Estrogen receptor-.beta. ligands

by: Barlaam, Bernard Christophe; Piser, Timothy Martin;

A method for treating a disease associated with the estrogen receptor-.beta., comprising the step of administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that satisfies the equation: (K.sub.i.alpha..sub.A /Ki.beta..sub.A)/(K.sub.i.alpha..sub.E /K.sub.i.beta..sub.E)>1, optionally having the general structure (I). ##STR1##

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a series of ligands, and more particularly to estrogen receptor-.beta. ligands which have better selectivity than estrogen for the estrogen receptor-.beta. over the estrogen receptor-.alpha., as well as to methods for their production and use in the treatment of diseases related to the estrogen receptor-.beta., specifically. Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND

Estrogen-replacement therapy ("ERT") reduces the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease patients (Nikolov et al. Drugs of Today, 34(11), 927-933 (1998)). ERT also exhibits beneficial effects in osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and may have anxiolytic and anti-depressant therapeutic properties. However, ERT shows detrimental uterine and breast side effects that limit its use.

The beneficial effects of ERT in post-menopausal human women is echoed by beneficial effects of estrogen in models relevant to cognitive function, anxiety, depression, bone loss, and cardiovascular damage in ovariectomized rats. Estrogen also produces uterine and breast hypertrophy in animal models reminiscent of its mitogenic effects on these tissues in humans.

The beneficial effects of ERT in post-menopausal human women is echoed by beneficial effects of estrogen in models relevant to cognitive function, anxiety, depression, bone loss, and cardiovascular damage in ovariectomized rats. Specifically, experimental studies have demonstrated that estrogen effects the central nervous system ("CNS") by increasing cholinergic function, increasing neurotrophin/neurotrophin receptor expression, altering amyloid precursor protein processing, providing neuroprotection against a variety of insults, and increasing glutamatergic synaptic transmission, among other effects. The overall CNS profile of estrogen effects in pre-clinical studies is consistent with its clinical utility in improving cognitive function and delaying Alzheimer's disease progression. Estrogen also produces mitogenic effects in uterine and breast tissue indicative of its detrimental side effects on these tissues in humans.

The estrogen receptor ("ER") in humans, rats, and mice exists as two subtypes. ER-.alpha. and ER-.beta., which share about a 50% identity in the ligand-binding domain (Kuiper et al. Endocrinology 139(10) 4252-4263 (1998)). The difference in the identity of the subtypes accounts for the fact that some small compounds have been shown to bind preferentially to one subtype over the other (Kuiper et al.).

In rats. ER-.beta. is strongly expressed in brain, bone and vascular epithelium, but weakly expressed in uterus and breast, relative to ER-.alpha.. Furthermore, ER-.alpha. knockout (ERKO-.alpha.) mice are sterile and exhibit little or no evidence of hormone responsiveness of reproductive tissues. In contrast, ER-.beta. knockout (ERKO-.beta.) mice are fertile, and exhibit normal development and function of breast and uterine tissue. These observations suggest that selectively targeting ER-.beta. over ER-.alpha. could confer beneficial effects in several important human diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease without the liability of reproductive system side effects. Selective effects on ER-.beta.-expressing tissues (CNS, bone, etc.) over uterus and breast could be achieved by agents that selectively interact with ER-.beta. over ER-.alpha..

It is a purpose of this invention to identify ER-.beta.-selective ligands that are useful in treating diseases in which ERT has therapeutic benefits.

It is another purpose of this invention to identify ER-.beta.-selective ligands that mimic the beneficial effects of ERT on brain, bone and cardiovascular function.

It is another purpose of this invention to identify ER-.beta.-selective ligands that increase cognitive function and delay Alzheimer's disease progression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention is directed to the use of compounds having the generic structure: ##STR2##

as ER-.beta.-selective ligands, which mimic ERT, but lack undesirable side effects of ERT. These compounds particularly satisfy the formula:

(K.sub.i.alpha.A /K.sub.i.beta.A)/(K.sub.i.alpha.E /K.sub.i.beta.E)>1,

preferably:

(K.sub.i.alpha.A /K.sub.i.beta.A)/(K.sub.i.alpha.E /K.sub.i.beta.E)>30,

more preferably:

(K.sub.i.alpha.A /K.sub.i.beta.A)(K.sub.i.alpha.E /K.sub.i.beta.E)>100,

wherein K.sub.i.alpha.A is the K.sub.i value for the ligand in ER-.alpha.; K.sub.i.beta.A is the Ki value for the ligand in ER-.alpha.: K.sub.i.alpha.E is the K.sub.i value for estrogen in ER-.alpha.; and K.sub.i.beta.E is the K.sub.i value for estrogen in ER-.beta..

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention involves a method for treating a disease associated with the estrogen receptor-.beta., comprising the step of administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that satisfies the equation (K.sub.i.alpha.A /K.sub.i.beta.A)/(K.sub.i.alpha.E /K.sub.i.beta.E)>1, wherein K.sub.i.alpha.A is the K.sub.i value for the agonist in ER-.alpha.; K.sub.i.beta.A is the K.sub.i value for the agonist in ER-.beta.; K.sub.i.alpha.E is the K.sub.i value for estrogen in ER-.alpha.; and K.sub.i.beta.E is the K.sub.i value for estrogen in ER-.beta.. Preferably, the compound satisfies the equation (K.sub.i.alpha.A /Ki.sub..alpha.A)/(K.sub.i.alpha.E /K.sub.i.beta.E)>100. Preferred diseases associated with the estrogen receptors .beta. are selected from Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and prostate cancer. More preferably, the diseases are Alzheimer's disease or depressive disorders.

The compounds of the instant invention are ER-.beta.-selective ligands of the structure: ##STR3##

In this structure L.sup.1 is --C(.dbd.O)--, .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--, --CH(R.sup.6)--, O, S, or NR.sup.a, preferably --C(.dbd.O)--, .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--, --CH(R.sup.6)--or O; L.sup.2 is .dbd.C--or --CH--; L.sup.3 is .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--, --CH(R.sup.6)--or --C(.dbd.O)--; and L.sup.4 is --C(.dbd.O)--, CH.sub.2, O, S, or NR.sup.a, preferably --C(.dbd.O)--, CH.sub.2, or O, provided that when L.sup.1 is --C(.dbd.O)--; L.sup.4 is CH.sub.2, O, S, or NR.sup.a ; when L.sup.4 is --C(.dbd.O)--, L.sup.1 is CH.sub.2, O, S, or NR.sup.a ; and when L.sup.3 is --C(.dbd.O)--, L.sup.1 is .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--or --CH(R.sup.6)--, and L.sup.4 is O or NR.sup.a. Additionally, when L.sup.1 is .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--, L.sup.2 is .dbd.C--; when L.sup.1 is --CH(R.sup.6)--, L.sup.2 is --CH--; when L.sup.3 is .dbd.C(R.sup.6)--, L.sup.2 is .dbd.C--; and when L.sup.3 is --CH(R.sup.6)--. L.sup.2 is --CH--. .dbd. represents a single bond or double bond, depending upon the hybridization of L.sup.1 -L.sup.4. The structures for L.sup.2 show only three bonds because the fourth bond is a single bond to R.sup.1.

R.sup.1 is attached via a single bond to L.sup.2, and is phenyl, substituted phenyl, Het, or substituted Het, as defined below. R.sup.1 is preferably: ##STR4##

wherein: R.sup.7 is H, Cl, or methyl; R.sup.8 is Br, Cl, F, R.sup.a, OR.sup.a, or allyl; R.sup.9 is H, OH, NH.sub.2, Br, Cl; and R.sup.10 is H or methyl: or R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 may combine to be --OCH.sub.2 O--, forming a secondary 5-membered ring structure exterior to the phenyl group; or R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic substituent having the following structure: ##STR5##

more preferably unsubstituted ##STR6##

R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are each independently, --R.sub.a, --OR.sub.a, --SR.sup.a, --NR.sup.a R.sup.a, --NC(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --NS(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --NS(.dbd.O).sub.2 R.sup.2, halogen, cyano. --CF.sub.3, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.a, --C(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --C(.dbd.O)NHR.sup.a, nitro, --S(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, or --S(.dbd.O),R.sup.a, and is preferably R.sup.a, OR.sup.a, NR.sup.2.sub.a, NC(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, CF.sub.3, or halogen, preferably, hydrogen, hydroxyl or methyl.

R.sup.6 is R.sup.a, phenyl or CF.sub.3.

R.sup.a is, independently, at each occurrence, H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl.

When L.sup.1 is --C(.dbd.O)--, and R.sup.2 is hydroxy or hydrogen, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen, and R.sup.4 is hydroxy, and R.sup.5 is hydrogen, and R.sup.6 is hydrogen, then R.sup.1 is not para-phenol.

For purposes of this invention, "substituted" when used to modify a phenyl or a heteroatomic ring means such a ring substituted at one or more positions, independently, with --R.sup.a, --OR.sup.a, --SR.sup.a, --NR.sup.a, R.sup.a, --NC(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --NS(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --NS(.dbd.O).sub.2, R.sup.a, halogen, cyano, --CF.sub.3, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.a, --C(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, --C(.dbd.O)NHR.sup.a, nitro, --S(.dbd.O)R.sup.a, or --S(.dbd.O).sub.2 R.sup.a.

Also, for purposes of this invention, "Het" means a substituted or unsubstituted one- or two-ring heterocycle selected from the following: ##STR7##

wherein the crossed bond represents that the heterocycle may be attached at any available position on the ring that it crosses.

ESTROGEN RECEPTOR BINDING MEASUREMENTS

The ability of a compound to bind to ER was measured by its ability to compete for binding with the radio-labeled estrogen. [.sup.125 I]-16.alpha.-iodo-3,17.beta.-estradiol (NEN, Cat.#NEX-144). The radio-ligand is hereafter referred to as [.sup.125 I]-estradiol.

ER-.beta. (Gen Bank Accession #X99101) or ER-.alpha. (Gen Bank Accession #M12674) cDNAs were cloned into the expression vector pSG5 (Stratagene), transformed into e. coli strain DH.alpha.F', and purified using anion-exchange resin columns (Qiagen Cat.#12125). Receptor protein was prepared by in vitro transcription and translation of these plasmids using the TNT T7 Quick-Coupled reticulocyte lysate system (Promega Cat.#L1170). Reticulocyte lysate (12.5 mL) was incubated for 90 min at 30.degree. C. with 312.5 .mu.g of ER-.alpha. and 625 .mu.g of ER-.beta. plasmids. Programmed lysate was then aliquotted and stored frozen at -80.degree. C.

Compounds were tested in duplicate at half-log concentrations ranging from 10 pM to 13 .mu.M. Compounds were prepared as 1 mM stocks in DMSO, then diluted in the binding-assay buffer (in mM: 20 HEPES, 150 NaCl, 1 EDTA, 6 monothioglycerol and 10 Na.sub.2 MoO.sub.4 ; 10% wt/vol glycerol, and pH =7.9) to a series of three-fold concentrated, 20 .mu.L aliquots in a 96-well plate. Receptor aliquots were thawed on ice, and appropriately diluted (see below) in binding assay buffer. Diluted receptor (30 .mu.L/each) was added to each well. [.sup.125 I]-estradiol was diluted from the manufacturer's ethanol stock solution to a 900 pM working solution in binding-assay buffer. The final assay volume was 60 .mu.L, consisting of 20 .mu.L of a compound according to the instant invention, 30 .mu.L of programmed reticulocyte lysate, and 10 .mu.L of 900 pM [.sup.125 I]-estradiol. The final concentration of [.sup.125 I]-estradiol was 150 pM. Plates containing the final assay mixture were mixed on a shaker for 2 min and incubated overnight (.about.16 h) at 4.degree. C.

Receptor-bound and unbound radioligand was separated by filtration over sephadex columns. Columns (45 .mu.L bed volume) were prepared by adding dry column media (Pharmacia Cat#G-25) to 96-well column templates (Millipore MultiScreen Plates Cat#MAHVN4510). Columns were then saturated with 300 .mu.L of binding-assay buffer and stored at 4.degree. C. Prior to use, stored columns were spun for 10 minutes at 2000 RPM, then washed twice with 200 .mu.L of fresh binding buffer. The binding-assay mixtures (50 .mu.L/each) were then applied to the columns, and an additional elution volume of 35 .mu.L was immediately applied to the column. Receptor-bound radioligand was then cluted from the column by centrifugation for 10 minutes at 2000 RPM. A scintillation cocktail (145 .mu.L) was added to the eluted radioligand/receptor complex, and radio-label was measured by liquid scintillation counting.

Non-specific binding was defined by competition with 150 nM diethylstilbesterol (DES) Binding affinities are expressed as K.sub.i, calculated using the Cheng-Prushoff formula according to IC.sub.50 values generated by fitting the relationship of concentration to percent specific binding (SB) with the following equation:

% SB=Maximum-(Maximum-Minimum)/(1+10(logIC50-log[compound])) In this assay, standard estrogen receptor ligands estradiol and DES were detected as high-affinity (K.sub.i <1 nM), non-selective ligands of ER-.beta. and ER-.alpha..

The volume of receptor-programmed reticulocyte lysate to be added to the binding assay was determined independently from two measurements made on each batch of receptor prepared. First, K.sub.i s were determined for standard compounds using a series of dilutions of the receptor preparation. Scatchard analysis of ligand binding affinity was performed at the receptor dilutions that produced reported K.sub.i s for these compounds and an acceptable signal:noise ratio (.about.10). These experiments indicated a K.sub.D for [.sup.125 I]-estradiol of 0.1-1 nM, and a B.sub.max of 5-30 pmol.

ADMINISTRATION AND USE

Compounds of the present invention are shown to have high selectivity for ER-.beta. over ER-.alpha., and may possess agonist activity on ER-.beta. without undesired uterine effects. Thus, these compounds, and compositions containing them, may be used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of various CNS diseases related to ER-.beta., such as, for example. Alzheimer's disease.

The present invention also provides compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of the present invention, including the nontoxic addition salts, amides and esters thereof, which may, serve to provide the above-recited therapeutic benefits. Such compositions may also be provided together with physiologically-tolerable liquid, gel or solid diluents, adjuvants and excipients. The compounds of the present invention may also be combined with other compounds known to be used as therapeutic agents for the above or other indications.

These compounds and compositions may be administered by qualified health care professionals to humans in a manner similar to other therapeutic agents and, additionally, to other mammals for veterinary use, such as with domestic animals. Typically, such compositions are prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid prior to injection may also be prepared. The preparation may also be emulsified. The active ingredient is often mixed with diluents or excipients which are physiologically tolerable and compatible with the active ingredient. Suitable diluents and excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, or the like, and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired the compositions may contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents stabilizing or pH-buffering agents, and the like.

The compositions are conventionally administered parenterally, by injection, for example, either subcutaneously or intravenously. Additional formulations which are suitable for other modes of administration include suppositories, intranasal aerosols, and, in some cases, oral formulations. For suppositories, traditional binders and excipients may include, for example, polyalkylene glycols or triglycerides; such suppositories may be formed from mixtures containing the active ingredient. Oral formulations include such normally employed excipients as, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. These compositions take the form of solutions, suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules, sustained-release formulations, or powders.









The present compounds may be formulated into the compositions as neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically-acceptable nontoxic salts include the acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups) and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or organic acids such as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups may be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, and the like.

In addition to the compounds of the present invention that display ER-.beta. activity, compounds of the present invention can also be employed as intermediates in the synthesis of such useful compounds.

SYNTHESIS

Compounds within the scope of the present invention may be synthesized chemically by means well known in the art. The following Examples are meant to show general synthetic schemes, which may be used to produce many different variations by employing various commercially-available starting materials. These Examples are meant only as guides on how to make some compounds within the scope of the invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 (Route A)

(3-Bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one

1,3.5-Trihydroxybenzaldehyde (1.01 g, 6.95 mmol) and 3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (1.44 g, 6.25 mmol) were suspended in POCl.sub.3 (4 mL). After 1 min, an exothermic reaction occurred. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature. Zinc chloride (1M ether solution, 4.7 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated at 75.degree. C. for 1 h. After cooling, the mixture was partitioned in ethyl acetate and 1 M aqueous HCl. The organic layer was washed with brine and dried with MgSO.sub.4. Purification on silica gel (MeOH/dichloromethane, gradient) afforded 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (390 mg) as a tan solid.

To 1-(2,4.6-trihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (370 mg) in DMF (5 mL) under nitrogen was added BF.sub.3 -Et.sub.2 O (0.83 mL, 6.55 mmol) dropwise, followed by methanesulfonyl chloride (0.507 mL, 6.55 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min and heated at 55.degree. C. for 30 min. After cooling, the mixture was partitioned in ethyl acetate/1M aqueous HCl. The organic layer was washed with 1M HCl and brine, and purified by C.sub.18 HPLC to give the title compound (55 mg).

Example 2 (Compound No. 28; Route B)

3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin

A solution of 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (1.1 g, 7.24 mmol). 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (1.45 g, 9.5 mmol) and potassium acetate (0.9 g. 9.2 mmol) in acetic anhydride (10 mL) was heated under reflux for 18 h. After cooling, the mixture was poured into ice and water. The solid was filtered, washed with ether and dried under vacuum to give 3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (1.83 g).

A suspension of 3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (500 mg) in THF (10 mL) and 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide (10 mL) was stirred for 1 h. The mixture is acidified to pH=1 with concentrated HCl and extracted with EtOAc 1 water. The organic layer was washed with brine and dried over MgSO.sub.4. Evaporation of the solvent and trituration of the residue with ether gave the title compound (140 mg)

The HPLC conditions (HPLC 4.6.times.250 mm C.sub.18 5 .mu.m Vydax 218TP54 column, flow rate: 1.5 mL/min, acetonitrile/water 0.1% TFA linear gradient from 10:90 to 50:50 over 30 min, UV detection: 254 nm) are referred as conditions A.

The HPLC conditions (HPLC 2.1.times.30 mm C.sub.18 3.5 .mu.m Zorbax Rapid Resolution column, flow rate: 0.7 mL/min, water-0.05% TFA for 0.5 min, then 90% aqueous acetonitrile/water 0.05% TFA linear gradient from 0:100 to 80:20 over 9.5 min. UV detection) are referred as conditions B.

The following compounds were prepared according to these routes, using the relevant starting materials.

                             TABLE 1
                             ##STR8##
     No.  L.sup.1   L.sup.2  L.sup.3     L.sup.4  R.sup.1
      1   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3,4-dihydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      2   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-Cl-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      3   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-Me-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      4   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-F-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      5   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-Cl-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      6   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-Br-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      7   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-allyl-4-
                                                hydroxyphenyl
      8   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-Pr-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
      9   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-methoxy-4-
                                                hydroxyphenyl
     10   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3,5-diMe-4-
                                                hydroxyphenyl
     11   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-fluorophenyl
     12   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3,4-(OCH.sub.2 O)phenyl
     13   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-aminophenyl
     14   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-naphthyl
     15   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-hydroxyphenyl
     16   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-hydroxyphenyl
     17   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-thiophene
     18   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-thiophene
     19   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-quinolinyl
     20   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-bromophenyl
     21   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-chlorophenyl
     22   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     23   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     24   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       3-F-4-hydroxy-
                                                phenyl
     25   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     26   C(.dbd.O) --CH--  --CHR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     27   C(.dbd.O) --CH--  --CHR.sup.6 -- CH.sub.2  4-hydroxyphenyl
     28   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     29   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     30   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     31   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       2-thiophene
     32   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     33   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       2-F-phenyl
     34   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       phenyl
     35   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       phenyl
     36   O         .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- C(.dbd.O) 4-hydroxyphenyl
     37   CH.sub.2  --CH--  --CHR.sup.6 -- C(.dbd.O) 4-hydroxyphenyl
     38   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     39   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     40   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     41   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     42   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-Cl-phenyl
     43   .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- .dbd.C-- C(.dbd.O)   O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     44   C(.dbd.O) .dbd.C-- .dbd.CR.sup.6 -- O       4-isopropoxyphenyl
     45   C(.dbd.O) --CH--  --CHR.sup.6 -- CH.sub.2  3-Br-phenyl
     46   CH.sub.2  --CH--  --CHR.sup.6 -- O       4-hydroxyphenyl
     No.  R.sup.2   R.sup.3  R.sup.4     R.sup.5  R.sup.6
      1   OH        H       OH          H       H
      2   OH        H       OH          H       H
      3   OH        H       OH          H       H
      4   OH        H       OH          H       H
      5   OH        H       OH          H       H
      6   OH        H       OH          H       H
      7   OH        H       OH          H       H
      8   OH        H       OH          H       H
      9   OH        H       OH          H       H
     10   OH        H       OH          H       H
     11   OH        H       OH          H       H
     12   OH        H       OH          H       H
     13   OH        H       OH          H       H
     14   OH        H       OH          H       H
     15   OH        H       OH          H       H
     16   OH        H       OH          H       H
     17   OH        H       OH          H       H
     18   OH        H       OH          H       H
     19   OH        H       OH          H       H
     20   OH        H       OH          H       H
     21   OH        H       OH          H       H
     22   OH        H       OMe         H       H
     23   Me        H       OH          H       H
     24   H         H       OH          H       H
     25   H         H       OH          H       CF.sub.3
     26   OH        H       OH          H       H
     27   OH        H       OH          H       H
     28   H         H       OH          H       Me
     29   H         H       OH          H       Et
     30   H         H       H           H       H
     31   H         H       OH          H       H
     32   OH        H       OH          OMe     H
     33   OH        H       OH          H       H
     34   OH        H       OH          H       Ph
     35   H         H       OH          H       Ph
     36   H         H       OH          H       H
     37   H         H       OH          H       H
     38   H         H       OH          H       H
     39   OH        H       OH          H       H
     40   H         H       H           OH      H
     41   H         OH      H           H       H
     42   H         H       OH          H       Me
     43   H         H       OH          Me      Me
     44   H         H       OH          H       CF.sub.3
     45   H         H       OH          H       H
     46   H         H       OH          H       H


TABLE 2 Purification, Properties, and Synthetic Route HPLC min ER-.beta. ER-.alpha. Synthetic No. (method) MS(MH.sup.+) K.sub.i nM K.sub.i nM Route 1 2.15 605 * 2 5.76(B) 305(.sup.35 Cl) 0.55 56 A 3 5.41(B) 285 1.2 61 A 4 5.62(B) 289 0.5 74 A 5 6.11(B) 305(.sup.35 Cl) 1.2 1100 A 6 25.6(A) 349(.sup.39 Br) 1.25 439 A 7 6.72(B) 311 3.2 >3000 A 8 7.08(B) 313 0.75 >3000 A 9 143 >3000 * 10 25.4(A) 299 25 >3000 A 11 6.93(B) 273 100 >3000 A 12 22 >3000 * 13 6 >3000 * 14 7.86(B) 305 150 >3000 A 15 5.39(B) 271 15 900 A 16 5.68(B) 271 110 >3000 A 17 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO-d.sub.6): 12.59(s, 1H), 3.3 >3000 A 10.99(s, 1H), 8.88(s, 1H), 7.63(m, 2H), 7.14(m, 1H), 6.44(s, 1H), 6.27(s, 1H). 18 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO-d.sub.6): 12.92(s, 1H), 17 >3000 A 10.93(s, 1H), 8.72(s, 1H), 8.07(s, 1H), 7.64(m, 1H), 7.53(m, 1H), 6.42(s, 1H), 6.24(s, 1H). 19 5.26(B) 306 122 >3000 A 20 7.70(B) 333(.sup.79 Br) 25 >3000 A 21 7.55(B) 289(.sup.35 Cl) 42 >3000 A 22 50 >3000 * 23 5.20(B) 269 0.5 200 A 24 4.91(B) 273 3.3 >3000 A 25 6.07(B) 323 10 321 Note a) 26 3.7 1000 * 27 5.43(B) 271 5.7 3000 Note b) 28 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO-d.sub.6): 10.47(m, 12 322 B 1H), 9.55(m, 1H), 7.67(d, 1H), 7.1-6.7(m, 6H), 2.22(m, 3H); MS: 269 29 5.57(B) 283 4 80 B 30 6.01(B) 239 140 >3000 B 31 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO-d.sub.6): 10.68(s, 1H), 108 >3000 B 8.44(s, 1H), 7.75(m, 1H), 7.60(m, 2H), 7.16(m, 1H), 6.87(dd, 1H), 6.81(m, 1H); MS: 245 32 33 >3000 * 33 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 12.66(s, 50 >3000 A 1H), 10.98(s, 1H), 8.42(s, 1H), 7.48(m, 2H), 7.27(m, 2H), 6.44(d, 1H, J=2.1Hz), 6.26(d, 1H, J= 2.1Hz); MS: 273 34 9.5 95 * 35 19 50 * 36 0.33 88 * 37 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 9.61(s, 1H), 0.73 75 Note c) 9.52(s, 1H), 7.26(d, 1H, J=2.7Hz), 7.21-7.13(m, 3H), 6.99(dd, 1H, J=8.1Hz, J'=2.7Hz), 6.71(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 3.26(m, 1H), 3.07- 2.80(m, 3H), 2.64(m, 1H); MS: 253(M-H).sup.+ 38 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.52(s, 4.9 220 B 1H), 9.64(s, 1H), 8.03(s, 1H), 7.55(m, 3H), 6.85-6.70(m, 4H); MS: 255 39 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.63(s, 79 >3000 B 1H), 10.33(s, 1H), 9.60(s, 1H), 7.95(s, 1H), 7.50(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 6.80(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 6.28(s, 1H), 6.22(s, 1H); MS: 271 40 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.18(s, 104 >3000 B 1H), 9.73(s, 1H), 8.08(s, 1H), 7.60(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 7.17(m, 2H), 7.06(m, 1H), 6.85(d, 2H, J= 8.4Hz); MS: 255 41 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 9.72(s, 2H), 4.6 3000 B 8.05(s, 1H), 7.58(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 7.25(d, 1H, J=8.7Hz), 7.07(d, 1H, J=2.7Hz), 7.00(dd, 1H, J=8.4Hz, J'=2.7Hz), 6.84(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz); MS: 255 42 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.56(s, 51 >3000 B 1H), 7.50(d, 2H, J=7.8Hz), 7.42(d, 1H, J=8.7Hz), 7.33(d, 2H, J= 7.8Hz), 6.84(dd, 1H, J=7.8Hz, J'= 2.1Hz), 6.75(d, 1H, J=2.1Hz), 2.21(s, 3H); MS: 287(.sup.35 Cl) 43 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.36(s, 24 500 B 1H), 9.55(s, 1H), 7.49(d, 1H, J= 9Hz), 7.08(d, 2H, J=8.7Hz), 6.87(d, 1H, J=9Hz), 6.81(d, 2H, J=8.7Hz), 2.21(s, 3H), 2.19(s, 3H); MS: 283 44 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 11.11(s, 118 3000 Note a) 1H), 7.93(d, 1H, J=8.7Hz), 7.16(d, 2H, J=8.4Hz), 7.03-6.93(m, 4H), 4.66(m, 1H), 1.30(d, 6H, J=6Hz); MS: 365 45 .sup.1 H NMR(DMSO d-6): 10.39(s, 116 3000 Note b) 1H), 7.78(d, 1H, J=8.4Hz), 7.42(m, 2H), 7.28(t, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.19(d, 1H, J=7.8Hz), 6.75(dd, 1H, J=8.4Hz, J'=2.4Hz), 6.69(d, 1H, J=2.4Hz), 3.86(m, 1H), 3.00(m, 1H), 2.85(m, 1H), 2.4-2.1(m, 2H); MS: 317(.sup.79 Br) 46 2 155 * *compound is commercially available. Note a): Prepared according to method A; the cyclization step was done using trifluoroacetic anhydride according to J. Med. Chem. 1992, 35, 3519. Note b): Prepared by cyclization of the corresponding 2,4-diarylbutyric acid with POCl.sub.3, and subsequent demethylation of the methoxy ethers according to the method developed in J. Org. Chem. 1946 11, 34. Note c): Prepared according to Aust. J. Chem. 1978, 31, 1011.

Water filtration assembly

Collapsible wheelbarrow

Mower deck bumper

Towable "V" rake agricultural machine

Sliding exhaust brake system

Splash guard

Environmentally stable monolithic Mach-Zehnder device

Hard surface detergent composition

Aqueous coating composition

Unitary key holder

Article transferring apparatus

Control means for ground hydrants

Actuator and actuator system

Aerobic exercise device

Passive lavatory cleanser dispensing system

Multipurpose exercising apparatus

Multiple unit cigarette package

Master cylinder apparatus

Insulating insert for magnetic valves

Gypsum-cement system for construction materials

Froth flotation

Layered film and packaging material

Sod cutter

Digital phase comparison apparatus

Valve timing adjusting device

Fermentation process

Cervical traction device

Asymmetric wire rope isolator

Wheelchair motorizing apparatus

Fluid flow reversing apparatus

Nitrogen detection

Impact-resisting composites

Automated nut-cracking apparatus and method

Liquid container

Flash jet coolant circulation system

Reversible code compander

Printer control system

Motor control system

Oxide-superconduction grain boundary tunneling device

Antimicrobial cationic peptides

Automatic trimming machine

Expandable tire building former

Production of dihydroxydiphenyl alkanes

Plastic orientation measurement instrument

Automatic reversal mechanism

Polysaccharides and preparation thereof

Cotton gin control

Electrical coupling unit for electrosurgery

Ice body delivery apparatus

Catalyst patterning for nanowire devices

Support for a torch

Solar thermal propulsion unit

Sulfonium salt compounds

Thin floss brush

Direct conversion receiver per-selection

Simultaneous production of higher chloromethanes

Process for decoking catalysts

Fast circuit switching system

Imidazodiazepine derivative

Output regulator

Method of treating melanoma

Developer powder supply cartridge

Signal amplifier

Substitute milk fat compositions

Fuel dispensing nozzle

Digital character display

Isothiazole and isoxazole sulphoxides

Terminal grounding unit

Security and deployment assembly

Variable delivery compressor

Variable delay memory system

Shot gun shell tracer wad

Wearable display

Arrangement for moving an object

Triarylpropyl-azabicyclooctanes

Medical garment

Stabilized throttle control system

Workpiece feeding-ejection mechanism

Lock for sliding doors

Decoupled integrated circuit package

Plain bearing

Non-aqueous electrochemical cell

Neck towel and adjustable clasp

Depth-resolved fluorescence instrument

Somatostatin receptors

Facsimile compression for transmission

Display hook system

Motor vehicle wiper

Intraocular lens

Naso-gastric tube retainer

Electronic voting machine

Pharmaceutically active morpholinol

Focused image tremble correcting device

Golf putt training apparatus

Fuel system

Portable foldable splint

Process for coating glass

Front vehicle body structure

Ribbed clothlike nonwoven fabric

Preparation of star polymers

Polishing apparatus

Capacitive pressure transducer

Method of fabricating electronic circuits

Electromechanical preparation of photoengraving cylinders

Method of preparing ferroelectric ceramics

4-Aminoaliphatic-2,3,5,6-[dibenzobicyclo[5.1.0]octanes] and salts thereof

Phosphorus-containing copolyamides and fibers thereof

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

Glass compositions

Optical device, system and method

Fishing hooking device

Pulse width modulation operation circuit

Lithography process

Dual-wavelength x-ray monochromator

Flash memory device

Compartmentalized basket truck

Moisture-curing polyamides

Oscillator circuit