Lead discovery of α,β-Unsaturated sulfones from a combinatorial library as inhibitors of inducible VCAM-1 expression

α,β-Unsaturated sulfones have been discovered from a combinatorial library as leads for a new series of inhibitors of inducible VCAM-1 expression. Although not essential, further conjugation of the sulfonyl group to another vinyl group or a phenyl group increases the potency dramatically.