Benzoimidazoles as prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors

Abstract

The present invention is directed to benzoimidazole compounds of the formula: and enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions modulated by prolyl hydroxylase activity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compound having PHD inhibitor activity of the formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 n is 2-4; 
 each R 1  is independently selected from H, halo, —C 1-4 alkyl, —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OH, —NO 2 , —CN, CO 2 H, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —SC 1-4 alkyl, —S(C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O) 2 (C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O)—C 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, —S—R c , —S(O)—R c , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —NH—R c , —O—R c , —CH 2 —O—R c , —C(O)NH—R c , —NR a R b , benzyloxy optionally substituted with R d , phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl optionally substituted with R d , —C 3-8 cycloalkyl optionally containing one or more O, S or N wherein said —C 3-8 cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with R d , and two adjacent R 1  groups may be joined to form an optionally substituted 3-8 member ring optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R a  and R b  are each independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)—R c , —C(O)CH 2 —R e , C 1-4 alkyl-R e , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d  or monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; or R a  and R b  can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycloalkyl ring optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; 
 R c  is —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d , or a monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; 
 R d  is independently —H, halo, —OH, —C 1-4 alkyl or —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —O-phenyl, or —O-benzyl; 
 R e  is —C 3-8 heterocycloalkyl optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R 2  and R 3  are both H, —CF 3 , or C 1-3 alkyl; 
 each Z is C or N, provided that no more than two Z's can simultaneously be N; and 
 enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
 
     
     
         2 . A compound of  claim 1 , where R 2  and R 3  are each —H. 
     
     
         3 . A compound of  claim 1  wherein each R 1  is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , phenyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three —CF 3 , halo, —OH, C 1-4 alkoxy, and —OCF 3 ), phenoxy (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three halo, C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, and —OCF 3 ), benzyloxy-phenyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three halo), benzyloxy, benzyloxymethyl, phenylsulfanyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three —C 1-4 alkyl, halo, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , and —C 1-4 alkoxy), benzylsulfanyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three halo, C 1-4 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkylmethyl, —CF 3 , and —OCF 3 ), phenethylsulfanyl, benzenesulfonyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, halo, —CF 3 , and —OCF 3 ), phenylmethanesulfonyl (optionally substituted or unsubstituted with up to three C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy, halo, C 3-8 cycloalkylmethyl, —CF 3 , and —OCF 3 ), phenyl-ethanesulfonyl, benzenesulfinyl, cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethylsulfanyl, cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethanesulfonyl, phenylcarbamoyl, benzylcarbamoyl, benzylamino, phenylsulfamoyl, phenylamino, benzoylamino, and benzenesulfonylamino. 
     
     
         4 . A compound of  claim 1 , where two adjacent R 1  groups are joined to form an optionally substituted 3-8 membered ring containing containing one or more O, S or N. 
     
     
         5 . A compound of  claim 1  wherein said optionally substituted 3-8 membered ring is aromatic. 
     
     
         6 . A compound of  claim 1 , wherein each R 1  is independently selected from H, halo, —C 1-4 alkyl, —CF 3 , —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —OCF 3 , —C 1-4 alkylsulfonyl, —C 1-4 alkylsulfinyl, —C 1-4 alkylsulfanyl, —NO 2 , —NH 2 , —NH—C 1-4 alkyl, —NH—SO 2 —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —NH—SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, —NH—C(O)—C 1-4 alkyl, —CN, —CO 2 H, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —NH—(CH 2 ) 2 -morpholine, —NH(CO)CH 2 -morpholine, —NHC(O)—CH 2 -piperidine, —NHC(O)—CH 2 —(N-methylpiperazine), —NH—C 1-4 alkyl-morpholine, —S—(CH 2 ) 2 -morpholine, —C(O)—NH-morpholine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and morpholine. 
     
     
         7 . A compound selected from the group consisting of:
 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Methoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Chloro-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5-Dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(2-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(4-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-6,7-dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-7-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(7-Bromo-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5,6-Trifluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-5,6-difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyano-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-nitro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Amino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-pyrrolidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-piperidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   2-(4-Carboxy-pyrazol-1-yl)-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinolin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenoxy-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenoxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzyloxy-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-m-tolylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylsulfanyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-tert-Butyl-benzylsulfanyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-fluoro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Propylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Isopropylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-methylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-methylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-isopropylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-propylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Isopropylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Propylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(toluene-3-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-fluoro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-phenyl-ethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethanesulfinyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-Chloro-6-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-Chloro-6-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-2-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-1-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-2-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-1-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfinyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfinyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Bromo-5-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,6-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(3H-Naphtho[1,2-d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-4-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Piperidin-1-yl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-piperidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Ethoxy-5-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenylcarbamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylcarbamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(Morpholin-4-ylcarbamoyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzyloxymethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(8H-Imidazo[4′,5′:3,4]benzo[2,1-d]thiazol-7-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Bis-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5,6-Trichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-5,6-dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-ethylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-propylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclopropanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-methanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-ethanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Acetylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-propionylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzoylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-acetylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-piperidin-1-yl-acetylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{6-Chloro-5-[2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-propylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-isopropylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-propylsulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-isopropylsulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclohexylmethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,6-dichloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methyl-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(2,4-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzylsulfanyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2′-cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclohexylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,6-dichloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-p-tolylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(2,4-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2′-cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxalin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6,7-Dichloro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxalin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-9H-purin-8-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylsulfamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.   
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an effective amount of compound having PHD inhibitor activity of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 n is 2-4; 
 each R 1  is independently selected from H, halo, —C 1-4 alkyl, —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OH, —NO 2 , —CN, CO 2 H, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —SC 1-4 alkyl, —S(C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O) 2 (C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O)—C 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, —S—R c , —S(O)—R c , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —NH—R c , —O—R c , —CH 2 —O—R c , —C(O)NH—R c , —NR a R b , benzyloxy optionally substituted with R d , phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl optionally substituted with R d , —C 3-8 cycloalkyl optionally containing O, S or N wherein said —C 3-8 cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with R d , and two adjacent R 1  groups may be joined to form an optionally substituted 3-8 member ring optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R a  and R b  are each independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)—R c , —C(O)CH 2 —R e , C 1-4 alkyl-R e , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d  or monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; or R a  and R b  can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycloalkyl ring optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; 
 R c  is —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d , or a monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; 
 R d  is independently —H, halo, —OH, —C 1-4 alkyl or —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —O-phenyl, or —O-benzyl; 
 R e  is —C 3-8 heterocycloalkyl optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R 2  and R 3  are both H, —CF 3 , or C 1-3 alkyl; 
 each Z is C or N, provided that no more than two Z's can simultaneously be N; and 
 enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
 
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of:
 1-(1H-Benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Methoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Chloro-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5-Dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(2-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{5-[3-(4-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-6,7-dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-7-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(7-Bromo-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5,6-Trifluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-5,6-difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,6-Dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyano-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-nitro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Amino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-pyrrolidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-piperidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   2-(4-Carboxy-pyrazol-1-yl)-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Bromo-7-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinolin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenoxy-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenoxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzyloxy-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-m-tolylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylsulfanyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-tert-Butyl-benzylsulfanyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-fluoro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Propylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Isopropylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-methylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-methylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-isopropylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-propylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Isopropylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Propylsulfanyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(toluene-3-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-fluoro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-phenyl-ethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethanesulfinyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-ethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Chloro-6-methanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfonyl-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-Chloro-6-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-Chloro-6-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-2-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-1-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-2-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-(Propane-1-sulfonyl)-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfinyl-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Methanesulfinyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Bromo-5-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,6-Difluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(3H-Naphtho[1,2-d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-4-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Piperidin-1-yl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Fluoro-6-piperidin-1-yl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Ethoxy-5-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenylcarbamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylcarbamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(Morpholin-4-ylcarbamoyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzyloxymethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(8H-Imidazo[4′,5′:3,4]benzo[2,1-d]thiazol-7-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5,6-Bis-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4,5,6-Trichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(4-Bromo-5,6-dichloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-ethylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-propylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclopropanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-methanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-ethanesulfonylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Acetylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-propionylamino-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzoylamino-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-acetylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-piperidin-1-yl-acetylamino)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-{6-Chloro-5-[2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenoxy)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfanyl-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-propylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-isopropylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-trifluoromethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Ethylsulfonyl-6-fluoro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-propylsulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Fluoro-5-isopropylsulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Phenylsulfanyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Methoxy-phenylsulfanyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(5-Benzenesulfonyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclohexylmethylsulfanyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,6-dichloro-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-methyl-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(2,4-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzylsulfanyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2′-cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethylsulfanyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-cyclohexylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(3,4-dichloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2,6-dichloro-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-p-tolylmethanesulfonyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[5-(2,4-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenylmethanesulfonyl)-6-chloro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-[6-Chloro-5-(2′-cyano-biphenyl-4-ylmethanesulfonyl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxalin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6,7-Dichloro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxalin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-9H-purin-8-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;   1-(6-Chloro-5-phenylsulfamoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.   
     
     
         10 . A method for the treatment of anemia, hypoxia, ischemia, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, wounds, infection, burns and bone fracture comprising the step of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of compound having PHD inhibitor activity of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 n is 2-4; 
 each R 1  is independently selected from H, halo, —C 1-4 alkyl, —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OH, —NO 2 , —CN, CO 2 H, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —SC 1-4 alkyl, —S(C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O) 2 (C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O)—C 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, —S—R c , —S(O)—R c , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —NH—R c , —O—R c , —CH 2 —O—R c , —C(O)NH—R c , —NR a R b , benzyloxy optionally substituted with R d , phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl optionally substituted with R d , —C 3-8 cycloalkyl optionally containing O, S or N wherein said —C 3-8 cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with R d , and two adjacent R 1  groups may be joined to form an optionally substituted 3-8 member ring optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R a  and R b  are each independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)—R c , —C(O)CH 2 —R e , C 1-4 alkyl-R e , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d  or monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; or R a  and R b  can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycloalkyl ring optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; 
 R c  is —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d , or a monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; 
 R d  is independently —H, halo, —OH, —C 1-4 alkyl or —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —O-phenyl, or —O-benzyl; 
 R e  is —C 3-8 heterocycloalkyl optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R 2  and R 3  are both H, —CF 3 , or C 1-3 alkyl; 
 each Z is C or N, provided that no more than two Z's can simultaneously be N; and 
 enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating a hypoxic disorder comprising the step of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of compound having PHD inhibitor activity of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 n is 2-4; 
 each R 1  is independently selected from H, halo, —C 1-4 alkyl, —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OH, —NO 2 , —CN, CO 2 H, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —SC 1-4 alkyl, —S(C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O) 2 (C 1-4 alkyl)-R c , —S(O)C 1-4 alkyl, —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, —S—R c , —S(O)—R c , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —NH—R c , —O—R c , —CH 2 —O—R c , —C(O)NH—R c , —NR a R b , benzyloxy optionally substituted with R d , phenyl or monocyclic heteroaryl optionally substituted with R d , —C 3-8 cycloalkyl optionally containing O, S or N wherein said —C 3-8 cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with R d , and two adjacent R 1  groups may be joined to form an optionally substituted 3-8 member ring optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R a  and R b  are each independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)C 1-4 alkyl, —C(O)—R c , —C(O)CH 2 —R e , C 1-4 alkyl-R e , —SO 2 —R c , —SO 2 —C 1-4 alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d  or monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; or R a  and R b  can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycloalkyl ring optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; 
 R c  is —C 3-8 cycloalkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with R d , benzyl optionally substituted with R d , or a monocyclic heteroaryl ring optionally substituted with R d ; 
 R d  is independently —H, halo, —OH, —C 1-4 alkyl or —C 1-4 perhaloalkyl, trifluoroC 1-4 alkoxy, —OC 1-4 alkyl, —O-phenyl, or —O-benzyl; 
 R e  is —C 3-8 heterocycloalkyl optionally containing one or more O, S or N; 
 R 2  and R 3  are both H, —CF 3 , or C 1-3 alkyl; 
 each Z is C or N, provided that no more than two Z's can simultaneously be N; and 
 enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.