IL111292A - Aromatic amine compounds - Google Patents

Description

Aromatic amine compounds SANOFI C: 94037/9 1 1 1 292 / 3 The present invention relates to novel aromatic derivatives substituted by an amino group and by various ester, amine or amide functional groups, and to their enantiomers.

The present invention further relates to the method of obtaining the compounds, which can be enan- tioselective , and to the use of the compounds according to the invention in compositions for therapeutic use and more particularly in pathological phenomena invol- ving the neurokinin system, such as: pain (D. REGOLI et al., Life Sciences, 1987, 40_, 109-117), allergy and inflammation (J.E. MORLAY et al., Life Sciences, 1987, Al, 527-544), circulatory insufficiency (J. LOSAY et al . , 1977, Substance P, Von Euler, U.S. and Pernow ed. , 287-293, Raven Press, New York), gastrointestinal disorders (D. REGOLI et al . , Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 1985, £, 481-484) and respiratory disorders (J. MIZRAHI ■ et al., Pharmacology, 1982, 25., 39-50).

Ligands endogenous to neurokinin receptors have been described, such as substance P (SP), neurokinin A (N A) (S.J. BAILEY et al., 1983, Substance P, P. Skrabanck ed. , 16-17 Boole Press, Dublin) and neurokinin 3 (NKB) (S.P. WATSON, Life Sciences, 1983, 23., 797-808).

Neurokinin receptors have been recognized on numerous preparations and are currently classed in three types: Ki, NKz and NK3. Whereas the majority of the preparations studied hitherto have several types of receptors, such as guinea-pig ileum (NKi, NK2 and N 3), some of them are said to possess only one type, such as dog carotid artery (NKi), rabbit pulmonary artery devoid of endothelium (NK2) and rat portal vein (NK3) (D. REGOLI et al . , Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 1988, 9_, 290-295 and Pharmacology, 1989, 23., 1-15). - 2 - 111292/2 The present invention relates to novel aromatic derivatives substituted by an amino group and by various esters, amine or amide functional groups. These novel derivatives are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of the therapeutically active compounds of formula (I) described and claimed in Israel Patent Specification No. 96241 from which the present application was divided.

Thus , the present invention provides aromatic amine derivatives of the formula Q R* (CH2)m - C - CK2 - N (XXI) Ar ' which E' is a tetrahydropyranyloxy group, a hydroxyl group or a methanesulfonyloxy group m is 2 or 3 ; Ar ' is a thienyl group; a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by a halogen atom, by a C1-C3 alkyl, by a trifluoromethyl , by a methoxy or an alkoxy in which the alkyl is C2-C3, by a hydroxy! or by a methylenedioxy; or an imidazolyl grou ; a benzoth enyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen; a naphthyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen; a biphenyl group; or an indolyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the nitrogen by a benzyl group; Q is hydrogen, a.Ci-C alkyl group or an aminoalkyl group of the formula - ( CH2 )q-Am ' , in which q is 2 or 3 and Am' is a piperidino, 4-benzylpiperidino or dialkylamino group, it being possible for each alkyl to contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms ; R'* is hydrogen , a methyl group or a group (CH2)n-L' ' ' in which n is an integer from 2 to 6 and L * * is hydrogen or an amino group which is free or protected by an N-protecting group ;· is hydrogen or T - Z - T is a group selected from W (I and - C - NH - , W being an oxygen or sulfur atom ; and Z is ■ ' M or O when T is the group -C-(=0)-, or when T is the group -C(=W)-NH-, M being hydrogen; a linear or ■ branched CI~CQ alkyl; a phenyl-alkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and which is unsubstituted or mono- br poly-substituted on the aromatic ring by a halogen, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a pyridylalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms ; a naphthyialkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a pyridylthioalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a styryl; a 1- methylimidazol-2-ylthioalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;, a l-oxo-3-phenyl- inden-2-yl; or an unsubstitu-tsd or mono- or poly- substituted aromatic or hetero-aromatic group; provided that - when- m = 2, E' is a hydroxyl group, R* ' is hydrogen, Ar' is. an unsubstituted phenyl and K is hydrogen, then Q is different from K, ethyl o propyl, - when = 2, E ' is a hydroxy! group, R* * is hydrogen, Q is hydrogen and K is hydrogen, .then Ar1 is different from a 3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyi group or a 2- thienyl group , - when m is 3, E' is a hydroxyl group, Ar ' is an unsubstituted phenyl, Q is ethyl and is hydrogen, then R* ' is not hydrogen, and - when m = 3, E' is a hydroxyl group, Ar 1 is an unsubstituted phenyl group, Q is ethyl, K is T - Z 0 u wherein T is - C - and Z is methyl, then R* " is not hydrogen, . or one of its salts. - 4 - 111292/2 The salts of the compounds of formula (χχΐ) according to the present invention include those with mineral or organic acids which permit a suitable separation or crystallization of the compounds of formula (XXI) ,.such as picric acid, oxalic acid or an optically active acid, for example a mandelic or camphosulfonic acid, as well as those which form pharmaceutically acceptable salts such as the hydrochloride, hydrobromide , sulfate, hydrogensulfate , di-hydrogenphosphate , methanesulfonate , methylsulfate , maleate, fumarate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate , glycolate, gluconate, citrate and is¾rthionate .

In particular, in formula (XXI), Z is a mono-, di- or tri-cyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group which can carry one or more substituents and in which a carbon atom of the aromatic carbocycle or of the aromatic heterocycle is directly bonded to the group T.

More particularly, the radical Z can be a phenyl group which can be unsubstituted or may contain one or more substituents.

When Z is a phenyl group, this can preferably be mono- or di-substituted , especially in the 2,4-positions, but also for example in the 2,3-, 4,5-, 3,4-or 3 , 5-positions ; it can also be trisubstituted, especially in the 2 , 4 , 6-positions , but also for example in the 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,4,5- or 3 , 4 , 5-positions , tetrasubstituted , for example in the 2 , 3 , 4 , 5-positions , or pentasubstituted . The substituents of the phenyl group can be: F; CI; Br; I; CN ; OH; NH2 ; NH-CO-NKs; N02; CONHs; CF3; C1-C10 alkyl , preferably Ci-C alkyl, methyl or ethyl being preferred, as well as, for example, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl or n-pentyl , hexyl or n-hexyl, heptyl or n-heptyl, octyl or n-octyl,' nonyl or n-nonyl or decyl or n-decyl; alkenyl containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms, for example vinyl, allyl, prop-l-enyl, isopropenyl, butenyl or but- 1-en-l- , -2-, -3- or -4-yl, but-2-en-l-yl , but-2-en-2-yl, pentenyl, hexenyl or decenyl; alkynyl containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms, for example ethynyl, prop-l-yn-l-yl , propargyl , butynyl or but-2-yn-l-yl , pentynyl or decynyl; cycloalkyl containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 5 or 6 carbon atoms, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl being preferred, as well as, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, 1-, 2-or 3-methylcyclopentyl , 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-methylcyclo-hexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl; bicycloalkyl containing 4 to 11 carbon atoms, preferably 7 carbon atoms, exo- or endo-2-norbornyl being preferred, as well as, for example, 2-isobornyl or 5-camphyl; hydroxyalkyl containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably 1-2 carbon atoms, hydroxymethyl and 1- or 2-hydroxy-ethyl being preferred, as well as, for example, 1-hydroxyprop-l-yl , 2-hydroxyprop-l-yl , 3-hydroxyprop-l-yl, l-hydroxyprop-2-yl , 1-hydroxybut-l-yl or 1-hydroxypent-l-yl ; alkoxy containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1-4 carbon atoms, methoxy or ethoxy being preferred, as well as, for example, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentoxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, nonyl-oxy or decyloxy; alkoxyalkyl containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, for example alkoxymethyl or alkoxyethyl, such as methoxymethyl or 1- or 2-methoxyethyl , 1- or 2-n-butoxyethyl or 1- or 2- n-octyloxyethyl ; alkoxyalkoxyalkyl containing up to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 7 carbon atoms, for example alkoxyalkoxymethyl such as 2-methoxyethoxy-methyl, 2-ethoxyethoxymethyl or 2-isopropoxyethoxy-methyl, or alkoxyalkoxyethyl such as 2- ( 2-methoxy-ethoxy) ethyl or 2- ( 2-ethoxyethoxy ) ethyl ; alkoxyalkoxy containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, for example 2-methoxyethoxy , 2-ethoxyethoxy or 2-n-butoxyethoxy; alkenyloxy containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, allyloxy being preferred, as well as, for example, vinyloxy, propenyloxy, isopropenyloxy , butenyloxy such as but-l-en-1-, -2-, -3- or -4-yloxy, but-2-en-l-yloxy or but-2-en-2-yloxy , pentenyloxy, hexenyloxy or decen-yloxy; alkenyloxyalkyl having up to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3-6 carbon atoms, for example allyloxy-methyl ; alkynyloxy containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, propargyloxy being preferred, as well as, for example, ethynyloxy, prop-l-yn-l-yloxy , butynyloxy or but-2-yn-l-yloxy , pentynyloxy or decynyloxy; alkynyloxyalkyl containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, for example ethynyloxymethyl , propargyloxymethyl or 2-(but-2-yn-l-yloxy)ethyl ; cycloalkoxy containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 5 or 6 carbon atoms, cyclopentoxy or cyclohexyloxy being preferred, as well as, for example, cyclopropox , cyclobutoxy, 1-, 2- or 3-methylcyclopentoxy , 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-methylcyclohexyl-oxy, cycloheptyloxy or cyclooctyloxy ; alkylthio containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, methylthio or ethylthio being preferred, as well as, for example, n-propylthio , isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutylthio , sec-butylthio , tert-butyl-thio, pentylthio, hexylthio, octylthio, nonylthio or decylthio; alkylthioalkyl containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, for example methylthiomethyl , 2-methylthioethyl or 2-n-butylthioethyl ; acylamino , namely alkanoylamino containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, formylamino and acetylamino being preferred, as well as propionylamino , butyrylamino, isobutyr-ylamino, valerylamino , caproylamino or heptanoylamino , or aroylamino or benzoylamino ; acylaminoalkyl , preferably alkanoylaminoalkyl containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, such as formyl-aminoethyl, acetylaminoethyl , propionylaminoethyl , n-butyrylaminoethyl , formylaminopropyl , acetylamino-propyl, propionylaminopropyl , formylaminobutyl or acetylaminobutyl , as well as propionylaminobutyl or butyrylaminobutyl acyloxy containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, acetyl-oxy, propionyloxy or butyryloxy being preferred, as well as, for example, formyloxy, valeryloxy or caproyl-oxy; alkoxycarbonyl containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl being preferred, as well as, for example , n-propoxycarbonyl , isopropoxycarbonyl , n-butoxycarbonyl , isobutoxycarbonyl , sec-butoxycarbonyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl; cycloalkoxycarbonyl containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 6 or 7 carbon atoms, cyclopentoxycarbonyl and cyclohexyloxycarbonyl being preferred, as well as cyclopropoxycarbonyl , cyclobutoxycarbonyl or cycloheptyloxycarbonyl ; alkyl-aminocarbonylamino containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methylaminocarbonylamino , ethylaminocarbonyl-amino or propylaminocarbonylamino ; dialkylaminocar-bonylamino containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 5 carbon atoms, dimethylaminocarbonylamino being preferred, as well as di-n-propylaminocarbonyl-amino or diisopropylaminocarbonylamino ; pyrrolidin-1- ylcarbonylamino ; piperidin-l-ylcarbonylamino ; cycle— alkylaminocarbonylamino containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 6 or 7 carbon atoms, cyclopentyl- aminocarbonylamino and cyclohexylaminocarbonylamino being preferred, as well as cyclopropylaminocarbonyl-amino, cyclobutylaminocarbonylamino or cycloheptyl-aminocarbonylamino ; alkylaminocarbonylaminoalkyl containing from 3 to 9 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 7 carbon atoms, methylaminocarbonylaminoethyl , ethyl-aminocarbonylaminoethyl , ethylaminocarbonylaminopropyl and ethylaminocarbonylaminobutyl being preferred, as well as, for example, methylaminocarbonylaminomethyl , n-propylarr.inocarbonylaminobutyl and n-butylamino-carbonylaminobutyl ; dialkylaminocarbonylaminoalkyl containing from 4 to 11 carbon atoms, for example dimethylaminocarbonylaminomethyl , diethylaminocarbonyl-aminoethyl, diethylaminocarbonylaminopropyl or diethyl-aminocarbonylaminobutyl ; pyrrolidin-l-ylcarbonylamino-ethyl; piperidin-l-ylcarbonylaminoethyl ; cycloalkyl-aminocarbonylaminoalkyl containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 11 carbon atoms, cyclopentyl-aminocarbonylaminoethyl , cyclopentylaminocarbonylamino-propyl, cyclopentylaminocarbonylaminobutyl , cyclohexyl-aminocarbonylaminoethyl , cyclohexylaminocarbonylamino-propyl and cyclohexylaminocarbonylaminobutyl being preferred, as well as, for example, cyclopropylamino-carbonylaminomethyl or cycloheptylaminocarbonylamino-ethyl; alkoxycarbonylaminoalkyl containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 9 carbon atoms, methoxy-carbonylaminoethyl , ethoxycarbonylaminoethyl , n-propoxycarbonylaminoethyl , isopropoxycarbonylamino-ethyl , n-butoxycarbonylaminoethyl , isobutoxycarbonyl-aminoethyl, sec-butoxycarbonylaminoethyl , tert-butoxy-carbonylaminoethyl , . ethoxycarbonylaminopropyl , n-butoxycarbonylaminopropyl, ethoxycarbonylaminobutyl and n-butoxycarbonylaminobutyl being preferred, as well as, for example, n-propoxycarbonylaminopropyl , n-propoxy-carbonylaminobutyl or isopropoxycarbonylaminobutyl ; cycloalkoxycarbonylaminoalkyl containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 11 carbon atoms, cyclo-pentoxycarbonylaminoethyl , cyclopentoxycarbonylamino-propyl, cyclopentoxycarbonylaminobutyl , cyclohexyloxy-carbonylaminoethyl , cyclohexyloxycarbonylaminopropyl and cyclohexyloxycarbonylaminobutyl being preferred, as well as, for example, cyclopropoxycarbonylaminomethyl or cycloheptyloxycarbonylaminoethyl ; carbamoylalkyl containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably 2 carbon atoms, carbamoylmethyl being preferred, as well as carbamoylethyl , carbamoylpropyl or carbamoylbutyl ; alkylaminocarbonylalkyl containing from 3 to 9 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, methylaminocar-bonylethyl, ethylaminocarbonylmethyl , n-propylaminocar-bonylmethyl , isopropylaminocarbonylmethyl , n-butyl-aminocarbonylmethyl , isobutylaminocarbonylmethyl , sec-butylaminocarbonylmethyl and tert-butylaminocarbonyl-methyl being preferred, as well as, for example, ethylaminocarbonylethyl , ethylaminocarbonylpropy1 , ethylaminocarbonylbutyl , n-propylaminocarbonylbutyl or n-butyl minocarbonylbutyl ; dialkylaminocarbonylalkyl containing from 4 to 11 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms, dimethylaminocarbonylmethyl , diethyl-aminocarbonylmethyl , di-n-propylaminocarbonylmethyl , as well as, for example, diethylaminocarbonylethyl , diethylaminocarbonylpropyl , diethylaminocarbonylbutyl ; pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl ; piperidin-l-ylcarbonylmethyl ; piperidin-l-yl carbonylethyl; cycloalkylaminocar onylalkyl containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 7 or 8 carbon atoms, cyclopentylaminocarbonylmethyl and cyclohexylaminocar-bonylmethyl being preferred, as well as, for example, cyclopropylaminocarbonylmethyl , cyclobutylaminocar-bonylmethyl , cycloheptylaminocarbonylmethyl , cyclo-hexylaminocarbonylethy1 , cyclohexylaminocarbonylpropyl or cyclohexylaminocarbonylbutyl ; alkylaminocarbonyl-alkoxy containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 5 carbon atoms, methylaminocarbonylmethoxy being preferred, as well as, for example, methylaminocar-bonylethoxy or methylaminocarbonylpropoxy ; dialkyl-aminocarbonylalkoxy containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 7 carbon atoms, such as di-methylaminocarbonylmethoxy , diethylaminocarbonylethoxy or piperidin-l-ylcarbonylmethoxy ; and cycloalkylamino-carbonylalkoxy containing from 5 to 11 carbon atoms, preferably 7 or 8 carbon atoms, such as cyclopentyl-aminocarbonylmethoxy or eyelohexylaminocarbonylmethoxy .

The Z may advantageously be a phenyl group; a benzyl group; a benzoyl group; or a phenylthioalkyl group in which the alkyl is C1-C3.

The phenyl group Z is preferably mono- or di-substituted by a halogen, the 2 , 4-dichlorophenyl group being particularly preferred.

The radical Z can also be a bicyclic aromatic group such as naphth-1- or -2-yl or inden-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl, in which one or more bonds can be hydrogenated, it being possible for said groups to be unsubstituted or to contain one or more substituents such as: a halogen, and more particularly a fluorine atom, and alkyl, phenyl, cyano, hydroxyalkyl , hydrox 1, oxo, alkylcarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonyl and thioalkyl groups, in which the alkyls are Ci-C .

The radical Z can also be a pyridyl, thiadia-zolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl , quinolyl, benzotriazolyl , benzofuranyl , benzothienyl , benzothiazolyl , benzisothiazolyl , isoquinolyl, benz-oxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl , benzoxazinyl , benzodioxinyl , - 11 - 111292/2 iaoxazolyl, benzopyranyl , thiazolyl, thienyl, furyl, pyranyl, chromenyl , isobenzofuranyl , pyrrolyl, pyrazo- l l» pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl , pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, phthalazinyl , quinazolinyl , acridinyl, isothiazoly1 , isochromanyl or chromanyl group, in which one or more double bonds can be hydrogenated , it being possible for said groups to be unsubstituted or to contain one or more substituents such as: alkyl, phenyl, cyano, hydroxyalkyl , hydroxyl, alkylcarbonylamino , alkoxycar- bonyl and thioalkyl groups, in which the alkyls are The compounds of the present invention can be used in a method of preparing variously substituted aromatic amino compounds of Israel Patent 96241 and their salts, which method comprises a) treating a free amine of the formula Q ° E-(CH2)m-C-CH2-NH (II) Ar' in which m, Ar' and Q are as defined above; R° is hydrogen, a methyl group or a group (CH2)n-L°, in which n is as defined above ' and L° is hydrogen or an amino group protected by an N-protecting group; and E is a hvdroxyl group, an O-protected grouo such as tetrahydropyran-2- y.loxy, or a group in which Ar , X and Y are as defined above and X° is the group X' as defined above, in which the hydroxyl group is protected by an O-protecting group, - either with a functional derivative of an acid of the formula HO-CO-Z (III) in which Z is as defined above, when it is intended prepare a compound of formula (I) in which T is -CO-, - or with an iso( thio)cyanate of the formula W=C=N-Z (III*) in which W and Z are as defined above, when it is intended to prepare a compound of formula (I) in which T is -C(W)-NH-, in order to form the compound of the formula Q R° E-(CH2)m-C-CH2-N-T-Z (IV) Ar* b) then, when E is tetrahydropyranyloxy , eliminating the tetrahydropyranyl group by acid hydrolysis, this hydrolysis being alternatively carried out in step a), on the starting amine of formula (II) , c) treating the resulting N-substituted alka-nolamine of the formula Q R° H0-(CH2)m-C-CH2-N-T-Z (V) Ar' with methanesulfonyl chloride, d) reacting the resulting mesylate of the formula Q R° i I CH3S02-0-(CH2)m-C-CH2-N-T-Z (VI) Ar' with a secondary amine of the formula X\ X' / \ Ar - C - Y NH (VII) J in which Ar, Y, X and X' are as defined above, and e) eliminating any O-protecting and N-protecting groups present and, if appropriate, conver-ting the resulting product into one of its salts.

The functional derivative of the acid (III) used is the acid itself, suitably activated for example by cyclohexylcarbodiimide or by benzotriazolyl-N-oxy-trisdimethylaminophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP), or one of the functional derivatives which react with amines, for example an anhydride, a mixed anhydride, the chloride or an activated ester. When Z is a group 0M, the acid in question is carbonic acid and the functional derivative used is the monochloride , namely a chloroformate C1-C0-0M.

Any N-protecting groups present in the group R° of the compound of formula (II) are the conventional N-protecting groups well known to those skilled in the art, and preferably those which can be eliminated by acid hydrolysis, such as the trityl and methoxytrityl groups .

Any O-protecting groups present in the group X° are also the conventional O-protecting groups well known to those skilled in the art, and preferably those which can be eliminated by mild acid hydrolysis, such as the tetrahydropyran-2-yl , t-butyldimethylsilyl and methoxymethyl groups.

When the starting material used is a compound of formula (II) in which E is a group X· X° . .

/ \ Ar - C - Y N \_J the method of the present invention can be represented and illustrated in detail by Scheme 1 below: SCHEME 1 (Ι') -Z In formula (Ilia) above, the acid chloride is considered to be a reactive functional derivative of the acid (III). The acid chloride is used when it is desired to prepare a compound (I*) in which Z is OM. The reaction with the acid chloride is performed in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride or benzene, in the presence of a base such as, for example, triethyl-amine , at room temperature .

In the particular case where Z = OH, the reaction of the compound (II*) with the chloroformate of the formula C1-C-0M <¾ is performed by the usual methods.

When Z is other than 0M, it is possible to use another functional derivative or to start from the free acid (III), carrying out a coupling reaction of (II*) with BOP (benzotriazolyl-N-oxytrisdimethylaminophos-phonium hexafluorophosphate) and then adding the acid (III) in the presence of an organic base such as, for example, triethylamine , in a solvent such as methylene chloride or dimethylformamide , at room temperature, the compounds (I*) obtained being isolated and purified by the usual methods such as, for example, chromatography or recrystallization.

It is also possible to react (II*) with an iso(thio)cyanate W=C=N-Z (III*) in an anhydrous inert solvent such as, for example, benzene, overnight at room temperature, and then to treat the reaction mixture by the usual methods to give the compounds ( I " ) .

When the starting material used is a compound of formula (II) in which E is a tetrahydropyranyloxy group, the method of the present invention can be represented and illustrated by Scheme 2.

The reactions of the compound (II*) with the reactants (II la) and (III*) take place as described above for Scheme 1, it being possible for the acid chloride (Ilia) to be replaced with another functional derivative or with the free acid activated for example by BOP.

The resulting intermediate (IV) is deprotected by acid hydrolysis to give the free hydroxylated compound (V). Deprotection by hydrolysis of the tetra-hydropyranyloxy group can be carried out direct on the compound (II"). This gives the hydroxylated compound (II'''), which is reacted direct with the reactant (Ilia) or (III'), as described in Scheme 2 below, to give the compound (V). This is followed by preparation of the mesylate (VI) and then substitution with a secondary amine of formula (VII), which finally gives the compounds (I) according to the invention after de-protection of the amine L° if appropriate.

SCHEME 2 (CH2)m CH3S02-0-(CH2) (VI) (VII) + deprotection (I) When the product obtained at the end of the reaction of the compound of formula (II) with the compound (III) (as a functional derivative) or (III*) has formula (IV) in which E is a group X ^X0 ^ ^ Ar - C - Y N- in which Ar, X, X° and Y are as defined above, the product can either be the final product or have an 0-protected hydroxyl group (in X° ) or a protected amino group (L°) or both. In this last case, it is desirable to use the 0-protecting and N-protecting groups in the starting material (II) so as to be able to hydrolyze them at the same time.

Deprotection is carried out by the known methods; in particular, if a tetrahydropyranyl group is used as the 0-protecting group, hydrolysis can be carried out under mild conditions with dilute p-toluenesulfonic acid. If the molecule of the product (IV) contains both a tetrahydropyranyloxy group and a tritylamino group, hydrolysis of the former can thus be carried out without affecting the N-protecting group, whereas formic acid removes both protecting groups at the same time .

The resulting products of formula (I) are isolated, in the form of the free base or a salt, by the conventional techniques.

When the compound of formula ( I ) is obtained in the form of the free base, salt formation is effected by treatment with the chosen acid in an organic solvent. Treatment of the free base, for example dissolved in an alcohol such as isopropanol, with a solu-tion of the chosen acid in the same solvent gives the corresponding salt, which is isolated by the conventional techniques. The hydrochloride, hydrobromide , sulfate, hydrogensulfate , dihydrogenphosphate , methane-sulfonate, methylsulfate , oxalate, maleate, fumarate and naphthalene-2-sulfonate , for example, are prepared in this way.

When the reaction is complete, the compounds of formula (I) can be isolated in the form of one of their salts, for example the hydrochloride or the oxalate; in this case, where necessary, the free base can be prepared by neutralization of said salt with a mineral or organic base such as sodium hydroxide or triethylamine, or with an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate such as sodium or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate.

The enantiomers, which form part of the invention, can be isolated by resolution of the racemic mixtures ( I ) .

It is also possible to resolve racemic mixtures of the products of formula (II), especially the pro-ducts of formulae (II*) and (II'") or precursors thereof, in order to prepare the enantiomers of the products of formula ( I ) .

The starting compounds of formula (II) are prepared from nitriles of the formula Q E-(CH2)m-C-CN (VIII) in which m, E, Q and Ar' are as defined above, by reduction and, if appropriate, alkylation of the amine obtained.

To prepare the compounds of formula (II) in which R° is hydrogen, the starting nitriles of formula (VIII) are hydrogenated in an alkanol such as ethanol, in the presence of a catalyst such as, for example, Raney nickel, and the free primary amine can be isolated by the conventional methods.

When it is desired to prepare the compounds of formula (II) in which R° is methyl, the free amine, obtained by hydrogenation of the nitrile (VIII) as described above, is treated with a chloroformate , for example with the chloroformate of the formula Cl-CO-OAlk, in which Alk is a Ci-C alkyl , preferably ethyl, to give the carbamates of the formula Q E-(CH2)m-C-CH2-NH-C-0Alk Ar' 0 which are then reduced by known means such as reaction with a reducing agent like, for example, a metal hydride such as sodium aluminum hydride or lithium aluminum hydride, or a boron hydride such as borane dimethylsulfide . Reduction is carried out in a solvent such as ether or toluene, at a temperature between room temperature and 60 "C. The resulting methylamine of the formula CH3 ■(CH-?)m-C-CH2-N-H (II, R° = CHs) is isolated by the usual methods.

To prepare the compounds of formula (II) in which R° is a group -(CH2)n-L°, in which n and L° are as defined above, the free amine, obtained by hydrogenation of the nitrile (VIII) as described above, is treated with a reactive functional derivative of the acid of the formula L0-(CH2)n-i-COOH (IX) to give an amide of the formula E-(CH2)m-C-CH2-NH-C0-(CH2)n-l-L° ( X) in which m, n, E, Ar', Q and L° are as defined above.

On reduction under the same conditions as those described above for the nitrile (VIII), the amide (X) gives the desired compound of the formula E-(CH2)m- H2-NH-(CH2)n-LC al, R° = (CH2)n-L°) The nitriles of formula (VIII) are prepared from known nitriles (commercially available or prepared by known methods) of the formula Ar'-?CH-CN (XI) which, on alkylation with a compound of the formula E-(CH2)m-J (XII) in which m and E are as defined above and J is a halo-gen atom, for example a bromine atom, or a hydroxy1 group, give the desired compounds (VIII).

The nitriles of formula (VIII) in which E is a tetrahydropyranyloxy group are synthesized from a tetrahydropyranyloxy derivative (ΤΗΡ-0-) obtained by reacting an alkanol of the formula Br-(CH2)m-0H, where is as defined above, with dihydropyran to give the ompound Br - (CH2)m " 0 (XII, E = ΤΗΡ-0-, J = Br) which is then added, in the presence of an alkali metal hydride, to the acetonitrile derivative (XI) in order to prepare the intermediate CN (VIII, E = THP-0- , Q = H) corresponding to the compound of formula (VIII), which is an intermediate precursor of the compound (II*) in Scheme 1 above in which Q is hydrogen, which can then be alkylated.

The nitriles of formula (VIII) in which E is a group in which Ar, X, X° and Y are as defined above, are synthesized by known methods involving the addition of a nitrile derivative of the formula to chlorinated derivatives of the formula X X° / Ar-C-YAN-(CH2)m-Cl (XIII) in the presence of sodium amide, in a solvent such as toluene, at temperatures of between 30 and 80° C.

The chlorinated derivative (XIII) is prepared by reacting a chlorinating reagent such as thionyl chloride, for example, with the hydroxylated derivative of the formula which is itself prepared from the amine of the formula by reaction with ethylene oxide if m = 2 and a 3-halogenopropanol if m = 3.

The amines (II) are novel products which form the key intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) above. Moreover, it has been found, surprisingly, that like the compounds of formula (I), although to a lesser degree, the amines, of formula (Π') possess a good antagonistic activity towards neurokinin receptors. The activity of these compounds extends to the derivatives deprotected by the conventional methods referred to above ( X° = X' and R° = R) .

Thus, according to another of its features, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula ■ Q E°°-(CH2)m - C - CH2 - NH - R°° (XVI) Ar' in which: - E° 0 is a tetrahydropyranyloxy group, a hydroxy 1 group, or a group X X00, .

\ / I \ Ar - C - Y N- - m is >2 or 3 ; - Ar and Ar' independently are a thienyl group; a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or mono- or di- substituted by a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or fluorine atom, by a C1-C3 alkyl, by a trifluoro- methyl, by an alkoxy in which the alkyl is Ci-C3, by a hydroxyl or by a methylenedioxy ; or an imidazolyl group; it being possible for Ar' to be a benzothienyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, preferably by a chlorine or fluorine atom; a naphthyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, preferably by a fluorine atom; a biphenyl group; or an indolyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the nitrogen by a benzyl group; - X is hydrogen; - X° 0 is hydrogen or a hydroxyl group which is free or protected by an O-protecting group, or is Joined to X" below to form a carbon-carbon bond, • or X and X° 0 together form an oxo group or a di- alkylaminoalkoxyimino group of the formula =N-0- ( CH2 )F>-Am , in which p is 2 or 3 and Am is a dialkylamino group, it being possible for each alkyl to contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; - Y is a nitrogen atom or a group C(X"), in which X" is hydrogen or forms a carbon-carbon bond with X° 0 ; - Q is hydrogen, a Ci-C alkyl group or an aminoalkyl group of the formula - ( CH2 ) q-Am ' , in which q is 2 or 3 and Am' is a piperidino, 4-benzylpiperidino or di- alkylamino group, it being possible for each alkyl to contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and - R00 is hydrogen, a methyl group or a group (CH2)n-L00, in which n is a number from 2 to 6 and L°° is hydrogen or an amino group which is free or protected by an N-protecting group; or to one' of their salts.

The compounds of formula (XVI) include the compounds of formula (II) which are protected compounds, as well as the corresponding deprotected compounds. The compounds of formula XVI, provided that - when m = 2, E" is a hydroxyl group, R°° is hydrogen and Ar' is an unsubstituted phenyl, then Q is different from H, ethyl or propyl - when m = 2, E00 is a hydroxyl group, R° 0 is hydrogen and Q is hydrogen, then Ar' is different from a 3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl group or a 2-thienyl group - when m is 3, Εββ is a hydroxyl group, Ar' is an unsubstituted phenyl, Q is ethyl, then R° 0 is not hydrogen are novel products.

They are obtained by the process described above for the obtention of compounds of formula (II) , in which each step may be eventually followed by the elimination of N- and O-protecting groups. They may then be transformed into salts with optically active acids, which allows the preparation of optically pure compounds . - 25a - The compounds of formula (XVI) which are particularly preferred are those in which E°° is a hydroxyl group and R00 is hydrogen; these compounds and their enantiomers are the compounds of formula (II 1 ' ' ) .

The intermediates of formula (IV) in which E is tetrahydropyranyloxy and the intermediates of formula (V) and of formula (VI) are particularly advantageous novel products and represent a further feature of the present invention. These products, and the corresponding compounds from which the 0- and N-protecting groups have been removed by conventional methods, can be jointly represented by formula (V) below: •(CH2)m-C-CH2 (V) x' 26 in which: - m isj2 or 3 ; - G is hydrogen,' a tetrahydropyranyl group or a methane- sulfonyl group; - Ar' is a thienyl group; a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted by a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or fluorine atom, by a trifluoromethyl group, by an alkoxy in which the alkyl is C1-C3 or by a hydroxyl; a benzothienyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a 'halogen; a naphthyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, preferably a fluorine atom; a biphenyl group; or an indolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on the nitrogen by a benzyl; - Q is hydrogen or an aminoalkyl group of the formula -(CH2)¾-Am*, in which q is 2 or 3 and Am' is a piperi- dino, 4-benzylpiperidino or dialkylamino group, it being possible for each alkyl to contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; - R°° is hydrogen, a methyl group or a group ( CH2 )n-L° 0 , in which n is an integer from 2 to 6 and L° 0 is hydrogen or an amino group which is free or protected by an N-protecting group; - T is a group selected from W being an oxygen or sulfur atom; and - Z is either hydrogen, or M or OM when T is the group -C(=0)-, or M when T is the group -C(=W)-NH-, M being hydrogen; a linear or branched Ci-Ce alkyl; a phenyl- alkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and which is unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted on the aromatic ring by a halogen, a hydroxyl , an alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a pyridylalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a naphthylalkyl in which the alkyl group 27 111292/2 contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a pyridylthioalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a styryl; a l-methylimidazol-2-ylthioalkyl in which the alkvl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms ; a 1-oxo-^3-phenyl-inden-2-y1 ; or an unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted aromatic or heteroaro- matic group; and their salts with mineral or organic acids.

The compounds of formula (V), provided that when m = 3, G is hydrogen, Ar' is an unsubstituted phenyl group, 0 II Q is an ethyl group, T xs - C - and Z is a methyl group, then Ree is different from hydrogen, are novel compounds. These compounds are prepared according to Steps a ) , b ) and c) of the method described above for the preparation of the compounds of formula ( I ) , which are eventually followed by the elimination of N-protecting groups after each step, except that a free amine of the formula in which m , G , Q , Ar' are as defined above and R° is hydrogen, a methyl group, a group (Ch^^-L0 in which n is an integer from 2 to 6 and L° is .hydrogen or an amino group protected by an N-protecting group/is used as the starting material.

As indicated above, the intermediates which are capable of giving salts with optically active acids can be resolved so as to make it possible to prepare the enantiomers of the compounds of formula (I). - 27a - It is also possible to make provision for the stereospecific synthesis of intermediates which do not give a salt permitting separation.

A particularly suitable intermediate for such a stereospecific synthesis is the alcohol of formula (V) above .

Thus, according to another of its features, the present invention relates to the enantiomers and to a method of preparing the enantiomers of the compounds of formula (I) and their salts; said enantiomers have formula (I*) below: - 28 - in which: Ar, Ar', Z, X, X', Y, Q, R, T and m are as defined above and "*" means that the carbon atom denoted by this symbol has a defined ( + ) or (-) absolute configuration.

This method comprises treating a compound of the formula in a solvent such as, for example, dioxane, in an acid medium, for example in the presence of hydrochloric acid, to give the amino acid of the formula (XVIII*) which is esterified in an alkanol AlkOH, in which Alk is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in an acid medium, and then treating the corresponding ester of the formula in which Alk, Q, Ar', R° and m are as defined above, - 29 - - either with a functional derivative of an acid of the formula H0-C0-Z (III) - or with an iso(thio)cyanate of the formula W=C=N-Z (III*) Z and W being as defined above, under operating conditions identical to those used for the preparation of the derivatives (IV) above, to give the ester of the formula Q R° I Alk0-C-(CH2)m-l-CC**-- The alcohol (V*) is converted into the methane-sulfonate derivative of the formula Q R° I CH3S02-0-(CH2)m-C*-CH2-N-T-Z (VI*) Ar' under operating conditions identical to those used for the preparation of the derivatives (VI) above.

The derivatives (VI*) correspond to the compounds of formula (V) above in which m, Q, T, Ar' and Z are as defined above, G is methanesulfonyl and R° ° is R° , the latter being as defined above, said compounds being in optically pure form. These compounds are novel and form part of the invention.

Substitution of the mesylate (VI*) with an amine of the formula X X Ar - C - Ϋ NH (VII) \_J under the conditions described for the preparation of (I) above makes it possible to prepare the derivatives (I*), after deprotection if appropriate, these derivatives being eventually transformed into one of their salts, using known methods.

The compounds of formula (XVII*) are known or can easily be prepared by the method described by G. HELMCHEN et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1979, 1, 18, 65, according to the following scheme: - 31 - SCHEMK 3 -0-C-(CH3)3 (CH3)3-C-0-C-(CH ? (CH3)3-C-0-C-(CH2)m-l-C-CH2NH2 0 Ar ' TFA - 32 - -(CH2)m-l-C-CH2 H3SCF3C02 BOC2O Q •(CH2)m-l"C-NHB0C Ar' (XVII*, R° = BOC) The resulting products of formula (I*) are isolated, in the form of the free base or a salt, by the conventional techniques.

When the compound of formula (I*) is obtained in the form of the free base, salt formation is effected by treatment with the chosen acid in an organic solvent. Treatment of the free base, for example dis-solved in an alcohol such as isopropanol, with a solution of the chosen acid in the same solvent gives the corresponding salt, which is isolated by the conventional techniques. The hydrochloride, hydrobromide , sulfate, hydrogensulfate , dihydrogenphosphate , methane-sulfonate, methylsulfate , oxalate, maleate , fumarate - 33 - 36 - 111292/2 and naphthalene-2-sulfonate , for example, are prepared in this way.

When the reaction is complete, the compounds of formula (I*) can be isolated in the form of one of their salts, for example the hydrochloride or the oxalate; in this case, where necessary, the free base can be prepared by neutralization of said salt with a mineral or organic base .

The following Examples illustrate the invention without however implying a limitation.

EXAMPLE 1 N- [4- ( 4-BenzyIpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro- phenyl )buty1 ] -2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide hydrochloride .

SR 45672 A A) l-Amino-4- (4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl )-2- ( 3, 4-dichloro- phenyl )butane dihydrochloride 14.5 g of 4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3, 4- dichlorophenyl )butyronitrile hydrochloride are dissolved in 400 ml of 95° ethanol. A solution of 20 ml of concentrated ammonia in 40 ml of water and Raney nickel (10% by weight of the amount of amine) are added to the mixture, which is then placed under a hydrogen atmosphere, with vigorous stirring, for 4 hours, after which 1.67 1 of hydrogen have been consumed. After filtration of the catalyst, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in a solution of hydrogen chloride in methanol, filtered off and recrystallized from a 3/7 acetone/ether mixture, m = 10.2 g M.p. = 210°C.

B) SR 45672 A 2.3 g of the product obtained above and 1 g of 2, -dichlorobenzoyl chloride are dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride in the presence of 0.03 g of tri- ethylamine. The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hours at room temperature and then concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in water, extracted with ether, dried over MgS0-¾ and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 97/3 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the pure fractions gives a residue, which is taken up in a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether. m = 1 g M.p. = 86-87°C.

EXAMPLE 2 N- C5- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro- pheny1 )penty1 ] -2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide hydrochloride .

SR 45083 A If the procedure of Example 1 is followed, except that 5-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl )pentylnitrile is used as the starting material, SR 45083 A is obtained, which is recrystallized from a methylene chloride/pentane mixture.

M.p. = 98-100°C.

EXAMPLE 3 N-[4-( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-difluoro-phenyl )butyl] -2 , 4-dimethylbenzamide hydrochloride hemi hydrate. SR 46316 A 1.2 g of BOP are added to a solution of 1 g of l-amino-3- ( 4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-difluoro-phsnyl )butane , 0.34 g of 2 , 4-dimethylbenzoic acid and 1 g of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride. The reaction mixture is stirred for one hour at room temperature and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in water, extracted with ether, washed with water and then with a solution of sodium bicarbonate, dried over MgSO-4 and then concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in methylene chloride for pre-paration of the hydrochloride, which is filtered off and washed with ether, m = 0.4 g M.p. = 99-103°C.

The compounds described in Tables 1 and 2 were prepared according to Example 1, 2 or 3.

In the formula below, the group Z indicated in formula I is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted by A, A' and A".

Product SR Ar' A' A" : M.p.-, °C. Recryst, (Example n°) solvent. Salt r her . 0.5 H2O her r ate CI hydrate te CI 45672 D 2-Cl 4-Cl 144 - 146 (19c) pentane gluconate 45672 E 2-Cl 4-Cl 103 - 105 (19d) pentane citrate hemihydrate nate CI hemihydrate 45672 H 2-Cl 4-Cl 136-138 (19f) methanol free base 46153 A (20) r 46183 A (21) (22) 47158 A (23) r 47225 A (24) 46498 A (25) HC1. 0.5 H2O 45261 A : 2-Cl : 4-Cl : H : 90-94 (26) : isopropanol : methanesulfonate 4 4 4 4 CH2 C6H5 46360 A : 2-Cl : 4-Cl : H : 138-144 (31) : CH2Cl2/ether : HC1 yl ether er CI e CI l acetate Product SR : m : Z : M.p., °C. Recryst. : (Example n°) : solvent. Salt : 45303 A : 2 H : ether : (56) : HC1 : 77 47122 A : 2 : -CH3 ether (57) HC1 170 45599 A 2 -CH2CH3 ether (58) HC1 170 47315 A 2 -CH-(CH3)2 ether (59) HC1 150 : 47581 A : 3 : -CH-(CH3)2 : isopropyl ether (60) : HC1 160 47314 A -C-(CH3)3 ether (61) HC1 188 45946 A -CH2-(CH2)2-CH2CH3 ether (62) HC1 4 4 4 her 4 4 Et er propyl ether (decomposition) 4 r 4 r 4 one 4 4 l acetate 4 130 45793 A ether (86) HC1 EXAMPLE 87 N'-[4-(4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl )butyl ] -N-naphth-l-ylurea hydrochloride .

SR 45924 A 2.52 g of l-amino-4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )butane are dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous benzene, 1.09 g of naphth-l-yl isocyanate are then added and the reaction mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. The excess isocyanate is decomposed by adding 10 ml of methanol and heating the mixture at the boil for 30 minutes.

The mixture is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in an ethyl acetate/water mixture, washed with a .10% solution of sodium hydroxide and then water, decanted, dried over MgSO-4 and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in acetone, a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether is then added and the hydrochloride is filtered off and solidified in ether. m = 3.3 g M.p. = 174°C.

The compounds described in Table 3 were prepared according to Example 87.

TABLE 3 -NH-Z Product SR n° Ar' M.p., °C. Recryst. (Example n°) solvent. Salt 45924 B (87b) esulfonate drate 45924 C (87c) ate 45924 D acetate (87d) ate CI 45924 E ane (87e) fluoroacetate 4 anol ate er er er rochloride er rochloride EXAMPLE 96 Benzyl N-[4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl )buty1 ] carbamate hydrochloride .

SR 46940 A 2.26 g of l-amino-4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2- (3,4-dichlorophenyl)butane hydrochloride and 0.89 g of benzyl chloroformate are dissolved in 30 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture is cooled to 0°C and a solution of 1.52 g of triethylamine in 10 ml of methy-lene chloride is then added. The reaction mixture is left for 1 hour at room temperature and then concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in water, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with a 10% solution of sodium hydroxide and then a saturated solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSC and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 96/4 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent. After concentration of the pure fractions under vacuum, the residue is taken up in ether, a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether is added and the hydrochloride is filtered off. m - 1.7 g M.p. = 130°C.

EXAMPLE 97 Ethyl N-[4-( 4-benzylpiperidin-l-y1 ) -2- ( 3 , 4- dichlorophenyl )butyl ] carbamate hydrochloride 9.8 g of l-amino-4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2- (3,4-dichlorophenyl)butane dihydrochloride and 6.7 g of triethylainine are dissolved in 200 ml of methylene chloride. 2.28 g of ethyl chloroformate are added dropwise to this solution at room temperature and the reaction mixture is left to stand for one hour at room temperature, with stirring. The reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate/water and washed successively with a 5% solution of sodium hydroxide, water and a saturated solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase is dried over Na2S04 and concentrated under vacuum to give a residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel using a 94/6 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the pure fractions gives a residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate. A solu- tion of hydrogen chloride in ether is added to the ethyl acetate solution and the hydrochloride is filtered off. m = 6.5 g M.p. = 108-110°C.

EXAMPLE 98 N-Methy1-N- [4- ( 4-benzylpiperidin-l-y1 ) -2- (3,4-dichloropheny1 )buty1 ] -2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide hydrochloride. SR 46650 A a) 4-(4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l- N-methylaminobutane hydrochloride 6.5 g of the product obtained in Example 97 and 1.6 g of lithium aluminum hydride are dissolved in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran and refluxed for 3 hours. The reaction mixture is hydrolyzed by the addition of a 2 N solution of sodium hydroxide and then filtered on Celite. The filtrate is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate and the hydrochloride is obtained by the addition of a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether, m = 4.3 g .p. = 234-236'C. b) SR 46650 A SR 46650 A is obtained by reacting 2,4-di-chlorobenzoyl chloride with the product obtained above, following the procedure described in Example 1.

M.p. = 140-142°C.

EXAMPLE 99 N- ( 1-Aminohexy1 ) -N- [ - ( 4-benzylpiperidin-l-y1 ) 2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )butyl ]-2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide di hydrochloride hemihydrate . SR 46510 A a) 4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl )-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )-l- N-tritylaminopentylamidobutane 3 g of l-amino-4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2- (3, 4-dichlorophenyl )butane hydrochloride are suspended in 60 ml of methylene chloride in the presence of 3.2 ml of triethylamine . After the diamine has dissolved, 2.5 g of tritylaminocaproic acid and then 3.2 g of BOP are added. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, washed with water, a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide and then water, decanted, dried over MgSO-4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95/5 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the pure fractions gives 3.6 g of the expected product. b ) 4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl ) -1- N- ( 1-tritylaminohexyl )aminobutane 3.6 g of the product obtained above are dissolved in 40 ml of tetrahydrofuran and added dropwise to a suspension of 600 mg of lithium aluminum hydride in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 18 hours and then cooled, hydrolyzed, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using an 80/20 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the pure fractions gives 1.9 g of the . expected product . c ) N- [4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl ) -N- ( 1-tritylaminohexyl )aminobuty1 ] -2 , 4- dichlorobenzamide 1.9 g of the product obtained above are dissolved in 30 ml of methylene chloride. The solution is cooled to -20°C and 0.57 g of 2 , 4-dichlorobenzoyl chloride in 10 ml of methylene chloride is then added. The mixture is left to return to room temperature, washed twice with water, decanted, dried over MgSC-4 and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95/5 methylene chloride/ methanol mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the pure fractions gives 1.5 g of the expected amide. d) SR 46510 A 1.5 g of the tritylated derivative obtained above are dissolved in 15 ml of a 50% solution of formic acid in water and stirred at 60 °C for one hour. The cooled mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ether, rendered alkaline with sodium hydroxide, extracted with methylene chloride, decanted, dried over MgSO and concentrated under vacuum. The residue obtained is taken up in 5 ml of methylene chloride, and a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether is added until the pH is 1. m = 1 g M.p. = 100°C (decomposition).

Elemental analysis C H N SR n° B' Calculated % Example nc Found % or M.p. °C and Salt 59.94 6.10 4.99 47239 A 3-Cl 4-Cl / 59.84 6.10 4.85 (102) HC1. 0.5 H2O 47829 A 3-Cl 4-Cl (103) EXAMPLE 107 N- [ - ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-y1 ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloropheny1 ) -2-isobutylbuty1 ] -2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide hydrochloride. SR 46753 A a) 4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-y1 ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloropheny1 ) -2- isobutylbutyronitrile 6 g of 4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4-di- chlorophenyl)butyronitrile are dissolved in 70 ml of anhydrous ether in the presence of 0.62 g of sodium amide. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 2 hours and then left to return to room temperature and 2.12 g of l-bromo-2-methylpropane are added. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 24 hours and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in water, extracted with ethyl acetate, decanted, dried over MgSO-4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum.

The expected product is obtained after purification by chromatography on silica gel using a 90/10 hexane/ethyl acetate mixture as the eluent. b ) l-Amino-4- ( 4-benzylpiperidiri-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )-2-isobutylbutane 2.6 g of the product obtained above are dissolved in a mixture of 30 ml of ammonia and 20 ml of water. A catalytic amount of Raney nickel is added and hydrogenation is carried out at atmospheric pressure and at room temperature. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in methanol and the hydrochloride is obtained by the addition of a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether. c) SR 46753 A SR 46753 A is obtained by reacting the product obtained, above with 2 , 4-dichlorobenzoyl chloride, as described in Example 1.

M.p. = 126°C.

The compounds described in Table 5 were synthesized according to Example 107.

In the formula below, the group Ar' indicated in Formula I is a 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl group and the group Z is a 2 , 4-dichlorophenyl group.

TABLE 5 Product SR n° Q M.p., °C. Recryst.

(Example n°) solvent. Salt CH3 145-157 / 46507 A -(CH2)3-N methylene chloride/ether (108) CH3 2HC1 46754 A - (109) ther 135-144 46566 A -(CH2)3" ^> methylene chloride/ether (110) 2HC1. H20 EXAMPLE 111 N-[4-( 4-Benzoyl?iperidin-l-yl)-2-(3, 4-dichloro-phenyl )butyl]-2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide hydrochloride .

SR 46159 A a ) 3- ( 3 , 4-Dichlorophen 1 ) -1- ( tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy ) - 3- nitrilopropane 20 g of sodium hydride as a 55-60% dispersion in oil are suspended in 200 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran . A solution of 85 g of 3 , -dichlorophenylacetonitrile in 500 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise at 20 "C, in 30 minutes, and the reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The mixture is cooled to 20°C, a solution of 98 g of l-bromo-2-tetranydropyranyl-!oxy thane "ΐϊι TOO ml of tetrahydrofuran is added, the mixture is left to return to room temperature and, after 2 hours, a solution of 50 g of ammonium chloride in 3 liters of water is added. The. mixture is extracted V7ith 1.5 liters of ether, washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride, decanted, dried over MgSC and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride as the eluent. The pure product fractions are concentrated under vacuum to give 83.6 g of an oil. b ) 1-Amino-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )-4- ( tetrahydropyran-2-tyloxy) butane. 83.6 g of the nitrile obtained above are dissolved in 100 ml of absolute ethanol. 350 ml of con-centrated ammonia are added and Raney nickel (10% of the amount of startin amine) is then added while sweeping with nitrogen. Hydrogenation is then carried out under a hydrogen atmosphere at room temperature and ordinary pressure. 11.9 liters of hydrogen are absorbed in 3 hours. The catalyst is filtered off on Celite, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in a saturated solution of sodium chloride. 82.5 g of an oil are obtained after extraction with ether and drying over MgS04. c ) 1- ( 2 , 4-Dichlorobenzoylamino ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )- 4- ( tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)butane 80 g of the amine obtained above are dissolved in S00 ml of methylene chloride. The solution is cooled to 0°C and 38.4 ml of triethylamine and then 55 g of 2 , -dichlorobenzoyl chloride are added. The reaction mixture is subsequently stirred at room temperature for one hour and then washed with water. The organic phase is decanted, dried over MgSC and con-centrated under vacuum to give 120 g of an oil. d) 1- ( 2 , 4-Dichlorobenzoylamino )-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl ) - butan-4-ol 120 g of the product obtained above are dissolved in 1 liter of methanol in the presence of 12 g of paratoluenesulfonic acid. The reaction mixture is stirred for 18 hours at room temperature and then concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in methylene chloride and washed with a 10% solution of sodium carbonate. The organic phase is decanted and dried over MgSC to give 106 g of an oil. e ) 1- ( 2 , 4-Dichlorobenzoylamino ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl ) - 4-mesyloxybutane 106 g of the alcohol obtained above are dissolved in 1 1 of methylene chloride, the solution is cooled to 0°C and 44 ml of triethylamine and 24.2 ml of mesyl chloride are then added. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, washed 3 times with iced water, decanted, dried over M S04 and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue is recrystallized from isopropyl ether. m = 95 g. f ) SR 46159 A 3 g of the mesylate obtained above and 3.1 g of 4-benzoylpiperidine are dissolved in 7 ml of methylene chloride and the reaction mixture is refluxed for 24 hours. The mixture is diluted in methylene chloride and washed with water, then with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide and then again with water. The organic phase is decanted, dried over MgSC and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 70/30 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent.

The pure product fractions are concentrated under vacuum, the residue is diluted in methylene chloride and the hydrochloride is obtained by the addition of a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether, m = 930 mg.

C H N : Calculated % 55.83 4.84 4.49 C29H2eCUN2O2.HCl-O.5H2O : Found % 55.69 4.97 4.71 The compounds of the Examples listed in Table 6 (I, Ar' = 3, 4-dichlorophenyl; Z = 2, 4-dichlorophenyl) were prepared according to Example 111.

The compounds of the Examples listed in Table 7 (I, Ar* = 3,4-dichlorophenyl) and Table 8 (I, Ar' = 3, -dichlorophenyl or 3-trifluoromethyIpheny1 ) were prepared according to Example 1, 2 or 3.

TABLE 6 CH~ 49.73 4.74 6.00 47348 A V v 50.13 4.72 5.84 (127) 2HC1. H20 \ TABLE 7 Elemental analysis SR n° C H Example n° Calculated % Found % Salt Product SR n° Ar* M.p., °C. Recryst. (Example n°) solvent. Salt ropyl ether 0 ropyl ether H5C6 yl ether/CH2Cl Ether 47580 A 180 (146) A. isopropyl HC1 EXAMPLE 147 N- [4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl )-2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro- phenyl )butyl]-2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide ( + ) hydrochloride. SR 47050 A The optical rotations of the compounds below were measured at 25 °C.

A) N- ( 1-Phenylethyl ) -β- ( tert-butoxycarbonylamino- methyl )-3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropionamide S ep 1 A solution of 39.6 ml of diisopropylamine in 200 ml of anhydrous THF is introduced into a 2-liter three-necked flask swept with nitrogen. The solution is cooled to -60°C and the following are added in order at this temperature: - 176 ml of a 1.6 M solution of butyllithium in hexane, - 50 g of 3, 4-dichlorobenzeneacetonitrile in 300 ml of THF, and then - 39.4 ml of tert-butyl bromoacetate in 100 ml of THF.

The mixture is left to return to a temperature of O'C in 2 hours 30 minutes. It is poured into 3 1 of a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The mixture is extracted twice with ether and dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvents are evaporated off. The oil obtained is chromatographed on 1 kg of silica H using a 95/5 cyclohexane/ethyl acetate mixture as the eluent. This gives 44.3 g of tert-butyl _3-cyano-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionate .

M.p. = 67°C.

Step 2 A mixture of 40 g of the product obtained above (Step 1), 700 ml of absolute ethanol, 200 ml of concentrated ammonia (20%) and 3 spatulas of Raney nickel is stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 5 hours. After filtration of the catalyst and evaporation of the solvents, 38.8 g of tert-butyl 13-aminomethyl-3, 4-di-chlorobenzenepropionate are obtained in the form of an oil.

Step 3 A solution of 23.5 g of the product obtained above (Step 2) in 150 ml of methylene chloride is cooled to -10°C. 250 ml of trifluoroacetic acid are added and the mixture is then left to return to a temperature of 20° C in 1 h 30 min.

After removal of the solvents, 27 g of β-amino-methyl-3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid trifluoro-acetate are obtained in the form of an oil.

- Step 4 150 ml of dioxane, then 30 ml of triethylamine and then a solution of 23 g of ditert-butyl dicarbonate in 50 ml of dioxane are added to a solution of 27 g of the product obtained above (Step 3) in 150 ml of water. The mixture is heated at 100 °C for 1 hour. The dioxane is removed under vacuum and the solution obtained is washed with isopropyl ether. The aqueous phase is poured into 1.5 1 of a phosphate buffer solution of pH 2. After extraction with ether and drying over magnesium sulfate, the solvents are evaporated off. The oil obtained is crystallized from isopropyl ether to give 20.3 g of -(tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl)-3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid.

Step 5 The following are added in order to a solution of 10 g of the product obtained above (Step 4) in 150 ml of methylene chloride: - 8 ml of triethylamine , - 3.5 g of S( -)-a-methylbenzylamine , and - 14 g of BOP (benzotriazolyl-N-oxytrisdimethylamino- phosphonium hexafluorophosphate) .

After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, the mixture is washed with water, then with a phosphate buffer solution of pH 2 and then with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. It is dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvents are removed under vacuum to give 12 g of N- ( 1-phenylethyl )-J3- ( tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethy1 ) -3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropion-amide .

B) Methyl ester of β- ( 2 , 4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl )-3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid (+) Step 1 Separation of the diastereoisomers of N-(l-phenylethyl ) -j3- ( tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl ) -3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionamide The crude product is a mixture of two diastereoisomers. They can be separated by thin layer chromatography. They are separated preparatively by means of chromatography on 400 g of silica H using an 80/20 toluene/ethyl acetate mixture as the eluent. The less polar isomer emerges first and 5.8 g thereof are collected.

M.p. = 146-147°C [CX]D = -43.6° (c = 1 in chloroform).

S ap 2 A solution of 5 g of the product obtained above in 10 ml of dioxane and 50 ml of 6 N hydrochloric acid is refluxed overnight. After cooling, the solution is washed with ether and the aqueous phase is then progressively neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate until the pH is 7. This gives a precipitate, which is filtered off and washed with water, isopropanol and then ether. After drying, 1.88 g of {->-aminomethyl-3,4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid are obtained.

M.p. = 202-204°C.

Step 3 1.10 ml of thionyl chloride are added to a sus-pension of 1.85 g of the product obtained above (Step 2) in 20 ml of methanol, cooled to -20°C and under nitrogen, and the mixture ia then left to return to a temperature of 20 °C. 2 hours later, 200 ml of ether are added and the product which has crystallized is filtered off and washed with ether. After drying, 2.15 g of methyl f3-aminomethyl-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepro-pionate (-) are obtained.

M.p. = 184-186°C [O.]D = -4.3° (c = 1 in methanol).

Step 4 A solution of 2 , 4-dichlorobenzoyl chloride (1.54 g) in 5 ml of methylene chloride is added to a solution of 2.0 g of the product obtained above (Step 3) and 1.5 g of triethylamine in 20 ml of methylene chloride, cooled to 0°C. 5 min later, the solution is concentrated to dryness, water is added and extraction is carried out with ethyl acetate. The residue obtained is then crystallized from isopropyl ether to give 2.72 g of methyl 0- ( 2 , 4-dichlorobenzoylamino-ethyl )benzenepropionate (+).

M.p. = 105-107°C [Q]D = +26.6° (c = 1 in chloroform).

C) Methyl ester of l3-(2, 4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl)-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid (-) Step 1 Following the procedure described in Example 1 B), Step 1, the more polar isomer is collected using an 80/20 and then 60/40 toluene/ethyl acetate mixture as the eluent. Concentration of the fractions gives 5.4 g of N-( l-phenylethyl)-f->-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino-methyl )-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionamide . .p. = 161-162°C [α]ϋ = -18.4° (c = 1 in chloroform).

Step 2 0-Aminomethyl-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid is prepared following the procedure described in Example I B), Step 2.

M.p. = 202-204°C.

Step 3 Methyl 0-aminomethyl-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepro-pionate (+) is prepared following the procedure described in Example 1 B), Step 3.

M.p. = 184-185°C [a]D = +3.9° (c = 1 in methanol).

S ep 4 Methyl β- (2 , 4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl )-3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionate (-) is prepared following the procedure described in Example 1 B), Step 4.

M.p. = 108-109°C [a]D = -27.7° (c = 1 in chloroform).

D) Reduction of the methyl esters of £3-(2,4-dichloro-benzoylaminomethy1 ) -3 , 4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid (+) or (-) First of all, a 0.5 M solution of calcium boro-hydride in THF is prepared by stirring a suspension of sodium borohydride (0.1 mol) and calcium chloride (0.05 mol) in 100 ml of THF for 3 hours. 13 ml of this solution are then added to a solution of 2.5 g of the methyl ester of 0-(2,4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl)-3,4-dichlorobenzenepropionic acid , ( + ) or (-) in 20 ml of THF. The mixture is stirred overnight. The next day, the solution is cooled to 0°C and subsequently hydro- lyzed with water and then dilute hydrochloric acid. After extraction with ether, the practically pure alcohol (+) or (-) is collected in the form of an oil. E) Preparation of the mesylate (methanesulfonate ) derivatives of Y-(2, 4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl) -3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropanol (+) or (-) 1.3 g of the alcohol obtained above are dissolved in 30 ml of methylene chloride, the solution is cooled to 0°C and 0.5 ml of triethylamine and 0.3 ml of mesyl chloride are then added. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, washed 3 times with iced water, decanted, dried over MgSO- and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 60/40 ethyl acetate/pentane mixture as the eluent. The pure fractions are concentrated under vacuum.

Thus, starting from the ester (+), a residue is obtained which is recrystallized from isopropyl ether to give 1.1 g of }f-(2, 4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl )-3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropanol (+) methanesulfonate .

M.p. = 74-77°C Ca]D = +21.2° (c = 1 in chloroform).

Thus, starting from the ester (-), X'-(2,4-dichlorobenzoylaminomethyl ) -3, 4-dichlorobenzenepropanol (-) methanesulfonate is obtained following the above procedure .

M.p. = 72-76°C [CI]D = -22.5° (c = 1 in chloroform).

F) Preparation of N-[4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4- dichlorophenyl)butyl]-2,4-dichlorobenzamide (+) hydrochloride. SR 47050 A 0.6 g of the mesylate ( + ) obtained above and 0.54 g of 4-benzylpiperidine are dissolved in 1 ml of dimethylformamide and the reaction mixture is heated at 60 °C for 30 minutes. Water is added and extraction is carried out with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is chromato- graphed on silica gel using a 97/3 methylene chloride/ methanol mixture as the eluent.

The pure product fractions are concentrated under vacuum, the residue is diluted in methylene chloride and the hydrochloride is obtained by the addition of a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether, m = 0.5 g [Q]D = +14.0° (c = 1 in chloroform).

EXAMPLE 148 N- C4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-1-y1 ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro- phenyl)butyl]-2,4-dichlorobenzamide (-) hydrochloride. SR 47051 A SR 47051 A is obtained following the same procedure as above (according to Example 147 F)), except that the mesylate isomer (-) is used as the starting material . [a]D = -14.5° (c = 1 in chloroform).

EXAMPLE 149 The compound below is prepared following the procedure described in Example 147 above: - N- [4- ( 4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-difluoropheny1 ) - butyl]-2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide (-) hydrochloride.

SR 47243 A [OJD = -8.5° (c = 1 in chloroform).

EXAMPLE 150 The compound below is prepared following the procedure described in Example 147 above: - N-[4-(4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)- butyl ] -2 , 4-dichlorobenzamide (+) hydrochloride.

SR 47238 A [CI]D = +7.3° (c = 1 in chloroform).

EXAMPLE 151 N- [4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro-phenyl)butyl]-4-fluoronaphthalene-l-carboxamide (+) and (-) hydrochloride Step 1 l-Amino-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl ) -4-hydroxybutane 150 ml of a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride in ether are added to a solution of 149 g of 4- ( tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-2- ( 3 , 4-dichlorophenyl )-1-aminobutane in 700 ml of methanol. The mixture is stirred for ¾ hour at room temperature and concentrated under vacuum and the residue is taken up in 500 ml of water and washed with ether. The aqueous phase is rendered alkaline with a solution of sodium hydroxide and extracted twice with methylene chloride. The organic phases are dried over MgSO- , filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in 400 ml of isopropyl ether and the mixture is stirred for one hour at room temperature. The precipitate is filtered off and washed with ether . m = 98.2 g M.p. = 90-91°C.

Step 2 ( + ) -Enantiomer of l-amino-2-( 3, 4-dichloro-pheny1 ) -4-hydroxybutane A solution of 93 g of the racemate, previously prepared according to Step 1, in 300 ml of methanol is added to a refluxing solution of 59.65 g of D(-)-tartaric acid in 2 liters of methanol. The mixture is left to return to room temperature and the crystals are filtered off, washed with methanol and dried under vacuum at 50 °C over P2O6. m = 64.8 g [CX]D = -5.2° (c = 1 in water).

The product is then recrystallized from 2.96 1 of methanol and the crystals are filtered off, washed with methanol and dried under vacuum at 50°C over P2O5. m = 45.3 g [a]D = -4.5° (c = 1 in water) M.p. = 201°C.

The D( - )-tartrate is taken up in 250 ml of water, rendered alkaline with a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide, extracted with 3 times 200 ml of methylene chloride, washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride, decanted, dried over MgSO^, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is taken up in isopropyl ether, the mixture is stirred for one hour at room temperature and the crystals are filtered off and washed with isopropyl ether. m = 24.7 g [a]D = +9.0° (c = 1 in methanol) M.p. = 79-80°C.

(-)-Enantiomer of l-amino-2-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl )-4-hydroxybutane The (- ) -enantiomer is obtained following the above procedure and using L(+) -tartaric acid.

[CI]D = -9.2° (c = 1 in methanol) M.p. = 79-80°C.

Step 3 N- C2- ( 3 , -Dichlorophenyl )-4-mesyloxybuty1 ] -4-fluoronaphthalene-l-carboxamide ( (-)-enantiomer ) A solution of 4.45 g of 4-fluoronaphthoyl chloride in 50 ml of methylene chloride is added drop-wise at -60°C to a solution of 5 g of the product obtained above ( (+)-enantiomer ) in 100 ml of methylene chloride in the presence of 2.6 g of triethylamine . The mixture is stirred for 15 minutes at -60 °C and left to return to a temperature of -30°C. 2.5 g of triethylamine and 2.7 g of mesyl chloride are then added and the mixture is left to return to room temperature. It is washed with water and the organic phase is dried over MgSC and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 99.5/0.5 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent.

The pure fractions are concentrated under vacuum. m = 8.4 g [a]D = -22.8° (c = 1 in methanol).

N- [2- ( 3 , 4-Dichlorophenyl ) -4-mesyloxybuty1 ]-4-fluoronaphthalene-l-carboxamide ( (+)-enantiomer) The (+)-enantiomer is obtained following the procedure described above in Step 3, except that the (-)-enantiomer of Step 2 is used.

Ca]D = +22.7° (c = 1 in methanol).

Step 4 N- [4- ( 4-Benzylpiperidin-l-yl ) -2- ( 3 , 4-dichloro-phenyl )butyl] -4-fluoronaphthalene-l-carboxamide hydrochloride. (-)-Enantiomer . SR 48225 A 7 g of the ( -)-enantiomer obtained in Step 3 and 5.02 g of 4-benzylpiperidine are dissolved in 15 ml of dimethylformamide and the reaction mixture is heated at 70 °C for two hours. The mixture is poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phases are washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSC and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 97/3 methylene chloride/methanol mixture as the eluent .

The pure product fractions are concentrated under vacuum, the residue is diluted in methylene chloride and the hydrochloride is obtained by the addition of a solution of hydrogen chloride in ether. m = 6.2 g [OJD = -35.5° (c = 1 in methanol).

(+)-Enantiomer. SR 48226 A The (+)-enantiomer is obtained following the same procedure as for the ( - )-enantiomer prepared above, except that the ( + ) -enantiomer obtained in Step 3 is used. m = 7 g [a]D = +36.0° (c = 1 in methanol).

EXAMPLE 151 : N-methyl-N β- (4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl) -2- (3 , 4-dichlorophenyl) butyl7 phenylacetamide hydrochloride. SR 48172A.

The 4- (4-benzylpiperidin-l-yl) -2- (3, 4-dichlorophenyl )-l-methyl amino butane hydrochloride obtained in step a) of example 98 is treated with phenylacetic chloride according to the process of example 1, to obtain the compound SR 48172A.

The above description may include matter which is not claimed but is retained herein for the sake of completeness .

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A compound of the formula Q R * ' E 1 - (CH2)m - C - CH2 - N - K (XXI) Ar in which E' is a tetrahydropyranyloxy group, a hydroxyl group or a methanesulfonyloxy group m is 2 or 3; Ar ' is a thienyl group; a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by a halogen atom, by a C1-C3 alkyl, by a trifluoromethyl , by a methoxy or an alkoxy in which the alkyl is C2-C3, by a hydroxyl or by a methylenedioxy; or an imidazolyl grou ; a benzothienyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen; a naphthyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen; a biphenyl group; or an indolyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the nitrogen by a benzyl group; - Q is hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl group or an aminoalkyl group of the formula -(CI^q-Am1 ,. in which q is 2 or 3 and Am' is a piperidino, 4-benzylpiperidino or dialkylamino group, it being possible for each alkyl to contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms ; - R** is hydrogen , a methyl group or a group (CH2)n-L* ' ' in which n is an integer from 2 to 6 and L** is hydrogen or an amino group which is free or protected by an N-protecting group ; - K is hydrogen or T - Z 111292/3 - 96 - T is a group selected from being an oxygen or sulfur atom ; and - Z is OM when T is the group -C-(=0)-, or M when T is the group -C(=W)-NH-, M being hydrogen; a linear or branched C1-C alkyl; a phenyl-alkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and which is unsubstituted or mono- "or poly-substituted on the aromatic ring by a halogen, a hydroxy1, an alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a pyridylalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms ; a naphthylalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a pyridylthioalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a styryl; a 1- methylimidazol-2-ylthioalkyl in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; a l-oxo-3-phenyl- inden-2-yl; . or an unsubstitu-ted or mono- ' or poly- substituted aromatic or hetero-aromatic group; provided that - when m = 2, E' is a hydroxyl group, R* * is hydrogen, Ar1 is. an unsubstituted phenyl and K is hydrogen, then Q is different from H, ethyl or propyl, - when m = 2, E' is a hydroxyl group, R* * is hydrogen, Q is hydrogen and K is hydrogen, .then Ar' is different from a 3 , -dimethoxyphenyl group or a 2- thienyl group, - when m is 3, E' is a hydroxyl group, Ar* is an unsubstituted phenyl, Q is ethyl and K is hydrogen, then R* * is not hydrogen, and - 97 - - when m = 3, E' is a hydroxyl group, Ar ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group, Q is ethyl, K is T - Z 0 II wherein T is - C - and Z is methyl, then R* * is not hydrogen, or one of its salts.

2. A compound according to claim 1 of formula (XXI), in which m, E ' , Q and Ar ' are as defined in claim 1, K is hydrogen and R" is hydrogen, a methyl group or a group (CH2)n-L00 in which n is an integer from 2 to 6 and L°° is hydrogen or an amino group which is protected by an N-protecting group, said compound being in optically pure form.

3. A compound according to claim 1, of formula (XXI), in which m, Q and Ar' are as defined in claim 1, E 1 is a hydroxyl group and K is T - Z in which T and Z are as defined in claim 1, said compound being in optically pure form.

4. A compound according to claim 1, of formula (XXI), in which m, Q, and Ar ' are as defined in claim 1, E' is a methanesulfonyloxy group and K is T - Z in which T and Z are as defined in claim 1, said compound being in optically pure form.

5. A compound according to claim 1, in which E' is a hydroxyl group, R" is hydrogen and K is hydrogen. ND/prg