Nonpeptide Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists:  Synthesis, Biological Activities, and Structure−Activity Relationships of Imidazole-5-carboxylic Acids Bearing Alkyl, Alkenyl, and Hydroxyalkyl Substituents at the 4-Position and Their Related Compounds

A series of imidazole-5-carboxylic acids bearing alkyl, alkenyl, and hydroxyalkyl substituents at the 4-position and their related compounds were prepared and evaluated for their antagonistic activities to the angiotensin II (AII) receptor. Among them, the 4-(1-hydroxyalkyl)imidazole derivatives had strong binding affinity to the AII receptor and potently inhibited the AII-induced pressor response by intravenous administration. Various esters of these acids showed potent and long-lasting antagonistic activity by oral administration. The most promising compounds were (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (CS-866) and (pivaloyloxy)methyl esters of 4-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-propyl-1-[(2‘-1H-tetrazol-5-ylbiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (26c). A study involving stereochemical comparison of 26c with the acetylated C-terminal pentapeptide of AII was also undertaken.