Novel Compounds

Abstract

This invention relates to novel phenyl sulfone compounds having pharmacological activity, processes for their preparation, to compositions containing them and to their use in the treatment of CNS and other disorders.

1 . A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  and R 2  independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6  alkyl or R 1  is linked to R 2  to form a group (CH 2 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) 3  or (CH 2 ) 4 ;  
 R 3  independently represents hydrogen, halogen, C 1-6  alkyl, C 3-6  cycloalkyl, C 1-6  alkoxy, C 1-6  alkylthio, C 1-6  alkylsulfinyl, C 1-6  alkylsulfonyl, C 1-6  alkanoyl, CN, CF 3 , OCH 2 CF 3 , OCF 3 , hydroxyC 1-6  alkyl, hydroxyC 1-6  alkoxy, C 1-6  alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6  alkoxyC 1-6  alkoxy, nitro, amino, C 1-6  alkylamino, diC 1-6  alkylamino or NR 4 COR 5 , where R 4  and R 5  are independently hydrogen or C 1-6  alkyl;  
 m represents an integer from 1 to 5, such that wherein m is an integer greater than 1, said R 2  groups may optionally be linked to form a group CH 2 , (CH 2 ) 2  or (CH 2 ) 3 ;  
 n represents an integer from 1 to 4;  
 p represents 1 or 2;  
 A represents a group −Ar 1  or −Ar 2 Ar 3 ;  
 Ar 1  represents naphthyl optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents or monocyclic heteroaryl linked to the SO 2  group via a carbon atom and optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents;  
 Ar 2  represents phenyl or a monocyclic heteroaryl group linked to the SO 2  group via a carbon atom, each of which may be optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents;  
 Ar 3  represents a monocyclic heteroaryl group optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents;  
 substituents on Ar 1 , Ar 2  and Ar 3  are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, C 1-6  alkyl, trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy, pentafluoroethyl, C 1-6  alkoxy, arylC 1-6  alkoxy, C 1-6  alkylthio, C 1-6  alkoxyC 1-6  alkyl, C 3-7  cycloalkylC 1-6  alkoxy, C 1-6  alkanoyl, C 1-6  alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6  alkylsulfonyl, C 1-6  alkylsulfinyl, C 1-6  alkylsulfonyloxy, C 1-6  alkylsulfonylC 1-6  alkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyloxy, arylsulfonylC 1-6  alkyl, C 1-6  alkylsulfonamido, C 1-6  alkylNHCO—, C 1-6  alkylCONH—C 1-6  alkylsulfonamidoC 1-6  alkyl, C 1-6  alkylNHCOC 1-6  alkyl-, C 1-6  alkylCONHC 1-6  alkyl-, arylsulfonamido, arylCONH—, aryINHCO—, arylsulfonamidoC 1-6  alkyl, arylCONHC 1-6  alkyl, arylNHCOC 1-6  alkyl, aroyl, aroylC 1-6  alkyl, arylC 1-6  alkanoyl, or a group CONR 6 R 7  or SO 2 NR 6 R 7 , wherein R 6  and R 7  independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6  alkyl or together may be fused to form a 5- to 7-membered aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally interrupted by an O or S atom.  
 
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition which comprises the compound according to  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.  
     
     
         3 . A method of treating depression, anxiety, obesity, mild cognitive impairment, and schizophrenia, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound according to  claim 1  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in need thereof.