This invention describes novel triazole compounds of formula IX: ##STR00001## wherein Z.sup.1 is nitrogen or CR.sup.9 and Z.sup.2 is nitrogen or CH, provided that at least one of Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 is nitrogen; G is Ring C or Ring D; Ring C is selected from a phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, or 1,2,4-triazinyl ring, wherein said Ring C has one or two ortho substituents independently selected from --R.sup.1; Ring D is a 5 7 membered monocyclic ring or 8 10 membered bicyclic ring selected from aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; R.sup.x and R.sup.y are independently selected from T-R.sup.3, or R.sup.x and R.sup.y are taken together with their intervening atoms to form a fused ring; R.sup.1, R.sup.3, and T are as described in the specification. The compounds are useful as protein kinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of GSK-3 and Aurora, for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.