Bisaryl compound and medicament for cancer treatment comprising the same

Abstract

A medicament for treatment of cancer comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof:

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel bisaryl compound and a medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises said compound or a known bisaryl compound as an active ingredient.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the cell proliferation process, DNA replication process is regulated by a family of enzymes relating to nucleic acid synthesis. Among these enzymes, it has been reported that ribonucleotide reductase (occasionally referred to as “RNR” hereinafter in this specification) is a particularly important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of dNTPs, which are precursors of DNA (Ann. Rev. Biochem, 57, pp.349-374).

[0003] In cancer cells, endless cell proliferation continues due to over-expression of certain families of enzymes and the like, which leads to death of the host. It has been reported that RNR is over-expressed in cancer cells to maintain high ability of cell proliferation of cancer cells (Cancer Research, 43, pp.3466-3492). Moreover, there has also been reported a possibility that malignant alteration of cancer is caused with accompanying expression of RNR (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93, pp.14036-14040). Therefore, an agent selectively inhibiting RNR is expected to be able to exert highly selective toxicity to cancer cells, and accordingly, expected to be useful as a medicament for cancer treatment that selectively inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells.

[0004] Hydroxyurea has been known as a compound exhibiting antitumor activity by inhibiting RNR, and the compound is used clinically as an anti-leukemia agent. However, the drug only has weak inhibitory activity, and therefore a high blood concentration need to be maintained for a long period of time to successfully inhibit RNR. In addition, the drug causes strong side effects such as bone marrow toxicity, and hence is not a satisfactory therapeutic agent. For these reasons, it has been desired to develop an RNR inhibitor which has potent RNR inhibitory activity as well as reduced side effects including bone marrow toxicity, and has a wide range of effective dosage.

[0005] As low molecular RNR inhibitors, there have so far been reported polyhydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (Published Japanese translation of PCT international publication (Kohyo) No. 60-501409/1985), alkoxyphenol compounds (Mol. Pharmacol., 45, pp.792-796), thiosemicarbazone derivatives (Biochem. Pharmacol., 48, pp.335-344), bipyridyl derivatives (Cancer Research, 53, pp.19-26) and the like. However, RNR inhibitory activity and anticancer activity of bisaryl derivatives have not been reported. As for usefulness of bisaryl compounds composed of aryl groups linked by means of plural sulfur atoms as anticancer agents, derivatives comprising aromatic benzenesulfonamide groups as the bisaryl moieties (Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 42-10857/1967) have been reported, and the synthesis of an anthramycin dimer has also been reported (Tetrahedron Lett., 129, p.5105). It has also been known that certain bisaryl compounds have antiviral activity (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication (Kokai) No. 5-501860/1993).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel bisphenol compound useful as an active ingredient of a medicament.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises a bisphenol compound having inhibitory activity against RNR as an active ingredient.

[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel bisaryl compound useful as an active ingredient of a medicament.

[0009] The inventors of the present invention found that the compounds of the present invention represented by the following formula have inhibitory activity against RNR and anticancer activity, and thus they are useful as an active ingredient of a medicament for treatment of cancer. The present invention was achieved on the basis of these findings.

[0010] The present invention provides a medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (I):

Ar1—S—R1—S—Ar2

[0011] or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof,

[0012] wherein R1 represents a nonmetal bridging group, Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of an aryl group which has, on its ring, one or more hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group (the aryl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group on its ring), and a heteroaryl group which has, on its ring, one or more hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group (the heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group on its ring).

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the aforementioned invention provided are as follows:

[0014] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises a compound represented by the aforementioned general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented by the general formula (II):

—R2—N(R4)—R3—  (II)

[0015] wherein R2 and R3 independently represent a divalent group, R4 represents a monovalent group, and R4 may bind to R2 or R3 to form a cyclic structure;

[0016] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented by the general formula (III):

—R5—X1—R6—  (III)

[0017] wherein R5 and R6 independently represent a single bond or a divalent group not containing a nitrogen atom, X1 represents an oxygen atom, S(O)k wherein k represents an integer of from 0 to 2, or [(R9X2)m(R10X3)n(R11X4)p]q wherein R9, R10, and R11 independently represent a single bond or a divalent group not containing a nitrogen atom, and wherein any groups selected from R5, R6, R9, R10 and R11 may bind together to form a cyclic structure, X2, X3 and X4 independently represent an oxygen atom, S(O)r wherein r represents an integer of from 0 to 2, or a single bond, and m, n, p and q independently represent an integer of from 1 to 3;

[0018] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is 2,6-pyridinediyldimethyl group (the pyridinediyldimethyl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom on its ring);

[0019] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same divalent groups, and R4 is a C1-4 alkyl group which may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom;

[0020] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same divalent groups, R4 is represented as COR25 wherein R25 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, an aralkyl group, or NR26R27 wherein R26 and R27 each represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aralkyl group, and said alkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, heterocyclic group, and aralkyl group including those for R26 and R27 may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom; and

[0021] the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented as R1A—R1BCO—R1C—R1D—R1C—COR1B—R1A wherein R1A represents a C1-4 lower alkylene group, R1B represents NH or a methylene group, R1C represents a single bond or a methylene group, R1D represent a divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, a monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group, and said bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, and heterocyclic group may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom.

[0022] According to further preferred embodiments of the aforementioned each invention provided are the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent the aforementioned aryl group; the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein both of Ar1 and Ar2 are 4-hydroxyphenyl groups; the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same groups, and the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms thereof is from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4; the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same divalent groups optionally having a branched chain (said divalent groups may contain 1 to 3 oxygen atoms); the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the total number of carbon atoms is 35 or less; and the above medicament for treatment of cancer which comprises the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, which is used as a medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease caused by over-expression of ribonucleotide reductase.

[0023] As another aspect of the present invention, provided is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor or a selective cancer cell proliferation inhibitor which comprises a compound represented by the aforementioned general formula (I) or (II).

[0024] As further aspects of the present invention, provided are use of the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of the medicaments for treatment of cancer which comprise a compound represented by the aforementioned general formula (I) or (II), or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, preferably the medicaments for treatment of cancer in the form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the aforementioned compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof together with an additive for pharmaceutical preparations; and a method for treatment of cancer which comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a substance selected form the aforementioned compound and a physiologically acceptable salt thereof to a patient.

[0025] The present invention further provides a compound represented by the general formula (XII):

Ar23—S—R22—N(R24)—R23—S—Ar24

[0026] or a salt thereof,

[0027] wherein, R22 and R23 independently represent a divalent group, R24 represents a monovalent group or a monovalent atom, and R24 may bind to R22 and/or R23 to form a cyclic structure, and may further bind to one or two C1-4 alkylene groups to form a divalent group, and Ar23 and Ar24 independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group (the aryl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group on its ring), and a heteroaryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group (the heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group on its ring), provided that R22—N(R24)—R23 except for the part of R24 does not contain an amide bond when R22 and R23 do not form a ring, and provided that when each of Ar23 and Ar24 is a phenyl group having one hydroxyl group on the ring, not all of said phenyl groups have a tertiary alkyl group at a position on the ring adjacent to the hydroxyl group.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the above invention, provided is the aforementioned compound or a salt thereof, wherein two or three groups selected from the group consisting of R22, R23 and R24 form a ring or rings.

[0029] Further preferred embodiments provided are as follows:

[0030] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22 and R23 are the same divalent groups, and R24 is a C1-4 alkyl group which may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom;

[0031] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22 and R23 are the same divalent groups, R24 is represented by COR125 wherein R125 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, an aralkyl group, or NR126R127 wherein R126 and R127 each represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aralkyl group, and said alkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, heterocyclic group, and aralkyl group including those for R126 and R127 may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom; and

[0032] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22—N(R24)—R23 is represented by R101A—R101BCO—R101C—R101D—R101C—COR101B—R101A wherein R101A represents a C1-4 lower alkylene group, R101B represents NH or methylene group, R101C represents a single bond or a methylene group, R101D represent a divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, a monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group, and said bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, and heterocyclic group may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom.

[0033] Further preferred embodiments provided are as follows:

[0034] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein Ar23 and Ar24 independently represents an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group (the aryl group may have one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group on its ring);

[0035] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein both of Ar23 and Ar24 independently represent a hydroxy-substituted phenyl group;

[0036] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein Ar23 and Ar24 independently represent a monohydroxy-substituted phenyl group;

[0037] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein both of Ar23 and Ar24 are 4-hydroxyphenyl groups;

[0038] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R22 and R23 are independently from 1 to 10 [The term “minimum number of bridge-forming atoms” used herein means a minimum number of atoms that connect one atom and the other atom to be bridged. For example, the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms is 3 for 1,3-propenylene group, 2 for 1,2-propenylene group, and 5 for 1,5-(4-butoxy-3-pentenylene) group. Also for example, the number is 3 for 1,3-phenylene group, 2 for 1,2-phenylene group, 3 for 2,4-quinolinediyl group, and 4 for 1,5-naphthylene, as well as 4 for ethylenedioxy group, 3 for malonyl group, and 4 for phthaloyl group.];

[0039] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22 and R23 are the same groups and each of the minimum numbers of bridge-forming atoms thereof is 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4;

[0040] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22 and R23 independently represent methylene group, ethylene group, propylene group or butylene group;

[0041] the above compound or a salt thereof wherein R22 and R23 are the same groups, and represent methylene group, ethylene group, propylene group or butylene group; and the above compound or a salt thereof wherein the total number of carbon atoms is 35 or less.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] The groups that constitute the general formulas (I) and (II) will be explained specifically.

[0043] The aryl group represented by Ar1 and Ar2 in the general formula (I) may be, for example, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably phenyl group, naphthyl group or the like. The term “aryl group” has the same meaning in the following description unless otherwise indicated. The heteroaryl group may be, for example, a heteroaryl group having 5 to 12 ring-constituting atoms, such as pyridyl group, pyrrolyl group, imidazolyl group, quinolinyl group, thienyl group, and furyl group. As the heteroaryl group, for example, a group comprising a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing or oxygen-containing heteroaryl ring having an enol type hydroxyl group and an active methine or active methylene group, such as pyrazolone ring and pyridone ring, may preferably used. The term “heteroaryl group” has the same meaning in the following description unless otherwise indicated. It is preferred that both of Ar1 and Ar2 are aryl groups, and it is more preferred that both of Ar1 and Ar2 are phenyl groups.

[0044] The number and the substituting position of the hydroxyl group or the hydroxyl group substituted with a monovalent group on the ring of the aryl group or the heteroaryl group are not particularly limited, and they preferably have one hydroxyl group. For example, when the aryl group is phenyl group, phenyl group substituted with one hydroxyl group at the p-position (4-position) may be exemplified. Examples of the monovalent group in the one to three hydroxyl groups substituted with a monovalent group present independently on the ring of the aryl group or the heteroaryl group include, but not limited thereto, linear or branched C1-6 alkyl groups such as methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, sec-butyl group and tert-butyl group; aryl groups such as phenyl group and naphthyl group; C1-12 alkanoyl groups which may be substituted; hydroxy(C2-6)alkyl groups such as hydroxyethyl group; C7-15 aralkyl groups such as benzyl group and phenethyl group; C6-12 aroyl groups; C1-6 alkylsulfonyl groups; C6-12 arylsulfonyl groups; C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl groups; aryloxycarbonyl groups; hydroxyphenylthio(C1-6)alkyl groups; aminocarbonyl groups substituted with 0 to two C1-6 alkyl groups or C6-12 aryl groups; aminoalkylcarbonyl groups substituted with 0 to two C1-6 alkyl groups or C6-12 aryl groups; C1-6 alkoxy-substituted C1-6 alkanoyl groups, C1-6 alkylamino-substituted C1-6 alkanoyl groups, piperidinocarbonyl group, 4-piperidinopiperidinocarbonyl group, N-t-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylglycyl group and the like.

[0045] On the ring of the aforementioned aryl group or the heteroaryl group, one to three substituents other than a hydroxyl group or a hydroxyl group substituted with a monovalent group may be present. As such a substituent, examples which can be used are as follows: a halogen atom selected from fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, and iodine atom; a C1-6 alkyl group such as methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, sec-butyl group and tert-butyl group; a halogenated C1-6 alkyl group such as trifluoromethyl group; a C1-6 alkoxyl group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, n-propoxy group, isopropoxy group, n-butoxy group, sec-butoxy group and tert-butoxy group; a C1-6 alkylenedioxy group such as methylenedioxy group and ethylenedioxy group; carboxyl group; a C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group; non-substituted amino group; a C1-6 alkyl-substituted amino group such as methylamino group, dimethylamino group and ethylamino group; cyano group or the like. Among them, halogen atoms, C1-6 alkyl groups, C1-6 alkoxyl groups and the like are preferred.

[0046] In the specification, the term “bridging group” means a group or an atom that can form two independent covalent bonds. In the specification, the term “divalent group” means the bridging group which can form two independent covalent bonds, and contains at least one carbon atom. The divalent group may have a chain-like or a cyclic structure, or may have a combination of portions of a chain-like structure and a cyclic structure.

[0047] R1 in the general formula (I) represents a divalent group consisting of a nonmetal bridging group, which preferably comprising atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon atom, hydrogen atom, oxygen atom, nitrogen atom, sulfur atom, and phosphorus atom, and has atoms excluding hydrogen the number of which is 1 to 80. R1 may further contain one to three halogen atoms.

[0048] These divalent groups may contain one to three unsaturated bonds, such as a double bond consisting of a carbon-carbon bond, carbon-oxygen bond, sulfur-oxygen bond, carbon-nitrogen bond, or nitrogen-nitrogen bond, or triple bond consisting of a carbon-carbon bond. Furthermore, they may contain one to three covalent bonds including any hetero atoms such as carbamoyl bond, sulfamoyl bond, ether bond, and disulfide bond as a partial structure. For example, they may contain one to three cyclic structures selected from monocyclic structures such as those consisting of benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, tetrahydrofuran ring, and pyranone ring, condensed rings such as naphthalene ring, indole ring, and quinoline ring, and bicyclo structures such as bicyclooctane ring. Furthermore, examples also include pyrrole ring, piperidine ring, indole ring, pyridine ring, triazine ring, pyrimidine ring, quinoline ring, oxazine ring, indazole ring, thiazole ring and the like. When the divalent group is a cyclic group or chain-like group, or when it contains a partial chain-like structure, it may contain a branched chain.

[0049] The aforementioned ring that constitutes the divalent group, and carbon atoms and/or hetero atoms constituting the backbone of the divalent group may have one or more substituents thereon, for example, those selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom such as fluorine atom, chlorine atom, and bromine atom; a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl group such as methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, sec-butyl group, and tert-butyl group; a linear or branched C1-6 alkoxyl group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, n-propoxy group, isopropoxy group, n-butoxy group, sec-butoxy group and tert-butoxy group (those alkyl and alkoxyl groups may have a substituent such as hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkoxyl group, a C1-6 alkyl-substituted or non-substituted carbamoyl group, non-substituted amino group, a C1-6 alkyl-substituted amino group such as methylamino group, dimethylamino group, and ethylamino group, a C1-6 cyclic amino group such as morpholino group and piperidino group, and a C1-6 cyclic aminocarbonyl group such as morpholino group and piperidino group); a C1-6 alkylenedioxy group such as methylenedioxy group and ethylenedioxy group; carboxyl group; a C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group; non-substituted amino group or a C1-6 alkyl-substituted amino group such as methylamino group, dimethylamino group and ethylamino group; hydroxyl group; an aryl group such as phenyl group; a C1-6 alkyl-substituted sulfonyl group; a C1-6 alkanoyl group such as acetyl group and propionyl group; a halogenated C1-6 alkanoyl group such as trifluoroacetyl group and monochloroacetyl group; an alkoxy-substituted C1-6 alkanoyl group such as methoxymethylcarbonyl group; cyano group; a C1-6 alkyl-substituted or non-substituted carbamoyl group; sulfamoyl group; carboxyl group; sulfo group; a lactone ring or a lactam ring consisting of 4 to 8 ring-constituting atoms; and a halogen atom.

[0050] Preferred examples of the divalent group represented by R1 include, for example, linear or branched C1-6 alkylene groups such as methylene group, ethylene group, propylene group, butylene group, and pentylene group; arylene groups such as p-phenylene group, m-phenylene group, 1,4-naphthylene group, and 1,5-naphthylene group; heteroarylene groups such as 2,6-pyridinediyl group; vinylene group; ethynylene group; propenylene group; propynylene group; C2-6 alkenylene groups such as 1-butenylene group, and cis- and trans-2-butenylene group, C2-6 alkynylene groups and the like. These divalent groups may have one to three substituents selected from the aforementioned substituents. Preferred examples of the alkylene group having one or more substituents include, for example, oxo(C1-6)alkylene groups such as 1-oxoethylene group, 1-oxo-2-methylethylene group, and 1-oxopropylene group; and oxy(C1-6)alkylene groups such as 1-oxypropylene group, and 2-oxypropylene group and the like. Divalent groups consisting of a suitable combination of groups selected from alkylene groups, arylene groups and heteroarylene groups are also preferred.

[0051] Those wherein R1 represents R1A—R1BCO—R1C—R1D—R1C—COR1BR1A, wherein R1A represents a C1-4 lower alkylene group, R1B represents NH or a methylene group, R1C represents a single bond or a methylene group, R1D represents a divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, a monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group, and said bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, and heterocyclic group may have one to three substituents other than a hydrogen atom, are also preferred examples of the divalent group. Examples of the divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group and monocyclic hydrocarbon group include, for example, 1,1-cyclopentylene, 5,6-norbornenylene, 1,1-cyclopropylene, 1,1-cyclobutylene, 1,2-cyclobutylene, 1,2-cyclopentylene, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-cyclopentylene, 1,1-cyclohexylene, 1,2-cyclohexylene, 1,3-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-adamantylene, 1,1-phenylene, 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene, 2,3-naphthylene, 2,6-naphthylene, 1,8-naphthylene and the like. Examples of the divalent heterocyclic group include, for example, 1,4-piperazinylene, 4-oxo-2,6-pyranylene, 2,3-pyrrolylene, 3,5-pyrazolylene, 2,3-indolylene, 2,6-pyridylene, 2,3-pyridylene, 2,4-pyridylene, 3,4-pyridylene, 2,5-pyridylene, 3,5-pyridylene, 2,3-pyrazinylene, 3,4-furylene, 4,5-imidazolylene, 1,2,3-triazol-4,5-ylene, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptynyl-2,3-ylene, tricyclo[4.2.1.02.5]nona-3,7-dien-3,4-ylene, 2,2-dimethyldioxolan-4,5-ylene and the like. As preferred substituents on the divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, and heterocyclic group, those exemplified for the substituents on the rings of the aforementioned aryl group and heteroaryl group may be used.

[0052] The minimum number of bridging group-forming atoms of R1 is preferably in the range of 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 9, and most preferably 3 to 7. The total atom number of the whole compound of the general formula (I) is preferably 50 or less.

[0053] The groups that constitute the compounds represented by the general formula (II) will be specifically explained below.

[0054] The definition of the divalent group represented by R2 and R3 is the same as that of the divalent group represented by RI in the general formula (I), provided that particularly preferred minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R2 and R3 is in a range of from 1 to 3.

[0055] In the formula (II), R4 represents a monovalent group or a monovalent atom. R4 may be, for example, a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, amidino group, amino group, an alkyl group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted, a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, an aralkyl group which may be substituted, an alkyl group substituted with a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, or a group represented by any one of the following formulas (XIII) to (XVI):

—CO—R25   (XIII)

[0056] wherein R25 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted, a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or an aralkyl group which may be substituted;

—CO—NR26R27   (XIV)

[0057] wherein R26 and R27 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted, a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or an aralkyl group which may be substituted;

—SO2—R25   (XV)

[0058] wherein R25 has the same meaning as that defined above; and

—SO2—NR26R27   (XVI)

[0059] wherein R26 and R27 have the same meanings as those defined above.

[0060] Where R4 is an alkyl group which may be substituted, the alkyl group may be linear or branched, and it may contain one or more cyclic structures or one or more unsaturated bonds. The number of carbon atoms thereof may preferably be 20 or less including its substituent(s). Particularly preferred group may contain 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferred examples of the substituent include, but not limited thereto, halogen atoms such as fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, and iodine atom, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, vinyl group, ethynyl group, C3-8 cycloalkyl groups, carbamoyl group which may have a substituent on the nitrogen atom (one or two substituents selected from a C1-6 alkyl group, a halogenated C1-6 alkyl group, a hydroxy-substituted C1-6 alkyl group, an aryl group, a sulfonyl group, a C1-6 alkyl-substituted sulfonyl group, a C1-6 alkanoyl group, a halogenated C1-6 alkanoyl group, a hydroxy-substituted C1-6 alkanoyl group, an alkoxy-substituted C1-6 alkanoyl group and the like), a sulfamoyl group which may have a substituent on the nitrogen atom (one or two substituents selected from those exemplified for the aforementioned carbamoyl group), C1-20 alkanoyl groups, aroyl groups, heteroarylcarbonyl groups, C1-20 alkanoylamino groups, aroylamino groups, heteroarylcarbonylamino groups, C1-20 alkylsulfonyl groups, arylsulfonyl groups, heteroarysulfonyl groups, C1-20 alkylsulfonylamino groups, arylsulfonylamino groups, heteroarylsulfonylamino groups, an ureido group which may have a substituent on the nitrogen atom (one or two substituents selected from those exemplified for the aforementioned carbamoyl group), a cyano group, an amino group which may have a substituent on the nitrogen atom (one or two substituents selected from those exemplified for the aforementioned carbamoyl group), C1-20 alkylthio groups, C1-20 alkoxyl groups, aryloxy groups, heteroaryloxy groups, arylthio groups, arylthio groups substituted with one to three hydroxyl groups, C1-20 alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, heteroaryloxycarbonyl groups, a 2-hydroxyethoxy group, polyether groups (2-methoxyethoxy group, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy group etc.), a succinimido group, a guanidino group, aryl groups, aryl groups which are substituted with one or two hydroxyl groups, aryl groups which are substituted with 1 to 5 independently selected halogen atoms (a halogen atom has the same meaning as that defined above), heteroaryl groups, heterocyclic groups and the like.

[0061] The aryl group of the aforementioned aryl group, aroyl group, aroylamino group, arylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonylamino group, aryloxy group, and aryloxycarbonyl group, and the heteroaryl group of the aforementioned heteroaryl group, heteroarylcarbonyl group, heteroarylsulfonyl group, heteroarylsulfonylamino group, heteroaryloxy group, and heteroaryloxycarbonyl group have the same meanings as those defined above. Examples of the heterocyclic group include, for example, dioxolanyl group, morpholino group, morpholyl group, piperidyl group, dioxanyl group, imidazolyl group, thiazolyl group, pyrimidinyl group, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolanyl group and the like.

[0062] Preferred examples of R4 include, but not limited thereto, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, sec-butyl group, cyclopropylmethyl group, allyl group, propargyl group, 2-fluoroethyl group, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl group, 3-hydroxypropyl group, carbamoylmethyl group, 2-carbamoylethyl group, 2-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)ethyl group, 2-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)ethyl group, 2-(N-piperidinocarbonyl)ethyl group, sulfamoylmethyl group, acetylmethyl group, 2-(N-acetylamino)ethyl group, cyanomethyl group, 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl group, 2-(N-morpholino)ethyl group, 2-(N-piperidino)ethyl group, 2-methylthioethyl group, 2-methoxyethyl group, hydroxyethoxyethyl group, methoxycarbonylmethyl group and the like.

[0063] When R4 is an aryl group which may be substituted, the number of carbon atom is preferably 20 or less including its substituent(s). Preferred examples include, for example, phenyl group which may be substituted and naphthyl group which may be substituted. When these groups have a substituent, they may have one to three substituents. Preferred examples of the substituent are those exemplified as preferred substituents for R4 when it represents the alkyl group. Among them, halogen atoms, hydroxyl group, carbamoyl group and the like are particularly preferred. When R4 is a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 20 or less including its substituent(s). Preferred examples include, for example, pyridyl group, thienyl group, furyl group, imidazolyl group, quinolyl group and the like. These groups may have one to three substituents selected from those exemplified as preferred substituents for R4 when it represents the alkyl group.

[0064] Where R4 is an aralkyl group which may be substituted or an alkyl group substituted with a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, the number of carbon atoms thereof is preferably 20 or less including their substituent(s). Preferred examples include, for example, benzyl group, 2-phenylethyl group, naphthylmethyl group, 2-picolyl group, 3-picolyl group, (2-furyl)methyl group, (2-thienyl)methyl group, (2-quinolyl)methyl group, 2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl group, 2-(N-imidazolyl)ethyl group and the like. These groups may have one to three substituents selected from those exemplified as preferred substituents for R4 when it represents the alkyl group. Among them, halogen atoms, hydroxyl group, carbamoyl group and the like are particularly preferred substituents.

[0065] Where R4 is a group represented by the formula (XIII) or the formula (XV), the group represented by R25 preferably has 15 or less carbon atoms, and it may have one to three substituents selected from those exemplified as preferred substituents for R4 when it represents the alkyl group. The aryl group, heteroaryl group, heterocyclic group and aralkyl group for R25 have the same meanings as those defined above. Preferred examples of R4 include, for example, acetyl group, propionyl group, benzoyl group, 2-pyridylcarbonyl group, 3-pyridylcarbonyl group, 4-pyridylcarbonyl group, benzylcarbonyl group, methanesulfonyl group, benzenesulfonyl group and the like.

[0066] Where R4 is a group represented by the formula (XIV) or the formula (XVI), those groups represented by R26 and R27 preferably have 15 or less carbon atoms, and they may have one to three substituents selected from those exemplified as preferred substituents for R4 when it represents the alkyl group. In addition, R26 and R27 may bind to each other to form a ring structure. Preferred examples of R4 include, for example, aminocarbonyl group, N-methylaminocarbonyl group, N-phenylaminocarbonyl group, N-(2-pyridylamino)carbonyl group, N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl group, N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl group, N-morpholinocarbonyl group, N-piperidinocarbonyl group, aminosulfonyl group, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl group, N,N-diethylaminosulfonyl group, N-morpholinosulfonyl group, N-piperidinosulfonyl group and the like.

[0067] The ring structure which is formed by R4 together with R2 or R3 includes saturated and unsaturated ring structures. Examples of the ring include, for example, saturated or unsaturated 3- to 18-membered monocyclic rings or condensed rings, such as pyrrole ring, piperidine ring, indole ring, pyridine ring, triazine ring, pyrimidine ring, quinoline ring, oxazine ring, indazole ring, and thiazole ring. These rings may be partially or fully reduced or oxidized. Furthermore, they may further bind to one or two C1-4 alkylene groups to form a divalent group.

[0068] A compound in which one monovalent group such as an alkyl group further bind to a nitrogen atom in the general formula (II) to form a quaternary salt of the nitrogen atom may also be used as an active ingredient of the medicament for treatment of cancer of the present invention. As a counter ion of the quaternary salt, for example, iodine ion, bromine ion, chlorine ion, perchlorate ion, sulfate ion, phosphate ion, sulfamate ion, acetate ion, lactate ion, citrate ion, tartrate ion, malonate ion, methanesulfonate ion, ethanesulfonate ion, hydroxyethanesulfonate ion, benzenesulfonate ion, p-toluenesulfonate ion, and cyclohexylsulfamate ion may be used. Iodine ion, bromine ion, chlorine ion, and perchlorate ion can be preferably used. As the monovalent group, C1-6 alkyl groups such as methyl group are preferred.

[0069] Divalent groups preferred as R1, R2, and R3 in the general formula (I) and (II) will be exemplified blow. However, the divalent group which can be used for the compound as the active ingredient of the medicament for treatment of cancer-of the present invention is not limited to these examples (in the structures, Me represents methyl group). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

[0070] The bisaryl compounds represented by the aforementioned general formula (I) have inhibitory activity against ribonucleotide reductase, and can selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, they can be used as an active ingredient of a medicament for treatment of cancer, which can be administered to mammals including human. Types of cancers to be treated by the medicament of the present invention are not particularly limited, and the medicament can be applied to solid cancers such as stomach cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, uterus cancer, skin cancer and brain tumor, as well as non-solid cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

[0071] In addition, they are also useful as an active ingredient of medicaments for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of various diseases in mammals including human accompanied by unusual expression of ribonucleotide reductases deriving from host mammals themselves, viruses, bacteria and the like, for example, herpes syndrome caused by unusual proliferation of herpes simplex virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome caused by unusual proliferation of AIDS virus and the like. Furthermore, the aforementioned compounds, per se, can also be used as ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors such as reagents in the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, genetic engineering and the like. As the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention, a substance selected from the group consisting of the compounds of the aforementioned general formula (I) and salts thereof, and hydrates thereof and solvates thereof can be used, as well as any combinations of two or more of substances selected from said group.

[0072] Although the aforementioned substances, per se, may be used as the medicament of the present invention, it is generally preferred that the medicament is provided for administration as a pharmaceutical composition that can be prepared by using one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additives. Administration route of the medicament of the present invention is not particularly limited, and oral or parenteral administration may be selected. Examples of the pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration include, for example, injections suitable for intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal or intrapleural injection, drip infusions, preparations for intrarectal administration (suppositories) and the like. Examples of the pharmaceutical compositions suitable for oral administration include, for example, tablets, capsules, granules, powders, syrups and the like. However, applicable pharmaceutical compositions are not limited to these examples, and those skilled in the art can select a suitable form of composition from available pharmaceutical compositions.

[0073] For example, for the manufacture of injections, the aforementioned substances as an active ingredient may be dissolved in a diluent available to those skilled in the art (for example, physiological saline, glucose solution for injection, lactose solution for injection, mannitol solution for injection and the like), and then the solution may be subjected to an appropriate sterilization treatment such as filtration sterilization, and filled in hermetic containers such as ampoules. Preparation for injection in a lyophilized form or powder for injection mixed with sodium chloride may also be prepared according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. As the pharmaceutical additives, for example, carriers such as auxiliaries such as polyethylene glycol and HCO-60 (surfactant; Nikko Chemical Co. Ltd.), ethanol and/or liposome and cyclodextrin may be incorporated. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for oral administration or intrarectal administration can be prepared by mixing the aforementioned substances with appropriate pharmaceutical additives such as excipients, disintegrating agents, binders, lubricants, suspending agents, isotonic agents, and emulsifiers in a conventional manner, and formulating the mixture into an appropriate form.

[0074] Dosage and administration frequency of the medicament of the present invention are not particularly limited. When the medicament of the present invention is used for treatment of cancer, it can be administered, for example, via intravenous route in an amount of 0.01 to 100 mg/kg (based on the weight of the active ingredient) at intervals of every week to every 3 weeks. It is desirable to suitably adjust the dosage and administration frequency depending on various conditions, for example, route of administration, a kind of an active ingredient, i.e., the compound of the aforementioned formulas (I) to (III), the age and body weight of patients, the condition, and frequency and severity of side effects such as bone marrow suppression.

[0075] The bisaryl compounds represented by the aforementioned general formula (I) may have one to three asymmetric carbons depending on the kind of the substituents. Furthermore, a sulfur atom may also serve as an asymmetric center. Any optical isomers in an optically pure form based on one to three asymmetric carbons, any mixtures of the aforementioned optical isomers, and racemates, as well as diastereomers based on two or more asymmetric carbons, any mixtures of such diastereomers and the like may be used as the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention. As the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention, those in free form encompassed by the aforementioned formula as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof may be used.

[0076] Examples of such salts include, for example, hydrochlorides, sulfates, phosphates, sulfamates, acetates, lactates, citrates, tartrates, malonates, methanesulfonates, ethanesulfonates, hydroxyethanesulfonates, benzenesulfonates, p-toluenesulfonates, cyclohexylsulfamates and the like. These salts can be prepared by dissolving the aforementioned compound as free base in water, an aqueous organic solvent such as alcoholic solvent or a suitable organic solvent containing a corresponding acid to form a uniform solution, and isolating a salt after evaporation of water or the organic solvent, or allowing the compound in free form to react with an acid in an organic solvent. In the latter case, for example, the resulting salt can be directly isolated, or recovered by evaporation of the solvent. As the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention, the aforementioned compounds in free form and salts thereof, and in addition, hydrates thereof and solvates thereof can be used. Examples of the organic solvent for forming the solvates include, for example, physiologically acceptable solvents such as ethanol and ethylene glycol.

[0077] Specific examples of the compounds most suitably used for the medicament of the present invention will be listed below. However, the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention is not limited to the following compounds (in the tables, the serial numbers in the first left column indicate the compound numbers, Ph represents phenyl group, and p-HO-Ph represents p-hydroxyphenyl group. In Table 3, “B” represents p-hydroxyphenylthio group, Me represents methyl group, Et represents ethyl group, and Ac represents acetyl group). 12 1 TABLE 1 Com- pound No. Ar1 R1 Ar1  9 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-S-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 10 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-S-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 11 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-S-C4H4- p-HO-Ph- 12 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-S-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 13 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-S-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 14 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-S-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 15 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-S-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 16 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-S-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 17 p-HO-Ph- -C4H8-S-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 18 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 19 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 20 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 21 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 22 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C4H4- p-HO-Ph- 23 p-HO-Ph- -CH(CH3)CO-S-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 24 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO-S-CH2CH(OH)CH2- p-HO-Ph- 25 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-S-C2H4NHCOCH2- p-HO-Ph- 26 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO-S-C2H4NHCOC2H4- p-HO-Ph- 27 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-O-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 28 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-O-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 29 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-O-C4H4- p-HO-Ph- 30 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-O-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 31 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4-O-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 32 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-O-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 33 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-O-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 34 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6-O-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 35 p-HO-Ph- -C4H8-O-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 36 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 37 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C3H6- p-HO-Ph- 38 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C4H8- p-HO-Ph- 39 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C4H6- p-HO-Ph- 40 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C4H4- p-HO-Ph- 41 p-HO-Ph- -CH(CH3)CO-O-C2H4- p-HO-Ph- 42 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO-O-CH2CH2CH(OH)CH2- p-HO-Ph- 43 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO-O-C2H4NHCOCH2- p-HO-Ph- 44 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO-O-C2H4NHCOC2H4- p-HO-Ph-

[0078] 2 TABLE 2 Compound No. Ar1 R2 R3 R4 Ar2 45 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -H p-HO-Ph- 46 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6- -C3H6- -H p-HO-Ph- 47 p-HO-Ph- -C4H8- -C4H8- -H p-HO-Ph- 48 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -OH p-HO-Ph- 49 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C(=NH)NH2 p-HO-Ph- 50 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COC3H7 p-HO-Ph- 51 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH2CH2CO2H p-HO-Ph- 52 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH2CH2S-Ph-OH-p p-HO-Ph- 53 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CHO p-HO-Ph- 54 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH3 p-HO-Ph- 55 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2CH3 p-HO-Ph- 56 p-HO-Ph- -C3H6- -C3H6- -CHO p-HO-Ph- 59 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2CH2NH2 p-HO-Ph- 60 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C2H4- -H p-HO-Ph- 61 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C3H6- -H p-HO-Ph- 62 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C4H8- -H p-HO-Ph- 63 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C4H6- -H p-HO-Ph- 64 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C4H4- -H p-HO-Ph- 65 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C4H4- -CHO p-HO-Ph- 66 p-HO-Ph- -CH(CH3)CO- -C2H4- -H p-HO-Ph- 67 p-HO-Ph- -CH(CH3)CO- -C2H4- -C2H4OH p-HO-Ph- 68 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO- -CH2CH(OH)CH2 -C2H4OH p-HO-Ph- 69 p-HO-Ph- -CH2CO- -C2H4NHCOCH2- -H p-HO-Ph- 70 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4CO- -CH2H4NHCOC2H4 -H p-HO-Ph- 71 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H5 p-HO-Ph- 72 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C3H7 p-HO-Ph- 73 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-C≡CH p-HO-Ph- 74 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CH=CH2 p-HO-Ph- 75 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-cyclopropyl p-HO-Ph- 76 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-SO2NH2 p-HO-Ph- 77 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CN p-HO-Ph- 78 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 79 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-N(CH3)2 p-HO-Ph- 80 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 81 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 82 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-NH-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 83 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-NH-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 84 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2F p-HO-Ph- 85 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CF3 p-HO-Ph- 86 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(N-succinimido) p-HO-Ph- 87 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-S-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 88 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-ethyleneacetal p-HO-Ph- 89 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-thienyl) p-HO-Ph- 90 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -furfuryl p-HO-Ph- 91 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(4-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 92 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -o-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph- 93 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -m-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph- 94 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -p-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph- 95 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -(CH2)3-OH p-HO-Ph- 96 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-NH-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 97 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 98 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -benzyl p-HO-Ph- 99 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(3-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 100 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 101 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-quinolinyl) p-HO-Ph- 102 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-OH p-HO-Ph- 103 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -(CH2)3-OCH3 p-HO-Ph- 104 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -(C2H4-OCH3 p-HO-Ph- 105 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -o-fluorobenzyl p-HO-Ph- 106 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -p-fluorobenzyl p-HO-Ph- 107 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 108 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 109 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 110 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 111 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 112 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 113 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-C2H5 p-HO-Ph- 114 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 115 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 116 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(3-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 117 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(4-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 118 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 119 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 120 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 121 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH(CH3) p-HO-Ph- 122 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-N(CH3)2 p-HO-Ph- 123 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 124 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 125 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 126 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 127 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 128 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 129 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 130 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph-

[0079] 13 3 TABLE 3 131 B-B 132 B-CH2-B 133 B-C2H4-B 134 B-C3H6-B 135 B-C4H8-B 136 B-C5H10-B 137 B-C6H12-B 138 B-C7H14-B 139 B-C8H16-B 140 B-C9H18-B 141 B-C10H20-B 142 B-C11H22-B 143 B-C2H4-SO2-C2H4-SO2-C2H4-B 144 B-CH(CH3)-B 145 B-CH(C2H5)-B 146 B-CH(n-C3H7)-B 147 B-CH(C6H5)-B 148 B-CH(B)(p-HOC2H4O-C6H4-) 149 B-C(CH3)2-B 150 B-CH(COOH)-B 151 B-CH(C2H4OH)-B 152 B-CH(CH3)-CH2-B 153 B-CH(C2H4OH)-CH2-B 154 B-CH(COOH)-CH2-B 155 B-CH(C2H5)-CH2-B 156 B-CH2-CH(OH)-CH2-B 157 B-CH2-C(CH2B)2-CH2-B 158 B-CH2-S-CH2-B 159 B-CH2-CH=CH-CH2-B 160 B-CH2-C≡C-CH2-B 161 B-CH2-C6H4-CH2-B (-C6H4- is a o-phenylene group) 162 B-C2H4-O-CH2-O-C2H4-B 163 B-C2H4-O-C2H4-O-C2H4-B 164 B-CH2-COO-C2H4-OCOCH2-B 165 B-CH2-COO-C3H6-OCOCH2-B 166 B-CH2CH(OH)CH2-O-C2H4-O-CH2CH(OH)CH2-B 167 B-(C2H4O)2-CO-CH2-CO-(C2H4O)2-B 168 B-(C2H4O)2-CO-(trans)CH=CH-CO-(C2H4O)2-B 169 B-CH2-COO-(C2H4O)3-CO-CH2-B 170 B-CH2-COO-(C2H4O)4-CO-CH2-B 171 B-(C2H4O)3-C2H4-B 172 B-(C2H4O)4-C2H4-B 173 B-(C2H4O)5-C2H4-B 174 B-(C2H4O)3-CO-(C2H4O)3-B 175 B-(C2H4O)2-CO-C2H4-CO-(C2H4O)2-B

[0080] 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

[0081] According to the present invention, there are provided novel compounds represented by the general formula (XII):

Ar23—S—R22—N(R24)—R23—S—Ar24.

[0082] Ar23 and Ar24 in the general formula (XII) have the same meanings as the aforementioned Ar1 and Ar2. However, those wherein each of Ar23 and Ar24 is a phenyl group having one hydroxyl group on the ring, and both of these phenyl groups have a tertiary alkyl group at a position on the ring adjacent to the hydroxyl group are excluded from the scope of the invention concerning the novel compounds of the present invention. R22, R23 and R24 in the general formula (XII) have the same meanings as the aforementioned R2, R3, and R4, provided that, when R22 and R23 do not form a ring, R22—N(R24)—R23 except for the part of R24 does not contain an amide bond. Furthermore, in the above definitions, R125, R126, R127, R101A, R101B, R101C, and R101D have the same meanings as R25, R26, R27, R1A, R1B, R1C and R1D, respectively.

[0083] Examples of the divalent group suitable as R22, R23, or R22—N(R24)—R23 will be exemplified below. However, the divalent group which can be used for the compound of the present invention is not limited to these examples. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

[0084] Particularly preferred compounds of the present invention represented by the formula (XII) will be specifically exemplified below. However, the compounds of the present invention are not limited to the following exemplary compounds. 4 TABLE 4 Compound No. Ar23 R22 R23 R24 Ar24  45 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -H p-HO-Ph-  46 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C3H6- -H p-HO-Ph-  47 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C4H8- -H p-HO-Ph-  48 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -OH p-HO-Ph-  49 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C(=NH)NH2 p-HO-Ph-  50 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COC3H7 p-HO-Ph-  51 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH2CH2CO2H p-HO-Ph-  52 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH2CH2S-Ph-OH-p p-HO-Ph-  53 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CHO p-HO-Ph-  54 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -COCH3 p-HO-Ph-  55 p-HO-Ph- -C2H6- -C3H6- -CHO p-HO-Ph-  56 p-HO-Ph- -C2H6- -C3H6- -COCH2Cl p-HO-Ph-  59 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2CH2NH2 p-HO-Ph-  71 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H5 p-HO-Ph-  72 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C3H7 p-HO-Ph-  73 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-C≡CH p-HO-Ph-  74 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CH=CH2 p-HO-Ph-  75 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-cyclopropyl p-HO-Ph-  76 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-SO2NH2 p-HO-Ph-  77 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CN p-HO-Ph-  78 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph-  79 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-N(CH3)2 p-HO-Ph-  80 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph-  81 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph-  82 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-NH-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph-  83 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-NH-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph-  84 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2F p-HO-Ph-  85 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CF3 p-HO-Ph-  86 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(N-succinimido) p-HO-Ph-  87 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-S-CH3 p-HO-Ph-  88 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-ethyleneacetal p-HO-Ph-  89 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-thienyl) p-HO-Ph-  90 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -furfuryl p-HO-Ph-  91 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(4-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph-  92 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -o-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph-  93 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -m-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph-  94 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -p-hydroxybenzyl p-HO-Ph-  95 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -(CH2)3-OH p-HO-Ph-  96 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-NH-CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph-  97 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph-  98 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -benzyl p-HO-Ph-  99 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(3-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 100 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 101 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CH2-(2-quinolinyl) p-HO-Ph- 102 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-OH p-HO-Ph- 103 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -(CH2)3-OCH3 p-HO-Ph- 104 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-OCH3 p-HO-Ph- 105 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -o-fluorobenzyl p-HO-Ph- 106 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -p-fluorobenzyl p-HO-Ph- 107 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 108 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-CO-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 109 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 110 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 111 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -C2H4-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 112 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 113 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-C2H5 p-HO-Ph- 114 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 115 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 116 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(3-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 117 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(4-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 118 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-CH3 p-HO-Ph- 119 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 120 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 121 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH(CH3) p-HO-Ph- 122 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-N(CH3)2 p-HO-Ph- 123 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 124 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph- 125 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-(1-piperidyl) p-HO-Ph- 126 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH-C6H5 p-HO-Ph- 127 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -CO-NH-(2-pyridyl) p-HO-Ph- 128 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-NH2 p-HO-Ph- 129 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-N(C2H5)2 p-HO-Ph- 130 p-HO-Ph- -C2H4- -C2H4- -SO2-(N-morpholino) p-HO-Ph-

[0085] 34 35 36 37 38

[0086] The compounds of the present invention may form an acid addition salt, and may also form a base addition salt depending on the types of substituents. Examples of the acid addition salt include, but not limited thereto, mineral acid salts such as hydrochlorides, sulfates and nitrates, and organic acid salts such as p-toluenesulfonates, methanesulfonates, acetates, chloroacetates, oxalates, trifluoromethanesulfonates, and quinolinesulfonates. When they form a base addition salt, metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts, ammonium salts such as ammonium salts and triethylammonium salts and the like may be used. The compounds of the present invention may also form intramolecular zwitter ions based on a phenolic hydroxyl group and a basic group, which also fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the compounds of the aforementioned formula (XI) and formula (XII) in free form or any salts thereof, and any hydrates or any solvates of the compounds in free form or salts thereof fall within the scope of the present invention. Solvents that can form solvates are not particularly limited. For example, the solvate may be formed with methanol, ethanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, dimethylformamide or the like.

[0087] The compounds of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric carbons depending on the types of the substituents. Furthermore, a sulfur atom may also serve as an asymmetric center. Any optical isomers in optically pure form based on one or more asymmetric carbons, mixtures of the optical isomers, racemates, diastereomers based on two or more asymmetric carbons, mixtures of the diastereomers and the like all fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] Two or three groups selected from R22, R23, and R24 may bind to each other, via a divalent group if required, to form a saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure. In that case, the nitrogen atom to which R24 binds may be an atom that constitutes the ring. Examples of the ring include, for example, pyrrole ring, piperidine ring, indole ring, pyridine ring, triazine ring, pyrimidine ring, quinoline ring, oxazine ring, indazole ring, thiazole ring and the like. These rings may have a partially or completely reduced ring structure. Furthermore, those wherein one more monovalent group such as an alkyl group further binds to the nitrogen atom to which R24 binds to form a quaternary salt also fall within the scope of the present invention. The counter ion of the quaternary salt may be, for example, iodide ion, bromide ion, chloride ion, perchlorate ion and the like. As the monovalent group, C1-6 alkyl groups such as methyl group and the like are preferred.

[0089] The methods for preparing the bisaryl compounds represented by the aforementioned general formulas (I), (II) and (XII) are not particularly limited, and they can be synthesized via various synthetic routes. Methods for preparing typical compounds of the present invention are specifically disclosed in Examples set out below, and accordingly, those skilled in the art will readily prepare bisaryl compounds falling within the scopes of the aforementioned general formulas by referring to the method described in Examples, adding suitable alterations and modifications to the methods, if required, and suitably choosing starting materials and reagents. For the preparation, one step, or several combined steps selected from various condensation, addition, oxidation, and reduction reactions and the like can be used. These reactions are detailed in literature. For example, various methods mentioned as unit operations and starting materials disclosed in “Jikken Kagaku Koza” (Maruzen Co., Ltd., each separate volume of the first to the 4th edition are available) can be preferably used.

[0090] For example, it may be preferable to use a mercapto compound, an amine compound and the like for a starting material from viewpoints of a reaction operation and an yield. For example, unit operations such as synthesis of thioether (sulfide) and synthesis of ester; reactions of mercapto group with reactive functional groups such as vinyl group, halogen atoms (including haloalkyl groups), epoxy group, aziridine ring, acyl halide groups, and isocyanate group; and amination reaction, amidation reaction, alkylation reaction and the like are well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is possible to chose suitable methods from the conventional methods considering an yield, easiness of reaction and the like.

[0091] For example, in these production methods, when any of the defined groups are changed under the condition of the reaction steps, or unsuitable to proceed the reaction steps, desired steps may be efficiently performed by using techniques commonly used in the synthetic organic chemistry, for example, protection and deprotection of functional groups, or treatments including oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis. Isolation and purification of synthetic intermediates and target compounds in the aforementioned steps can be performed by common techniques in the field of synthetic organic chemistry, for example, filtration, extraction, washing, drying, concentration, recrystallization, various chromatography methods and the like. In addition, synthetic intermediates may be used in subsequent steps without isolation.

EXAMPLES

[0092] The present invention will be more specifically explained with reference to the following examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. The compound numbers used in the examples correspond to the compound numbers shown in the aforementioned tables.

Example 1

[0093] Synthesis of Compound 45

[0094] Bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride (17.8 g) and thiohydroquinone (25.2 g) were added to a 1,000 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a condenser, and methanol (300 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. To this solution, a 28% solution (57.9 g) of sodium methoxide in methanol was added dropwise at room temperature. After the addition was completed, the reaction mixture was stirred under reflux by heating for 3 hours, and then left standing for one day. The reaction mixture was transferred to a 3 liter-beaker, 1,500 ml of water was added, and the deposited product was separated. The crude product was recrystallized from methanol to obtain 20 g of the target compound (m.p. 133-134° C.).

[0095] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.61 (t, 4H), 2.83 (t, 4H), 3.38 (s, 1H), 6.72 (dd, 4H), 7.20 (dd, 4H), 9.55 (s, 2H)

Example 2

[0096] Synthesis of Compound 113

[0097] In a 100 ml three-neck flask, Compound 45 (3.2 g) synthesized in Example 1 was dissolved in dimethylacetamide (15 ml), and propionic anhydride (1.4 ml) was dropwise added thereto under ice cooling. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, poured into diluted hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane=7/3-1/1) to obtain 3.58 g of the target compound.

[0098] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 0.37 (t, 3H), 2.04 (q, 2H), 2.90 (m, 4H), 3.30 (m, 4H), 6.76 (d, 4H), 7.20 (d, 4H), 9.57 (s, 1H), 9.60 (s, 1H)

Example 3

[0099] Synthesis of Compound 61

[0100] 3-Bromopropylamine hydrobromide (50.0 g) and methylene chloride (300 ml) were put into a 1,000 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a condenser, and triethylamine (46 g) was added thereto at a temperature below 10° C. Then, bromoacetyl chloride (36 g) was added dropwise to the mixture while keeping the temperature of the reaction mixture at 20° C. or below 20° C., and then the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The organic layer was separated by filtration and concentrated, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (developing solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate=2:1) to obtain (3-bromopropyl)-1-bromoacetamide (yield: 24%). Thiohydroquinone (5.0 g) and (3-bromopropyl)-1-bromoacetamide (5.8 g) were added to methanol (50 ml), and 28% sodium methoxide (7.6 g) was added thereto with stirring and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2 hours. Water (200 ml) was added to the reaction mixture, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic phase was dried. The product obtained after evaporation of the solvent was treated with acetonitrile to obtain crystals (m.p. 122-124° C.).

Example 4

[0101] Synthesis of Compound 1

[0102] 2,6-Dichloromethylpyridine (3.5 g), and thiohydroquinone (5.0 g) were put into a 100 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a condenser, and methanol (20 ml) and a 28% solution (7.7 g) of sodium methoxide in methanol were added thereto at room temperature. The mixture was warmed to 60° C., and stirred for 1 hour at the same temperature. After the methanol was evaporated, the organic phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried and concentrated to obtain crystals of the target compound. The product was recrystallized from acetonitrile to obtain the target compound (yield: 70%, m.p. 140-140.5° C.).

Example 5

[0103] Synthesis of Compound 27

[0104] Methanol (40 ml) was put into a flask provided with a stirrer, thiohydroquinone (0.08 mol) and 48% aqueous NaOH (0.084 mol) were added thereto, and then bis-2-chloroethyl ether (0.04 mol) was dropwise added thereto with stirring at room temperature. The mixture was maintained at 40° C. for 4 hours, then added to water (300 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water and dried, and the solvent was evaporated to obtain crude crystals of the target compound. The crystals were recrystallized from benzene to obtain the target compound (yield: 82%, m.p. 91-92° C.).

Example 6

[0105] Synthesis of Compound 162

[0106] 62,&bgr;′-Dichlorodiethylformal was synthesized according to the method of Vinokurov D.M. The target compound was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the above-obtained compound was used as a halide starting material. The target compound was obtained through recrystallization from a mixed solvent of water and methanol (yield: 81%, m.p. 108-110° C.)

Example 7

[0107] Synthesis of Compound 124

[0108] Compound 45 (10.0 g) obtained in Example 1 was put into a 500 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a calcium chloride tube, and dimethylacetamide (100 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. To this solution was added triethylamine (7.78 ml) and 4-morpholinecarbonyl chloride (4.17 g), the mixture was stirred for 2 hours, then water was added thereto and the mixture was further made neutral with hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water (3 times) and with saturated brine (2 times), then dried and concentrated to obtain 8.30 g of Compound 124 (semi-solid).

[0109] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.86 (t, 4H), 2.87 (t, 4H), 3.20 (t, 4H), 3.33 (t, 4H), 6.74(d, 4H), 7.23 (d, 4H), 9.61(s, 2H)

Example 8

[0110] Synthesis of Compound 97

[0111] Compound 45 (964 mg) obtained in Example 1 was put into a 20 ml flask provided with a calcium chloride tube, and dimethylformamide (5 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. To this solution was added sodium hydrogen carbonate (1 g), potassium iodide (166 mg) and chloroacetamide (300 mg), and the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was added to water, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with water (3 times) and saturated brine (2 times), then dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/ethyl acetate=2/3), and the solvent was concentrated. The residue was crystallized by adding hexane, filtered, washed and dried to obtain 900 mg of Compound 97 (m.p. 105-106° C.).

[0112] 1H-NMR (CD3OD) &dgr; (ppm) 2.72 (t, 4H), 2.82 (t, 4H), 3.10 (s, 2H), 6.80 (d, 4H), 7.30 (d, 4H)

Example 9

[0113] Synthesis of Compound 190

[0114] 2-Fluorophenol (4.05 g), water (50 ml), copper sulfate pentahydrate (18.0 g), and ammonium thiocyanate (11.0 g) were successively put into a 300 ml flask provided with a stirrer, and the mixture was stirred for 4 hours on a water bath (50° C.). The solid was removed by filtration, and the filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate, then dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1.5) to obtain 1.61 g of 3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzothiocyanate.

[0115] 1H-NMR (CDCl3) &dgr; (ppm) 5.79 (s, 1H), 7.07 (dd, 1H), 7.28 (dd, 1H), 7.36 (dd, 1H)

[0116] The resulting 3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzothiocyanate (0.45 g) was put into a nitrogen-purged 50 ml flask provided with a stirrer, and dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (5.0 ml). The solution was cooled to 0° C., aluminium lithium hydride (0.10 g) was added thereto, and then the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. To the mixture was then added ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous ammonium chloride, and the mixture was neutralized with diluted hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1.5) to obtain 0.13 g of 3-fluoro-4-hydroxythiophenol.

[0117] 1H-NMR (CDCl3) &dgr; (ppm) 3.42 (s, 1H), 5.52 (s, 1H), 6.88 (dd, 1H), 7.00 (dd, 1H), 7.08 (dd, 1H)

[0118] The 3-fluoro-4-hydroxythiophenol (0.13 g) obtained above was put into a 50 ml flask provided with a stirrer, and dissolved in methanol (5.0 ml). The solution was bubbled with nitrogen gas for about 15 minutes for deairing, sodium methoxide (28%, 0.20 ml) and bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (0.52 ml) were added thereto, and then the mixture was stirred for 2 hours (40° C.). The mixture was neutralized with diluted hydrochloric acid, and the organic layer was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=5/1) to obtain 56 mg of Compound 190 (m.p. 87-88° C.).

[0119] 1H-NMR (CDCl3) &dgr; (ppm) 2.95 (t, 4H), 3.55 (t, 4H), 6.89 (dd, 1H), 7.03 (dd, 1H), 7.12 (dd, 1H)

Example 10

[0120] Synthesis of Compound 191

[0121] 5-Norbornene-2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (1.30 g), 2-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)propylamine (3.66 g), and triethylamine (2.02 g) were put into a 200 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a condenser, dimethylformamide (50 ml) was added thereto for dissolution, and then the solution was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours. To the reaction mixture was added water, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid and then with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: dichloromethane/ethyl acetate=2/8) to obtain 1.76 g of Compound 191 as a semi-solid substance.

[0122] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 1.20 (s, 2H), 1.51 (t, 4H), 2.72 (t, 4H), 2.90 (s, 2H), 2.98 (q, 4H), 3.03 (s, 2H), 6.07 (s, 2H), 6.72 (d, 4H), 7.34 (d, 2H), 9.56 (s, 2H)

Example 11

[0123] Synthesis of Compound 192

[0124] 1-Cyclopentane diacetic acid (0.93 g) was put into a 100 ml flask provided with a stirrer and a condenser and tetrahydrofuran (35 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. Then, to the solution was added dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2.06 g) and 2-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)propylamine (1.83 g), and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 6 hours. Insoluble materials were removed from the reaction mixture by suction filtration, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1) to obtain 1.09 g of Compound 192 as a semi-solid substance.

[0125] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 1.18 (t, 2H), 1.58 (m, 4H), 2.13 (s, 2H), 2.76 (t, 2H), 3.14 (dd, 2H), 6.72 (d, 2H), 7.20 (d, 2H), 8.08 (t, 1H), 9.55 (s, 1H)

Example 12

[0126] Synthesis of Compound 100

[0127] Compound 45 (1.79 g) obtained in Example 1 was put into a 50 ml flask provided with a calcium chloride tube and dimethylformamide (15 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. To this solution was added sodium hydrogen carbonate (1.68 g) and 2-chloromethylpyridine hydrochloride (820 mg), and the mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was added to water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water (3 times) and saturated brine (2 times), dried, and then concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/methanol=20/1), the solvent was concentrated, and the residue was crystallized by adding hexane, and then filtered to obtain 1.57 g of Compound 100 (m.p. 80-81° C.).

[0128] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.60 (t, 4H), 2.85 (t, 4H), 3.68 (s, 2H), 6.68 (d, 4H), 7.15 (d, 4H), 7.25 (t, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.70 (t, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H), 9.55 (s, 2H)

Example 13

[0129] Synthesis of Compound 193

[0130] Compound 97 (1.00 g) obtained in Example 8 was put into a 100 ml flask provided with a calcium chloride tube at room temperature, and acetonitrile (10 ml) was added thereto for dissolution. To this solution was added pyridine (2.1 ml) and acetic anhydride (0.75 ml), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4.5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 ml), and then washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid (50 ml×2). The organic layer was separated, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and then the solvent was evaporated to obtain 1.17 g of the target compound (yield: 89%, m.p. 139-142° C.).

[0131] 1H-NMR (CD3OD) &dgr; (ppm) 2.30 (s, 6H), 3.15-3.50 (m, 8H), 4.12 (s, 2H), 7.12 (d, 4H), 7.50 (d, 4H)

Example 14

[0132] Synthesis of Compound 71

[0133] The reaction of Example 12 was repeated by using 940 mg of ethyl iodide instead of 2-chloromethylpyridine hydrochloride, and the product was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/methanol=20/1) to obtain Compound 71 (1.49 g) as oil.

[0134] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 0.89 (t, 3H), 2.48 (q, 2H), 2.60 (t, 4H), 2.80 (t, 4H), 6.78 (d, 4H), 7.25 (d, 4H), 9.62 (6, 2H)

Example 15

[0135] Syntheses of Compounds 72 to 81, Compounds 84 to 88, Compound 95, Compounds 102 to 103, Compounds 107 to 111, Compound 194, Compounds 197 to 201, Compounds 203 to 211 and Compound 213

[0136] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 14 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with corresponding alkylating agents.

Example 16

[0137] Syntheses of Compounds 89 to 91, Compounds 98 to 99, Compound 101, Compounds 105 to 106 and Compound 196

[0138] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 12 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with corresponding arylmethyl halides or heteroarylmethyl halides.

Example 17

[0139] Synthesis of Compound 92

[0140] Compound 92 was synthesized in accordance with the following synthetic scheme. 39

[0141] Salicyl aldehyde (12.2 g), imidazole (7.2 g), and dimethylformamide (70 ml) were put into a 200 ml three-neck flask for dissolution, tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (16 g) was added thereto at room temperature and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the reaction mixture was poured into water, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 92A (23.5 g) as oil. The resulting Compound 92A was used for the subsequent reaction without further purification.

[0142] Compound 92A (18.9 g) was dissolved in 120 ml of methanol, and sodium borohydride (760 mg) was added thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, and then poured into water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 92B (18.8 g) as oil. The resulting Compound 92B was used for the subsequent reaction without further purification.

[0143] Compound 92B (9.5 g), triethylamine (5.6 ml), and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (500 mg) were dissolved in acetonitrile (50 ml), and methanesulfonyl chloride (4.6 g) was dropwise added thereto. The reaction mixture was left standing at room temperature overnight. The produced triethylamine hydrochloride was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. To the residue was added hexane, and insoluble materials were removed by filtration. Then, the filtrate was washed with aqueous citric acid, water, and then saturated brine, then, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane) to obtain Compound C (7.0 g) as oil.

[0144] Compound 45 (4.8 g) synthesized in Example 1 and dimethylacetamide (40 ml) were put into a 100 ml three-neck flask for dissolution, and Compound 92B (4.1 g) was added thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour, and then poured into water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride (70 ml), 10 ml of 1 M solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran was added thereto, and then the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water, and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/methanol=100/3) to obtain Compound 92 (4.93 g) as an amorphous.

Example 18

[0145] Syntheses of Compound 93 and Compound 94

[0146] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 17 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with benzyl chloride substituted with corresponding protected hydroxyl group, and then deprotecting the product.

Example 19

[0147] Syntheses of Compound 50, Compound 51 and Compound 54

[0148] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 2 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with a corresponding acid anhydride.

Example 20

[0149] Synthesis of Compound 53

[0150] Compound 45 (2.0 g) obtained in Example 1, formic acid (290 mg), and dicyclohexylamide (1.4 g) were stirred in a mixed solvent of chloroform (20 ml) and dimethyl sulfoxide (20 ml) at room temperature for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the residue was washed with ethyl acetate. Then, the filtrate and the washing filtrate were combined, and washed with water, saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, and then saturated brine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain 2.1 g of the target compound.

[0151] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.87 (m, 2H), 2.95 (m, 2H), 3.30 (m, 2H), 3.37 (m, 2H), 6.75 (d, 4H), 7.22 (d, 4H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 9.58 (broad, 2H)

Example 21

[0152] Synthesis of Compound 114

[0153] Compound 45 (9.64 mg) synthesized in Example 1, pyridine (0.25 ml), and dimethylacetamide (5 ml) were added to a 30 ml three-neck flask for dissolution. To the solution was added dropwise benzoyl chloride (5.34 mg) under ice cooling, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes under ice cooling, and then for 1 hour at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into diluted hydrochloric acid, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/methanol=100/4), and crystallized by adding hexane to obtain 510 mg of the target compound.

Example 22

[0154] Syntheses of Compound 115, Compound 116 and Compound 117

[0155] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 22 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with a corresponding acid chloride, and purifying the product with a silica gel column.

Example 23

[0156] Synthesis of Compound 125

[0157] The title compound was synthesized in the same manner as in Example 7 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with piperidinocarbonyl chloride.

Example 24

[0158] Synthesis of Compound 214

[0159] Compound 45 (1.29 g) obtained in Example 1 and D-mannose (1.01 g) were stirred in ethanol (5 ml) at 100° C. for 4 hours on an oil bath. To the reaction mixture was added ethyl acetate (50 ml), the mixture was subjected to suction filtration, and then the filtrate was concentrated. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride/methanol=9/1) to obtain 1.05 g of the target compound.

[0160] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.73 (m, 4H), 2.83 (m, 4H), 3.55-3.80 (m, 3H), 4.30-4.50 (m, 3H), 5.13 (s, 1H), 6.76 (d, 4H), 7.22 (d, 4H), 9.55 (s, 2H)

Example 25

[0161] Syntheses of Compounds 215 to 219

[0162] The title compounds were synthesized in the same manner as in Example 24 by allowing Compound 45 obtained in Example 1 to react with a corresponding saccharide.

Example 26

[0163] Synthesis of Compound 59

[0164] Compound 45 (500 mg) obtained in Example 1, N-(2-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)ethyl~phthalimide (537 mg), potassium iodide (258 mg), and sodium hydrogen carbonate (131 mg) were stirred in dimethylformamide (8 ml) at 150° C. for 28 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain 260 mg of phthalimide compound.

[0165] The above phthalimide compound (260 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (31.58 mg) were stirred in ethanol (3 ml) with heating for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (chloroform/methanol=1/1) to obtain 97 mg of the target compound.

[0166] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.10 (m, 2H), 2.50-3.00 (m, 10H), 6.87 (d, 4H), 7.27 (d, 4H)

Example 27

[0167] Syntheses of Compounds 82 to 83, Compound 195 and Compound 202

[0168] The title compounds were synthesized by allowing Compound 59 obtained in Example 26 to react with sodium isocyanate, acetic anhydride, methanesulfonyl chloride and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxyamidine nitrate, respectively.

Example 28

[0169] Synthesis of Compound 48

[0170] 4-(2-Bromoethylthio)phenol (1.2 g) was dissolved in dimethylformamide (10 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere, to this solution was added imidazole (1.5 g) and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (2.45 g), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for one and a half hours. To the reaction mixture was added water, the mixture was extracted with chloroform, and then the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain 1.4 g of silyl compound.

[0171] The above silyl compound (1.4 g) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (150 mg) were mixed in ethanol (10 ml), sodium carbonate (400 mg) was added thereto, and the mixture was refluxed by heating for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the residue obtained by concentrating the filtrate under reduced pressure was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane=1/4) to obtain 506 mg of hydroxylamine compound.

[0172] The above hydroxylamine compound (480 mg) was dissolved in chloroform (10 ml), to the solution was added a solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran (1 equivalent) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography, and recrystallized from a chloroform-hexane mixed solvent to obtain 320 mg of the target compound.

[0173] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.85 (m, 6H), 3.00 (m, 2H), 6.77 (d, 4H), 7.22 (d, 4H), 8.98 (broad, 2H)

Example 29

[0174] Synthesis of Compound 49

[0175] Compounds 45 (200 mg) synthesized in Example 1 and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxyamidine nitrate (125 mg) were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (4 ml). To this solution was added triethylamine (1.5 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 120° C. by heating for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/methanol=95/5) to obtain 30 mg of the target compound.

[0176] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.72 (m, 4H), 3.13 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, 4H), 7.03 (d, 4H), 9.42 (s, 2H)

Example 30

[0177] Synthesis of Compound 52

[0178] In a 100 ml three-neck flask, thiohydroquinone (1.6 g) was dissolved in methanol (15 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere. To this solution was added an aqueous solution (0.7 ml) of sodium hydroxide (0.51 g), N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-2-chloropropion-amide (1.0 g) was further added, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 2 hours. To the reaction mixture was added ethyl acetate and diluted hydrochloric acid for separation. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane=3/2). The resulting oil was dissolved in methanol, water was added thereto, and then the precipitates produced were collected by filtration, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 1.2 g of the target compound.

[0179] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.32 (t, 2H), 2.86 (m, 6H), 3.32 (m, 4H), 6.70 (d, 6H), 7.22 (m, 6H), 9.60 (s, 3H)

Example 31

[0180] Synthesis of Compound 212

[0181] Compound 71 (0.51 g) synthesized in Example 14 and p-toluenesulfonic acid methyl ester (0.41 g) were stirred at 120° C. for 5 hours on an oil bath. To the reaction mixture was added ethyl acetate and acetone, the mixture was decanted, then to the residue was added a solution of potassium iodide (0.35 g) in acetone-methanol mixed solvent, and the mixture was subjected to suction filtration. The residue obtained by concentrating the filtrate under reduced pressure was purified by silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride/methanol=9/1-8/2), and the resulting oil was crystallized by treatment with diethyl ether. The crystals were collected by filtration, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 168 mg of the target compound.

[0182] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 1.00 (t, 3H), 2.97 (s, 3H), 3.0-3.5 (m, 10H), 6.80 (d, 4H), 7.32 (d, 4H), 9.80 (s, 2H)

Example 32

[0183] Syntheses of Compounds 220 to 223

[0184] The title compounds were synthesized by carrying out the esterification in the same manner as in Example 13.

Example 33

[0185] Syntheses of Compound 224 and Compound 225

[0186] To a solution of Compound 97 (1.0 g) synthesized in Example 8 in acetone (10 ml) were added maleic acid (0.31 g), and further ethyl acetate. The resulting precipitates were separated by filtration, washed with ethyl acetate, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 1.25 g of the target compound.

[0187] 1H-NMR (CD3OD) &dgr; (ppm) 2.95 (m, 4H), 3.07 (m, 4H), 3.63 (s, 2H), 6.28 (s, 2H), 6.76 (d, 4H), 7.27 (d, 4H)

[0188] In a similar manner, Compound 225 was obtained by using citric acid.

Example 34

[0189] Synthesis of Compound 226

[0190] Thiohydroquinone (5.05 g), 28% solution of sodium methoxide (8.2 g) in methanol, and methanol (30 ml) were mixed under water cooling. To the resulting solution was added a solution of 1,4-bis(5-bromopentanoyl)piperazine (8.8 g) in methanol (10 ml), and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 ml), and washed with saturated brine (×2). The precipitates produced were separated by filtration, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 9.00 g of the target compound.

[0191] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 1.30-1.60 (m, 12H), 2.27 (t, 4H), 2.74 (t, 4H), 3.25-3.46 (m, 8H), 6.72 (d, 4H), 7.18 (d, 4H), 9.53 (s, 2H)

Example 35

[0192] Synthesis of Compound 227

[0193] Thiohydroquinone (4.0 g) was dissolved in methanol (20 ml). To this solution was added a 28% solution of sodium methoxide (6.7 g) in methanol, the mixture was stirred, a solution of 1,4-bis(2-chloropropionyl)piperazine (3.8 g) in methanol (20 ml) was further added thereto, and the mixture was refluxed by heating for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted hydrochloric acid was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, and the resulting precipitates were separated by filtration, and washed with ethyl acetate. These crystals were dried under reduced pressure to obtain 6.0 g of the target compound.

[0194] 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) &dgr; (ppm) 2.60 (t, 4H), 2.96 (t, 4H), 3.28-3.56 (m, 8H), 6.76 (d, 4H), 7.23 (d, 4H), 9.62 (s, 2H)

Example 36

[0195] Synthesis of Compound 228

[0196] The title compound was synthesized in the same manner as in Example 35.

[0197] The results of mass spectroscopy (Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectroscopy, positive, p-Nitrobenzylalcohol) are described below. 5 TABLE 5 Compound No. Parent peak  45 322  48 338  49 364  50 392  51 422  52 502  53 350  54 364  57 481  58 495  59 365  71 350  72 364  73 360  74 362  75 376  77 361  78 393  79 421  80 449  81 378  82 408  83 407  84 368  85 404  86 447  87 396  88 408  89 418  90 402  91 413  92 428  93 428  94 428  95 380  97 379  98 412  99 413 100 413 101 463 102 366 103 380 105 430 106 430 107 463 108 461 109 421 110 435 111 433 113 378 114 426 116 427 118 400 124 435 125 433 191 485 192 517 193 464 194 436 195 443 196 402 197 468 198 424 199 410 200 436 201 396 202 407 203 447 204 485 205 453 206 463 207 423 208 467 209 490 210 462 211 457 212 364 213 463 214 484 215 484 216 484 217 494 218 483 219 497 220 524 221 767 222 521 223 721 224 379 225 379

Test Example 1: Test of Measurement of RNR Inhibitory Activity

[0198] (a) Preparation of R1 and R2 Subunits of Human RNR

[0199] Starting from a plasmid p3I containing cDNA coding for R1 subunit of human RNR protein (disclosed in Nucleic Asids Research, 19, p.3741, 1991), a DNA was obtained, in which was introduced an Nde I restriction site just before the translation initiation site of R1 subunit and a Bam HI restriction site just after the translation termination site in such a manner that the amino acid sequence of R1 subunit was completely unchanged. The preparation of DNA was carried out by methods of introducing mutations and DNA amplification based on the PCR utilizing synthetic DNA fragments according to the method described in the Molecular Cloning, 2nd Edition. The Nde I/Bam HI restriction fragment containing a region coding for the R1 subunit deriving from the DNA was inserted between the NdeI and Bam HI sites of plasmid pET3a (Novagen) to construct a plasmid pETR1. The plasmid was transformed in Eschelichia coli BL21(&lgr; DE3)plysS strain (Novagen) to construct a BL21(&lgr; DE3)plysSpETR1 strain also according to the method described in the Molecular Cloning, 2nd Edition.

[0200] Similarly, a DNA fragment was obtained, from a human cell strain HL60 cDNA library through the methods of introducing mutations and DNA amplification based on the PCR utilizing synthetic DNA fragments, which was introduced with an Nde I restriction site just before the translation initiation site of R2 subunit and a Bam HI restriction site just after the translation termination site in such a manner that the amino acid sequence of R2 subunit were completely unchanged. The Nde I/Bam HI restriction fragment containing the region coding for the R2 subunit deriving from the DNA was inserted between the NdeI and Bam HI sites of plasmid pET3a (Novagen) to construct a plasmid pETR2. This plasmid was transformed into Eschelichia coli BL21(&lgr; DE3)plysS strain (Novagen) also according to the method described in the Molecular Cloning, 2nd Edition to construct a BL21(&lgr; DE3)plysSpETR2 strain.

[0201] By using one loop, the BL21(&lgr; DE3) plysSpETR1 strain was inoculated to 40 ml of Terrific Broth (containing 100 &mgr;g/ml of ampicillin and 20 &mgr;g/ml of chloramphenicol and free from glycerol, described in Molecular Cloning, 2nd Edition) contained in a 300 ml Erlenmeyer flask, and cultured at 28° C. overnight with shaking. 30 ml of the culture broth was inoculated in 400 ml of the same culture broth contained in a 2 liter Erlenmeyer flask, and cultivation was carried out at 16° C. with shaking. Two hours after the start of the cultivation, IPTG was added to the broth to a final concentration of 0.1 mM, and then the cultivation was continued for 20 hours. Cells were collected from the culture broth by centrifugation at 7,000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C., and the cells collected were suspended in 20 ml of Buffer A [50 mM HEPES-NaOH (pH 7.6), 1 mM MgCl2, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM PMSF] cooled with ice. This suspension was sonicated to disrupt the cells, and then centrifuged at 12,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was collected, streptomycin sulfate was added thereto to a final concentration of 2% (W/V) and the mixture was maintained on ice for 20 minutes, and then centrifuged at 12,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was collected, an equal volume of 100% saturated aqueous ammonium sulfate was added thereto with stirring, and then the mixture was maintained on ice overnight. Precipitates were collected by centrifugation at 15,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. and dissolved in 2 ml of Buffer A, and then the solution was subjected to desalting and buffer substitution with Buffer A by using PD-10 (Pharmacia Biotech) in a conventional manner.

[0202] For all of the subsequent separation and purification steps, FPLC System (Pharmacia Biotech) was used. The desalted fraction was applied to Q-Sepharose FF (Pharmacia Biotech), and separation was carried out under the following conditions: flow rate: 5.0 ml/minute, separation time: 50 minutes, eluent: 0 M to 0.5 M KCl linear gradient in 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The fractions eluted from 10 minutes to 20 minutes were collected and ammonium sulfate was added thereto to a final concentration of 0.5 M. The fractions were applied to Phenyl Sepharose HP (Pharmacia Biotech) and eluted at a flow rate, of 3.0 ml/minute with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.5 M ammonium sulfate for 15 minutes, with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) for 15 minutes, and then with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.3% Tween 20 for 15 minutes. The fractions eluted in the last 15 minutes were collected and applied to Resource Q 1 ml (Pharmacia Biotech), washed with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), and eluted at a flow rate of 1 ml/minute with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.3 M KCl for 10 minutes. The fractions eluted in the first 3 minutes were collected, and subjected to desalting and buffer substitution with Buffer A by using PD-10 to obtain a purified R1 preparation.

[0203] By using one loop, the BL21(&lgr; DE3) plysSpETR2 strain was inoculated to 40 ml of Terrific Broth (containing 100 &mgr;g/ml of ampicillin and 20 &mgr;g/ml of chloramphenicol and free from glycerol, described in Molecular Cloning, 2nd Edition) in a 300 ml Erlenmeyer flask, and cultured at 28° C. overnight with shaking. 30 ml of the culture broth was inoculated to 400 ml of the same culture broth in a 2 liter Erlenmeyer flask, and then the cultivation was carried out at 28° C. with shaking. When O.D. (600 nm) reached around 0.8, IPTG was added to the broth to a final concentration of 1 mM, and the cultivation was continued for 6 hours. Cells were collected from the culture broth by centrifugation at 7,000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C., and the cells obtained were suspended in 20 ml of Buffer A cooled with ice. This suspension was sonicated to disrupt the cells, and then centrifuged at 12,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was collected, streptomycin sulfate was added thereto to a final concentration of 2% (W/V), and the mixture was maintained on ice for 20 minutes, and then centrifuged at 12,000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was collected, an equal volume of 100% saturated aqueous ammonium sulfate was added thereto with stirring, and then the mixture was maintained on ice overnight. Precipitates were collected by centrifugation at 15,000× for 20 minutes at 4° C. and dissolved in 2 ml of Buffer A, and then the solution was subjected to desalting and buffer substitution with Buffer A by using PD-10 (Pharmacia Biotech) in a conventional manner.

[0204] For all of the subsequent separation and purification steps, FPLC System (Pharmacia Biotech) was used. The desalted fraction was applied to Q-Sepharose FF (Pharmacia Biotech), and separation was carried out under the following conditions: flow rate: 5.0 ml/minute, separation time: 50 minutes, eluent: 0 M to 0.5 M KCl linear gradient in 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The fractions eluted from 10 minutes to 25 minutes were collected, ammonium sulfate was added thereto to a final concentration of 0.5 M, and the mixture was applied to Resource ETH. The fractions were eluted at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/minute with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.5 M ammonium sulfate for 15 minutes, with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) for 15 minutes, and then with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.3% Tween 20 for 15 minutes. The fractions eluted in the last 15 minutes were collected and applied to Resource Q 1 ml (Pharmacia Biotech), and then washed with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0)/0.5 M ammonium sulfate at a flow rate of 1 ml/minute for 10 minutes. The fractions were eluted with 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer for 10 minutes. The fractions eluted in the first 3 minutes were collected, and subjected to desalting and buffer substitution with Buffer A by using PD-10 to obtain a purified R2 preparation.

[0205] (b) In vitro Measurement of Human RNR Inhibitory Activity

[0206] By using the above-obtained human RNR subunits, inhibitory activity on the human RNR was tested in vitro. The composition of the reaction mixture is as follows:

[0207] 50 mM HEPES-NaOH (pH 7.6)

[0208] 5 mM MgCl2

[0209] 10 mM Dithiothreitol

[0210] 100 &mgr;M CDP

[0211] 1 mM ATP

[0212] 40 ng/ml Purified human RNR R1 subunit, and

[0213] 40 ng/ml Purified human RNR R2 subunit.

[0214] The above reaction mixture (25 &mgr;l) containing a test compound at an appropriate final concentration was prepared, and the conversion from CDP to dCDP by RNR was carried out at 37° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was subjected to a heat treatment at 95° C. for 5 minutes, and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 5 minutes at 4° C. 20 &mgr;l of the supernatant was collected and 5 &mgr;l of 25 mg/ml snake venom (Sigma) was added thereto. Dephosphorylation reaction was carried out at 37° C. for 60 minutes to allow complete conversion of CDP, ATP and dCDP as the reaction product present in the reaction mixture into CR, AR and CdR, respectively. The reaction mixture was subjected to a heat treatment at 95° C. for 5 minutes, and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 5 minutes at 4° C. 180 &mgr;l of acetonitrile was added to 20 &mgr;l of the supernatant, and the mixture was centrifuged again at 10,000×g for 5 minutes at 4° C., and the resulting supernatant was used as a sample for analysis. The analysis was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. Analytical conditions are as follows:

[0215] Column: Licrospher NH2 (Merck)

[0216] Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min

[0217] Detection: 270 nm, and

[0218] Eluent: acetonitrile/water (90:10, V/V).

[0219] CdR in the analyzed sample was identified and its concentration was determined by comparison with elution time and peak area with those of CdR at known concentration. A concentration of a test compound which inhibited the RNR activity by 50% under the aforementioned conditions was calculated by comparing a CdR concentration in a sample, obtained from the reaction without drug treatment, with a CdR concentration in a sample obtained from the reaction wherein the test compound at a known concentration was added, and the value obtained was determined as IC50.

Test Example 2: Test for Growth Inhibition of Hela S3 Cells

[0220] HeLa S3 cells prepared at 1×104 cells/ml in MEM culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 2 mM glutamine were added to each well of a 96-well microtiter plate (0.1 ml for each well). The cells were cultured at 37° C. in a CO2 incubator for 24 hours, and then 0.05 ml of test compound appropriately diluted with the above medium was added to each well, and then the mixture was cultured at 37° C. in a CO2 incubator for 72 hours. After the culture supernatant was removed, each well was washed with 0.1 ml of PBS buffer twice, and 0.1 ml of the aforementioned medium was added to each well again.

[0221] Cell Proliferation Kit II (Boehringer Mennheim) was used for measurement of cell number in each well. After a coloring reaction reagent was added, the plate was warmed to 37° C. in a CO2 incubator for 3 hours. Then, absorbances at 490 nm and 655 nm were measured by a microplate reader, and a value (difference of absorbance) was calculated for each well by subtracting the absorbance at 650 nm from the absorbance at 490 nm. By comparing the differences of absorbance for cells without treatment and cells treated with a test compound at a known concentration, a concentration of test compound which inhibited the cell growth by 50% was calculated, and the value obtained was determined as IC50. The values of RNR inhibitory activity obtained in Example 8, and the values of cell growth inhibitory activity obtained in Example 9 are shown in the following tables (the compound numbers used in the tables correspond to the compound numbers shown in the aforementioned tables). 6 TABLE 6 RNR Inhibition Cell growth inhibition Compound No. (IC50, &mgr;M) (IC50, &mgr;M)  1 4.26 5.15  7 4.82 >101  8 4.38 6.50  27 0.50 1.53  45 3.64 5.64  48 1.73 5.16  49 5.45 16.04  50 3.97 3.81  52 4.38 6.50  53 1.05 1.71  54 0.48 4.63  55 6.87 7.78  57 0.73 14.44  58 4.76 18.59  59 5.73 5.81  60 2.75 7.67  61 3.77 13.40  71 1.23 3.94  72 1.19 2.18  73 0.60 1.61  74 0.82 2.00  75 1.66 3.56  77 0.06 2.38  78 0.31 1.61  79 1.37 3.06  80 0.74 1.43  81 0.29 1.23  82 1.42 1.30  83 2.95 5.17  84 2.74 11.99  85 0.61 2.50  86 3.14 3.78  87 1.01 2.57  88 1.79 3.22  89 1.46 4.66  90 2.03 6.38  91 1.69 2.72  92 0.89 2.14  93 0.63 9.04  94 0.46 4.00  95 0.88 3.56  97 0.17 0.88  98 3.36 14.97  99 2.79 5.80 100 1.58 4.97 101 5.05 12.88 102 0.69 1.42 103 2.11 1.74 104 2.11 1.74 105 3.99 9.07 106 4.64 6.77 107 4.20 24.86 108 0.64 2.64 109 2.36 38.89 111 1.85 11.39 113 4.77 3.80 114 3.44 2.74 115 4.14 6.14 116 4.13 3.02 117 1.69 2.72 118 6.87 7.78 124 0.09 3.68 125 0.91 4.55 131 6.59 127.70 132 3.50 45.55 133 2.27 14.51 134 0.68 2.05 135 0.43 6.02 136 0.69 9.14 137 0.87 5.45 138 2.29 18.28 152 5.14 17.96 156 2.27 5.45 158 1.42 12.72 159 0.69 6.89 160 0.95 20.09 161 1.13 34.19 162 1.70 3.70 163 2.10 5.17 165 3.98 50.14 166 3.09 31.25 171 8.01 30.03 172 2.64 19.48 173 3.63 12.93 183 0.42 10.42 184 0.30 2.46 186 11.93 56.03 190 1.38 16.86 191 1.36 4.78 192 2.85 4.51 193 N.T. 0.36 194 0.84 11.71 195 0.55 3.16 196 1.52 7.08 197 3.24 4.06 198 4.86 4.85 199 3.99 5.14 200 4.20 4.13 201 2.49 4.29 202 1.87 42.64 203 3.18 3.45 204 1.50 3.38 205 1.19 7.32 206 1.13 3.31 207 0.87 1.71 208 3.46 5.93 209 2.67 3.09 210 5.91 2.82 211 3.24 3.04 213 2.06 179.95 214 2.69 7.73 215 3.68 12.72 216 3.63 11.54 218 4.97 23.18 219 3.51 25.20 220 5.20 0.29 222 0.43 0.36 224 0.42 0.40 225 0.63 0.55 N.T.: Not tested.

Test Example 3: Antineoplastic Effect Against Human Ovary Cancer A2780 Cells

[0222] 2 mm cubes (tumor fragments of 8 mm3) of human ovary cancer A2780 cells were subcutaneously transplanted to nude mice BALB/cAJcl-nu (CLEA JAPAN) in the abdomens. When the tumor volume reached to from 50 to 300 mm3 after the transplantation, the mice were arbitrarily divided into groups each consisting of 5 mice, and intraperitoneally administered with a drug solution once a day for 5 days. After weighing compounds, the drug solution was prepared before use by dissolving the drug in 99.5% ethanol (final concentration: 5%, analytical grade, Kanto Kagaku) or N,N-methylacetamide (final concentration: 5%, analytical grade, Kanto Kagaku), adding CREMOPHOR EL (a derivative of caster oil and ethylene oxide, final concentration: 10%, Sigma Chemical) to the solution, and suspending the solution in physiological saline (Otsuka Physiological Saline for Injection, Otsuka Pharmaceutical). For evaluation of the effect, a tumor volume was calculated in accordance with Equation 1, a ratio of tumor volume (V) after the administration of drug solution to tumor volume (V0) before the administration of drug solution was calculated (V/V0), and the ratio was compared with that for the untreated group to determine T/C (Equation 2). The results are shown in the table set out below. In the table, administration dose, T/C and evaluation day are shown.

Tumor volume (mm3)=Length (mm)×Width (mm)×Width (mm)×½  Equation 1:

T/C=(V/V0 for drug-administered group)/(V/V0 for untreated group)   Equation 2:

[0223] 7 TABLE 7 Compound Dose Antitumor Evaluation No. mg/kg/day activity T/C day*  27 500 0.46 7  48 500 0.54 7  72 500 0.50 4  77 500 0.54 4  78 500 0.53 4  79 500 0.40 4  91 500 0.48 4  94 500 0.53 7  97 500 0.43 7 102 500 0.47 7 103 500 0.50 4 193 250 0.46 4 209 500 0.50 7 211 500 0.37 9 177 500 0.54 4 227 500 0.53 7 *Days after the first administration of test compound

Test Example 4: Antineoplastic Effect Against Human Lung Cancer Lu-65 Cells

[0224] 2 mm cubes (tumor fragments of 8 mm3) of human lung cancer Lu-65 cells were subcutaneously transplanted to nude mice BALB/cAJcl-nu (CLEA JAPAN) on their abdomens. When the tumor volume reached to from 50 to 300 mm3 after the transplantation, the mice were arbitrarily divided into groups each consisting of 5 mice, and intraperitoneally administered with a drug solution twice a day for 5 days. After weighing compounds, the drug solution was prepared before use by dissolving the drug in 99.5% ethanol (final concentration: 5%, analytical grade, Kanto Kagaku), adding CREMOPHOR EL (a derivative of caster oil and ethylene oxide, final concentration: 10%, Sigma Chemical) to the solution, and suspending the solution in physiological saline (Otsuka Physiological Saline for Injection, Otsuka Pharmaceutical). For evaluation of the effect, a tumor volume was calculated in accordance with Equation 1, a ratio of tumor volume (V) after the administration of drug solution to tumor volume (V0) before the administration of drug solution was calculated (V/V0), and the ratio was compared with that for the untreated group to determine T/C (Equation 2). The results are shown in the table set out below.

Tumor volume (mm3)=Length (mm)×Width (mm)×Width (mm)×½  Equation 1:

T/C=(V/V0 for drug-administered group)/(V/V0 for untreated group)   Equation 2:

[0225] 8 TABLE 8 Compound Dose Antitumor Evaluation No. mg/kg/day activity T/C day* 27 1000 (500 × 2) 0.25 7 *Days after the first administration of test compound

[0226] Industrial Availability

[0227] The compounds of the aforementioned formula (I) or (II), which are the active ingredient of the medicament of the present invention, can inhibit ribonucleotide reductase, and selectively inhibit proliferation of cancer cells. Therefore, the medicament of the present invention is useful, for example, as an agent for cancer treatment. The novel compounds represented by the aforementioned formula (XII) provided by the present invention are useful as active ingredients of medicaments such as medicaments for cancer treatment.

Claims

1. A medicament for treatment of cancer comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof:

Ar1—S—R1—S—Ar2

wherein R1 represents a nonmetal bridging group; Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said aryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring; and a heteroaryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring.

2. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 1 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented by the general formula (II):

—R2—N(R4)—R3—  (II)

wherein R2 and R3 independently represent a divalent group; R4 represents a monovalent group; and R4 may bind to R2 or R3 to form a cyclic structure which may further bind to one or two C1-4 alkylene groups to form a divalent group.

3. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 1 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented by the general formula (III):

—R5—X1—R6—  (III)

wherein R5 and R6 independently represent a single bond or a divalent group not containing a nitrogen atom; X1 represents an oxygen atom, S(O)k wherein k represents an integer of from 0 to 2, or [(R9X2)m(R10X3)n(R11X4)p]q wherein R9, R10 and R11 independently represent a single bond or a divalent group not containing a nitrogen atom, and any groups selected from R5, R6, R9, R10 and R11 may bind together to form a cyclic structure, X2, X3 and X4 independently represent an oxygen atom, S(O)r wherein r represents an integer of from 0 to 2, or a single bond, and m, n, p and q independently represent an integer of from 1 to 3.

4. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 1 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is 2,6-pyridinediyldimethyl group wherein the pyridinediyldimethyl group may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom on its ring.

5. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 2 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same divalent groups; and R4 is a C1-4 alkyl group which may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

6. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 2 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same divalent groups; R4 is represented by COR26 wherein R25 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, an aralkyl group, or NR26R27 wherein R26 and R27 each represent hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aralkyl group, and said alkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, heterocyclic group, and aralkyl group including those for R26 and R27 may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

7. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 1 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is represented by R1A—R1BCO—R1C—R1D—R1C—COR1B—R1A wherein R1A represents a C1-4 lower alkylene group; R1B represents NH or methylene group; R1C represents a single bond or methylene group; R1D represents a divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or heterocyclic group, and said bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or heterocyclic group may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

8. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent the aryl group.

9. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 8 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein both of Ar1 and Ar2 are 4-hydroxyphenyl groups.

10. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 8 or claim 9 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same groups, and the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R2 and R3 are from 1 to 10.

11. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 10 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same groups, and the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R2 and R3 are from 1 to 4.

12. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to claim 10 or claim 11 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 and R3 are the same linear or branched divalent groups which may contain one to three oxygen atoms.

13. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising a compound or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the total number of carbon atoms is 35 or less.

14. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is in the form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient together with one or more pharmaceutical additives.

15. Use of the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a salt thereof for the manufacture of the medicament for treatment of cancer according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor which comprises the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a salt thereof.

17. The medicament for treatment of cancer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is used for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease caused by over-expression of ribonucleotide reductase.

18. A selective cancer cell proliferation inhibitor which comprises the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a salt thereof.

19. A method for treatment of a cancer which comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a salt thereof to a patient.

20. A compound represented by the general formula (XII) or a salt thereof:

Ar23—S—R22—N(R24)—R23—S—Ar24

wherein R22 and R23 independently represent a divalent group; R24 represents a monovalent group or a monovalent atom; R24 may bind to R22 and/or R23 to form a cyclic structure, which may further bind to one or two C1-4 alkylene groups to form a divalent group; Ar23 and Ar24 independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said aryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring, and a heteroaryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring, provided that R22—N(R24)—R23 except for the part of R24 does not contain an amide bond when R22 and R23 do not form a ring, and provided that when Ar23 and Ar24 is independently a phenyl group having one hydroxyl group on the ring, not all of said phenyl groups have a tertiary alkyl group at a position on the ring adjacent to the hydroxyl group.

21. The compound or the salt thereof according to claim 20, wherein two or three groups selected from the group consisting of R22, R23 and R24 form a ring.

22. The compound or the salt thereof, wherein R22 and R23 are the same divalent groups; and R24 is a C1-4 alkyl group which may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

23. The compound or the salt thereof, wherein R22 and R23 are the same divalent groups; R24 is represented by COR125 wherein R126 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, an aralkyl group, or NR126R127 wherein R126 and R127 each represent hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aralkyl group, and said alkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, heterocyclic group, and aralkyl group including those for R126 and R127 may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

24. The compound or the salt thereof, wherein R22—N(R24)—R23 is represented by R101A—R101BCO—R101C—R101D—R101C—COR101B—R101A wherein R101A represents a C1-4 lower alkylene group; R101B represents NH or methylene group; R101C represents a single bond or methylene group; R101D represents a divalent bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or heterocyclic group, and said bridging cyclic hydrocarbon group, monocyclic hydrocarbon group, or heterocyclic group may have one to three substituents other than hydrogen atom.

25. The compound or the salt thereof according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein Ar23 and Ar24 independently represent an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said aryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring.

26. The compound or the salt thereof according to claim 25, wherein both of Ar23 and Ar24 are 4-hydroxyphenyl groups.

27. The compound or the salt thereof according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein R22 and R23 are the same groups, and the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R22 and R23 are from 1 to 10.

28. The compound or the salt thereof according to claim 27, wherein R22 and R23 are the same groups, and the minimum number of bridge-forming atoms of R22 and R23 are from 1 to 4.

29. The compound or the salt thereof according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein R22 and R23 independently represent methylene group, ethylene group, propylene group or butylene group.

30. The compound or the salt thereof according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein R22 and R23 are the same groups, and represent methylene group, ethylene group, propylene group or butylene group.

31. The compound or the salt thereof according to any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the total number of carbon atoms is 35 or less.