Synthesis and SAR of novel imidazoles as potent and selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonists with high binding efficiencies

The synthesis and structure–activity relationship studies of imidazoles are described. The target compounds 6–20 represent a novel chemotype of potent and CB2/CB1 selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists with very high binding efficiencies in combination with favourable log P and calculated polar surface area values. Compound 12 exhibited the highest CB2 receptor affinity (Ki = 1.03 nM) in this series, as well as the highest CB2/CB1 subtype selectivity (>9708-fold).

Graphical abstractImidazoles represent a novel chemotype of potent and selective CB2 receptor antagonists.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide