Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-heteroaryloxy-4-phenyl-2(5H)-furanones as selective COX-2 inhibitors
A series of 3-heteroaryloxy-4-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanones were prepared and evaluated for their potency and selectivity as COX-2 inhibitors. This led to the identification of L-778,736 as a potent, orally active and selective inhibitor of the COX-2 enzyme.