Claims for Patent: 5,691,374

Summary for Patent: 5,691,374

Title:	Diaryl-5-oxygenated-2-(5H) -furanones as COX-2 inhibitors
Abstract:	The invention encompasses the novel compound of Formula I as well as a method of treating cyclooxygenase-2 mediated diseases comprising administration to a patient in need of such treatment of a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I. ##STR1## The invention also encompasses certain pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated diseases comprising compounds of Formula I.
Inventor(s):	Black; Cameron (Point Claire, CA), Grimm; Erich (Baie D'Urfe, CA), Wang; Zhaoyin (Pierrefonds, CA), Leger; Serge (Dollard des Ormeaux, CA)
Assignee:	Merck Frosst Canada Inc. (Kirkland, CA)
Application Number:	08/443,620
Patent Claims:	1. A compound of formula Ib ##STR40## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O).sub.2 NH.sub.2, (c) S(O).sub.2 NHC(O)CF.sub.3, (d) S(O)(NH)NH.sub.2, (e) S(O)(NH)NHC(O)CF.sub.3, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, (b) mono- or di- substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (4) CN, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --CO.sub.2 H, (9) --CO.sub.2 -C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (10) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, (11) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (c) unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl or naphthyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (4) CN, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --CO.sub.2 H, (9) --CO.sub.2 -C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (10) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, (11) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and (12) --C.sub.1-4 alkyl-CO.sub.2 -R.sup.5 ; (13) --O--(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)-CO.sub.2 R.sup.5, (d) unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl is a monocyclic aromatic ring of 5 atoms, said ring having one hetero atom which is S, O, or N, and optionally 1, 2, or 3 additional N atoms; or the heteroaryl is a monocyclic ring of 6 atoms, said ring having one hetero atom which is N, and optionally 1, 2 or 3 additional N atoms, said substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; (e) an unsubstituted or a mono- or di-substituted benzoheterocycle in which the heterocycle is a 5, 6, or 7-membered ring which may contain 1 or 2 heteroatoms chosen independently from O, S, or N and which may contain a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group; the said substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; (f) a heterocycloalkyl group of 5, 6 or 7 members which contains 1 or 2 heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N and optionally contains a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group (g) an unsubstituted or a mono- or di-substituted benzocarbocycle in which the carbocycle is a 5, 6, or 7-membered ring which optionally contains a carbonyl group, the said substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted benzyl, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted heteroarylmethyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8)--C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (i) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (j) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (b) phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3, (c) benzyl or monosubstituted benzyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O).sub.2 NH.sub.2, (c) S(O)hd 2NHC(O)CF.sub.3, (d) S(O)(NH)NH.sub.2, (e) S(O)(NH)NHC(O)CF.sub.3, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, (b) unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl or naphthyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (4) CN, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --CO.sub.2 H, (9) --CO.sub.2 -C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (10) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, (11) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and (12) --C.sub.1-4 alkyl-CO.sub.2 -R.sup.5 : (13) --O-(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)-CO.sub.2 R.sup.5 ; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted benzyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8)--C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6 -O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e)--SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (i) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (j) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (b) phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3, (c) benzyl or monosubstituted benzyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.14 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O)hd 2NH.sub.2, (c) S(O).sub.2 NHC(O)CF.sub.3, (d) S(O)(NH)NH.sub.2, (e) S(O)(NH)NHC(O)CF.sub.3 ; R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (4) CN, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --CO.sub.2 H, (9) --CO.sub.2 -C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (10) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, (11) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) N.sub.3, (7) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (i) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (j) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, () phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O).sub.2 NH.sub.2, (c) S(O).sub.2 NHC(O)CF.sub.3, (d) S(O)(NH)NH.sub.2, (e) S(O)(NH)NHC(O)CF.sub.3, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of (a) mono- or di-substituted heteroaryl selected from the group consisting of (1) furanyl, (2) diazinyl, triazinyl and tetrazinyl, (3) imidazolyl, (4) isooxazolyl, (5) isothiazolyl, (6) oxadiazolyl, (7) oxazolyl, (8) pyrazolyl, (9) pyrrolyl, (10) thiadiazolyl, (11) thiazolyl, (12) thienyl, (13) triazolyl, and (14) tetrazolyl, wherein said substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrogen, (2) fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo, (3) C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (4) C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, (5) C.sub.1-6 alkylthio, (6) CN, (7) CF.sub.3, (8) N.sub.3, (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (10) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl; (b) a mono- or di-substituted benzoheterocycle, benzocarbocycle or heterocycloalkyl selected from the group consisting of (1) 2-indolyl, (2) 3-indolyl, (3) 1-methyl-5-indolyl (4) 2-benzofuranyl, (5) 3-benzofuranyl, (6) 5-benzofuranyl, (7) 6-benzofuranyl, (8) 2-benzothienyl, (9) 3-benzothienyl, (10) 5-benzothienyl, (11) 6-benzothienyl, ##STR41## which the substituents comprise R.sub.a and R.sub.b and said substituents are selected from halo, --OH, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio, and C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-6 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted benzyl, unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted heteroarylmethyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) N.sub.3, (8) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, and (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-10 alkyl; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (i) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (j) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (b) phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3, (c) benzyl or monosubstituted benzyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 5. A compound according to claim 3 of formula Ib ##STR42## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O)hd 2NH.sub.2, (c) S(O)hd 2NHC(O)CF.sub.3, (d) S(O)(NH)NH.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (3) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (4) CN, (5) CF.sub.3, (6) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (7) N.sub.3, (8)--C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (i) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (j) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (b) phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 6. A compound according to claim 5 of formula Ib ##STR43## wherein: R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3, (b) S(O).sub.2 NH.sub.2, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of (1) halo, (2) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (3) CF.sub.3, (4) C.sub.1-3 amyl, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-3 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SCOR.sup.7, (f) OCONR.sup.7.sub.2, and (g) SCONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-3 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is C.sub.1-3 alkyl. 7. A compound according to claim 4 of formula Ib ##STR44## wherein R.sup.2 is a mono or di substituted heteroaryl wherein heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of (1) furanyl, (2) diazinyl, triazinyl, tetrazinyl, (3) imidazolyl, (4) isooxazolyl, (5) isothiazolyl, (6) oxadiazolyl, (7) oxazolyl, (8) pyrazolyl, (9) pyrrolyl, (10) thiadiazolyl, (11) thiazolyl, (12) thienyl, (13) triazolyl, and (14) tetrazolyl, wherein the substitutents are selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrogen, (2) fluoro or chloro, (3) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-6 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) CF.sub.3, (7) C.sub.1-3 alkyl, (8) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH; (9) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-O-C.sub.1-4 alkyl. 8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein R.sup.2 is a mono or di substituted heteroaryl wherein heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of (1) 2-furanyl, (2) 3-furanyl, (3) 2-thienyl, (4) 3-thienyl, (5) 3-isoxazolyl, (6) 4-isoxazolyl, (7) 5-isoxazolyl, (8) 3-isothiazolyl, (9) 4-isothiazolyl, (10) 5-isothiazolyl, (11) 2-oxazolyl, (12) 4-oxazolyl, (13) 5-oxazolyl, (14) 2-thiazolyl, (15) 4-thiazolyl, (16) 5-thiazolyl, (17) 1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl, (18) 1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl, (19) 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl, (20) 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, (21) 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, (22) 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, (23) 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4-yl, (24) 1,2,3-oxadiazol-5-yl, (25) 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, (26) 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, (27) 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, (28) 1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl, (29) pyrazol-4-yl, (30) pyrazol-5-yl, (31) 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl, (32) 1,2,3-triazol-5-yl, (33) 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl, (34) 1,2,4-triazol-5-yl, (35) 1,2-diazinyl, (36) 1,3-diazinyl, (37) 1,4-diazinyl, (38) 1,2,3,4-tetrazin-5-yl, (39) 1,2,4,5-tetrazin-4-yl, (40) 1,3,4,5-tetrazin-2-yl, and (41) 1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4-yl. 9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein R.sup.2 is a mono or di substituted heteroaryl wherein heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of (1) 3-isoxazolyl, (2) 4-isoxazolyl, (3) 5-isoxazolyl, (4) 3-isothiazolyl, (5) 4-isothiazolyl, (6) 5-isothiazolyl, (7) 2-oxazolyl, (8) 4-oxazolyl, (9) 5-oxazolyl, (10) 2-thiazolyl, (11) 4-thiazolyl, (12) 5-thiazolyl, (13) 1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl, (14) 1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl, (15) 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl, (16) 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, (17) 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, (18) 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, (19) 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4-yl, (20) 1,2,3-oxadiazol-5-yl, (21) 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, (22) 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, (23) 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, (24) 1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl, (25) 1,2-diazinyl, (26) 1,3-diazinyl, and (27) 1,4-diazinyl. 10. A compound according to claim 9 wherein the heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of (1) 3-isothiazolyl, (2) 4-isothiazolyl, (3) 5-isothiazolyl, (4) 2-oxazolyl, (5) 4-oxazolyl, (6) 5-oxazolyl, (7) 2-thiazolyl, (8) 4-thiazolyl, (9) 5-thiazolyl, (10) 1,2-diazinyl, (11) 1,3-diazinyl, and (12) 1,4-diazinyl, and wherein the substitutents are selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrogen, (2) fluoro or chloro, (3) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-3 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and (7) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, CN, CH.sub.2 CN, or C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SH, (f) --SCOR.sup.7, (g) --OCO.sub.2 R.sup.8, (h) --SCO.sub.2 R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.1-4 alkyl, (b) phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl wherein the substituents may be halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, CN, or CF.sub.3. 11. A compound according to claim 10 wherein the hetreoaryl is selected from the group consisting of (1) 3-isothiazolyl, (2) 4-isothiazolyl, (3) 5-isothiazolyl, (4) 2-oxazolyl, (5) 4-oxazolyl, (6) 5-oxazolyl, (7) 2-thiazolyl, (8) 4-thiazolyl, (9) 5-thiazolyl, (10) 1,2-diazinyl, (11) 1,3-diazinyl, and (12) 1,4-diazinyl, and wherein the substitutents are selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrogen, (2) fluoro or chloro, (3) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (4) C.sub.1-3 alkylthio, (5) CN, (6) C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and (7) --C(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)-OH, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-3 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.7, C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, F, CONR.sup.7.sub.2 ; R.sup.4 is (a) C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, (b) C.sub.1-3 alkylthio, (c) --OH, (d) --OCOR.sup.7, (e) --SCOR.sup.7 ; each R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) C.sub.1-3 alkyl, each R.sup.7 is independently selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen and (b) R.sup.8 ; each R.sup.8 is C.sub.1-3 alkyl. 12. A compound selected from the group consisting of (1) 5-Hydroxy-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(SH)-furanone, (2) 5-Hydroxy-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furan one, (3) 5-Hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone, (4) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)- furanone, (5) 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -2- (5H)-furanone, (6) 3-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -2- (5H) -furanone, (7) 3-(3-Fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2- (5H)-furanone, (8) 3-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl) -2- (5H)-furanone, (9) 5-Methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone, (10) 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)- furanone, (11) 3-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl) -2- (5H) -furanone, (12) 3-(3-Fluorophenyl)-5-methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)- furanone, (13) 3-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-( 5H)-furanone, (14) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-methoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone, (15) 5-Ethoxy-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-( 5H)-furanone, (16) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-5-propoxy-2-(SH)- furanone, (18) 5-Methyl- 5 -methylthio-4-(4- (17) 3 -(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4- (4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone, (18) 5-Methyl-5-methylthio-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3 -phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone, (19) 5-Ethylthio-5-methyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(SH)-furanone (20) 5-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2- (5H)-furanone, (21) 5-Ethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-( 5H)-furanone, (22) Acetic acid, 3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-5-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl ester, and (23) 5-Hydroxy-5-methyl-4-((4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)-2-(5H)-fura none. 13. A compound selected from the group consisting of 5-Hydroxy-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone, 5-Hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone, and 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H) -furanone. 14. A pharmaceutical composition for treating an inflammatory disease susceptable to treatment with an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent comprising: a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 15. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cyclooxygenase mediated diseases advantageously treated by an active agent that selectively inhibits COX-2 in preference to COX-1 comprising: a non-toxic therapeutically effective mount of a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 16. A method of treating an inflammatory disease susceptable to treatment with an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent comprising: administration to a patient in need of such treatment of a non-toxic therapeutically effective mount of a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 17. A method of treating cyclooxygenase mediated diseases advantageously treated by an active agent that selectively inhibits COX-2 in preference to COX-1 comprising: administration to a patient in need of such treatment of a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1. 18. A method of treating inflammation in a patient for which non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be contra-indicated comprising: administration to a patient in need of such treatment of a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.