| abstract |
Described herein are compounds that are useful as caspase inhibitors having the formula (I):wherein Ring A is an optionally substituted piperidine, tetrahydorquinoline or tetrahydroisoquinoline ring; R1 is hydrogen, CN, CHN2, R, or CH2Y; R is an optionally substituted group selected from an aliphatic group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; Y is an electronegative leaving group; R?2 is CO2H, CH2CO2¿H, or esters, amides or isosteres thereof; and R3 is hydrogen, an optionally substituted aryl group, and optionally substituted aralkyl group, or an optionally substituted C¿1-6? aliphatic group, R?4¿ is an optionally substituted group selected from an aryl group or a heterocycle group, or R?3 and R4¿ taken toegether with the nitrogen to which they are attached optionally form a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic ring. |