A series of novel 2-alkoxy, 2-thioalkoxy and 2-amino-3-(4-methylsulfonyl) phenylpyridines has been synthesized and shown to be highly potent and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX- 2) inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies have demonstrated that central pyridine ring substituents play an important role in the COX-2 potency, selectivity vs the COX-1 enzyme, and oral activity.
