Abstract: The present invention relates to tetrazole compounds of Formula I, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the prodrugs. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the tetrazole compounds and to methods of treating obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, depression, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and osteoporosis using the tetrazole compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for conducting Kumada coupling reactions. The processes of the present invention make use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ancillary ligands in Kumada couplings of aryl halides. A Kumada coupling can be carried out by mixing, in a liquid medium, at least one aryl halide, wherein the aryl halide has, directly bonded to the aromatic ring(s), at least one halogen atom selected from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom; at least one Grignard reagent; at least one metal compound comprising at least one metal atom selected from nickel, palladium, and platinum, wherein the formal oxidation state of the metal is zero or two; and at least one N-heterocyclic carbene.