N-phenylphthalimide-type cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors derived from thalidomide: substituent effects on subtype selectivity.

Several N-substituted phenylphthalimide and phenylhomophthalimide derivatives with cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibitory activity were prepared during structural development studies based on thalidomide as a lead compound. Substituent effects on the subtype selectivity were investigated.