Novel 2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent and specific COX-2 inhibitors Original Research Article

New series of 2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl) and 2-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity of these compounds was determined using purified enzyme (PE) and human whole blood (HWB) assays. Extensive structure–activity relationship (SAR) work was carried out within these series, and a wide number of potent and specific COX-2 inhibitors were identified (HWB COX-2 IC50 = 2.4–0.3 nM and 80- to 780-fold more selective than rofecoxib).