Pro-neurogenic compounds

Abstract

This invention relates generally to stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, e.g., post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis) and protecting from neuron cell death.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; 
         R and R′ are defined according to (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) below: 
         (1) R and R′ together with C 2  and C 3 , respectively, form a fused phenyl ring having formula (II): 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein each of R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 8  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; or 
         (2) R and R′ together with C 2  and C 3 , respectively, form a fused heteroaryl ring containing 6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 independently selected ring atoms is N; and wherein said heteroaryl ring is optionally substituted with from 1-2 independently selected R b ; or 
         (3) R and R′ together with C 2  and C 3 , respectively, form a fused heterocyclic ring containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
         (4) each of R and R′ is, independently, hydrogen, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, or C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl; 
         each of L 1  and L 2  is, independently, C 1 -C 3  alkylene, which is optionally substituted with from 1-2 independently selected R c ; 
         A is:
 (i) CR A1 R A2 , wherein each of R A1  and R A2  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, and OR 9 , wherein R 9  is hydrogen or C 1 -C 3  alkyl that is optionally substituted with hydroxyl or C 1 -C 3  alkoxy; or 
 (ii) C═O; or 
 (iii) C 3 -C 5  cycloalkylene that is (a) substituted with 1 oxo; and (b) optionally further substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; or 
 (iv) heterocycloalkylene containing from 3-5 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocycloalkylene is (a) substituted with 1 oxo; and (b) is optionally further substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
         Z is:
 (i) —R 10 R 11 ; or 
 (ii) —C(O)NR 10 R 11 ; or 
 (iii) —OR 12 ; or 
 (iv) —S(O) n R 13 , wherein n is 0, 1, or 2 or 
 (v) heterocycloalkenyl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-3 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocycloalkenyl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 (vi) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b ; or 
 (vii) heteroaryl containing from 5-14 ring atoms, wherein from 1-6 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b ; or 
 (viii) C 8 -C 14  arylcycloalkyl, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 or 
 (ix) arylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion from is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (x) heteroarylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (xi) heteroarylcycloalkyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 
         each of R 10  and R 11  is independently selected from the substituents delineated collectively in (a) through (k) below:
 (a) hydrogen; 
 (b) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 (c) heteroaryl containing from 5-14 ring atoms, wherein from 1-6 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 (d) C 1 -C 6  alkyl or C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R d ; 
 (e) —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl), or —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); 
 (f) C 2 -C 6  alkenyl or C 2 -C 6  alkynyl; 
 (g) C 8 -C 14  arylcycloalkyl, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 (h) arylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion from is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; 
 
 (i) heteroarylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; 
 
 (j) heteroarylcycloalkyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 (k) C 3 -C 8  cycloalkyl or C 3 -C 8  cycloalkenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; and 
 (l) C 7 -C 12  aralkyl, wherein the aryl portion is optionally the aryl portion from is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , 
 provided that one of R 10  and R 11  must be selected from (b), (c), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k); 
 
         R 12  is:
 (i) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; or 
 (ii) heteroaryl containing from 5-14 ring atoms, wherein from 1-6 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; or 
 (iii) C 1 -C 6  alkyl or C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, each of which is substituted with from 1-3 R d ; 
 (iv) C 8 -C 14  arylcycloalkyl, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 or 
 (v) arylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion from is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (vi) heteroarylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (vii) heteroarylcycloalkyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 
         R 13  is:
 (i) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; or 
 (ii) heteroaryl containing from 5-14 ring atoms, wherein from 1-6 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 (iii) C 8 -C 14  arylcycloalkyl, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 or 
 (iv) arylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) the aryl portion from is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R b , and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (v) heteroarylheterocyclyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heterocyclyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; or 
 
 (vi) heteroarylcycloalkyl containing from 8-14 ring atoms, wherein:
 (1) from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl portion is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R b ; and 
 (2) the cycloalkyl portion is optionally substituted with from 1-4 independently selected R a ; 
 
 
         R a  at each occurrence is, independently selected from halo, hydroxyl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, oxo, thioxo, ═NH, ═N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano; 
         R b  at each occurrence is independently selected from the substituents delineated in (aa) through (dd) below:
 (aa) C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; —O—(CH 2 ) 1-3 —[O(CH 2 ) 1-3 ] 1-3 —H; —C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), wherein the alkyl portion of each is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R e ; 
 (bb) halo; hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; azido; sulfhydryl; C 2 -C 6  alkenyl; C 2 -C 6  alkynyl; —C(O)H; —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl); C(O)OH; —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)NH 2 ; —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); C(O)N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; —SO 2 (C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 NH 2 ; —SO 2 NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; 
 (cc) C 3 -C 6  cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein each of said phenyl and heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with from 1-3 independently selected R a ; and 
 (dd) phenyl or heteroaryl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; wherein each of said phenyl and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-3 substituents independently selected from halo; hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  alkyl, and C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl; 
 
         R c  at each occurrence is, independently selected from halo, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano; 
         R d  at each occurrence is, independently selected from hydroxyl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano; and 
         R e  at each occurrence is, independently selected from hydroxyl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; —NH 2 ; —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); cyano; —C(O)H; —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl); C(O)OH; —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)NH 2 ; —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); C(O)N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; —SO 2 (C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 NH 2 ; —SO 2 NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; and L 3 -(C 1 -C 6  alkylene)-biotin, where in L 3  is a —O—, —NH—, —NCH 3 —, —C(O)—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NCH 3 —, —NHC(O)—, or —NCH 3 C(O)O—. 
       
     
     
         2 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein A is:
 (i) CR A1 R A2 , wherein each of R A1  and R A2  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, and OR 9 , wherein R 9  is hydrogen or C 1 -C 3  alkyl that is optionally substituted with hydroxyl or C 1 -C 3  alkoxy; or   (ii) C═O.   
     
     
         3 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein A is CR A1 R A2 , wherein each of R A1  and R A2  is, independently, hydrogen, halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, or OR 9 . 
     
     
         4 . The compound of salt of  claim 3 , wherein one of R A1  and R A2  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, and OR 9 ; and the other of R A1  and R A2  is independently selected from halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, and OR 9 . 
     
     
         5 . The compound of salt of  claim 4 , wherein one of R A1  and R A2  is halo, and the other of R A1  and R A2  is hydrogen, halo, or C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         6 . The compound of salt of  claim 5 , wherein one of R A1  and R A2  is fluoro, and the other of R A1  and R A2  is hydrogen or fluoro. 
     
     
         7 . The compound of salt of  claim 3 , wherein one of R A1  and R A2  is OR 9 ; and the other of R A1  and R A2  is C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         8 . The compound of salt of  claim 7 , wherein one of R A1  and R A2  is OH; and the other of R A1  and R A2  is CH 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The compound of salt of  claim 3 , wherein the carbon attached to R A1  and R A2  is substituted with four different substituents, and is (R) or (S) configured. 
     
     
         10 . The compound of salt of  claim 9 , wherein the formula (I) compound is (+) (dextrorotatory) or (−) (levororotatory). 
     
     
         11 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein R 3  is selected from halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro. 
     
     
         12 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein when R and R′ are defined according to (3), R 3  is C 1 -C 6  alkyl. 
     
     
         13 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein when R and R′ are defined according to (4), each of R and R′ is, independently, C 1 -C 6  alkyl. 
     
     
         14 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , wherein Z is —NR 10 R 11 , wherein one of R 10  and R 11  is:
 (b) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; or 
 (c) heteroaryl containing from 5-14 ring atoms, wherein from 1-6 of the ring atoms is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; and wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 and the other of R 10  and R 11  is hydrogen or C 1 -C 6  alkyl. 
 
     
     
         15 . The compound of salt of  claim 1 , selected from:
 R-1-(3,6-Dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-propan-2-ol;   S-1-(3,6-Dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2-iminopyridin-1(2H)-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylthio)propan-2-ol;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetamide;   5-((3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)methyl)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-oxazolidin-2-one;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-3-methoxyaniline;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-propan-2-one;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-methoxypropyl)-3-methoxyaniline;   1-(3,6-Dimethyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3-Bromo-6-methyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-Dichloro-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(5-bromo-2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-Dibromo-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3-Azidophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1,3-Bis(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(9H-Carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   3-(3,6-Dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxy-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-propanamide;   Ethyl 5-(2-Hydroxy-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propyl)-8-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(5H)-carboxylate;   4-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1-(phenylamino)butan-2-ol;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propyl)aniline;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-4-(phenylamino)butan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-((3-methoxyphenyl)(methyl)-amino)propan-2-ol;   3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-1-(methylthio)propan-2-one;   3-amino-1-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl)pyridinium;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)propan-2-ol;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-3-methoxy-N-methylaniline;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-methoxypropan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-4-phenylbutan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)propan-2-ol;   3-(1-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-1-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-ethoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylsulfinyl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylsulfonyl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3-bromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   N-(5-(3-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropylamino)phenoxy)pentyl)-2-(7-(dimethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)acetamide;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol;   N-(2-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)ethyl)-acetamide;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(pyridin-3-ylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-ylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(2,8-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol-5(2H)-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2,2-difluoropropyl)-3-methoxyaniline;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(o-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(m-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(naphthalen-1-ylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(4-bromophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(4-bromophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(4-ethoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(4-chlorophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenethylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2-hydroxyethylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2,3-dimethylphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(2-chlorophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(tert-butylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(isopropylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(m-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3,5-dimethylphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3,4-dimethylphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3,4-dimethylphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(2,5-dimethylphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(4-bromophenylamino)-3-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-ethoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(p-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(2,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol oxalate;   1-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol hydrochloride;   1-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol oxalate;   1-(3,4-dihydro-1H-carbazol-9(2H)-yl)-3-(m-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(p-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(p-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(p-tolylamino)propan-2-ol;   N-(4-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)acetamide;   1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol;   1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(benzylamino)-3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   methyl 4-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)benzoate;   1-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propan-2-ol;   1-amino-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   (S)-1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol;   (R)-1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2-fluoro-3-phenoxypropyl)-9H-carbazole;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)-2-methylpropan-2-ol;   1-(2,8-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol-5(2H)-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(4-azidophenylamino)-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propan-2-ol;   1-(3-azido-6-bromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy) propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylsulfonyl)propan-2-ol;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2-fluoro-3-(phenylsulfonyl)propyl)-9H-carbazole;   S)-1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylsulfonyl) propan-2-ol;   (R)-1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylsulfonyl) propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-dicyclopropyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino) propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-diiodo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(phenylamino)propan-2-ol;   1-(3,6-diethynyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino) propan-2-ol;   9-(2-hydroxy-3-(3-methoxyphenylamino)propyl)-9H-carbazole-3,6-dicarbonitrile;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)aniline;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2,2-difluoro-3-phenoxypropyl)-9H-carbazole;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-4-methoxyaniline;   N-(2-bromo-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propyl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide;   Ethyl 2-(4-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropylamino)phenoxy)acetate; and   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)aniline;   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.   
     
     
         16 . A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having formula (III): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 7 , and R 8  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; 
         R 6  is selected from halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; 
         each of L 1  and L 2  is, independently, C 1 -C 3  alkylene, which is optionally substituted with from 1-2 independently selected R c ; 
         A is CR A1 R A2 , wherein R A1  is selected from hydrogen, halo, C 1 -C 3  alkyl, and OR 9 ; and R A2  is halo; wherein R 9  is hydrogen or C 1 -C 3  alkyl that is optionally substituted with hydroxyl or C 1 -C 3  alkoxy; 
         Z is:
 (i) —NR 10 R 11 ; or 
 (ii) —OR 12 ; or 
 (iii) —S(O) n R 13 , wherein n is 0, 1, or 2; 
 
         each of R 10  and R 11  is independently selected from:
 (a) hydrogen; 
 (b) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 (c) heteroaryl containing 6 ring atoms, wherein 1-2 of the ring atoms is N; 
 (d) C 1 -C 6  alkyl or C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R d ; and 
 (e) —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl), or —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); 
 wherein one of R 10  and R 11  is selected from (b) or (c); 
 
         R 12  is:
 C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 
         R 13  is:
 C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 
         R b  at each occurrence is independently selected from the substituents delineated in (aa) through (dd) below:
 (aa) C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; —O—(CH 2 ) 1-3 -[O(CH 2 ) 1-3 ] 1-3 —H; —C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); 
 (bb) hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; azido; sulfhydryl; C 2 -C 6  alkenyl; C 2 -C 6  alkynyl; —C(O)H; —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl); C(O)OH; 
 —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)NH 2 ; —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); C(O)N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; —SO 2 (C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 NH 2 ; —SO 2 NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; 
 (cc) C 3 -C 6  cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and 
 (dd) phenyl or heteroaryl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; wherein each of said phenyl and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-3 substituents independently selected from halo; hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  alkyl, and C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl; 
 
         R c  at each occurrence is, independently selected from halo, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano; and 
         R d  at each occurrence is, independently selected from hydroxyl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano. 
       
     
     
         17 . The compound of salt of  claim 16 , wherein the compound is selected from:
 N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-3-methoxyaniline;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-3-methoxy-N-methylaniline;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2,2-difluoropropyl)-3-methoxyaniline;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2-fluoro-3-phenoxypropyl)-9H-carbazole;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2-fluoro-3-(phenylsulfonyl)propyl)-9H-carbazole;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)aniline;   3,6-dibromo-9-(2,2-difluoro-3-phenoxypropyl)-9H-carbazole;   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-4-methoxyaniline;   N-(2-bromo-3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)propyl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide;   Ethyl 2-(4-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropylamino)phenoxy)acetate; and   N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-4-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)aniline;   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The compound of salt of  claim 16 , wherein the compound is N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-fluoropropyl)-3-methoxyaniline. 
     
     
         19 . A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having formula (III): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 7 , and R 8  is independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; 
         R 6  is selected from fluoro, bromo, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6  alkynyl, cyclopropyl, —N 3 , cyano, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and nitro; 
         each of L 1  and L 2  is, independently, C 1 -C 3  alkylene, which is optionally substituted with from 1-2 independently selected R c ; 
         A is CR A1 R A2 , wherein R A1  is selected from hydrogen and C 1 -C 3  alkyl; and R A2  is selected from halo and OR 9 ; wherein R 9  is hydrogen or C 1 -C 3  alkyl that is optionally substituted with hydroxyl or C 1 -C 3  alkoxy; 
         Z is:
 (i) —NR 10 R 11 ; or 
 (ii) —OR 12 ; 
 
         each of R 10  and R 11  is independently selected from:
 (a) hydrogen; 
 (b) C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 (c) heteroaryl containing 6 ring atoms, wherein 1-2 of the ring atoms is N; 
 (d) C 1 -C 6  alkyl or C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R d ; and 
 (e) —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl), or —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); 
 wherein one of R 10  and R 11  is (c); 
 
         R 12  is:
 C 6 -C 10  aryl that is optionally substituted with from 1-4 R b ; 
 
         R b  at each occurrence is independently selected from the substituents delineated in (aa) through (dd) below:
 (aa) C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; —O—(CH 2 ) 1-3 —[(CH 2 ) 1-3 ] 1-3 —H; —C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), —N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; 
 (bb) hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; azido; sulfhydryl; C 2 -C 6  alkenyl; C 2 -C 6  alkynyl; —C(O)H; —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)(C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl); C(O)OH; 
 —C(O)O(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —C(O)NH 2 ; —C(O)NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); C(O)N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; —SO 2 (C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 NH 2 ; —SO 2 NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl); —SO 2 N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 ; 
 (cc) C 3 -C 6  cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heterocyclyl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), NC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), O, and S; and 
 (dd) phenyl or heteroaryl containing from 5-6 ring atoms, wherein from 1-2 of the ring atoms of the heteroaryl is independently selected from N, NH, N(C 1 -C 3  alkyl), O, and S; 
 
         wherein each of said phenyl and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with from 1-3 substituents independently selected from halo; hydroxyl; cyano; nitro; —NH 2 ; —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy; C 1 -C 6  alkyl, and C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl; 
         R c  at each occurrence is, independently selected from halo, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano; and 
         R d  at each occurrence is, independently selected from hydroxyl, C 1 -C 6  alkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thioalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  haloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  thiohaloalkoxy, C 1 -C 6  alkyl, C 1 -C 6  haloalkyl, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), N(C 1 -C 6  alkyl) 2 , —NHC(O)(C 1 -C 6  alkyl), and cyano. 
       
     
     
         20 . The compound or salt of  claim 19 , wherein the compound is 1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propan-2-ol.