Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors

Abstract

A range is disclosed of pyrimidine derivatives (I) which can act as inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases (CDK's) and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in treatment of tumours or other cell proliferation disorders. The compounds of this invention bind to CDK molecules in a manner that appears to differ from that of known CDK inhibitors such as olomoucine and roscovitine. In formula (I), X is O, S or CHR where R is H or C alkyl; D is H or NZ Z where Z and Z are each independently H, C alkyl, C hydroxyalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted aralkyl; A is selected from H, C alkyl, C alkoxy, hydroxy, CH (CH ) OH (n=1-4), and NR R where R and R are each independently H or C alkyl; Y is or includes an optionally substituted 4- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; D′ is H or NZ Z where Z and Z are each independently H, C alkyl, C hydroxyalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally-substituted aralkyl; E is selected from NO, NO , N═N—Ar where Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted aralkyl, NR R or Nr Nr R (R , R and R each being independently H, C alkyl, C hydroxyalkyl, an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted aralkyl), C(R )═U (R being hydrogen, C alkyl or substituted alkyl, e.g. hydroxyalkyl, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or aralkyl, e.g. benzyl, and U being selected from O, Nr ′, NOR ′ and N—NR ′R ″ where R ′ and R ″ are each independently H, C alkyl or CONH ), T, CH T, CHT and CT , where T is a halide I, Br, Cl or F.