A series of heteroaryl modified 1, 2-diarylimidazoles has been synthesized and found to be potent and highly selective (1000-9000-fold) inhibitors of the human COX-2. 3-Pyridyl derived COX-2 selective inhibitor (25) exhibited excellent activity in acute (carrageenan induced paw edema, ED50= 5.4 mg/kg) and chronic (adjuvant induced arthritis, ED50= 0.25 mg/kg) models of inflammation. The relatively long half-life of 25 in rat and dog prompted ...