Structure–activity relationship studies of novel 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-2-pyridinones as potent and orally bioavailable EP₃ receptor antagonists

Multiple regions of the 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-pyridinone series identified via high throughput screening were explored. SAR studies of these regions including the left-hand side oxazolidinedione moiety, α-substituent on the oxazolidinedione ring, central pyridinone core, and substituents on the central pyridinone core led to the discovery of potent EP₃ receptor antagonists such as compound 29 which possesses outstanding rat pharmacokinetic properties. Synthesis and SAR of these novel compounds and DMPK properties of representative compounds are discussed.