Synthesis and SAR of 5,6-diarylpyridines as human CB1 inverse agonists.

Abstract Structure–activity relationship studies for two series of 2-benzyloxy-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyridines having either a 3-cyano or 3-carboxamide moiety resulted in the preparation of the 2-(3,4-difluorobenzyloxy)-3-nitrile analog 10d and the 2-(3,4-difluorobenzyloxy)-3-( N -propylcarboxamide) analog 16c , (hCB1 IC 50  = 1.3 and 1.7 nM, respectively) as potent and selective hCB1 inverse agonists. Their synthesis and biological activities are described herein.