during the quest for potent and selective adenosine receptor ligands the purine skeleton of the natural ligand adenosine (6-amino-9-p-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine) was intensely used as a starting point there are just two publications describing adenosine derivatives as adenosine antagonists with selectivity for the A3 receptor subtype: G.Cristalli et al. (II Farmaco, 58, 193-204, 2003) and K. Klotz et al. (Naunyn -Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 367, 629-634, 2003), describing 9-ethyl-8-phenethylethynyl-9H-adenine as a selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonist.

Replacement of the (natural) 6-amino group in the adenosine skeleton by the CF3-moiety was tried by different research groups. Because of severe technical limitations, these efforts led to the synthesis of a very limited set of analogs only (Purines: Ciba Found Symp, Chem & Biol, 3, 1957; JACS 80, 5744, 1958; J Org Chem 24, 113, 1959; J Med Chem 7. 215, 1964; J Chem Soc Perkin 1, 2755, 1980;
Tetrahedron 46, 6903, 1990 and 55, 11109, 1999; Coll Czech Chem Comm 64, 229, 1999 and 65, 1357, 2000; Org Lett, 3, 2969, 2001 and W02 002031176). No adenosine receptor interaction data were reported for these compounds. The same is true for the 6-perfluoroalkyl purines described by M. Hocek et al. (Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications, 64, 229-241, 1999), and D. Hockova et al.
(Tetrahedron, 55, 11109-11118, 1999). In fact of all compounds described, only trifluoromethyl- 9-p-D-ribofuranosyl purine was found to have cytostatic activity.

Close structural analogs were all inactive, and no mention was made of possible interaction with adenosine receptors. The Japanese patent application JP 2004 217582 describes purine derivatives as TNFo, antagonists. Two of the examples contained therein have a 6-trifluoromethyl group, but nothing is disclosed about adenosine receptors. H. Nagano et al. describe yet another group of trifluromethyipurines as potential anti-tumor agents (J. Med. Chem., 7, 215-220, 1964). None of these compounds showed any activity at all, and the document is silent about adenosine receptors. E. Camaione et al describe a series of 9-alkyl (ethyl) purines as adenosine receptor ligands (Bioorganic & Medicnal Chemistry, 6, 523-533, 1998). All of the compounds disclosed however, are selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists. None is selective for adenosine A3 receptors. The same applies to the 2-alkoxyadenosines described by M. Ueeda et al (J. Med. Chem., 34, 1334-1339, 1991): all compounds described are adenosine A2 selective.
Likewise, the adenosine analogs disclosed in WO 2004/069185 are all selective adenosine A, (partial) agonists.

In summary: the available literature does not provide incentives towards the design as selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonists of the uniquely substituted purine derivatives of the present invention, in particular with respect to the trifluoromethyl moiety at position 6 of the purine core.

During exploration of the synthetic possibilities of the purine skeleton it was found that introduction of a nitro group at the 2-position followed by insertion of a trifluoromethyl group at position C6, resulted in activated intermediates that allow easy replacement of the 2-nitro group by many different types of nucleophiles.
In this way a fruitful combination of two hitherto technically hard conversions was realized.
Surprisingly the novel compounds obtained by this new synthetic route, turned out to be adenosine receptor ligands (in contrast to previo usly described 6-CF3 derivatives), more specifically: adenosine-A3 receptor selective antagonists. The invention relates to compounds of the general formula (1):

N N
~ \ R3 (1) R2 wherein - R, represents -[X-(CH2)n]m Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from N, 0 and S, or R, represents a nitro goup, - R2 is hydrogen, C,_3-alkyl, ribose, -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl or aryl-(C,_3)alkyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, NH2, -NH-(C,_6)alkyl, -N-di(C,_6)alkyl, -NH-cyclo(C3_$)alkyl, C2_4-alkenyl(hetero)aryl or C2_4-alkynyl(hetero)aryl, of which the hetero-atoms are selected from N, 0, and S, and which (hetero)aryl groups may be optionally substituted, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5-or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero-atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers, prodrugs and salts thereof. Such compounds are new and are adenosine-A3 receptor antagonists.

The invention relates to racemates, mixtures of diastereomers as well as the individual stereoisomers of the compounds having formula (1). The invention also relates to the E isomer, Z isomer and E/Z mixtures of compounds having formula (1).
Throughout this specification the generally accepted atom numbering system of the purine skeleton is used:

~

/> $
2kN 4 N

When compounds are described that are substituted with ribose on nitrogen atom (thus compounds of formula (1) in which R2 is ribose), the exact meaning is 9-P-D-ribofuranosyl, having the following structural characteristics:

N N
I j R \\ R3 ' N N r ,OH
O
OH
HO

Furthermore, in the description of the substituents the abbreviation ' C,_3-alkyl' means 'methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl'. 'Optionally substituted' means that a group may or may not be further substituted by one or more groups selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxyl, alkyloxy, alkenyloxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, cyano, oxo, nitro, acyl, amido, alkylamido, dialkylamido, carboxyl, or two optional substituents may together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5 -or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring containing 0, 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur. Within the context of the explanation of 'optionally substituted', 'alkyl' means C,_3-alkyl, 'alkenyl' means C,_3-alkenyl, 'alkynyl' means C,_3-alkynyl, 'acyl' means C,_3-acyl and 'aryl' means furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazynyl, phenyl, indazolyl, indolyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, benzi[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, benz-imidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, purinyl, quinolynyl, isochinolyl, chinolyl, phtalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, 1,8-naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, naphthyl or azulenyl, preferably phenyl, pyridyl or naphthyl. Optional substituents may themselves bear additional optional substituents. Preferred optional substituents include C,_3 alkyl such as for example methyl, ethyl, and trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxyl, C,_3 alkyloxy such as for example methoxy, ethoxy and trifluoromethoxy, and amino.

Prodrugs of the compounds mentioned above are in the scope of the present invention.

Prodrugs are therapeutic agents which are inactive per se but are transformed into one or more active metabolites. Prodrugs are bioreversible derivatives of drug molecules used to overcome some barriers to the utility of the parent drug molecule.
These barriers include, but are not limited to, solubility, permeability, stability, presystemic metabolism and targeting limitations (Medicinal Chemistry:
Principles and Practice, 1994, ISBN 0-85186-494-5, Ed.: F. D. King, p. 215; J. Stella, "Prodrugs as therapeutics", Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 14(3), 277-280, 2004; P.
Ettmayer et al., "Lessons learned from marketed and investigational prodrugs", J.Med.Chem., 47, 2393-2404, 2004).

Pro-drugs, i.e. compounds which when administered to humans by any known route, are metabolised to compounds having formula (1), belong to the invention. In particular this relates to compounds with primary or secondary amino or hydroxy groups. Such compounds can be reacted with organic acids to yield compounds having formula (1) wherein an additional group is present which is easily removed after administration, for instance, but not limited to amidine, enamine, a Mannich base, a hydroxyl-methylene derivative, an O-(acyloxymethylene carbamate) derivative, carbamate, ester, amide or enami none.
The invention particularly relates to compounds of formula (1) in which:

- R, represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 1 or 2, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally substituted 6 -membered aromatic or non -aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero-atoms selected from N and 0, or R, represents a nitro goup, - R2 represents hydrogen, methyl, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, -NH-cyclopentyl, ethenylphenyl or ethynylphenyl, which phenyl groups may be optionally substituted with a CF3 group, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers, prodrugs and salts thereof.

More in particular, the invention relates to compounds of formula (1) in which - R, represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 1 or 2, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally hydroxylated 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0 or 1 N-atoms, - R2 represents hydrogen, methyl, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, -NH-cyclopentyl, ethenylphenyl or ethynylphenyl, which phenyl groups may be optionally substituted with a CF 3 group, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers, prodrugs and salts thereof.
The most preferred compounds are those of formula (1) in which:

- R, represents -[X-(CH2)õ]m Y, in which formula X is NH, n is 1 or 2, m is 1, and Y
is an optionally hydroxylated phenyl group, - R2 represents hydrogen, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, and tautomers, stereoisomers, prodrugs and salts thereof.
GENERAL ASPECTS OF SYNTHESES

The synthesis of compounds having formula (1) is outlined in schemes 1 and 2 CI CI

N N a N N b N N/ ' N -~
H N ~oc CI CI
N/ N \ N
N N 02N~N N
BocOM BocOM

BocOM = -CH2-O O
A_ Scheme 1. (a) Boc20, DMAP, rt; (b) para-formaldehyde, DMAP; (c) TBAN/TFAA
The introduction of substituents on the 2- and 6-position of purines is generally achieved via nucleophilic displacement of 2,6-dihalogenated purine derivatives. The introduction of a nitro group at the 2-position by nitration with tetrabutylammoniumnitrate and trifluoroacetic anhydride was recently described (Deghati, Wanner and Koomen, "Regioselective nitration of purine nucleosides:

synthesis of 2-nitroadenosine and 2-nitroinosine". Tetrahedron Letters 2000, 41, 1291-1295.) The 2-nitro group greatly enhanced the electrophilicity of the purine C-6 position. The introduction of a trifluorom ethyl group on purine C6 is greatly facilitated by the C2 nitro substituent. The reaction can already be achieved at -20 C, while other protocols need highly elevated temperature and catalysts (Hocek, Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications, 1999, 64(2), 229-241). The functionalization of C2 with nucleophiles is highly enhanced by the C6 CF3-substituent. Introduction of nucleophiles can proceed at temperatures varying from 0 to 40 C.
The N9 position can be functionalised with different alkyl or arylalkyl groups via standard alkylation or Mitsunobu conditions.

After introduction of a halogen (I, Br) substituent at position C8 of the purine system, these compounds can be further functionalised by adding nucleophiles.
Palladium catalysed coupling procedures (Sonogashira, Stille, Suzuki, Buchwald-Hartwig) allow for a broad range of carbon and heteroatom nucle ophiles that can be introduced on the 8 position of the halo-purines.

~ N> a N b O2N N~ N 02N N N
X X
X = Ribose (Ac)3 Me or BocOM

N N, c N)~~ N
R ~N~ N X = Ribose(Ac)3 R IN ~N~

X Ribose X = Ribose(Ac)3 d X = BocOM e CF3 ; CF3 CF3 N N f N N g N N
\ ~I ~ Y

Y=IorBr CF3 CF;

N' N>-Y h or i NN\-R
s R N~ -N R1' N N
R2 ~?2 Scheme 2. (a) trifluoromethylation; (b) nucleophilic substitution; (c) NH3 (d) TFA:
(e) NaOMe; (f) alkylation (g) halogenation: (h) amination; (i) Pd coupling The present invention therefore also relates to a process for the preparation of compounds as described above, comprising the steps of:
(a) trifluoromethylation of a compound of the general formula (3):
Ci N N

(3) X

wherein X is tri-O-acetate-ribose, methyl or -CH2-O-C(O)O-tBu;
resulting in a compound of th e general formula (4):

N N

(4) X
(b): nucleophilic substitution of the nitro group by in compound (4) to yield a compound with the general formula (5):

N ~ N

(5) X
wherein R, has the meanings as given in claim 1, and, (c1): with compounds in which X = tri-O-acetate-ribose, hydrolysing the compound of formula (5) to yield the corresponding compound with the general formula (1) with a 9-ribose substituent:

N N

R N N
' ,OH
O
OH
HO

or:
(c2): with compounds in which X = tri-O-acetate-ribose, treating the product with a strong organic acid to yield a compound of the general formula (6):

N ~ N

N
R
i H
(6) or:
(c3): by treating a compound of form (5) in which X=-CH2-O-C(O)O-tBu with as strong base to yield a compound of the general formula (6), (d): alkylation of a compound of formula (6) to yield a compound of the general formula (7):

N ~ N

(7) R2 in which R2 has the meanings as given above, (e) halogenation of the compound with formula (7) to yield a compound of the general formula (8):

N N
I \> Y

(8) R2 wherein Y is either Br or I (iodine), and (f): either standard amination or alkylation procedures to result in a compound of the general formula (1) as described above:

N N

(1) R2 The selection of the particular synthetic procedures depends on factors known to those skilled in the art such as the compatibility of functional groups with the reagents used, the possibility to use protecting groups, catalysts, activating and coupling reagents and the ultimate structural features present in the final compound being prepared.

The trifluoromethylation step (a) is preferably carried out by adding CF 3TMS
to a suspenstion of the compound of formula (3) and CsF in dry THF.
The nucleophilic substitution reaction on compound (4) is preferably carried out by dissolving the compound with the chosen amine in the presence of triethylamine.
The hydrolysis reaction (c1) is preferably carried out by treating the compound of formula (5) wherein X = tri-O-acetate-ribose with a 1:1 NH3 solution and methanol.
The reaction (c2) is preferably performed with trifluoroacetic acid.
The strong base in reaction (c3) is preferably MeONa in metha nol.
The alkylation reaction (d) of the compound of formula (6) can be performed by standard alkylation procedures or under Mitsunobu conditions.
The halogenation reaction (e) is preferably carried out by cooling the solution of the compound with formula (7) in THF followed by addition of n-BuLi and Br2 or 12.
In case of an amination the reaction (f) is performed by standard procedures, in case of an alkylation the reaction is preferably performed by Pd coupling procedure.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by mixing a compound of the present invention with a suitable acid, for instance an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, or with an organic acid.

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS

The compounds of the invention can be brought into forms suitable for administration by means of usual processes using auxiliary substances such as liquid or solid carrier material. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be administered enterally, orally, parenterally (intramuscularly or intravenously), rectally or locally (topically). They can be administered in the form of solutions, powders, tablets, capsules (including microcapsuies), ointments (creams or gel) or suppositories. Suitable excipients for such formulations are the pharmaceutically customary liquid or solid fillers and extenders, solvents, emulsifiers, lubricants, flavorings, colorings and/or buffer substances. Frequently used auxillary substances which may be mentioned are magnesium carbonate, titanium dioxide, lactose, mannitol and other sugars or sugar alcohols, talc, lactoprotein, gelatin, starch, cellulose and its derivatives, animal and vegetable oils such as fish liver oil, sunflower, groundnut or sesame oil, polyethylene glycol and solvents such as, for example, sterile water and mono- or polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol.

Compounds of the present invention are generally administered as pharmaceutical compositions which are important and novel embodiments of the invention because of the presence of the compounds, more particularly specific compounds disclosed herein.Types of pharmaceutical compositions that may be used include but are not limited to tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, solutions, parenteral solutions, suppositories, suspensions, and other types disclosed herein or apparent to a person skilled in the art from the specification and general knowledge in the art. The invention also includes the preparation or manufacture of said pharmaceutical compositions.
In embodiments of the invention, a pharmaceutical pack or kit is provided comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Associated with such container(s) can be various written materials such as instructions for use, or a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use, or sale for human or veterinary administration.

PHARMACOLOGICAL METHODS

The adenosine-A3 receptor antagonistic properties of the compounds of the invention were determined using the methods outlined below.
In vitro affinity for human adenosine-A3 receptors Affinity of the compounds for human adenosine-A3 receptors was determined using the receptor binding assay described by C.A. Salvatore et al.: "Molecular cloning and characterization of the human A3 adenosine receptor", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 90, 10365-10369, 1993. Briefly, membrane preparations were obtained from human recombinant (HEK 293) cells in which the human adenosine-A3 receptor was stably expressed. Membranes were incubated at 22 C for 90 minutes with [1251]-AB-MECA
in the absence or presence of testcompounds in a concentration range from 10 M
down to 0.1 nM, diluted in a suitable buffer. Separation of bound radioactivity from free was done by filtration through Packard GF/B glass fiber filters with several washings with ice-cold buffer using a Packard cell harvester. Bound radioactivity was measured with a scintillation counter (Topcount, Packard) using a liquid scintillation cocktail (Microscint 0, Packard). Measured radioactivity was plotted against the concentration of the displacing test compound and displacement curves were calculated by four-parameter logistic regression, resulting in IC50 values, i.e. that concentration of displacing compound by which 50% of the radioligand is displaced.
Affinity pK, values were calculated by correcting the IC50 values for radioligand concentration and its affinity for the human adenosine-A3 receptor according to the Cheng-Prusoff equation:

pK, = -log (IC50 / (1 + S/Kd) ) in which the IC50 is as described above, S is the concentration [1251]-AB-MECA
used in the assay expressed in mol/I (typically 0.1 nM), and Kd is the equilibrium dissociation constant of [125I]-AB-MECA for human adenosine-A3 receptor s(0.22 nM).

Determination of in vitro functional activity on human adenosine A3 receptors using an aequorin-based assay A stable monoclonal hA3-Aequorin cell line was provided by Euroscreen. The coding region encoding the human Adenosine A3 receptor was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using human lung cDNA as template. The PCR product was ligated in the expression vector pEFIN3 (Invitrogen), and the complete sequence of the insert was then established. Sequencing revealed a complete identity with the sequence published by Salvatore, C.A. et al. (Acc. Number GenBank: L22607).
The expression plasmid containing the coding sequence of the human Adenosine A3 receptor was transfected in CHO-K1 cells stably expressing mitochondrially targetted Aequorin and Ga16. Resistant clones were selected in the presence of 400 Ng/mI
G418 and isolated by limiting dilution. The clone with the best response to 2-CI-IB-MECA was selected for further work. The hA3 -Aequorin cells express mitochondrially targetted apo-Aequorin. Cells have to be loaded with coelenterazine, in order to reconstitute active Aequorin. After binding of agonists to the hA3 receptor, the intracellular calcium concentration increases, which leads to a luminescent response.
Binding of calcium to the apo-Aequorin/coelenterazine complex leads to an oxidation reaction of coelenterazine, which results in the production of apo -Aequorin, coelenteramide, CO2 and light (Xmax 469 nm). This luminescent response is dependent on the agonist concentration.

Assay-protocol:
- Dilute the loaded cells 18x in Dulbecco's medium without PhenolRed (Gibco BRL), pre-heated to 37 C, resulting in a concentration of 2.8*105cells/mI.
- Stir for 1 hour at room temperature.
- Add 10 l compound or control per well in white 96-well plates.
- Add 90 l of diluted cells (2.5*104 cells/well).
- Measure chemoluminescence immediately for 20 seconds.
- In antagonist mode 50 l 10"6 N6-benzyl-NECA is added as the agonist.
- Measure chemoluminescence immediately for 20 seconds using the MicroBetaJet (PerkinElmer).

Adenosine receptor subtype selectivity of the compounds of the invention was determined using the methods described below In vitro affinity for human adenosine-A, receptors Affinity of the compounds for human adenosine-A, receptors was determined using the receptor binding assay described by A. Townsend-Nicholson and P.R.
Schofield (Biol. Chem., 269, 2373, 1994), using human recombinant receptors expressed in CHO cells, and [3H]DPCPX as radioligand.

In vitro affinity for human adenosine-A2A receptors Affinity of the compounds for human adenosine-A2A receptors was determined using the receptor binding assay described by D.R. Luthin et aL, (Mol.
Pharmaco1.,47, 307, 1995), using human recombinant receptors expressed in HEK-293 cells, and [3H]CGS 21680 as radioligand.

In vitro affinity for human adenosine-A2B receptors Affinity of the compounds for human adenosine-A2B receptors was determined using the receptor binding assay described by J.H. Stehle et al. (Mol. Endocrinol., 6, 384, 1992), using human recombinant receptors expressed in HEK-293 cells, and [3H]MRS 1754 as radioligand.

The compounds of the invention have affinity for adenosine-A3 receptors in the binding assay described above, and were shown to be antagonists in the functional assay, also described above. These properties make them useful in the treatment of disorders in which adenosine-A3 receptors are involved, or that can be treated via manipulation of these receptors.

According to the procedures described above the compounds of the invention can be prepared. They are intended to further illustrate the invention in more detail, and therefore are not deemed to restrict the scope of the invention in any way.

DOSE
The affinity of the compounds of the invention for adenosine A3 receptors was determined as described above. From the binding affinity measured for a given compound of formula (1), one can estimate a theoretical lowest effective dose.
At a concentration of the compound equal to twice the measured Ki-value, nearly 100% of the adenosine A3 receptors likely will be occupied by the compound. Converting that concentration to mg of compound per kg of patient yields a theoretical lowest effective dose, assuming ideal bioavailability. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and other considerations may alter the dose actually administered to a higher or lower value. The dosage expediently administered is 0.001 - 1000 mg/kg, preferably 0.1-100 mg/kg of patient's bodyweight.

TREATMENT
The term "treatment" as used herein refers to any treatment of a mammalian, preferably human, condition or disease, and includes: (1) preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it, (2) inhibiting the disease or condition, i.e., arresting its development, (3) relieving the disease or condition, i.e., causing regression of the condition, or (4) relieving the conditions caused by the disease, i.e., stopping the symptoms of the disease.

ABBREVIATIONS
Inasmuch not explained in the text, several generally accepted abbreviations are used in the following parts:

CF3TMS = trimethylsilyltrifluoromethane DCM = dichloromethane DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridin DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane DMF = dimethylformamide EA = ethylacetate NaOMe = sodiummethoxide MTBE = methyl-t-butyl ether PE = petroleum ether EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1: MATERIALS AND METHODS

All reactions involving moisture-sensitive compounds were carried out under a dry nitrogen atmosphere. Dichloromethane (phosphorous pentaoxide and calciumhydride), tetrahydrofuran (sodi um/benzophenone ketyl) and light petroleum (60-80) were freshly distilled prior to use. All other commercially available chemicals were used without further purification. Reactions were monitored by using thin -layer chromatography (TLC) on silica coated plastic sheets (Merck silica gel 60 F254) with the indicated eluent. The compounds were visualised by UV light (254 nm) or I2.
Flash chromatography refers to purification using the indicated eluent and Acros silica gel (0.030-0.075 mm). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H NMR and NMR, APT) were determined in the indicated solvent using a Bruker ARX 400 (1H:
400 MHz, 13C: 100 MHz) at 300 K, unless indicated otherwise. 19F NMR and 13C
NMR experiments were carried out on a Varian Inova 500 spectrometer operating at 11.74 T (499.9 MHz for'H; 125.7 MHz for13C; 50.7 Mhz, 470.4 MHz for 19F) using a 5 mm SW probe. The spectra were determined in deuterated chloroform or dichloromethane obtained from Cambridge Isotope Laboratories Ltd. Chemical shifts (b) are given in ppm downfield from tetramethylsilane (1H, 13C) or CCI3F
(19F).
Coupling constants J are given in Hz. Peakshapes in the NMR spectra are indicated with the symbols 'q' (quartet), 'dq' (double quartet), 't' (triplet), 'dt' (double triplet), 'd' (doublet), 'dd' (double doublet), 's' (singlet), 'bs' (broad singlet) and 'm' (multiplet).
NH and OH signals were identified after mixing the sample with a drop of D 20.
Melting points were measured with a Buchi B-545 Melting Point apparatus. Mass spectra and accurate mass measurements were performed using a JEOL JMS -SX/SX 102 A Tandem Mass Spectrometer using Fast Atom Bombardement (FAB). A
resolving power of 10,000 (10% valley definition) for high resolution FAB mass spectrometry was used. Extinction coefficients were determined with a HP 8453 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Analytical HPLC was performed on a C18 column (Inertsil ODS-3, particle size 3 mm; 4.6mm 50mm) using the following elution gradient:
linear gradient of 5 % to 95 % aqueous CH 3CN containing 0.04 % HCO2H over 5 min, then 95 % aqueous CH3CN containing 0.04 % HCO2H for 2 min at 2.0 ml min"'. Products were detected at k = 254 nm.

EXAMPLE 2: SYNTHESES OF INTERMEDIATES

Intermediate A: 2-nitro-6-chloro-9-methyl purine Trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) (3.95 ml; 28 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of commercially available 6-chloro-9-Me-purine (3 g; 17 mmol) and tetrabutylammoniumnitrate (TBAN) (8.65 g; 28 mmol) in dry DCM (50 ml) at 0 C
under a nitrogen atmosphere. After stirring for 1.5 h the solution was poured into 100 ml of saturated aqueous NaHCO3-ice (1:1) and Et20 (100 ml) was added. The aqueous layer was extracted with 3 portions of 60 ml Et20-CH2CI2 (3:1). The collected organic layers were washed with H20 (2x50 ml) and brine (1x50 ml) and dried with Na2SO4. Evaporation to dryness afforded the crude product (2 g).
Stirring in MeOH and fiitration yielded the pure product (1.66 g; 46%). 'H NMR (CDCI 3) b 8.37 (s, 1 H, H-8), 4.06 (s, 3H, Me) Intermediate B: 6-chloro-9-Boc purine A suspension of commercially available 6-chloropurine (15.5 g; 0.10 mol), Boc2O (31 g; 0.14 mol) and DMAP (0.3 g; 2 mmol) in dry CH2CI2 (150 ml) was stirred for 3 h until a clear solution was obtained. Light petroleum (25 ml) and silica gel (10 g) were added, the mixture was fiitered over Hyflo and the solids were rinsed with EtOAc.
Evaporating the solvent yielded the crude product (24.4 g; 96%).
Recrystallisation from a mixture of EtOAc-light petroleum afforded a first batch of white needles (12.1 g; 48%). A second batch was obtained by recrystallising the concentrated fiitrate (10.5 g; 41 %). decomp. > 111 C; ' H NMR (CDCI 3) b 8.90 (s, 1 H, H-2), 8.55 (s, 1 H, H-8), 1.71 (s, 9H, CCH3). 13C NMR (CDCI3) 6 153.46 (d, J 211.2, C-2), 151.06 (d, J
13.2, C-6) 150.84 (dd, J 12.6, J 4.7, C-4), 144.83 (CO), 144.26 (d, J 221.6, C-8), 132.02 (dd, J 12.7, J 1.2, C-5), 87.49 (-CCH3), 27.22 (q, J 127.6, -CCH3). H-8 was identified by a NOE-experiment (400 MHz, CDCI3): saturation (4.5 s) of the t-Bu protons led to 0.29 % NOE on H-8 and 0 % on H-2.

Intermediate C: 6-chloro-9-BocOM purine To a solution of 6-chloro-9-Boc-purine (5.65 g, 22mmol, intermediate B) in dichloromethane para-formaldehyde (1 g, 33 mmol) and DMAP (0.27 g; 2.2 mmol) were added. The mixture was refluxed for 4h until the conversion was complete according to HPLC. Silica was added and the solvent was evaporated.
Flashchromatography (EA/PE 2:3) furnished the product in 65% yield as a colo uriess oil. A white solid was collected by extensive evaporation in vacuo. 'H NMR
(CDCI3) b 8.82 (s, 1H, H-8), 8.43 (s, 1H), 6.18 (s, 2H, CH2-O) 1.49 (s, 9H, CCH3).
Intermediate D: 6-chloro-2-nitro-9-BocOM purine TFAA (2.25 ml; 13 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of 6 -chloro-9-BocOM-purine (2.84 g; 10 mmol, intermediate C) and TBAN (4.87 g; 13 mmol) in dry (25 ml) at 0 C under a nitrogen atmosphere. After stirring for 1.5 h the solution was poured into 75 ml of saturated aqueous NaHCO3-ice (1:1) and Et20 (75 ml) was added. The aqueous layer was extracted with 3 portions of 50 ml Et20-CH2CI2 (3:1).
The collected organic layers were washed with H20 (2x50 ml) and brine (1x50 ml) and dried with Na2SO4. Evaporation to dryness afforded the crude product (2.0 g;
70%). Crystalisation from ethylacetate furnished 6-chloro-2-nitro-9-BocOM-purine as a white solid (1.85 g; 65%). 'H NMR (CDCI3) b 8.70 (s, 1 H, H-8), 6.23 (s, 2H, CH2-O) 1.50 (s, 9H, CCH3). IR v 1750 Intermediate E: 6-trifluoromethyl-2-nitro-9-BocOM purine To a suspension of CsF (1.38 g, 9 mmol) and 6-chloro-2-nitro-9-BocOM-purine (2.0 g, 6 mmol, intermediate D) in dry THF (10 ml) CF3TMS (2.7 ml, 18 mmol) was added at 0 C. After 5 minutes of stirring the ice/water bath was removed and the mixture was stirred vigorously at room temperature. After 5 h the reaction was quen ched by adding silica gel. The suspension was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The resulting powder was purified by column chromatography (EA/PE
1:1)) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pure product (0.8 g, 31%) was obtained as a light yellow solid. 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 8.59 (s, 1 H, H-8), 6.20 (s, 2H, CH2O),1.48 (s, 9H). 19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: -69.08 (6-CF3).

Intermediate F: 6-trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitro purine To a suspension of CsF (5.3 g, 35 mmol) and 6-chloro-9-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitropurine (10.0 g, 21.8 mmol) (see: Wanner, Kunzel, Ijzerman and Koomen, "2-nitro analogues of adenosine and 1-deazaadenosine: Synthesis and binding studies at the adenosine A(1), A(2A) and A(3) receptor subtypes" Bioorganic &
Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2000, 10, 2141-2144) in dry THF (40 ml) CF3TMS (5.2 ml, 35 mmol) was added at 0 C. After 5 minutes of stirring the ice/water bath was removed and the mixture was stirred vigorously at room temperature. The reaction was followed by HPLC (R,,prwUC, = 3.7 and R,,rea ,an, = 3.3). After 19 h the reaction was quenched by adding silica gel. The suspension was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The resulting powder was purified by column chromatography using a gradient mixture of MTBE/MeOH (MTBE with 1% MeOH - MTBE with 4%
MeOH) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pure product (2.7 g, 25%) was obtained as a light yellow foam.
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 8.45 (s, 1H, H-8'), 6.27 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, 1H, H-1'), 5.81 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 1 H, H-2'), 5.62 (t, J = 5.1 Hz, 1 H, H-3'), 4.52 (m, 1 H, H-4'), 4.43 (m, 2H, 5'-CH2), 2.18 (s, 3H, acetyl), 2.11 (s, 3H, acetyl), 2.09 (s, 3H, acetyl). 19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: -69.06 (6-CF3).
Intermediate G: 2-phenethylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose) purine A THF (10 ml) solution containing 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitropurine (2.6 g, 5.3 mmol, intermediate F), Et3N (0.97 ml, 6.9 mmol) and phenylethylamine (0.66 ml, 5.3 mmol) was stirred at 0 C for 22 h while warming up till room temperature. The reaction was followed by HPLC. After completion the reaction was quenc hed by adding silica gel. The suspension was concentrated to dryness.
The resulting powder was purified by column chromatography using a gradient mixture of MTBE: MTBE with 1% MeOH - MTBE with 4% MeOH and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pure product was obtained as a yellow/white foam in 90 % yield.
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.96 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.34-7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 6.15 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1 H, H-1'), 6.13 (br s, 1 H, NH), 5.83 (t, J = 5.3 Hz, 1 H, H-2'), 5.71 (t, J
= 5.1 Hz, 1 H, H-3'), 4.45 (m, 2H, 5'-CH2), 4.38 (m, 1 H, H-4'), 3.93 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.00 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.16 (s, 3H, acetyl), 2.10 (s, 3H, acetyl), 2.09 (s, 3H, acetyl).

EXAMPLE 3: SYNTHESES OF SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS

Compound 1: 2-nitro-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl purine To a suspension of CsF (0.144 g, 0.95 mmol) and 2-N02-6-CI-9-Me-purine (intermediate A, 0.100 g, 0.468 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) CF3TMS (1.87 mmol) was added at 0 C. After 5 minutes of stirring the ice/water bath was removed and the mixture was stirred vigorously at room temperature. After 6 h the reaction was diluted with ether and water. The waterlayer was extracted with ether 3 times. The combined organic layers were dried with a saturated NaCI solution and treated with sodiumsulphate.The solution was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure.
The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (eluens EA) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pure product (0.35 g, 30%) was obtained as a white foam.
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 8.27 (s, 1H, H-8), 4.01 (s, 3H, N-Me) 19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: -69.01 (6-CF3).

Compound 2: 2-morpholinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-R-D-ribofuranosyl purine 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-(Tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitropurine (intermediate F, 0.100 g, 0.2 mmol) was treated with morpholine (0.175 ml, 2 mmol) and triethylamine (0.2 ml) in 1 mI THF. After the reaction was complete, the product was purified b y flash chromatography (EA) to yield compound 2 (30 mg, 37%).
'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO), b[ppm]: 8.6 (s, 1 H, H-8), 6.00 (d, 1 H, H-1'), 5.64 (d, 1 H, H-2'), 5.47(d, 1 H, H-3'), 4.66 (m, 2H, 5'), 4.34- 4.13 (m, 8H).

Compound 3: 2-piperidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-p-D-ribofuranosyl purine 2-Piperidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-(tri-O-acetate ribose) purine was made following the procedure for intermediate G. This product (0.038 g) was treated with 1:1 N H3 solution and MeOH. Flash chromatography (MTBE +2.5% MeOH) yields compound 3 (0.030 g, 40%). 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.89 (s, 1 H, H-8), 5.82 (d, 1 H, H-1'), 5.0 (t, 1 H, H-2'), 4.44 (d, 1 H, H-3'), 4.32 (m, 1 H, 4'), 4.1 (bs, 4H), 3.93 and 3.76 (d, 2H, H5'), 1.72 (m, 6H).

Compound 4: 2-(4-OH-piperidinyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-P-D-ribofuranosyl purine 2-(4-OH-piperidinyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-(tri-O-acetate ribose) purine was made following the procedure for intermediate G. This product (0.040 g, 0.07 mmol) was treated with 1:1 NH3 solution and MeOH. Flash chromatography (MTBE +2.5%
MeOH) yields compound 4 (0.020 g, 65%).'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO, D20), b[ppm]:
7.86 (s, 1 H, H-8), 5.80 (d, 1 H, H-1'), 5.2 (t, 1 H, H-2'), 4.6 (d, 1 H, H-3'), 4.29 (m, 1 H, 4'), 4.1 (bs, 4H), 3.80 and 3.74 (d, 2H, H5'), 1.90 (m, 4H).

Compound 5: 2-(OH-ethyl-piperazinyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-R-D-ribofuranosyl purine A THF (5 ml) solution containing 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-(2,3,5-Tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitropurine (0.374 g, 0.8 mmol) and hydroxy-ethylpiperazine (1.0 ml, 8.1 mmol) was stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction was followed by HPLC. After completion the reaction was quenched by adding silica gel. The suspension was concentrated to dryness. The resulting powder was purified by column chromatography using a gradient mixture of MTBE: MTBE with 1% MeOH - MTBE
with 4% MeOH and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pure product was obtained in 60 % yield.
'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO, D20), b[ppm]: 8.57 (s, 1 H, H-8), 5.99 (d, 1 H, H-1'), 4.6 (t, 1 H, H-2'), 4.4 (d, 1 H, H-3'), 4.29 (m, 1 H, 4'), 4.1 (d, 2H, H5'), 3.56 (t, 2H), 2.59 (m, 8H), 2.48 (t, 2H) Compound 6: 6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylamino purine A solution of 6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylamino-9-BocOM purine (compound 29, 0.100 g, 0.23 mmol) in MeONa/MeOH (2.3 mmol) was stirred at room temperature. After minutes solid CO2 was added. Water was added slowly to the suspension. The solid was fiitered and washed with water. After drying at 50 C in vacuo, it was collected as a pure solid (0.060 g, 89%) 'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO-ds), b[ppm]: 13.0 (br s, 1 H, 9-NH), 8.34 (br s, 1 H, NH), 8.33 (s, 1 H, H-8), 7.38-7.23 (m, 5H, Har), 4.71 (br s, 2H, NHCH2) Compound 7: 6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-benzylamino purine Compound 7 was made via Mitsunobu conditions with polymer bound triphenylphosphine to facilitate purification. To a solution of 6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylaminopurine (compound 6, 0.047 g, 0.16 mmol) in DCM (2 ml), was added triphenylphosphine polymer bound (0.133 g, 3 mmol/g, 0.4 mmol), MeOH (0.016 ml, 0.4 mmol) and diisopropylazodicarboxylate (DIAD) (0.078 ml, 0.4 mmol). The mixture was stirred slowly at room temperature and after 1 h the reaction was complete.
Flash chromatography (EA) afforded compound 7 (0.035 g, 71 %) 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.80 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.34-7.22 (m, 5H, Har), 6.15 (br s, 1H, NH), 4.01(s, 3H), 3.95 (br s, 2H, NHCH2) Compound 8: 2-benzylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-R-D-ribofuranosyl purine 2-benzylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose) purine was made according to the procedure for intermediate G. This product (0.090 g, 0.16 mmol) was stirred in a 1:1 solution of NH3 in MeOH for 4 h. Solvent evapora-tion and sublimation afforded compound 8 (0.057g, 82%).
'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO), b[ppm]: 8.55 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.37-7.23 (m, 5H, Har), 6.5 (br s, 1 H, NH), 5.94 (d, 1 H, H-1'), 5.49 (d,1 H, OH), 5.27 (bs,1 H, OH), 5.25 (bs, 1 H, OH), 4.72 (t, 1 H, H-2'), 4.61 (t, 1 H, H-3'), , 4.38 (m, 1 H, H-4'), 4.13 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.97 (2H, H5');
19F-NMR (500MHz, DMSO), b [ppm]: -68.64 (6-CF3).

Compound 9: 6-trifluoromethyl-2-phenethylamino purine A solution of intermediate G, 2-phenethylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose)-purine (2.65 g, 4.7 mmol) in trifluoroacetic acid (15 ml) was stirred at 40 C.
The reaction progress was followed by HPLC (R,,pr,UC, = 3.7). After 24 h the mixture was coevaporated with toluene and methanol. Trituration with ether furnished the product as a light grey solid (1.15 g, 80%). 'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO-d6), b[ppm]:
13.4 (br s, 1 H, 9-NH), 8.32 (s, 1 H, H-8), 8.32 (br s, 1 H, NH), 7.31 -7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 4.16 & 3.72 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 2.96 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H, CH2).

Compound 10: 6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine To a solution of 6-Trifluoromethyl-2-phenethylaminopurine (compound 9, 0.600 g, 1.95 mmol) in DMF (14 ml) K2CO3 (0.351 g, 2.54 mmol) and Mel (0.158 ml, 2.54 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature and after 0.5 h the reaction was complete (HPLC: R,,prwUC, = 4.1). Crystallization occurred after the slow addition of water (17 ml). After stirring for 0.5 h the mixture was fiitrated and the residue was washed with four 10-mi portions of water. The filtrate was again fiitrated after 1 h and the residue was washed with three 5-mi portions of water. The residue was dried in vacuo at 60 C obtaining the product as a white solid (503 mg, 80%).
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.83 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.33-7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 6.17 (br s, 1H, NH), 3.95 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.87 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.01 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2) Compound 11: 8-bromo-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylaminopurine (compound 10, 100 mg, 0.312 mmol) was dried in vacuo at 100 C for 2.5 h. After cooling, dry THF (4 ml) was added at room temperature and the solution was cooled to -72 C (ethanol/dry ice).
After addition of n-BuLi (0.49 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexane, 0.779 mmol ) the colouriess solution turned yellow. After 15 minutes Br2 (26 pL, 0.498 mmol) was added and after 5 minutes the reaction was complete (HPLC: R,,prwUC, = 4.6). To the red solution silica gel (-4 g) was added and the suspension was evaporated to dryness.
Flashchromatography (2% MeOH in MTBE) and freeze drying afforded compound 11 (110 mg, 88%) as a white fluffy solid, mp 131-139 C.
1H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.33-7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 5.91 (br s, 1H, NH), 3.93 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.80 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.98 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2). 19F-NMR
(500MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: -70.18 (6-CF3).

Compound 12: 8-iodo-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylaminopurine (compound 10 ) (0.500 g, 1.56 mmol) was dried in vacuo at 100 C for 2.5 h. After cooling, dry THF (18 ml) was added at room temperature and the solution was cooled to -72 C (ethanol/dry ice).
After addition of n-BuLi (2.4 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexane, 3.9 mmol) the colouriess solution turned yellow. After 15 minutes 12 (0.633 g, 2.49 mmol) was added and after 5 minutes the reaction was complete (HPLC: R,,prwUC, = 4.7).
To the red solution silica gel (-4 g) was added and the suspension was evaporated to dryness. Flash chromatography (1% MeOH in MTBE) and freezedrying afforded the product (0.637 g, 91%) as fluffy white crystals, mp 139-142 C.'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.33 -7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 5.96 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.93 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.77 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.98 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2).19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: -70.12 (6-CF3).

Compound 13: 8-(furan-2 yl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (20 mg, 0.045 mmol), 2-furanboronic acid (25 mg, 0.224 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (13 pg, 0.011 mmol) and Na2CO3 (aq, 0.447 mmol) in DME/H20 (8:1) (4.5 ml) by the procedure described for the preparation of compound 19. After completion (HPLC: R,,pr,UC, = 4.8; TLC
(EA/PE
1:3): Rf,prdUC, = 0.09) the workup of the reaction mixture followed. Silica gel column chromatography (PE/EA (2:1), 120 ml) gave compound 13 (15 mg, 87%) after evaporation as a white solid. 'H-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.68 (s, 1 H), 7.35-7.25 (m, 5H, Har), 7.16 (s, 1 H), 6.65 (s, 1 H), 6.12 (br s, 1 H, NH), 4.08 (s, 3H, CH 3), 3.98 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.03 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, CH2). 19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: -69.96 (6-CF3). 13C-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3) b[ppm]: 154.19, 150.64 (q, J=

Hz), 150.12, 144.75, 144.2, 143.13, 138.67, 128.83 (2C), 128.59 (2C), 126.50, 120.05 (q, J = 275 Hz, CF3), 119.72, 113.06, 112.16, 42.15 35.73, 30.81. MS:
m/z 388.1381 (M+ + H. C19HõON5F3 requires 388.1385).

Compound 14: 8-(thien-2-yl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (20 mg, 0.045 mmol), 2-thiopheneboronic acid (12 mg, 0.089 mmol), Pd(PPh 3)4 (13 mg, 0.011 mmol) and Na2CO3 (51 mg, 0.179 mmol) in DME/H20 (6:1) (2.0 mL) by the procedure described for the preparation of 19 to give compound 14 (11 mg, 55%) as a yellow solid.
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3, b[ppm]: 7.62 (d, 1 H), 7.55 (d, J = 0.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.31 -7.20 (m, 5Har ), 6.13 (br s, 1 H, NH), 4.02 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.94 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.02 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2).

Compound 15: 8-N-pyrrolidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine Compound 12 (10 mg, 0.022 mmol) was dissolved in pyrrolidine (2 m I, 24 mmol) and stirred at 90 C under dry N2. The progress of the reaction was followed with HPLC
(Rt,prwUC, = 4.3) and TLC (Rf,prwu t = 0.55 in MTBE with 2% MeOH). After 17 hours the solution was diluted with DCM (4 ml) and evaporated with silica gel to dryness. Flash chromatography (0 = 1.2 cm, EA/PE 1:2, gradient EA) gave, after evaporation, compound 15 (4.8 mg, 56%) as a white solid. 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]:
7.32-7.19 (m, 5H, Har), -5.6 (br s, 1H, NH), 3.90 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, NHC1-12), 3.77 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.69 (br m, 4H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.04 (br m, 4H).

Compound 16: 8-N-piperidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethyl amino purine Compound 12 (10 mg, 0.022 mmol) was dissolved in piperidine (2 ml, 24 mmol) and stirred at 90 C under dry N2. The progress of the reaction was followed by HPLC
(Rt,pr.,UC, = 5.1). After 17 hours the solution was diluted with DCM (4 ml) and evaporated with silica gel to dryness. Silica gel column chromatography (0 =
1.2 cm, EA/PE 1:1) gave, after evaporation, compound 16 (9 mg, 99%) as a white-yellow solid.'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.33-7.20 (m, 5H, Har), -5.8 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.92 (q, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H, NHCH2), 3.64 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.26 (br m, 4H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H, CH2), 1.79-1.73 (br m, 4H), 1.69-1.67 (br m, 2H).

Compound 17:8-N-morpholinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (10 mg, 0.022 mmol) and morpholine (2 mL, 23 mmol) by the procedure described for the preparation of compound 16. HPLC: Rf,prwu t = 4.4 and TLC: Rf,product = 0.49 (MTBE with 2%
MeOH).
Flash chromatography (0 = 1.2 cm, EA/PE 2:1) gave, after evaporation, compound 17 (8.3 mg, 90%) as a orange solid.'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.33-7.21 (m, 5H, Har), -5.8 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.94 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.88 (t, J = 4.7 Hz, 4H, H -11 and H-15), 3.67 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.30 (t, J = 4.7 Hz, 4H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2).

Compound 18: 8-cyclopentylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine Compound 12 (10 mg, 0.022 mmol) was dissolved in cyclopentylamine (2 ml, 24 mmol) and stirred at 90 C under dry N2. HPLC: Rt,prw1Ct = 4.5 and TLC:
Rf,prwuct = 0.29 (EA/PE 1:2). After 42 hours the reaction mixture was purified with flash chromatography (0 = 1.2 cm, EA/PE 1:2) and SPE (Supelco, packed with 1 g silica gel) (eluent: DCM with 2% MeOH, 15 ml) to afford compound 18 (6.7 mg, 75%) as a red solid.'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.32-7.20 (m, 5H, Har), -5.7 (br s, 1H, NH), 4.30-4.25 (m, 1 H), -4.2 (br s, 1 H), 3.91 (m, 2H, NHC1-12), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.99 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.16-2.12 (m, 2H, cyclopentyl), 1.79-1.65 (m, 4H, cyclopentyl), 1.57-1.54 (m, 2H, cyclopentyl).

Compound 19: 8-phenyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine 8-lodo-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylaminopurine (compound 12, 40 mg, 0.089 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (26 mg, 0.022 mmol) and phenylboronic acid (22 mg, 0.179 mmol) were dissolved in DME (4 ml) and after addition of Na 2CO3-10H2O (102 mg, 0.358 mmol) in H20 (0.5 ml) the solution was stirred at 90 C under Ar. The progress of the reaction was followed by HPLC (Rt,prwUC, = 5.0). After 17 hours the mixture was diluted with EA (10 ml) and water (5 ml). The water layer was extracted two times with EA (7 ml). The organic layers were washed with water (10 ml) and a saturated NaCI solution in water (10 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na2SO4. Flash chromatography (0 = 1.2 cm, EA/PE 1:3) afforded compound 19 (33 mg, 93%) as a light brown solid. UV (EA) kmaX = 304 nm (E = 1.5x104).1H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: 7.75 (d, J = 3.1 Hz, 2H), 7.56-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.32-7.22 (m, 5H, Har), 6.12 (br s, 1H, NH), 3.93 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.92 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.01 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2).
MS: m/z 398.1601 (M+ + H. C21H19N5F3 requires 398.1593).

Compound 20: 8-(3-fluorophenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (40 mg, 0.089 mmol) and 3-fluorophenylboronic acid (25 mg, 0.179 mmol) by the procedure described for the preparation of compound 19. The reaction was monitored by TLC and HPLC (HPLC:
Rt,pr.duct = 5.0; TLC (EA/PE 1:3): Rf,product = 0.22, Rfreactant = 0.15).
After the conversion was complete, the mixture was diluted with EA (10 ml) and water (5 ml). The water layer was extracted two times with EA (7 ml). The organic layers were washed with water (10 ml) and a saturated NaCI solution in water (10 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na2SO4. Flash chromatography (gradient: PE/EA (4:1) - PE/EA (2:1), mL) afforded, after evaporation, compound 20 (33 mg, 88%) as a white solid.
UV (EA) kmax = 308 nm (E = 1.7x104).
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.54-7.48 (m, 3H, F-phenyl), 7.33-7.22 (m, 6H, 5Har + 1 H F-phenyl), 6.07 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.94 (br m, 2H, NHC1-12), 3.93 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.02 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2).
19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: -69.97 (3F, 6-CF3), -111.36 (1F, 18-F).
13C-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3) b[ppm]: 162.81 (d, J = 248 Hz), 154.52, 150.73 (2), 138.66, 131.15, 130.74 (d, J = 8 Hz), 128.85 (2), 128.63 (2), 126.54, 124.60 (d, J = 3 Hz), 120.05 (q, J = 275 Hz), 119.86 , 117.52 (d, J = 21 Hz), 116.15 (d, J = 23 Hz), 42.15, 35.72, 31.05 MS: m/z 416.1489 (M+ + H. C21H1$N5F4 requires 416.1498).

Compound 21: 8-E-styryl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (40 mg, 0.089 mmol) and E-2-phenylvinylboronic acid (26 mg, 0.179 mmol) by the procedure described for the preparation of compound 19. The reaction was monitored by HPLC (Rt,pro,ud =
5.2) and TLC (EA/PE 1:3) (Rf,pr duct = 0.24). Workup of the reaction mixture and flash chromatography (gradient: EA/PE (1:5) - EA/PE (1:2), 150 mL) gave, after evaporation, compound 21 (38 mg, 100%) as a red/orange oil. Yellow crystals (24 mg) were obtained after crystallization from methanol. 1H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: 7.85 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.44-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.34-7.24 (m, 5H, Har), 7.05 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1 H), 6.08 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.97 (br m, 2H, NHCH.2), 3.90 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.03 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2).
13C-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3) 8 [ppm]: 153.32 , 151 , 149.41 , 140, 138.69 134.96 , 130.12, 129.03 (2C), 128.90 (2C), 128.61 (2C), 127.68 (2C), 126.52, 119.95 (q, J
275 Hz), 118.2, 110.70, 42.39, 35.69, 29.16.
MS: m/z 424.1742 (M+ + H. C23H21N5F3 requires 424.1749).

Compound 22: 8-Z-styryl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine Compound 21 was converted into 8-Z-styryl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethyl-aminopurine by exposure to daylight for 1 -2 h in dichloromethane.
1H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: characteristic doublet from 7.05 (d, E -form, J
15.9 Hz, H-11) to 6.53 (d, Z-form, J = 12.3 Hz, 1 H).

Compound 23: 8-phenylacetylene-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine Compound 12 (60 mg, 0.134 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (15 mg, 0.013 mmol), Cu (I) (6 mg, 0.033 mmol) and phenylacetylene (0.026 ml, 0.234 mmol) were stirred in dry DMF
(2 ml). Et3N (0.023 ml, 0.168 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred under Ar.
After 2 hours the reaction mixture was diluted with ether (10 ml) and water (10 ml).
The water layer was extracted three times with ether (10 ml). The organic layers were washed with water (10 ml) and a saturated NaCI solution in water (10 ml).
The organic layer was dried with Na2SO4. Flash chromatography (0 = 1.2 cm, EA/PE
1:3) afforded compound 23 (54 mg, 96%) as a solid. 1H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]:
7.65 (d, 2H), 7.47-7.40 (m, 3H), 7.33-7.22 (m, 5H, Har), 6.12 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.94 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.92 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.01 (t, 2H, CH2). MS: m/z 422.1581 (M+ + H.
C23H1$N5F3 requires 422.1514).

Compound 24: 8-E-(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine This compound was prepared from compound 12 (40 mg, 0.089 mmol) and E-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)vinylboronic acid (39 mg, 0.179 mmol) by the procedure described for the preparation of compound 19. The reaction was monitored by HPLC
(R,,pr.,ud = 5.4) and TLC (EA/PE 1:3) (Rf,prdur, = 0.22). After workup of the reaction mixture, flash chromatography (gradient: EA/PE (1:5) - EA/PE (1:2), 150 mL) furnished, after evaporation, compound 24 (44 mg, 100%) as a red/orange oil.
Yellow crystals (29 mg) were obtained after crystallization from methanol. UV (EA) kmax =
354 nm (E = 2.1x104). 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 7.87 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.71-7.66 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.23 (m, 5H, Har), 7.14 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, H-11), 6.1 (br s, 1 H, NH), 3.96 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 3.92 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.04 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2).
19F-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3), b [ppm]: -63.20 (15-CF3), -70.16 (6-CF3).

13C-NMR (500MHz, CDCI3) 8 [ppm]: 154.03, 150.11, 149.21, 141.43, 138.68, 136 .15, 131.12 (q, J = 32 Hz, C-21), 128.87 (2C), 128.64 (2C), 127.54 (2C), 126.55, 125.95 (q, J = 3.7 Hz, 2C), 123.89 (q, J = 272 Hz), 120.05 (q, J = 275 Hz), 120.1, 114.54, 42.11, 35.74, 29.04.
MS: m/z 492.1627 (M+ + H. C24H20N5F6 requires 492.1623).

Compound 25: 8-Z-(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine Compound 24 was completely converted into 8-Z-(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylaminopurine by exposure to daylight for 6 -8 h in dichloromethane. 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: characteristic doublet from 7.14 (E-form, J = 15.9 Hz, H-11) to 6.65 (d, Z-form, J = 12.4 Hz, 1H).

Compound 26: 2-phenethylamino-6-CF3-9-p-D-ribofuranosyl purine Intermediate G, 2-phenethylamino-6-CF3-9-(tri-O-acetate ribose)-purine was stirred in a 1:1 solution of NH3 in methanol for 18 h. The product was purified by flashchromatography (MTBE+ 5% MeOH) to yield, after sublimation, compound 26 (0.033g, 60%) 'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO, D20), b[ppm]: 7.99 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.34-7.21 (m, 5H, Har), 6.12 (br s, 1 H, NH), 5.93 (bs, 1 H, H-1'), 4.64 (m, 1 H, H-2'), 4.27(m, 1 H, H-3'), 4.19 (m, 1H, H-4'), 4.16 (m, 2H, 5'), , 3.27 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 2.7 (br m, 2H, CH2).
19F-NMR (500MHz, DMSO), b [ppm]: -63.95 (6-CF3).
Compound 27: 2-(4-hydroxy-phenethylamino)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-R-D-ribo-furanosyl purine 2-nitro-6-CF3-9-(tri-O-acetate)-purine (0.125g, 0.25 mmol, intermediate F) was treated with 5 equivalents of tyramine in 5 ml THF. The product was purified by flashchromatography (EA) to yield compound 27 (0.046g, 40%).
'H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO, D20), b[ppm]: 8.52 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.39-7.0 (m, 5H, Har), 5.92 (bs, 1 H, H-1'), 4.59 (m, 1 H, H-2'), 4.16(m, 1 H, H-3'), 3.93 (m, 1 H, H-4'), 3.43 (br m, 2H, NHCH2), 2.81 (br m, 2H, CH2).

Compound 28: 6-trifluoromethyl-2-phenetylamino-9-BocOM-purine A DCM (5 ml) solution containing 6-CF3-2-nitro-9-BocOM-purine (0.365 mmol, intermediate E), diisopropylethylamine (0.4 mmol) and phenyl-ethylamine (0.4 mmol) was stirred at reflux temperature for 4 h. After completion the reaction was purified by flashchromatography (EA/PE 1:1). The resulting solid was triturated with PE to give compound 28 in 80% yield (0.129 g).
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 8.10 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.31-7.19 (m, 5H, Har), 6.23 (bs, 1H, NH), 6.09 (s, 2H, CH2O), 3.92 (bs, 2H, CH2NH), 2.99 (t, 2H), 1.48 (s, 9H) Compound 29: 6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylamino-9-BocOM-purine A THF (5 ml) solution containing 6-Trifluoromethyl-2-nitro-9-BocOM-purine (0.4 g, 9 mmol, intermediate E), diisopropylethylamine (0.174 ml, 10 mmol) and benzylamine (0.66 ml, 10 mmol) was stirred at room temperature for 5 h. The reaction was followed with HPLC. After completion the reaction was quenched by adding silica gel.
The suspension was concentrated to dryness. The resulting powder was purified by flashchromatography (EA/PE 1:1) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting product was obtained in 81 % yield (0.37 g).
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3), b[ppm]: 8.12 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.40-7.28 (m, 5H, Har), 6.30 (bs, 1H, NH), 6.10 (s, 2H, CH2O), 4.86 (bs, 2H, CH2NH), 1.47 (s, 9H) Compound 30: 2-phenethyloxy-6-trifluoromethyl-9-p-D-ribofuranosyl purine Intermediate 6-Trifluoromethyl-9-(tri-O-acetate-ribose)-2-nitropurine (0.150g, 0.4 mmol) was dissolved in phenethylalcohol (3 ml) and K2CO3 (0.084 g, 0.8 mmol) was added. The reaction was warmed to 40 C for 18h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was extracted three times with DCM/water. The organic layers were concentrated and purified by flash chromatography (gradient MTBE - MTBE+10%
MeOH) to give compound 30 (0.068 g, 40%).
'H-NMR (400MHz, CDCI3, D20), b[ppm]: 8.13 (s, 1H, H-8), 7.32-7.19 (m, 5H, Har), 5.92 (bs, 1 H, H-1'), 5.0 (bs, 1 H, H-2'), 4.51(m, 1 H, H-3'), 4.32 (br m, 2H, NHCH~
3.96 (m, 1H, H-4'), 3.88 (m, 2H, 5'), 3.19 (br m, 2H, CH2).

Table I: Structural variations of compounds 1- 30 N N
~ \ R3 (1) R2 Cp R, R2 R3 2 Morpholin-4-yl- ribose H
3 Piperidin-1-yl- ribose H
4 4-OH-piperidinyl-1 ribose H
4-(2-OH-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl ribose H
6 Ph-CH2-NH- H H
7 Ph-CH2-NH- CH3 H
8 Ph-CH2-NH- ribose H
9 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- H H
Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 H
11 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Br 12 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 1 13 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 furan-2-yl 14 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 thien-2-yl Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Pyrrolidin-1-yl 16 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Piperidin-1-yl 17 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Morpholin-4-yl-18 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 NH-cyclopentyl 19 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 phenyl Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 3-F-phenyl 21 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Ph-CH=CH- (E) 22 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Ph-CH=CH- (Z) 23 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 Ph-C=C-24 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 4-CF3-Ph-CH=CH- (E) Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH3 4-CF3-Ph-CH=CH- (Z) 26 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- ribose H
27 4-OH-Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- ribose H
28 Ph-CH2-CH2-NH- CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl H
29 Ph-CH2-NH- CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl H
Ph-CH2-CH2-O- ribose H

EXAMPLE 4: FORMULATIONS OF COMP. 9 USED IN ANIMAL STUDIES

For oral (p.o.) administration : to the desired quantity (0.5-5 mg) of the solid Compound 9 in a glass tube, some glass beads were added and the solid was milled by vortexing for 2 minutes. After addition of 1 ml of a solution of 1%
Methylcellulose in water and 2% (v/v) of Poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F68), the compound was suspended by vortexing for 10 minutes. The pH was adjusted to 7 with a few drops of aqueous NaOH (0.1 N). Remaining particles in the suspension were further suspended by using an ultrasonic bath.

For intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration: to the desired quantity (0.5-15 mg) of the solid Compound 9 in a glass tube, some glass beads were added and the solid was milled by vortexing for 2 minutes. After addition of 1 ml of a solution of 1%
methylcellulose and 5% mannitol in water, the compound was suspended by vortexing for 10 minutes. Finally the pH was adjusted to 7.

EXAMPLE 5: PHARMACOLOGICAL TESTRESULTS

Adenosine receptor affinity data, as well as functional adenosine -A3 receptor data, obtained according to the protocols given above, are shown in the table below.
All of the tested compounds have an affinity for adenosine A3 receptors higher than that for the other adenosine receptor subpopulations. In all of the compounds investigated the affinity for adenosine A3 receptors was shown to translate into adenosine receptor antagonism (pA2 values ranging from 5.1 - 9.8). None of the investigated compounds showed adenosine A3 receptor agonism in concentrations up to 10"5 M
(PEC50 < 5.0).

Table II: In vitro adenosine receptor pharmacology of compounds 1- 30 In vitro adenosine receptor pharmacology Adenosine receptor affinity (binding) Functional activity A, A2a, A2B A3 agonism antagonism Comp pKi pKi pKi pK, pECro pA2 1 <5.0 <5.0 -- 5.4 3 <5.0 <5.0 -- 5.4 4 <5.0 <5.0 - - 4.8 <5.0 6.7 6 5.4 4.7 <5.0 7.7 <5.0 6.8 7 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 5.5 <5.0 5.8 8 5.1 4.9 <5.0 6.5 -- 7.4 9 6.0 4.9 <5.0 7.9 <5.0 8.7 5.2 4.8 4.9 5.8 <5.0 5.5 11 <5.0 <5.0 -.- 6.0 --12 <5.0 <5.0 - - 5.6 <5.0 5.7 13 <5.0 5.1 - - 5.9 <5.0 6.8 14 5.2 <5.0 - - 5.8 <5.0 5.8 <5.0 <5.0 -- 5.5 16 <5.0 4.8 -- 5.4 17 <5.0 <5.0 -- 5.8 18 5.5 5.9 -- 6.2 19 <5.0 5.1 -- 5.7 5.1 <5.0 -- 6.0 21 <5.0 <5.0 -.- 5.4 -.-22 <5.0 <5.0 - - 5.7 <5.0 6.0 23 <5.0 <5.0 -- 6.3 24 <5.0 <5.0 - - 5.4 - - - -<5.0 <5.0 -.- 5.3 -.- -.-26 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 7.5 <5.0 9.8 27 5.3 5.5 -- 8.0 --28 5.6 <5.0 -- 7.6 --29 5.6 4.7 -- 7.1 <5.0 5.1 5.8 5.5 -- 6.8 --

Claims (12)

1. Compounds of the general formula (1):

wherein:
- R1 represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 0, 1,

2 or 3, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from N, O
and S, or R, represents a nitro goup, - R2 is hydrogen, C1-3-alkyl, ribose, -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl or aryl-(C1-3)alkyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, NH2, -NH-(C1-6)alkyl, -N-di(C1-6)alkyl, -NH-cyclo(C3-8)alkyl, C2-4-alkenyl(hetero)aryl or C2-4-alkynyl(hetero)aryl, of which the hetero-atoms are selected from N, O, and S, and which (hetero)aryl groups may be optionally substituted, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5-or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero-atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof 2. Compounds as claimed in claim 1 of general formula (1) wherein:

- R1 represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 1 or 2, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally substituted 6 -membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero-atoms selected from N and O, or R1 represents a nitro goup, - R2 represents hydrogen, methyl, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, -NH-cyclopentyl, ethenylphenyl or ethynylphenyl, which phenyl groups may be optionally substituted with a CF 3 group, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof.

3. Compound as claimed in claim 1 of general formula (1) in which - R1 represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is either NH or oxygen, n is 1 or 2, m is 0 or 1, and Y is an optionally hydroxylated 6 -membered aromatic or non -aromatic ring, containing 0 or 1 N-atoms, - R2 represents hydrogen, methyl, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, halogen, -NH-cyclopentyl, ethenylphenyl or ethynylphenyl, which phenyl groups may be optionally substituted with a CF 3 group, or R3 represents an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, containing 0, 1 or 2 hetero -atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof.

4. Compound as claimed in claim 1 of general formula (I) in which - R, represents -[X-(CH2)n]m-Y, in which formula X is NH, n is 1 or 2, m is 1, and Y
is an optionally hydroxylated phenyl group, - R2 represents hydrogen, ribose or -CH2-O-CO-O-t-butyl, - R3 represents hydrogen, and tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof.

5. The compound according to claim 1 which is:
2-nitro-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl purine, 2-morpholinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 2-piperidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 2-(4-OH-piperidinyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 2-(OH-ethyl-piperazinyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine,

6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylamino purine, 6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-benzylamino purine, 2-benzylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 6-trifluoromethyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-bromo-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-iodo-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-(furan-2-yl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-(thien-2-yl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-N-pyrrolidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-N-piperidinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethyl amino purine, 8-N-morpholinyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-cyclopentylamino-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-phenyl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-(3-fluorophenyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-E-styryl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-Z-styryl-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-phenylacetylene-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-E-(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 8-Z-(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-methyl-2-phenethylamino purine, 2-phenethylamino-6-CF3-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 2-(4-hydroxy-phenethylamino)-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribo-furanosyl purine 6-trifluoromethyl-2-phenetylamino-9-BocOM-purine, 6-trifluoromethyl-2-benzylamino-9-BocOM-purine, 2-phenethyloxy-6-trifluoromethyl-9-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl purine, 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, in addition to a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substance, a pharmacologically active amount of at least one compound of one of the claims, or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

7. A method of preparing pharmaceutical compositions as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that a compound of one of the claims 1-5 is brought into a form suitable for administration.

8. The compound with formula (2a):

being useful in the synthesis of compounds of the general formula (1).

9. Compounds of the general formula (2b):

wherein R2, and R3 have the meanings given in claim 1, such compounds being useful in the synthesis of compounds of the general formula (I).

10. Process for the preparation of compounds as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(a) ~trifluoromethylation of a compound of the general formula (3):

wherein X is tri-O-acetate-ribose, methyl or -CH2-O-C(O)O-tBu resulting in a compound of the general formula (4):

(b): nucleophilic substitution of the nitro group by in compound (4) to yield a compound with the general formula (5):

wherein R1 has the meanings as given in claim 1, and, (c1): with compounds in which X = tri-O-acetate-ribose, hydrolysing the compound of formula (5) to yield the corresponding compound with the general formula (1) with a 9-ribose substituent:

or:

(c2): ~with compounds in which X = tri-O-acetate-ribose, treating the product with a strong organic acid to yield a compound of the general formula (6):

or:
(c3): ~by treating a compound of form (5) in which X=-CH2-O-C(O)O-tBu with as strong base to yield a compound of the general formula (6), (d): ~alkylation of a compound of formula (6) to yield a compound of the general formula (7):

in which R2 has the meanings as given in claim 1, (e) ~halogenation of the compound with formula (7) to yield a compound of the general formula (8):

wherein Y is either Br or I (iodine), and (f): ~either standard amination or alkylation procedures to result in a compound of the general formula (1) as claimed in claim 1:

11. A compound as claimed in any of the claims 1 -5, or a salt thereof, for use as a medicament.

12. Use of a compound as claimed in any of the claims 1 -5 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, inflammatory diseases including, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma and psoriasis; gastro-intestinal disorders such as ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease) and ulcerative colitis; allergic responses such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and rhinitis; cardio-vascular disorders such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, hypertension, thrombosis, anaemia, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, cutaneous diseases such as urticaria, lupus erythematosus and pruritus; opthalmological disorders like glaucoma; respiratory disorders including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis and cystic fibrosis; central nervous system disorders including various forms of epilepsy, stroke, depression, sleep apnoea; disorders characterized by impairment of cognition and memory such as Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurorehabilitation (post-traumatic brain lesions); acute brain or spinal cord injury; diabetes, osteoporosis, diseases of the immune system, various carcinomas and leukemia, bacterial and viral infections.