2-Keto-Oxazoles as Modulators of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase

• US 20090111778A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Fried, Amy K., Seierstad, Mark, Breitenbucher, J. Guy, Epperson, Matthew T., Pippel, Daniel J., Apodaca, Richard
• Application Number:
  US12/094,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/165
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/00 Drugs for genital or sexual disorders for disorders of sex hormones A61P5/24; Contraceptives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/00 Drugs for disorders of the senses
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/00 Drugs for disorders of the metabolism of the blood or the extracellular fluid A61P7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/00 Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 263/32 with only hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 263/34 with hetero atoms or with carbon atoms having three bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. ester or nitrile radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 413/04 directly linked by a ring-member-to-ring-member bond
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 413/12 linked by a chain containing hetero atoms as chain links
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 413/14 containing three or more hetero rings

Abstract

Certain 2-keto-oxazole compounds are described, which are useful as FAAH inhibitors. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity. Thus, the compounds may be administered to treat, e.g., anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or movement disorders (such as multiple sclerosis).

Claims

1. A compound of Formula (I):

wherein;

R¹ is —

H;

a —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl or —

CO₂H group;

or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group, each unsubstituted or substituted with —

CO₂H or —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, —

CH₂—

, or —

CH(CH₃)—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, —

OC_3-7cycloalkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, imidazolyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of such compound.

2. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹ is —

H.

3. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹ is a —

CO₂CH₃ or —

CO₂H group.

4. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹ is a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted with —

CO₂H.

5. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 1, wherein R³ is R⁴, and R⁴ is tert-butyl, phenyl or pyridyl.

6. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 1, wherein each R³ moiety is independently methyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, isopropoxy, cyclohexyloxy, phenyl, phenoxy, 1H-imidazol-1-yl, fluoro, chloro, or CF₃.

7. A compound of Formula (IA):

wherein;

R¹ is —

H, or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, or —

CH₂—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-14alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴ where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of such compound.

8. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R¹ is —

H, 2-pyridyl, or 2-furanyl.

9. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

.

10. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein Z is —

C(O)—

or —

CH₂—

.

11. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R³ is —

R⁴, —

CH₂—

R⁴, —

(CH₂)₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, or —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

CH₂CH₂—

R⁴, wherein R⁴ is phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, naphthyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, or cyclononyl.

12. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R³ is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-methylbutyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, octyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, methoxybutyl, aminoethyl, 2-methylaminoethyl, or 2-methylaminopropyl.

13. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R³ is —

R⁴, —

CH₂—

R⁴, —

(CH₂)₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂—

O—

CH₂CH₂—

R⁴, —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

R⁴, —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

CH₂—

R⁴, or —

CH₂CH₂—

O—

CH₂CH₂—

R⁴, wherein R⁴ is phenyl, pyridyl, isoxazolyl, furanyl, naphthyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl.

14. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R³ is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, octyl, 3-methylbutyl, methoxyethyl, or ethoxyethyl.

15. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 7, wherein R³ is phenyl, 3-phenoxyphenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-t-butoxyphenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 4-isobutylphenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-isopropylphenyl, 4-isopropoxyphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 3-biphenyl, 4-biphenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-diethylaminophenyl, 3-bromophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-piperidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-morpholin-1-ylphenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, phenethyl, benzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 3-chlorobenzyl, 2-chlorobenzyl, 4-phenoxyphenethyl, 4-methylphenethyl, 2-methylphenethyl, 4-chlorophenethyl, 2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl, naphthyl, pyridin-2-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, 6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl, 5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, 6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′

]bipyridinyl-5′

-yl, 6-furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-cyanophenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, pyridinylethyl, 3-quinolinyl, 2-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl, 2-chloro-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-yl, [1,8]naphthyridin-2-yl, quinoxalin-2-yl, 3-methyl-isoxazol-5-ylmethyl, 2-furanyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, phenoxymethyl, 4-chlorophenoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, benzyloxyethyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, octyl, 3-methylbutyl, methoxyethyl, or ethoxyethyl.

16. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 8, wherein Z is —

C(O)—

or —

CH₂—

.

17. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 8, wherein R³ is phenyl, 3-phenoxyphenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-t-butoxyphenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 4-isobutylphenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-isopropylphenyl, 4-isopropoxyphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 3-biphenyl, 4-biphenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-diethylaminophenyl, 3-bromophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-piperidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-morpholin-1-ylphenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, phenethyl, benzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 3-chlorobenzyl, 2-chlorobenzyl, 4-phenoxyphenethyl, 4-methylphenethyl, 2-methylphenethyl, 4-chlorophenethyl, 2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl, naphthyl, pyridin-2-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, 6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl, 5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, 6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′

]bipyridinyl-5′

-yl, 6-furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-cyanophenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, pyridinylethyl, 3-quinolinyl, 2-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl, 2-chloro-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-yl, [1,8]naphthyridin-2-yl, quinoxalin-2-yl, 3-methyl-isoxazol-5-ylmethyl, 2-furanyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, phenoxymethyl, 4-chlorophenoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, benzyloxyethyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, octyl, 3-methylbutyl, methoxyethyl, or ethoxyethyl.

18. A compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite as defined in claim 16, wherein R³ is phenyl, 3-phenoxyphenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-t-butoxyphenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 2,3-difluorophenyl, 4-isobutylphenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl, 3,4-dibromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-isopropylphenyl, 4-isopropoxyphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 3-biphenyl, 4-biphenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-diethylaminophenyl, 3-bromophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 4-pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-piperidin-1-ylphenyl, 4-morpholin-1-ylphenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, phenethyl, benzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 3-chlorobenzyl, 2-chlorobenzyl, 4-phenoxyphenethyl, 4-methylphenethyl, 2-methylphenethyl, 4-chlorophenethyl, 2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl, naphthyl, pyridin-2-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl, 6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, 6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl, 5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-bromo-pyridin-3-yl, 6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, 6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-yl, 6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′

]bipyridinyl-5′

-yl, 6-furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-yl, 6-(3-cyanophenyl)-pyridin-3-yl, pyridinylethyl, 3-quinolinyl, 2-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl, 2-chloro-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-yl, 2-chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-yl, [1,8]naphthyridin-2-yl, quinoxalin-2-yl, 3-methyl-isoxazol-5-ylmethyl, 2-furanyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylethyl, phenoxymethyl, 4-chlorophenoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, benzyloxyethyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, octyl, 3-methylbutyl, methoxyethyl, or ethoxyethyl.

19. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dibromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

3,3-Dimethyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylacetyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzoyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Isobutyryl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclopentanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclopentyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenoxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Benzyloxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-{1-[3-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-p-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-m-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Methyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-p-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-o-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-pyridin-3-yl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclopentyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclohexyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-pentan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylmethanesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenyl-ethanesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(Butane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzenesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-methoxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-benzyloxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester;

4-[1-(4-Ethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Methoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Chloro-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(5-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isobutyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Diethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Dimethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-piperidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-({-[6-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Morpholin-4-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2]bipyridinyl-5′

-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-{5-[4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-pyridin-2-yl}-benzonitrile;

4-[1-(2,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-[1,8]Naphthyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinoxalin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Furan-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[4-Oxo-4-(5-pyridin-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-[4-(5-Furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(5-furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,3,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Heptyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Nonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-butyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one; and

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pentyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

21. A compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 19.

20. A compound selected from the group consisting of:

4-[4-(5-Carboxy-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Isopropyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-tert-Butyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Imidazol-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(3-Phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-{2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazol-5-yl}-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid; and

6-(2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

22. A compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 20.

23. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease, disorder, or medical condition mediated by FAAH activity, comprising:

(a) an effective amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formula (I);

wherein;

R¹ is —

H;

a —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl or —

CO₂H group;

or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group, each unsubstituted or substituted with —

CO₂H or —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, —

CH₂—

, or —

CH(CH₃)—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, —

OC_3-7cycloalkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, imidazolyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs, and pharmaceutically active metabolites thereof; and

(b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

24. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 23, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of:

4-[4-(5-Carboxy-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Isopropyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-tert-Butyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Imidazol-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(3-Phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-{2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazol-5-yl}-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid; and

6-(2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

25. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 23, further comprising:

an analgesic selected from the group consisting of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

26. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 23, further comprising:

an additional active ingredient selected from the group consisting of aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids, ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors, gabapentin, pregabalin, and tramadol.

27. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease, disorder, or medical condition mediated by FAAH activity, comprising:

(a) an effective amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formula (IA);

wherein;

R¹ is —

H, or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, or —

CH₂—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs, and pharmaceutically active metabolites thereof; and

(b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

28. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 27, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of:

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dibromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

3,3-Dimethyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylacetyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzoyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Isobutyryl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclopentanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclopentyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenoxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Benzyloxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-{1-[3-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-p-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-m-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-({-[2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Methyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-p-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-o-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-pyridin-3-yl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclopentyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclohexyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-pentan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylmethanesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenyl-ethanesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(Butane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzenesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-methoxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-benzyloxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester;

4-[1-(4-Ethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-M ethoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Chloro-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(5-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isobutyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Diethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Dimethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-piperidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[6-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Morpholin-4-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′

]bipyridinyl-5′

-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-{5-[4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-pyridin-2-yl}-benzonitrile;

4-[1-(2,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-[1,8]Naphthyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinoxalin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Furan-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[4-Oxo-4-(5-pyridin-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-[4-(5-Furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(5-furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,3,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Heptyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Nonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-butyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one; and

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pentyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

29. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 27, further comprising:

an analgesic selected from the group consisting of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

30. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 27, further comprising:

an additional active ingredient selected from the group consisting of aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids, ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors, gabapentin, pregabalin, and tramadol.

31. A method of treating a subject suffering from or diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or medical condition mediated by FAAH activity, comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I):

wherein;

R¹ is —

H;

a —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl or —

CO₂H group;

or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group, each unsubstituted or substituted with —

CO₂H or —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, —

CH₂—

, or —

CH(CH₃); and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, —

OC_3-7cycloalkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, imidazolyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of such compound.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

4-[4-(5-Carboxy-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Isopropyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-tert-Butyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Imidazol-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(3-Phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazole-5-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester;

6-(2-{4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-{2-[4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butyryl]-oxazol-5-yl}-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

6-(2-{4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyloxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid; and

6-(2-{4-[1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butyryl}-oxazol-5-yl)-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is selected from the group consisting of:

anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, eating disorders, inflammation, movement disorders, HIV wasting syndrome, closed head injury, stroke, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, epilepsy, Tourette'"'"'s syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, Parkinson'"'"'s disease, Huntington'"'"'s chorea, optic neuritis, autoimmune uveitis, drug withdrawal, nausea, emesis, sexual dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral vasospasm, glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, paralytic ileus, secretory diarrhea, gastric ulcer, rheumatoid arthritis, unwanted pregnancy, hypertension, cancer, hepatitis, allergic airway disease, autoimmune diabetes, intractable pruritis, and neuroinflammation.

34. A method according to claim 31, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is selected from the group consisting of:

anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and movement disorders.

35. A method according to claim 31, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is multiple sclerosis.

36. A method according to claim 31, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is pain or inflammation.

37. A method of treating a subject suffering from or diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or medical condition mediated by FAAH activity, comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula (IA):

wherein;

R¹ is —

H, or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, or —

CH₂—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4-alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of such compound.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dibromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-phenoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isopropoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

3,3-Dimethyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylacetyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzoyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Isobutyryl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclopentanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclopentyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenoxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Benzyloxy-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-phenyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-{1-[3-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-p-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-m-tolyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[2-(3-Methyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-p-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-o-tolyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-propionyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3-pyridin-3-yl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclopentyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Cyclohexyl-acetyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Cyclohexyl-propionyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-Methyl-1-[4-(4-oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-pentan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenylmethanesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2-phenyl-ethanesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(Butane-1-sulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Benzenesulfonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-methoxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-benzyloxy-ethyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester;

4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester;

4-[1-(4-Ethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-3-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Methoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Chloro-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Bromo-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(5-Bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Isobutyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-tert-Butyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Cyclohexylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Diethylamino-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Bromo-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinolin-4-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,3-Dimethyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-p-tolyloxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl-]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-8-methyl-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2-Chloro-6-methoxy-quinolin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Cyclohexyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(4-piperidin-1-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-{1-[6-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-phenoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(4-Morpholin-4-yl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2]bipyridinyl-5′

-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(6-Furan-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(6-thiophen-3-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

3-{5-[4-(4-Oxazol-2-yl-4-oxo-butyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-pyridin-2-yl}-benzonitrile;

4-[1-(2,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-[1,8]Naphthyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-quinoxalin-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Furan-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[4-Oxo-4-(5-pyridin-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-[4-(5-Furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-butyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester;

4-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(5-furan-2-yl-oxazol-2-yl)-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-[1-(2,3,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Heptyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-(1-Nonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one;

4-[1-(3-Methyl-butyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1-oxazol-2-yl-butan-1-one; and

1-Oxazol-2-yl-4-(1-pentyl-piperidin-4-yl)-butan-1-one;

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is selected from the group consisting of:

anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, eating disorders, inflammation, movement disorders, HIV wasting syndrome, closed head injury, stroke, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, epilepsy, Tourette'"'"'s syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, Parkinson'"'"'s disease, Huntington'"'"'s chorea, optic neuritis, autoimmune uveitis, drug withdrawal, nausea, emesis, sexual dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral vasospasm, glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, paralytic ileus, secretory diarrhea, gastric ulcer, rheumatoid arthritis, unwanted pregnancy, hypertension, cancer, hepatitis, allergic airway disease, autoimmune diabetes, intractable pruritis, and neuroinflammation.

40. A method according to claim 37, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is selected from the group consisting of:

anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and movement disorders.

41. A method according to claim 37, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is multiple sclerosis.

42. A method according to claim 37, wherein the disease, disorder, or medical condition is pain or inflammation.

43. A process of making a compound of Formula (IA):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or pharmaceutically active metabolite of such compound;

comprising;

(a) reacting an oxazole (IV);

with iPrMgHal in an organic solvent to form an organic mixture; and

(b) treating the organic mixture with 4-[3-(methoxy-methyl-carbamoyl)-propyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester to form a compound of formula (V);

wherein;

R¹ is —

H, or a phenyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, or oxazolyl group;

Z is —

C(O)—

, —

CO₂—

, —

SO₂—

, —

C(O)NH—

, or —

CH₂—

; and

R³ is;

(a) —

(CH₂)_n—

R⁴, where n is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁴ is;

(i) phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one, or two, or three R^a moieties or where two adjacent R^a moieties together form —

O(CH₂)_1-2O—

or —

O(CF₂)O—

;

where each R^a moiety is —

C_1-7alkyl, —

C_3-7cycloalkyl, —

C_2-7alkenyl, —

OH, —

OC_1-7alkyl, phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted with R^b, furanyl, thiophenyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, —

SC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

SOC_1-4alkyl, —

CN, —

CO₂C_1-4alkyl, —

CO₂H, —

COC_1-4alkyl, —

SO₂NR^cR^d, —

NR^cSO₂R^d, —

C(O)NR^cR^d, —

NR^cC(O)R^d, or —

N(R^c)R^d;

where R^b is selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂; and

where R^c and R^d are each independently —

H or —

C_1-7alkyl, or R^c and R^d taken together form a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl ring;

(ii) a five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl ring, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^a moieties as defined above;

(iii) naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted one or two R^e moieties, where each R^e moiety is independently selected from the group consisting of —

C_1-4alkyl, —

OC_1-4alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —

CN, —

OH, —

CF₃, —

OCF₃, and —

NO₂;

(iv) a nine- or ten-membered fused bicyclic heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted with one or two R^e moieties;

or

(v) —

C_3-9cycloalkyl;

(b) —

(CH₂)_xO(CH₂)_yR⁴, where when Z is —

C(O)—

, —

SO₂—

, or —

CH₂—

, x is 1 or 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2, and when Z is —

CO₂—

or —

C(O)NH—

, x is 2 and y is 0, 1, or 2;

(c) —

C_2-9alkyl;

or

(d) —

C_2-9alkyl, where one carbon chain member is replaced by nitrogen or oxygen;

Hal is Cl or Br; and

PG is tert-butoxycarbonyl.

44. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the reacting of the oxazole (IV) with iPrMgHal is performed at a temperature of from about −

30°

C. to about 0°

C.

45. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the reacting of the oxazole (IV) with iPrMgHal is performed at a temperature of from about −

15°

C. to about 0°

C.

46. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the treating of the organic mixture with 4-[3-(methoxy-methyl-carbamoyl)-propyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester is performed at a temperature of from about 0°

C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent.

47. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the treating of the organic mixture with 4-[3-(methoxy-methyl-carbamoyl)-propyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester is performed at a temperature of from about 0°

C. to about 25°

C.

48. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein R¹ is —

H, pyridyl, or furanyl.

49. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein Hal is Cl.

50. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the reacting with iPrMgHal is performed using two molar equivalents of iPrMgHal relative to one molar equivalent of oxazole (IV).

51. A process as defined in claim 43, wherein the organic solvent is tetrahydrofuran.

52. A process as defined in claim 43, further comprising treating a compound of formula (V) with TFA to give an amine of formula (VI):

wherein R¹ is as previously defined.