AU685268C - Abeo-ergoline derivatives as 5HT1A ligands - Google Patents

Description

ABE0-ERG0LINE DERIVATIVES AS 5HT1A LIGANDS

This invention relates to new 5(10→9)abeo-ergoline derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use as medicaments and to a pharmaceutical composition containing them. The novel compounds act upon the central nervous system by binding to 5-HT_1A receptors and hence can be used for the management of central nervous system pathologies. The novel compounds of this invention have the formula I

wherein R, is a hydrogen, chlorine or bromine atom or a methyl, methylthio, hydroxy, cyano, carboxamido or nitro group; R₂ is 0,-0₃ alkyl or an allyl group;

R₃ and R₄ are independently a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C,-C₅ alkyl group, a linear or branched C₃-C₅ alkenyl group, a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl C₁-C₃ alkyl group, a phenyl-C,-C₃ alkyl, a phenyl-C₃-C₅ alkenyl or phenyl group: which groups are optionally substituted by a C,-C₃ alkyl, C,-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or amino group: or a group of the formula -C-R₇ wherein Re is a hydrogen

OH atom or a Cj-C₃ alkyl group and R₇ is a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group as described above or a heterocyclic ring having 5- or 6-ring members including 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen; R_s, which can be in the 12, 13 or 14 position, is a hydrogen, bromine, fluorine or iodine atom or a methoxy, cyano, carboxamido, nitro, methylthio or trifluoromethyl group or a σroup of the formula NRgR,, wherein R₈ and Rp are independently a hydrogen atom or a C,.₃ alkyl, acetyl, trifluoracetyl or methanesulphonyl group. R is a hydrogen atom, a C^ linear or branched alkyl group, a methanesulphonyl group, an acetyl group or a group of formula -C(0)-NR₈R₉ wherein R_g and R, are as defined above. The dotted line represents the optional presence of a double bond at position 9-10 and/or 2-3. In the case where a single bond is present in the 9-10 position, the compounds of the invention are of the formula I'

wherein R, R,, R₂, R₃, ₄ and R₅ have the above meanings. The wavy lines (Γ^^ .) mean that the hydrogen atoms and the CHR₃R₄ group may be at the α or β position with respect to the plane of the rings.

In the case where a single bond is present in position 2,3, the compounds of the invention are of the formula I ' '

wherein R] is hydrogen or a methyl group and R₂, ₃ R<_t R₅ and R have the aforementioned meanings.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these abeo-ergoline derivatives are included in the invention. In the definitions of R₂, R₃, R₄ and R, Cι~C₃ and C,-C₅ alkyl groups are intended to include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i- propyl, butyl, i-butyl, cyclopropyl and methylcyclopropyl groups.

In the definitions of R₃ and R₄, phenyl-C,-C₃ alkyl group encompasses benzyl and phenethyl groups; phenyl-C₃-C₅ alkenyl group is intended to include phenylallyl, phenyl butenyl and phenylpropenyl group.

The heterocyclic ring which R₇ may represent is, for example, a furanyl, imidazolyl, pyranyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl or thiopyranyl group. More preferred compounds are those of the formula I' wherein R* represents a hydrogen atom, or a cyano or carboxamido group, R₂ represents a methyl group, R₃ represents a hydrogen atom, j represents a group of the formula -CH(OH)Ph, R₅ represents a hydrogen, fluorine or iodine atom or a methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, carboxamido, or nitro group, or a group of the formula NRgR,, wherein R₈ and R, are independently a hydrogen atom or a C,.₃ alkyl, acetyl, methanesulphonyl or trifluoroacetyl group. The hydrogen at position 5 and the residue at position 8 are both β. The present invention also provides a process for the production of the compounds of formula I and their acid addition salts, which process comprises a) reacting a compound of formula II

wherein R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings given above, with a reducing agent such as sodium amalgam in ethanol, aluminium amalgam in aqueous THF (tetrahydrofuran) , magnesium in methanol or ethanol at a temperature ranging from 0° to 80 ° C .

According to the present invention, compounds of formula II are prepared by reaction of an alkaline salt of a compound of formula III

wherein

R₂ is as defined above, either with a compound of formula R₃Y, wherein R₃ has the meaning given above and Y is a leaving group such as an iodine or bromine atom, or a mesyloxy or tosyloxy group; or with a compound of the formula 1^-0(0)-R₇ wherein Rg and R₇ have the meanings given above and, if desired, reacting an alkaline salt of the resultant compound either with a compound of the formula R^, wherein R,, and Y are as defined above, or with a compound of the formula RgCfOJR, wherein Rg and R₇ have the meanings given above.

The alkaline salts can be obtained by reaction with strong base such as NaH, KH, ButLi or CH₃Li in a solvent such as THF, HMPA (hexamethylphosphotriamide) or DME (dimethoxyethane) at a temperature ranging from -80°C to 0 °C.

The reactions for preparing a compound of the formula II are usually carried out in an anhydrous solvent such as THF, HMPA or DME at a temperature of from -80°C to room temperature, for a period of from 1 hour to 24 hours.

A compound of the formula III may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula IV

wherein R₂ is as defined above, with oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide in solvents such as methanol, ethanol or acetic acid or with peroxy acids such as m- chloroperbenzoic or peracetic acid in solvents such as DMF, ethanol or chloroform or with sodium periodate in aqueous

THF.

Compounds of the formula IV may be prepared either by reacting a compound of the formula V

v

wherein R₂ is as defined above with (PhS)₂ and (nBut)₃P in a solvent such as dioxane, acetonitrile at reflux, or by reacting a compound of the formula (VI)

wherein R₂ and Y have the same meanings as above with PhSNa in a solvent such as DMF, DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide) or HMPA at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 120°C. The compounds of the formula III may also be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula VI as defined above with PhS0₂Na in a solvent such as HMPA or DMSO at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 140°C.

The present invention also provides processes for converting a compound of the formula I into another compound of the formula I wherein one or more of R, R_t and R₅ have been altered. For example, a conversion may be carried out by reacting a compound of the formula I wherein R, and R₅ are hydrogens, with a chlorinating agent such as N-Cl succinimide or sulphury1 chloride, or a brominating agent such as N-Br succinimide, in an inert solvent such as acetonitrile or chloroform; or with a thiomethylating agent such as freshly prepared methylsulphenyl chloride in a solvent such as THF or chloroform; or with an oxiding agent such as N-Br succinimide in tert-butanol.

Following the above methods compounds of the formula I wherein R, represents chlorine, bromine, methylthio, and hydroxy group are provided.

When Rj is a hydroxy group, the compounds of formula I exist almost completely in the tautomeric lactam form. According to the present invention, a compound of formula I, wherein R, is hydrogen, R₂, R₃, j and R₅ have the aforementioned meanings άnd R is hydrogen or a C,^ linear or branched alkyl group may be converted into a compound of formula I", wherein R R₂, R₃, R,,, R₅, R have the aforementioned meanings by treatment with zinc dust in concentrated hydrochloric acid or with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride or sodium cyano borohydride in trifluoroacetic acid.

Exploitation of general techniques such as fractional crystallization, or column chromatography separation allows the separation in pure form of the C-3 diasteroisomers. According the present invention a compound of formula I, wherein R is an acetyl, methanesulphonyl or dimethylaminocarbonyl group may be obtained by the reaction of a compound of formula I' ' wherein R is hydrogen with acetyl chloride, acetic anhydride, methanesulphonyl chloride or dimethylaminocarbonyl chloride in a solvent such as pyridine or ethylacetate, whereas for R to be an aminocarbonyl group, a carbamoylating agent such as potassium cyanate in diluted hydrochloric acid is employed. According to the present invention a compound of formula I, wherein a double bond is present in the 2,3 position and R,, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ have the above mentioned meanings and R is hydrogen may be converted in a compound wherein R is a C]-C₅ linear or branched alkyl group by reaction with the suitable alkyl iodide in the presence of ground potassium or sodium hydroxide in a solvent such as dimethylsulphoxide. Moreover, a compound of the formula I, wherein R, is a bromine atom or a methylthio group and R₅ is a hydrogen atom, may be converted into another compound of the formula I wherein _j is a hydrogen or bromine atom or a methylthio group, and R₅ represents a bromine atom or a methoxy, a cyano or a carboxamido group, by bromination in glacial acetic acid followed, if necessary, by the reaction of the resultant compound of the formula I_A

wherein R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as above defined and R _1A is a hydrogen or bromine atom or a methylthio group, with the appropriate nucleophilic agent. The compounds of the formula I_A wherein R,_A represents a hydrogen atom may be obtained from the corresponding compounds of the formula I_A wherein R_1A is a bromine atom or a methylthio group by careful reduction. The reduction may be carried out using cobalt or nickel hydride in methanol or ethanol.

For example, nucleophilic displacement by means of freshly prepared sodium methoxide or thiomethoxide in DMF or N- methyl-2-pyrrolidinone in the presence of a cuprous salt at 120°C converted a compound of the formula I', as above defined, into a compound of the formula I wherein R₅ is a methoxy or methylthio group.

On the other hand, the reaction of a compound of the formula I_A with a cyanating agent, such as KCN/Cu₂(CN)₂ in DMF or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and in the presence of cyano nickel complexes afforded a compound of the formula I wherein R₅ is a cyano group.

A compound of the formula I wherein R₅ is a carboxamido group can be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula I wherein R₅ is a cyano group with hydrogen peroxide in methanol in the presence of potassium carbonate or with KOH in refluxing tert-butanol or by heating in phosphoric acid. A compound of the formula I wherein R₅ is not a hydrogen or bromine atom and R, is a hydrogen atom may also be prepared by reduction of the corresponding compound of the formula I wherein R, is a methylthio group or a bromine atom. The invention provides a method to convert a compound of formula I_B

wherein R₂, R₃, R₄ have the above mentioned meanings and R₅ is hydrogen into a compound of formula I wherein a double bond is present in the 2,3 position and R, is hydrogen and R₂, R₃, R₄ have the meanings as defined above and R₅ is a nitro, amino, dimethyl, diethylamino, acetylamino or a methanesulphonyl amino group or a fluorine or iodine atom. The conversion is performed by the reaction of the compound of formula I_B with a nitrating agent such as acetyl nitrate or nitroniosulphate in a solvent such as acetic acid or sulphuric acid affording in such manner compound I_B wherein R₅ is a nitro group.

Careful reaction with Raney nickel in the presence of sodium hydroxide in ethanol as solvent affords a compound of formula I wherein a double bond is present in the 2,3 position, R_j is hydrogen, R₂, R₃, R,,, have the above mentioned meanings and R₅ is an amino group and R is a hydrogen atom or, conversely, compounds of this structure can be obtained by reaction with potassium t-butoxide in DMSO followed by reduction of the nitro group by means of a reducing agent such as zinc dust or stannous chloride in hydrochloric acid.

Further reaction with suitable reagents such as acetyl- chloride or methanesulphonylchloride in a solvent such as pyridine affords a compound wherein R₅ is an acetyl or methanesulphonyl group, whereas reaction with formaldehyde or acetaldehyde in the presence of a reducing agent such as sodium cyanoborohydride in a solvent such as methanol or ethanol provides the preparation of compounds wherein R₅ is a dimethyl or diethylamino group.

Conversely compounds wherein R₅ is a fluorine atom or an iodine atom may be obtained by reaction with nitrosating agent such as sodium or potassium nitrite in tetrafluoroboric acid or in sulphuric acid in the presence of potassium periodide.

Conversely compounds wherein R₅ is a bromine or iodide atom can be converted into compounds wherein R₅ is a trifluoromethyl group by reaction with sodium trifluoro acetate in solvents such as hexamethylphosphotriamide or N- methyl pyrrolidin-2-one in the presence of cuprous iodide or bromide at 120-150°C.

The starting compounds of the formulae V and VI are known compounds (see GB1482871) or may be prepared by known reactions from known derivatives.

The compounds of the formula I and their acid addition salts show selective and high affinity for 5-HT_1A receptors and display negligible affinity towards α,, α₂, D,, D₂ receptors.

Therefore, the compounds provided by this invention can be used in the treatment of CNS diseases such as anxiety, sleep and sexual disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, drug addiction, age associated memory impairment, ischemic insults, Alzheimer disease. For pharmaceutical use, the compounds of the formula I may be used as such or in the form of physiologically acceptable acid addition salts. Physiologically acceptable acids which may be used in salt formation include maleic, citric, tartaric, fumaric, methane sulphonic, acetic, benzoic, succinic, gluconic, lactic, malic, mucoic, glutammic, ascorbic as organic acids or hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric or phosphoric as inorganic acids. Among the addition salts obtained by employing acids hydrochoric, sulphoric, methanesulphonic, citric and succinic salts are the most preferred. The compounds of this invention, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, may be used in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of CNS diseases. A human or animal may thus be treated by a method which comprises the administration thereto of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or salt thereof. The condition of the human or animal can thereby be improved. The dosage rate may be a daily administration of from 0.1 to lOOmg, more preferably 1 to 25mg, of active compound. As already mentioned hereinbefore, the compounds of formula I according to the present invention show interesting pharmacological properties owing to their activity on CNS serotoninergic receptors subtype 5-HT_1A.

The biochemical and pharmacological profile of the compounds which are the object of the present invention was assessed by evaluating their affinity for 5-HT_1A receptors.

Receptor Binding Studies Receptor binding studies were carried out to determine the affinity on the test compounds of formula I.

Experiment 1: affinity for serotonin 1A (5HT_1A) receptor [³H-8-Hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin binding test] . Preparation of crude synaptosome fraction and binding assay were conducted in accordance with the method reported in Journal of Neurochemistry, vol. 44, page 1685, 1985 by Hall et al. Freezed hippocampus dissected out from rats were homogenized in 40 volumes of ice cold 50mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH. 7.4) and the suspension was centrifuged at 500x g for 10 minutes at 0°C.

The supernatant was centrifuged at 40,000 xg for 20 minutes at 0°C and the resulting pellet was homogenized in 40 volumes of the above buffer and incubated at 37°C for 10 minutes. After completion of reaction, the suspension was centrifuged at 40,000 xg for 20 minutes at 0°C. The resulting pellet was washed twice by resuspension in 40 volumes of the above buffer and centrifugation, and finally suspended in 60 volumes of ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1 mM manganese chloride for use in the next assay.

To the aliquots (900 μl) of synaptosome membranes solution were added 50 μl of tritiated 8-OH-DPAT solution at the terminal concentration of 0.2 nM and 50 μl of test compound solution or 50 μl of its medium, and incubated at 37°C for 10 minutes. Then to the mixture were added 5 ml of ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) rapidly vacuum-filtered through Whatman^R GF/B filters and was washed twice with 5 ml of the same buffer. The radioactivity of the residue remaining on the filters was measured by liquid scintillation counter. Non specific binding was determined under the presence of 10^"^ serotonin (5-HT) . 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of the test compound was graphically determined. The results are summarized in the Table.

Experiment 2: affinity for serotonin 2 (5-HT₂)receptor (³H- Ketanserin binding test) .

Preparation of crude synaptosome fraction and binding assay were conducted according to the method reported in Molecular Pharmacology, vol. 21, page 301, 1981 by Leysen et al. Freezed cerebral cortex dissected out from rats were homogenized in 30 volumes of ice-cold 0.32M sucrose solution and the suspension was centrifuged at 1000 x g for 10 minutes at 0°C. The supernatant was centrifuged at 40,000 x g for 20 minutes at 0°C and the resulting pellets was homogenized in 30 volumes of ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.7) and incubated at 37°C for 10 minutes. The suspension was centrifuged at 40,000 x g for 20 minutes at 0°C again. The resulting pellet was homogenized in 100 volumes of the above buffer and provided as synaptosome membranes solution for the next assay.

To the aliquots (900 μ) of synaptosome membranes solution were added 50 μl solution ³H-Ketanserin solution at the terminal concentration of 0.2 mM and 50 μl of test compound or its medium, and incubated at 37°C for 20 minutes. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was rapidly vacuum- filtered through Whatman^R GF/B filters. The filters were washed three times with 5 ml of the above buffer, and then the radioactivity of the residue remaining on the filters was measured by liquid scintillation counter. Non specific binding was determined under the presence of 10 μM of mianserin. 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of the test compound was graphic--I..y determined. The results are summarized in the Table.

Experiment 3: affinity for dopamine 2 (D₂)receptor (³H- Spiperone binding test) . Preparation of crude synaptosome fraction and binding assays were conducted in accordance with the method reported in European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 46, page 377, 1977 by I. Creese et al. Freezed corpus striatum dissected out from rats were homogenized in 100 volumes of ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.7) and the suspension was centrifuged at 500 x g for 10 minutes at 0°C. The supernatant was centrifuged at 50,000 x g for 15 minutes at 0°C and the resulting pellet was homogenized in 100 volumes of the above buffer and then the suspension was centrifuged at 50,000 x g for 15 minutes at 0°C again. The resulting pellet was homogenized in 150 volumes of 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.1) containing 120 mM potassium chloride, 2 mM calcium chloride, 1 mM magnesium chloride, 0.1% ascorbic acid and 10 μM pargyline. The suspension was incubated at 37°C for 10 minutes and then provided as synaptosome membranes solution for the next assays.

To the aliquots (900 μ) of synaptosome membranes solution were added 50 μl of ³H-Spiperone solution at the terminal concentration of 0.2 nM and 50 μl of test compound solution or 50 μl of its medium, and incubated at 37°C for 20 minutes. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was rapidly vacuum-filtered through Whatman^R GF/B filters. The filters were washed three times with 5 ml of the above buffer, and then the radioactivity of the residue remaining on the filters was measured by liquid scintillation counter. Non specific binding was determined under presence of 100 μM of (L)-Sulpiride 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of the test compound was graphically determined. The results are summarized in the Table.

Table

Binding Profile IC_™ nM

Example Dι D₂ 5-HT_1A 5-HT₂

3 1850 940 6 110

4 1920 620 330 1000

5 2540 850 800 800

33 > 10000 >10000 6 >10000

34 > 10000 5000 100 >10000

35 > 10000 6030 530 >10000

36 > 10000 4480 100 >10000

39 7100 130 6 2080

40 2750 4870 3 1240

42 > 10000 2000 18 1860

In therapeutic use the active compounds may be administered orally, rectally, parenterally or topically, preferably orally.

Thus, the therapeutic composition of the present invention may take the form of any of the known pharmaceutical compositions for oral, rectal, parenteral or topical administration.

Compositions for oral administration are the preferred compositions of the invention and these are the known pharmaceutical forms for such administration, for example tablets, capsules, syrups and aqueous or oily suspensions. The excipients used in the preparation of these compositions are the excipients known in the pharmacist's art. Tablets may be prepared by mixing the active compound with an inert diluent, such as calcium phosphate, in presence of disintegrating agents, for example magnesium stearate, and tabletting the mixture by known methods.

Such tablets, if desired, may be provided with enteric coatings by known methods, for example by the use of cellulose acetate phthalate. Similarly capsules, for example hard or soft gelatine capsules containing the active compound with or without added excipients, may be prepared by conventional means and, if desired, provided with enteric coatings in a known manner. The tablets and capsules may conveniently each contain 2 to 10 mg of the active compound. Other compositions for oral administration include, for example, aqueous suspensions containing the active compound in an aqueous medium in the presence of a non-toxic suspending agent such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and oily suspensions containing a compound of the present invention in a suitable vegetable oil, for example, arachid oil.

Compositions of the invention suitable for rectal administration are the known pharmaceutical forms for such administration, for example suppositories with cocoa butter or polyethylene glycol bases. Compositions of the invention suitable for parenteral administration are the known pharmaceutical forms for such administration, for example sterile suspensions or sterile solutions in a suitable solvent.

In some formulations it may be beneficial to use the compounds of the present invention in the form of particles of very small size, for example, as obtained by fluid energy milling.

The following examples illustrate the invention.

The following reaction scheme illustrates the invention.

Formulation example of the pharmaceutical composition of tablets:

Tablets containing 10 mg of a compound of formula I can be prepared by the following composition.

Compound of example 33 10.0 mg

Lactose 60 mg

Corn starch 25 mg

Crystalline cellulose 20 mg

Polyvinylpyrrolidone K₃₀ 2 mg

Talc 4 mg

Magnesium stearate 0.5 mg

The active compound is pulverized with an atomizer to make fine powder having an average particle size below 10 μ. The fine powder of the active compound, lactose, corn starch and crystalline cellulose are mixed well in a kneader and the kneaded with a binder paste prepared by polyvinylpyrrolidone K₃₀. The wet mass is passed through a 200 mesh sieve and then dried in an oven at 50°C. The dry granule containing 3 to 4% of water content is forced through a 24 mesh sieve. Talc and magnesium stearate are mixed and compressed into tablets by using a rotary tabletting machine with a flat punch of 8 mm diameter. Some of the preferred compounds of the present invention are listed below:

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8jβ-methyl-ergoline 5α(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8jS-methyl-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8α-methyl-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-10α-ergoline

53(10 → 9 ) abeo-9 , l0-Didehydro-2-cyano-6-methyl-8/3-methyl- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-2-aminocarbonyl-6-methyl-8jβ- methyl-ergoline 50(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3- (3-phenyl) propyl- ergoline

53(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-2-bromo-6-methyl-8_/3-methyl- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-Dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-l-amino- carbonyl-6-methyl-8j8-methyl-ergoline

5j3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-Dihydro-9,10-didehydro-l- methanesulphonyl-6-methyl-83-methyl-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-bromo- ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8α-methyl-12-bromo- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-13-bromo- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8jβ-methyl-12-cyano- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12- aminocarbonyl-ergoline 5/3(10 -> 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-13- methylthio-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12- methoxy-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-13- methoxy-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8_/3-methyl-12-methoxy-10/3-ergoline

5]3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-nitro- ergoline 5/3(10 → 9) abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8_/3-methyl-12-amino- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12- methanesulphonylamino-ergoline

5j3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8|3-methyl-13- methanesulphonylamino-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-fluoro- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9) abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-13-f luoro- ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-fluoro-10/3-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-Dihydro-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8j3- methyl-12-f luoro-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3-/3-Dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3- methy 1-12 -trif luoromethyl-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-fluoro-10α-ergoline

5/3(10 → 9) abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-aminocarbonyl-10θ!- er go line 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-iodo- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12- trif luoromethyl-ergoline 5/3(10 → 9) abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-trifluoromethyl-10α- ergoline

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8j8-methyl-12-trifluoromethyl-10/3- ergoline

Example 1

53(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-phenyl thiomethyl-ergoline.

A solution of 22.6 g of 5(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-hydroxymethyl-ergoline and 21 g of diphenyl- disulphide and 20 g of tri-n-butylphosphine in 200 ml of acetonitrile was refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated off and the oily residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with eyelohexane/ethyl acetate 1/1 affording after crystallization from diethyl ether 29 g of the title compound, m.p. 147-151°C.

Example 2

53CIO → 9 )abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-(phenyl- sulphony1)methy1-ergoline. To a solution of 3.6 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-phenylthiomethyl-ergoline in 50 ml of methanol and 5 ml of methanesulphonic acid was added portionwise 3.5 g of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (50%) , at room temperature. After stirring for 2 hours, the solvent was removed and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with a saturated solution of sodium hydrogenocarbonate. After washing with brine and drying, the solvent was removed and the crude reaction mixture was filtered on a small pad of silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 2/1. Crystallization from diethyl ether yielded 2.1 g of the title compound, m.p. 163-165°C. Example 3

53(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline. A mixture of 11.8 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-(phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline and 2.2 g of metallic magnesium and few crystals of mercuric chloride in 200 ml of dry ethanol was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and diluted ammonium hydroxide. After washing with brine and drying, concentration yielded 5.8 g of the title compound as shiny crystals, m.p. 218-220°C.

Example 4

5)3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-2-bromo-6-methyl-8β-methyl- ergoline. To a solution of 2.1 g of 5/3(10 -+ 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline in 75 ml of dioxane were added portionwise 1.9 g of N-bromo-succinimide. After stirring at 40°C for 2 hours, the solvent was removed and the residue was chro atographed on silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/acetone 2/1. After crystallization from ethyl acetate 1.3 g of the title compound were obtained, m.p. 78- 80°C. Example 5

5 3 ( 10 → 9 ) abeo-9 , 10-Didehydro-2-methylthio-6-methyl-8β- methyl-ergoline.

A solution freshly prepared of 5 g of methylsulphenyl- chloride in 100 ml of methylene chloride was slowly added dropwise to a stirred solution of 11.9 g of 5/3(10 →

9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline in 300 ml of methylene chloride at -20°C.

After stirring for 1 hour at -20°C, the yellow solution was set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.

After partitioning with a diluted ammonium hydroxide solution, the organic phase was dried and evaporated.

The residue was crystallized from a mixture of cyclohexane/acetone 2/1, providing 11.7 g of the title compound, m.p. 77-79°C.

Example 6

5/3 ( 10 → 9 ) abeo-9 , 10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β- ( 2-phenyl) ethyl- ergoline.

To a solution of 3 g of 5j3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8β- (phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline in 75 ml of tetra- hydrofuran at -78°C were added 9.17 ml of n-butyl lithium

2.5M in hexane.

After one hour at -78°C, a solution of 1.8 g of benzyl bromide in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran was slowly added and the stirring was continued at -78°C for 1 hour then set aside for 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogenocarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate.

The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated by rotary evaporation and subjected to silica gel chromatography eluting with cyclohexane/ ethyl acetate 3/1 furnishing 2.7 g of a mixture of sulphone diastereomers, that was treated with 0.38 g of metallic magnesium and few crystals of mercuric chloride in 50 ml of dry ethanol for 3 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated off and the crude reaction mixture was taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with brine and dried. After chromatography on a small pad of silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4/1 and further crystallization from diisopropylether, 1.8 g of the title compound were obtained in 76% yield, m.p. 112-115°C.

Example 7

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methγl-8β-(4-buten)-l-yl- ergoline. Operating as in Example 6, but employing allyl bromide instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 45% yield, m.p. 87-90°C. Example 8

5θ(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-(3- phenyDpropyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing phenethyl bromide instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 55% yield, m.p. 107-109°C.

Example 9

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-hexyl-l-yl- ergoline. Operating as in Example 6, but employing n-pentyl bromide instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 35% yield, m.p.

Example 10

5)8(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-2 (3 ,4-dimethoxy- phenyl)ethyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing 3,4-dimethoxy- benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 40% yield, m.p. 121-122°C.

Example 11 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-i-methyl-8β-(2-cyclohexyl) ethyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing cyclohexylmethyl bromide instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 20% yield, m.p. 88-90°C. Example 12

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-2-bromo-6-methyl-8β-(2- phenyl)ethyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 4, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8β-(2-phenyl)ethyl-ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl- ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 65% yield, m.p. 106-108°C.

Example 13 53(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehvdro-6-methγl-8β-(2-methyl)propyl- ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing isopropyl iodide instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 22% yield, m.p. 118-120°C.

Example 14

53 ( 10 -> 9 ) abeo-9 . 10-Didehydro-2-cvano-6-methyl-8β-methyl- ergoline .

To a stirred solution of 4 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10- didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline in 200 ml of acetonitrile was slowly added a solution of 2.6 g of chlorosulphonyl isocyanate in 20 ml of acetonitrile at room temperature.

After stirring for 80 hours, 8 ml of triethylamine were added at 0°C. The solution was set aside at 0°C for 3 hours, then treated with a saturated solution of sodium carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried and concentrated at small volume providing 2.8 g of the title compound, m.p. 253-255°C.

Example 15

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-2-aminocarbonyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-ergoline.

To a solution of 1 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-2- cyano-6-methyl-8β-ergoline and 1.5 g of potassium carbonate in 50 ml of ethanol and 10 ml of water was adαed 1.5 ml of hydrogen peroxide (120 vol) at room temperature.

After 3 hours, the solution was concentrated and partitioned between ethyl acetate and brine.

After drying and evaporation of the solvent, the residue was crystallized from acetone yielding 0.6 g of the title compound, m.p, 270-273°C.

Example 16

5/3(10 → 9,abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-2(2-furyl)ethyl- ergoline. Operating as in Example 6, but employing 2-furylmethyl chloride instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 30% yield, m.p. 100-103°C. Example 17

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-Didehvdro-6-n-propyl-8β-methyl- ergoline.

Operating as in Example 3, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9, 10-didehydro-6-n-propyl-8β-(phenyIsulphonyl)methy1- ergoline, instead of 5/3(10 -> 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-(phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 35% yield, m.p. 176-178°C.

Example 18 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9 , 10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-(2-hydroxy-2- phenyl)ethyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing benzaldehyde instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 15% yield as a mixture by diastereomers.

Example 19

5/3(10 → 9 abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-(2-methyl-2- hvdroxy)propyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 6, but employing acetone instead of benzyl bromide, the title compound was obtained in 20% yield, m.p. 92-94°C.

Example 20

5/3 ( 10 → 9 ) abeo-9 , 10-Didehydro-2 , 13-dibromo-6-methyl-8β- methyl ergoline.

To a solution of 10 g of 5/3 ( 10 → 9 ) abeo-9 , 10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline in 100 ml of glacial acetic acid were slowly added, at room temperature, 15 g of bromine dissolved in 50 ml of glacial acetic acid. After 2 hours of stirring at room temperature, the resulting reaction mixture was concentrated and diluted with chloroform and subsequently partitioned with an ammonium hydroxide solution.

The organic phase was dried then the solvent was removed off. The residue was crystallized from ethanol providing 14.3 g of the title compound, m.p. 132-135°C.

Example 21

5/3(10 → 9 ) abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13-bromo- ergoline.

To a solution of 5 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-2, 13- dibromo-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline and 12 g of cobalt dichloride hexahydrate in 100 ml of methanol, 7 g of sodium borohydride were slowly added portionwise at 0°C. The black mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. The precipitate was then filtered through celite and washed with methanol. The reaction mixture was concentrated and partitioned between chloroform and concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution.

After drying, the solvent was taken off and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 3/1. The fractions containing the product were pooled and the solvent removed. After crystallization from isopropanol, 2.7 g of the title compound were obtained, m.p. 121-124°C.

Example 22

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-Didehvdro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-12-bromo-ergoline and 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10- didehvdro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13-bromo- ergoline.

Operating as in Example 20, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-

9,10-didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline- instead of 5/3(10 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl- ergoline after a careful column chromatography separation

5/3(10 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-13-bromo-ergoline was isolated in 45% yield, m.p.

106-108°C besides 5/3(10 -> 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-2- thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo-ergoline isolated in

12% yield, m.p. 121-123°C.

Example 23

53(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo- ergoline. Operating as in Example 21, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9, 10-didehydro-2-methylthio-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo- ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-2,13- dibromo-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline and nickel chloride hexahydrate instead of cobalt chloride hexahydrate, the title compound was obtained in 25% yield, m.p.136-137°C. Example 24

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12- methoxy-ergoline.

To a solution of 3 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6- methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo-ergoline in 70 ml of dimethyl- formamide were added under nitrogen 3 g of cuprous iodide and 2 g of dried freshly prepared sodium methoxide. The resulting mixture was stirred at 120°C for 4 hours, then diluted with concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 5/2 providing 1.2 g of the title compound, m.p. 115-116°C.

Example 25

5/3 ( 10 → 9 ) abeo-9 . 10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-methγl-12-cyano- ergoline .

Operating as in Example 24, but employing potassium cyanide instead of sodium methoxide and cuprous cyanide instead of cuprous iodide, the title compound was obtained in 30% yield, m.p. 102-105°C.

Example 26

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-13-methoxy-ergoline. Operating as in Example 24, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9,10-didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13-bromo- ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,lθ-didehydro-6-methyl- 8β-methyl-12-bromo-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 35% yield, m.p. 124-127°C.

Example 27

53(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-13-cyano-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 24, but employing

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-13-bromo-ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10- didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo-ergoline and potassium cyanide instead of sodium methoxyde and cuprous cyanide instead of sodium methoxide and cuprous cyanide instead of cuprous iodide, the title compound was obtained in 45% yield, m.p. 141-143°C.

Example 28

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12- aminocarbonyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 15, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-cyano- ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-2-cyano- 6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 65% yield, m.p. 151-155°C. Example 29

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β- methyl-13-aminocarbonyl-ergoline.

A solution of 1.5 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-2- thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13-cyano-ergoline and 1.5 g of ground potassium hydroxyde in 30 ml of tert-butanol was refluxed for 2 hours.

The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and recrystallized from acetone furnishing 0.7 g of the title compound, m.p. 155-158°C.

Example 30

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13- aminocarbony1-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 23, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9, 10-didehydro-2-thiomethyl-6-methyl-8β-methyl-13- aminocarbonyl-ergoline, instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10- didehydro-2-methylthio-6-methyl-8β-methyl-12-bromo- ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 30% yield, m.p. 138-141°C.

Example 31

5/3(10 -> 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8c.-methyl-ergoline.

Operating as in Example 3, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo- 9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8α-(phenylsulphonyl)methyl- ergoline, instead of 5/3(10-09)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl- 8β-(phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 40% yield, m.p. 185-190°C.

Example 32

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-l.6-dimethyl-8/3-methyl- ergoline.

To a solution of 3g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6- methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline, in 30ml of dimethyl sulphoxide was added to 0,6 g of freshly ground potassium hydroxide. After stirring for IS', 1.2g of methyliodide was added and the stirring was continued for 20'.

The green solution was diluted with water and partitioned with ethyl acetate. After washing with brine and dried, the solvent was removed and the residue filtered on a small pad of silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate. After crystallization from diethyl ether, 1.9 of the title compound was obtained,m.p. 126-128°C.

Example 33

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2.3/3-Dihydro-9.10-didehydro-6-methyl-83- methyl-ergoline and 53(10 → 9. abeo-2.3-Dihvdro-9.10- didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline.

To a stirred solution of 5g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9,10- didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline in 50ml of trifluoroacetic acid, 1.7g of sodium borohydride was added portionwise under nitrogen. After 10' of stirring, the resulting reaction mixture was diluted with water, basified with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with ethyl acetate. After drying, the solvent was removed and the residue carefully chromatographed on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate. The fractions containing the less polar compound were pooled and the solvent removed.

Crystallization from diethylether afforded 3.1 g of 5/3(10 9)abeo-2,3/3-dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl- ergoline, m.p. 179-182°C. Continuing the elution with the eluent ethyl acetate/acetone 95/5, the more polar compound was collected, after crystallization from diisopropilether 0.35g of 5/3(10 9)abeo-2,3α-dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-6- methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline was provided, m.p.143-148°C.

Example 34

5/3(10 → 9) abeo-2 ,3/3-Dihvdro-9.10-didehydro-l-acetyl-6- methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline.

To a solution of 2 g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3-dihydro-9, 10- didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline in 50ml of ethyl acetate and 5 ml of triethylamine was added lg of acetic anhydride. After keeping for 2h, the solution was washed with ammonium hydroxide, dried and evaporated. The residue was crystallized from isopropyl alcohol affording 1.8 of the title compound, m.p. 142-144°C. Example 35

53(10 → 9)abeo-2.3ct—Dihydro-9.10-didehvdro-l-acetyl-6- methyl-8/3-methγl-ergoline. Operating as in Example 34, but employing 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3α-dihydro-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3- ethyl-ergoline, instead of 5_/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-dihydro- 9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 70% yield, m.p. 174-176°C.

Example 36 53(10 → 9)abeo-2.33-Dihydro-9 , 10-didehvdro-l-amino- carbonyl-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline.

To a solution of 2g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-dihydro-9,10- didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline in 20 ml of hydrochloric acid 0.1 N was added portionwise 0.4 g of potassium cyanate at 0°C .

After stirring for lh, the solution was basified with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. After drying, the solvent was removed and the residue crystallized from acetone providing 1.3g of the title compound, m.p. 220-222°C.

Example 37

5α(10 → 9) abeo-9.10-Didehvdro-6-methyl-8β-methyl-ergoline. Operating as in Example 3, but employing 5α(10 → 9)abeo- 9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-(phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline instead of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3- (phenylsulphonyl)methyl-ergoline, the title compound was obtained in 20% yield, m.p. 146-148.

Example 38

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-Methyl-8/3-methyl-10α-ergoline and 5/3(10 → 9)-6-Methyl-8/3-methyl-10/3-ergoline.

A solution of 5g of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-

8/3-methyl-ergoline in 70ml of ethanol and 2g of Pd/C 10% was hydrogenated at 20 psi of hydrogen at room temperature.

The catalyst was filtered off and the solvent was removed. The residue was carefully cromatographed on silica gel eluting with cyclohexane/acetone 1/1 providing 0.6g of

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-10c--ergoline, m.p. 265-

268.

Continuing the elution with cyclohexane/acetone 2/3, 1.2g of 5/3(10 -> 9)abeo-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-10/3-ergoline, m.p.

208-212°C were further obtained.

Example 39

5/3 (10 → 9)abeo-2.3/3-Dihyάro-9.10-didehvdro-6-methγl-8/3- methyl-12-bromo-ergoline To a stirred solution of 2 g of 5/3 (10 → 9) abeo-1-acetyl-

2,3/3-dihydro-9,10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline in

30 ml of acetic acid was added dropwise 1,2 g of bromine.

After stirring for 1 hour, the resulting solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and partitioned with a 0.1 M solution of sodium hydroxide. After drying the solvent was removed in vacuo and the resulting reaction product was dissolved in 100 ml of 0.1 M of hydrochloric acid and refluxed for 2 hours.

The resulting solution was basified with a concentrate solution of ammonium hydroxide and further extracted with ethyl acetate.

After drying a d removal of the solvent, the crude product was crystallized from acetone affording 1.3 g of the title compound, m.p. 175-178°C. Example 40

53(10 → 9)abeo-2.3/3-Dihydro-9.10-didehvdro-6-methyl-8/3- methyl-12 nitro-ergoline.

To a stirred solution of 5 g of 5_/3(10 → 9 )abeo-2,3/3- dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-l-acetyl-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-ergoline in 50 ml of concentrate sulphuric acid was added dropwise 3 ml of concentrate nitric acid at room temperature.

After stirring for 1/2 hours, the yellow reaction mixture was poured into crushed ice and basified with concentrate solution of ammonium hydroxide. Extraction with ethyl acetate, drying and removal of the solvent afforded a crude reaction mixture that was carefully chromographed on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetatate\cyclohexane 5/3.

The fractions were pooled affording 3.8 g of a mixture of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-9,10-didehydro-l acetyl-6-methy1-8/3- methyl-12 nitro-ergoline accompanied by the isomer 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-2,3/3-9,10-didehydro-l-acetyl-6-methyl-8/3- methyl 14 nitro-ergoline.

The mixture was dissolved in 100 ml of 0.1 M solution of hydrochloric acid and refluxed for 1/2 hours. After basification and extraction with ethyl acetate, the reaction mixture was crystallised from boiling ethanol affording 1.7 g of the title compound, m.p. 189-193°C.

Example 41

53(10 → 9)abeo-2.3/3-Dvhvdro-9.10-didehvdro-6-methyl-8/3- methyl-14-nitro ergoline. The mother liquor of crystallization of 5/3(10 → 9)abeo-

2,3/3-dihydro-9, 10-didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-nitro- ergoline was carefully columned on silica gel eluting with acetate/ciclohexane 2/1.

After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was crystallized twice from acetone, leading to 0.6 g of the title compound, m.p. 156-159°C.

Example 42

5/3(10 → 9)abeo-9.10-Didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-14-nitro ergolina. To a solution of 1.5 g of 5/3(10 → 9)-2,3/3-dihydro-9.10- didehydro-6-methyl-8/3-methyl-12-nitro-e.ryolina in 75 ml of dichloromethane was added 5 g of freshly prepared manganese dioxide.

After stirring for 8 hours the suspension was filtered over cel.ite. The solvent was removed and the residue dissolved in acetone and charcoalized.

By concentration, 0.84 g of the titled compound were obtained, m.p. 197-203°C.

Claims (12)

1. A compound of formula I

   wherein

   R, is a hydrogen, chlorine or bromine atom or a methyi, methylthio, hydroxy, cyano, nitro or carboxamido group;

   R₂ is C_!-C₃ alkyl or an allyl group;

   R₃ and R₄ are independently a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C,-^ alkyl group, a linear or branched C₃-C₅ alkenyl group, a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl C,-C₃ alkyl group, a phenyl-C,-^ alkyl, a phenyl-C₃-C₅ alkenyl or phenyl group: which groups are optionally substituted by C,-C₃ alkyl, C,-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or amino group; or a group of the formula wherein Rή is a hydrogen atom or a C_J-C_J alkyl group and R₇ is a phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group as described above or a heterocyclic ring having 5- or 6-ring members including 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen; the dotted lines at positions 2-3 and 9-10 independently represent a single or a double bond;

   R₅ is a hydrogen, bromine, fluorine or iodine atom or a methoxy, cyano, carboxamido, nitro, methylthio or trifluoromethyl or a group of the formula NRgRg wherein R_g and Rg are independently a hydrogen atom, or a C,_₃ alkyl, acetyl, methanesulphonyl or trifluoroacetyl group; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a C,.₅ linear or branched alkyl, methanesulphonyl or acetyl group or a group of the formula CONRgR, wherein R_g and R, are as defined above; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
2. 2. A compound according to claim 1 of the formula I'

   wherein R, R_lf R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ are as defined in claim 1 and the wavy lines (rw-w) mean that the hydrogen atoms and the CHR₃R₄ group may be at the a or β position with respect to the plane of the rings; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
3. 3. A compound of the formula I' as defined in claim 2 wherein R_j represents a hydrogen atom, or a cyano or carboxamido group, R₂ represents a methyl group, R₃ represents hydrogen atom, R₄ represents a group of the formula-CH(OH)Ph, R₅ represents a hydrogen, fluorine or iodine atom, or a methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, nitro or carboxamido group or a group of the formula NRgRg wherein R₈ and R, are independently a hydrogen atom or a C,.₃ alkyl, acetyl, methanesulphonyl or trifluoroacetyl group and the hydrogen atom at position 5 and the residue at position 8 are both β.
4. 4. A process for the production of a compound of formula I and its acid addition salts, as defined in claim 1, which process comprises a) reacting a compound of formula II

   wherein R₂, R₃ and R, are as defined in claim 1, with a reducing agent, and b) optionally converting the resultant compound of the formula I into another compound of the formula I wherein one or more of R, R,, R₅ have been altered by means of one or more appropriate chemical reactions.
5. 5. A process for preparing a compound of formula II as defined in claim 4 by reaction of an alkaline salt of a compound of formula III

   wherein R₂ is as defined in claim 4, either with a compound of formula R₃Y, wherein R₃ has the meaning given in claim 4 and Y is a leaving group; or with a compound of the formula RjCORγ wherein * and

   R₇ have the meanings given in claim 1 and, if desired, reacting an alkaline salt of the resultant compound either with a compound of the formula R,,Y, wherein Y is as defined above and R,, is as defined in claim 4, or with a compound of the formula RβCOR, wherein R_f, and R₇ have the meanings given above.
6. 6. A process for preparing a compound of formula III as defined in claim 5 by reacting a compound of formula IV

   IV

   wherein R₂ is as defined in claim 5 with an oxidizing agent.
7. 7. A process for preparing a compound of formula IV as defined in claim 6 characterized either by reacting a compound of formula V

   wherein R₂ is as defined in claim 6 with (PhS)₂ and (n But)₃P in a solvent or by reacting a compound of formula (VI)

   wherein R₂ is as defined above and Y is as defined in claim 5, with PhSNa in a solvent at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 120°C.
8. 8. A process for preparing a compound of formula III as defined in claim 5 by reacting a compound of formula VI as defined in claim 7 with PhS0₂Na in a solvent at a temperature ranging from 80°C to 140°C.
9. 9. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in admixture with an acceptable diluent or carrier.
10. 10. A compound of formula I according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy.
11. 11. A compound or salt as defined in claim 10 for use in the treatment CNS disease.
12. 12. Use of a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of CNS disease.