Synthesis of 3-phenylsulfonylmethyl cyclohexylaminobenzamide-derived antagonists of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2).

Abstract We report the synthesis of 3-phenylsulfonylmethyl cyclohexylaminobenzamides ( 4 ) as CCR2 inhibitors for the potential treatment of inflammatory diseases. Several of the compounds display nanomolar binding affinity for CCR2. The in vitro structure–activity relationships of 4 are described, and are also reconciled with those from the related 2-phenylsulfonylmethyl series.