In this study, a new series of 5-substituted 1-benzyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)-1-H-imidazolewith atypical structure-activity relationship was designed, synthesized, and biologicalevaluated as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Docking studies revealed that althoughthe pharmacophoric substitute of the compound 5b, methylsulfonyl group, has been directlyattached to the central ring, it is in the sa...