CA2376094C - Substituted phenylpropionic acid derivatives as agonists to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (ppar) .alpha. - Google Patents

Abstract

Novel substituted phenylpropionic acid derivatives capable of binding as a ligand to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor .alpha. (PPAR.alpha.) to thereby activate the receptor and thus showing a potent effect of lowering blood lipid (cholesterol and neutral lipid) levels. Substituted phenylpropionic acid derivatives represented by general formula (1), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and hydrates of the same, and process for producing the same.

Description

SPECIFICATION
[Title of the invention]

Substituted phenylpropionic acid derivatives as agonists to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) a [Technical field]

The present invention relates to substituted phenyl-propanoic acid derivatives, effective for the therapy of abnormality of lipidmetabolism as agonists of human peroxisome proliferant-activated receptor (abbreviated as PPAR), in particular, as agonists for human PPARa isoform, their addition salts and their hydrates, processes for preparing them, and medicinal compositions containing these compounds.
[Background technologies]

The peroxisome proliferant-activated receptor(PPAR)'s are a ligand-dependent transcription factors that belong to nuclear receptor superfamily, such as steroid receptor, retinoid receptor, thyroid receptor, etc. Three isoforms (a type, R(or S) type and y type) with different histological distribution have been identified hitherto in human and various animal species (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 1992, 89, 4653). Thereamong, the PPARa is distributed in the liver, kidney, etc., with high catabolic capacity for fatty acids and, in particular high expression is recognized in the liver, (Endo-crinology, 1995, 137, 354), positively or negatively controlling the expressions of genes relevant to the metabolism and the intracellular transport of fatty acids (e.g. acyl CoA
synthetic enzyme, fatty acid-binding protein and lipoprotein lipase) and apolipoprotein (AI, AII, CIII) genes relevant to = CA 02376094 2001-12-10 the metabolisms of cholesterol and neutral lipid. The PPARR is expressed ubiquitously in the tissues or organisms, including nerve cells. At present, the physiological significance of PPARR is unclear. The PPARy is highly expressed in the adipocytes and involved the differentiation of adipocytes (J.
Lipid Res., 1996, 37, 907). In this way, each isoform of PPAR
play specific function in the particular organs and tissues.

Moreover, it is reported that a knock-out mouse of PPARa exhibits hypertriglyceridemia with ageing and becomes obesity mainly by increasing the white adipose tissues (J. Biol. Chem., 1998, 273, 29577), hence the relevance between activation of PPARa and decreasing action of lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride) in blood is suggested strongly.

On the other hand, fibrates and statins are widely used so far as the therapeutic drugs for hyperlipidemia. However, the fibrates have only weak decreasing effect of cholesterol, while the statins have weak decreasing effect of free fatty acids and triglycerides. Moreover, with respect to the fibrates, various adverse effects such as gastrointestinal injury, anthema, headache, hepatic disorder, renal disorder and biliary calculus are reported. The reason is considered to be due to that the fibrates exhibit extensive pharmacological function, hence the development of a therapeutic drug for hyperlipidemia with specific mechanism is desired.

When considering the present situation of such conventional therapeutic drugs for hyperlipidemia, and the role on the adjusting mechanism of lipidmetabolism and the connection to the pathology of hyperlipidemia of transcription factor called PPARa, which has become clear until now, if a compound that binds directly to as a ligand of PPARa, in particular, human PPARa and is capable of activating human PPARa could be created, the medicinal use thereof would be expected as a compound that exhibits the decreasing effect of lipids (both of cholesterol and triglyceride) in blood due to very specific mechanism.

Prior arts For compounds having an affinity to PPARa as ligands of PPARa, eicosanoids in HETE (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) group produced via oxidation with cytochrome P-450, in particular, 8-HETE, 8-HEPE, etc. are reported in addition to LTB4 being a metabolite of arachidonic acid (Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci., 1997, 94, 312). However, these endogenous unsaturated fatty acid derivatives are unstable metabolically and chemically and cannot be offered as medicinal drugs.

On the other hand, as compounds with similar structure to the inventive substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives, a group of compounds shown below, etc. are reported.

As compounds with glucose-lowering action, in International Publication Number W098/28254 (Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd.), compounds represented by a general formula (A) Ai-Y2-X4-W1-CH2- H-C02R4 (A) (wherein A1 denotes aryl group which may have substituent or hetero-cycle group, Y 2 denotes alkylene chain with carbon atoms of 1 to 5, X4 denotes bond hand, oxygen atom or sulfur atom, W1 denotes naphthalene ring which may have substituent, quinoline ring, indole ring, benzisoxazole ring or benzo[b]thiophene _---r --_ ring, R4 denotes hydrogen atom or alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 8, X5 denotes oxygen atom or sulfur atom, and R5 denotes alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 8 which may have substituent, aralkyl group or aryl group), are reported. These compounds however have different structure from that of the inventive compounds in that carbonyl group or amide group is not contained in Y2 and X4 being connecting portions and that W1 to bind to 3-position of propanoic acid is heterocycle, and it is also not described that these compounds have the binding activity to human PPARa and the transcription-activating function.

As propanoic acid derivatives with glucose-lowering action and lipid-decreasing effect, in International Publication Number W098/07699 (Japan Tobacco Inc.), compounds represented by a general formula (B) O

Rlo R7 R9 O "*'***T R
Ra (B) (wherein R denotes a substituent represented by D1 or D2, R' denotes aromatic ring, cycloalkyl group or heteroaromatic ring, R5 denotes alkyl group, R4 denotes hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R6 denotes hydrogen atom or it may be connected to R9 to form double bond, R' denotes carboxyl group, acyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group which may have substituent, alkyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, aralkyloxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, NHR8 group or ORB group, R8 denotes acyl group which may have substituent or alkoxycarbonyl group, R9 denotes hydrogen atom, alkyl group or alkoxycarbonyl group, and R10 denotes hydrogen atom, amino group, alkoxy group, alkyl group, aryloxy group or aralkyloxy group), are reported. However, these compounds also have different structure from that of the inventive compounds in that substituents on benzene ring are of disubstituted form at 1-position and 4-position, and it is also not described that these compounds have the binding activity to human PPARa and the transcription-activating function.

As carboxylic acid derivatives with agonistic effect on leukotriene receptor, in Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 63-91354 (Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), compounds represented by a general formula (C) ~ ~
A -(CHZ)m-O X i(CHZn-COOH
i OR
(C) (wherein A denotes hydrogen atom or phenyl group, m denotes integer of 3 to 10, n denotes integer of 1 to 6, X denotes CONH group or NHCO group, and R denotes carboxy lower alkyl group or carboxy lower alkylcarbamoyl group (however, when A
is phenyl group, R is carboxy lower alkylcarbamoyl lower alkyl group)), are reported. Among these compounds, however, propanoic acid derivatives have no substituent at 2-position and carbonyl groups exist in all of R group portions, hence the structure differs from that of the inventive compounds, and it is also not described that these compounds have the , =

binding activity to human PPARa and the transcription-activating function.

As carboxylic acid derivatives with antagonism against fibrinogen receptor, in US5227490 (Merck & Co.,Inc.), compounds represented by a general formula (D) R' O

RZ R
Z Y X
(D) (wherein R1 denotes hydrogen atom, C1_6 alkyl group, aryl C4_1o alkyl group, aryl group, carboxyl group, C1_6 alkoxy group, carboxy C0_6 alkyl group, carboxy Co_6 alkoxy group, hydroxy C1_6 alkyl group, C1-4 alkylsulfonyl C0_6 alkyl group, CO-9 alkylamino C0_6 alkyl group, aryl Co_lo alkylamino C0_6 alkyl group, C2_10 acylamino Co_6 alkyl group, C1_4 carboalkoxy Co-6 alkyl group or halogen atom, R2s denote identically or differently hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, C1_6 alkoxy groups, aryl Co_4 alkyl groups, aryl Co_6 alkoxy groups or C1_6 alkyl groups which may have substituent, R3 denotes hydrogen atom, C1_6 alkyl group or aryl C1_lo alkyl group, X denotes oxygen atom, sulfur atom, SO group, SOz group, CO group, NR9CO group, CONR4 group, CH2 group, CH=CH group or NR4CS group, Y denotes C1-lo alkyl group which is unsubstituted or which may have substituent, C4_ 8 cycloalkyl group, aryl group, C0_3 alkyl- aryl Co_3 alkyl group, C0_3 alkylaryl Co_3 alkylcarbonyl group, Co_3 alkylaryl Co_ 3 alkylcarboxyamide group, Co_3 alkylaryloxy Co_3 alkyl group, CONH group, NHCO group or (CH2)m-Q-(CH2)n (however, Q denotes C3_8 membered heterocycle containing 1 to 3 kinds of heteroatoms selected from oxygen and sulfur, and m and n denote 0 to 4), and Z denotes NR4R5 group (however, R4 and R5 denote identically or differently hydrogen atoms, C1_6 alkyl groups, aryl C1_lo alkyl groups in which alkyl group is unsubstituted or may be substituted with C1_9 alkoxy group, carboxy Co_6 alkyl group, hydroxyl group, halogen atom, or 4-9 membered monocyclic or bicyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur) or guanidino group which may have substituent), are reported.
However, from the fact that these compounds are amino acid derivatives inevitably containing amino group which may have substituents in all of Z group portions, the structure is different from that of the inventive compounds, and it is also not described that these compounds have the binding activity to human PPARa and the transcription-activating function.

With respect to patents that report the agonistic effect on PPARa, compounds represented by a general formula (E) N OH
Ra~ ~~O H l \Rb (E) (wherein Ra denotes 2-benzoxazolyl group or 2-pyridyl group, and Rb denotes methoxymethyl group or trifluoromethyl group), are reported in International Publication Number W097/25042 (SmithKline Beecham plc.) as compounds with working functions on PPARa and PPARy. However, the structure of these compounds is different from that of the inventive compounds in that substituents on benzene ring are of disubstituted derivatives at 1-position and 2-position, and further it is not described that they have the binding activity to human PPARa and the transcription-activating function.

As compounds with agonistic effect on PPARa, in International Publication Number W097/36579 (Glaxo Welcome Corp.), compounds represented by a general formula (F) O
F O O OH
Nlt~ N

X

(F) (wherein X denotes hydrogen atom or fluorine atom), are reported. However, the structure is different from that of the inventive compounds in that these compounds are phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and the position relationship of substituents on benzene ring is of disubstituted form at 1-position and 4-position. Also, the transcription-activating function of PPARa is never satisfied in strength.

Subjects to be solved by the invention The hyperlipidemia is a risk factor of arteriosclerosis and, from a viewpoint of the prevention of arteriosclerotic diseases, in particular, coronary arteriosclerosis, the development of a therapeutic drug for hyperlipidemia with effectiveness and high safety is desired clinically.
Disclosure of the invention As a result of diligent studies paying an attention to such specific role on the lipidmetabolism of human PPARa, aiming at the creation of structurally novel drug with effectiveness and high safety as a therapeutic drug for hyperlipidemia, the _---__---inventors have found that novel substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives represented by a following general formula (1) have excellent binding activity to human PPARa and transcription-activating function and exhibit the lipid-decreasing effect, leading to the completion of the invention.
Namely, the invention relates to substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives represented by a general formula (1) O Rs O
R' / ( N
~ H 2 OH
R

[wherein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, R 2 denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenoxy group, lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, R3 de- notes a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4 in the case of R2 being lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4 or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, and it denotes a hydrogen atom in the case of R 2 being lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenoxy group, lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, and R 4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their hydrates.

The salts of the compounds represented by the general formula (1)in the invention are of common use and metal salts, for example, alkali metal salts (e.g. sodium salt, potassium salt, lithium salt, etc.), alkaline earth metal salts (e.g.
calcium salt, magnesium salt, etc.), aluminum salt, and other pharmaceutically acceptable salts are mentioned.

Moreover, the compounds represented by the general formula (1) in the invention sometimes include optical isomers based on the propanoic acid portion. Such isomers and their mixtures are all included in the scope of the invention.

The enantiomers can be prepared through stereoselective synthetic process. Moreover, they can also be prepared by separating diastereomeric ester derivatives or oxazolidinone derivatives obtainable by reacting with optically active alcohol derivatives or optically active oxazolidinone derivatives by a technique of fractional crystallization or chromatography, followed by hydrolysis. Furthermore, they can also be prepared by a technique of chromatography that uses chiral support.

In the general formula (1) of the invention, for "lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4", straight chain or branched ones with carbon atoms of 1 to 4 such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and butyl are mentioned.

For "lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 311, straight chain or branched ones with carbon atoms of 1 to 3 such as methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and propoxy are mentioned.

For "halogen atoms", fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom and iodine atom are mentioned.

For "lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3", straight chain or branched ones with carbon atoms of 1 to 3 such as methylthio, ethylthio and propylthio are mentioned.

For substituents acceptable in "phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents", lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, halogen atom or trifluoromethyl group are mentioned.

The compounds of the invention can be prepared, for example, through following processes (Scheme 1).

O O O O

\ O H = O ORs No 1 lstprocess I 1 2nd process RJ RJ RZ.

(2) (3) O O O
HO RS 10 lY its 1 2, 3rd process R' H
R= R
(4) (5) O O
H I \ OH
~ R1 -4th process Ra ~ R2*

(l b) Scheme 1 Namely, compounds represented by a general formula (lb) O
O
Rl ~ I NH (lb) \ R~ 2, OH

[wherein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, Rz-denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3 or phenoxy group, and R 4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reacting (Wittig reaction or Horner-Emmons reaction; first process) compounds represented by a general formula (2) o O

O H (2) [wherein R4 is as described above], and by a general formula (6) \~_ORS
X t6>
R2#

[wherein R2 is as described above, R5 is a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, and X denotes PPh3 group or PO(OC2H5)2 group], in the presence of base, to synthesize compounds represented by a general formula (3) O O

O ORS (3) [wherein Rz , R4 and R5 are as described above], by reducing and hydrogenolysis (second process) of these compounds, to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (4) O O

HO OR5 (4) [wherein R2 , R' and R5 are as described above], by reacting (third process) these compounds with compounds represented by a general formula (7) R1 NHz (7) /

[wherein R1 is as described above], to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (5) o 0 Rl N ORS (5) N. R2t R
[wherein R1, R2 , R4 and R5 are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (fourth process) COOR5 position of these compounds.

In the Wittig reaction or Horner-Emmons reaction of the first process, as the base, for example, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, organometallic compound such as butyl lithium, metal amide such as lithium diisopropylamide, or metal alkoxides such as sodium methoxide or potassium t-butoxide can be used in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, toluene, dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 150 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C.

The reduction being the second process can be performed at a hydrogen pressure of 98.1kPa to 49lkPa in a solvent such as ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate or N,N-dimethyl-formamide in the presence of metallic catalyst such as palladium on activated carbon, platinum on activated carbon, platinum oxide or rhodium on alumina. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of 0 C to 100 C, preferably room temperature to 80 C.

The condensation of the third process can be performed by leaving carboxyl group as it is or converting it to reactive derivatives.

As the "reactive derivative groups of carboxyl group", acid chloride, acid bromide, acid anhydride, carbonylimidazole or the like is mentioned. In the case of the reaction using reactive derivatives, the reaction can be performed in a solvent such as dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence or absence of, for example, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or organic base such as pyridine or triethylamine as a base.

In the case of the condensation by using leaving carboxylic acid form as it is, the reaction can be performed in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of condensing agent in the presence or absence of base, and further in the presence or absence of additive.

As the condensing agent, for example, dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, diethyl cyanophosphate, diphenylphosphoric azide, carbonyldiimidazole or the like can be mentioned. As the base, for example, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or organic base such as pyridine or triethylamine can be mentioned. As the additive, N-hydroxybenzotriazole, N-hydroxysuccinimide, 3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazine or the like can be mentioned. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 100 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C .

The hydrolysis of the fourth process can be performed under alkaline condition. For the alkaline condition, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like is used. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of 0 C to 80 C, preferably room temperature to 60 C.

Moreover, compounds represented by the general formula (lb) can also be synthesized through following processes (Scheme 2).

ORs Ri N H- RI H I -~
Re 5th process R' R== 6th process (g) (9) Ri H ~ / N \ Rs -~ RI \ g I\ H

R' 7th process (5) (ib) Scheme 2 Namely, compounds represented by the general formula (lb) [wherein R1, R 2 ' and R4 are as described above], can be prepared by reacting (Wittig reaction or Horner-Emmons reaction; fifth process) compounds represented by a general formula (8) O o R' \ N H (g) / H
R

[wherein R1 and R 4 are as described above], with compounds represented by the general formula (6) ~-OR5 X (6) [wherein Rz' , R5 and X are as described above], in the presence of base, to synthesize compounds represented by a general formula (9) 16 . ---- --,--O O

R~ \ I H ORS (9) [wherein Rl, Rz - , R4 and R5 are as described above], by reducing (sixth process) these compounds, to obtain compounds represented by the general formula (5) o 0 Rl- N ~OR5 (5) R I i R20 R

[wherein Rl, RZ , R4 and R5 are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (seventh process) COOR5 position of these compounds.

The reaction of the fifth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the first process. The reaction of the sixth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the second process. The reaction of the seventh process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the fourth process.

Compounds represented by a general formula (lc) can be synthesized through following processes (Scheme 3).

NO2 N OR' -_~
Rl \ H I\ --~ Rt H
8th process R' Y 9th process (10) (11) O O O O

RI \ Rs Rr / \ N I \
H --- H
I / z.. t / Rs..
R' 10th process R
(12) (lc) Scheme 3 Namely, compounds represented by the general formula (lc) O O
OH

(1C) H 2,1 R
[wherein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, R2"
denotes a lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, and R4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reducing (reduction reaction) nitro group of compounds represented by a general formula (10) O
N NOI
R~ H I / (10) R

[wherein R1 and R4 are as described above], and then conducting Meerwein arylation reaction (eighth process), to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (11) O O

Rl N I OR5 (11) H
R
[wherein R' and R4 are as described above, R5 is a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, and Y denotes a halogen atom], by reacting (ninth process) these compounds with compounds represented by a general formula (13) R20t H (13) [wherein RZ" is as described above], in the presence of base, to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (12) O O

Rl I ORS - (12) H R2"

[wherein Rl, RZ" , R4 and R5 are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (tenth process) COOR5 portion [R5 is as described above] of these compounds.

The reaction of the eighth process can be performed first at a hydrogen pressure of 98.1kPa to 49lkPa in a solvent such as ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of metallic catalyst such as palladium on activated carbon, platinum on activated carbon, platinum oxide or rhodium on alumina. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of 0 C to 100 C, preferably room temperature to 80 C. Next Meerwein arylation reaction can be performed by reacting sodium nitrite in aqueous solution of hydrogen halide such as hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid to synthesize diazonium salt, and then by adding acrylic ester such as methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate and cuprous salt such as copper oxide (I). The synthesis of diazonium salt can be performed at a reaction temperature of -40 C to 0 C, preferably -20 C to -5 C. Next reaction with acrylic ester can be performed at 0 C to 50 C, preferably room temperature to 40 C.

The reaction of the ninth process can be performed in a solvent such as ethanol, methanol or N,N-dimethylformamide, using, for example, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or the like as a base. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of room temperature to 180 C, preferably at reflux temperature of the solvent.

The reaction of the tenth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the fourth process.
Compounds represented by a general formula (ld) can be synthesized through following processes (Scheme 4).
------- __ , ___ O O O R, O
O O -= \ O oRs --~
11th process ~/ Rz,,, 12th process R R4 (14) (15) O R3 O R' O O
HO - '4z~ N ~ - -Rs R
' H ~ Rs R, Rz ~ / 13th process R Rl 14th process (16) (17) O
Ri H
R2.,. OH
(1d) Scheme 4 Namely, compounds represented by the general formula (ld) 1 (1d) R cI g 5cit,011 R' [wherein R1 denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, RZ...
denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4 or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, R3 denotes a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, and R4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reacting (Tetrahedron Letters, 1997, 38, 2645; eleventh process) compounds represented by a general formula (14) O O

O
O~CH, (14) cr R4 [wherein R' is as described above], with compounds represented by a general formula (22) oz (22) R=... Rs [wherein RZ' '' and R3 are as described above, R5 is a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, and Z denotes a trimethylsilyl group or t-butyldimethylsilyl group], in the presence of a catalytic amount of Lewis acid, to synthesize compounds represented by a general formula (15) O \ OR5 (15) [wherein RZ' ' ' , R3, R4 and R5 are as described above], by hydrogenolysis (twelfth process) these compounds, to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (16) HO O(16) 2õ.

[wherein RZ ''' , R3, R4 and R5 are as described above], by reacting (thirteenth process) these compounds with compounds represented by the general formula (7) 1__(~ NH2 (7) [wherein R' is as described above], to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (17) Ri ORs (17) H _ [wherein R 2 ' , R3, R4 and R5 are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (fourteenth process) COOR5 position of these compounds.

The reaction of the eleventh process can be performed in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene or dioxane, using, for example, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium bistrifluoromethanesulfonylimide, titanium tetrachloride or the like as a Lewis acid. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 80 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C.

The reaction of the twelfth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the second process. The reaction of the thirteenth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the third process. The reaction of the fourteenth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the fourth process.

Moreover, optically active compounds of the general formula (la) can be prepared, for example, through following processes (Scheme 5).

XP
-----Ra R2 H 16th process a"", / \ I OR4 1H5th process O

(2) (19) HO ~-~ RI
R /~ ~
R2 H \ \ R2 H
/r H R

(20) 17th process (21) _ 1 / I
N /
R OH
18th p cor ess R \ H 4 R2 H

(1a) Scheme 5 Namely, optically active substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives represented by the general formula (la) R' N / 4 OH (1a) ,\ H \

[wherein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, R 2 denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenoxy group, lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, and R4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reacting (fifteenth process) compounds represented by the general formula (2) O O
010'~ O H (2) R4 [wherein R4 is as described above], with compounds represented by a general formula (18) U
r', Xp (18) [wherein R2 is as described above, and Xp denotes a chiral oxazolidinone derivative with absolute configuration being (S) such as (S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, (S)-4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidi-none-3-yl group or (S)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, or the like], in the presence of metal ligand and base, to synthesize compounds represented by a general formula (19) O OH O

c:::1-'-- Xp (19) 1'?H
R'+
[wherein R2, R4 and Xp are as described above], by eliminating hydroxyl group of these compounds and hydrogenolysis (sixteenth process), to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (20) O O

HO~ ~ 1 Xp (20) I 11-.

[wherein RZ, R4 and Xp are as described above], by reacting (seventeenth process) these compounds with compounds represented by the general formula (7) R1 NHz (7) [wherein R' is as described above], to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (21) N XP (21) R / l ~ I\ 'k, \ H / R2 H

[wherein R1, R2, R' and Xp are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (eighteenth process) COXp position of these compounds.

The reaction of the fifteenth process can be performed in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or diethyl ether, using di-n-butylboryltrifurate, diethylboryltrifurate, titanium tetrachloride or the like as a metal ligand and tertiary amine such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or ethyldimethylamine as a base. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -100 C to room temperature, preferably -80 C to 0 C.

The reaction of the sixteenth process can be performed in a solvent such as acetic acid or trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of triethylsilane or trichlorosilane. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 50 C, preferably 0 C to room temperature.

The reaction of the seventeenth process can be performed through the process similar to the reaction of the third process.

The reaction of the eighteenth process can be performed under alkaline condition. For alkaline condition, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, mixture of lithium hydroxide with hydrogen peroxide, or the like is used. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 100 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C.

Moreover, optically active compounds being said general formula (la) can be prepared, for example, through following processes (Scheme 6).

O O O O
R H XP, Rl N O~R2 OH Rl ~ ~
H4 19th process 4 RZ
(le) (25) O O O O
~P' -, N ~ OH
-~ Rl H XP' -' RI H
Separation of \ R4 R2 H R4 RZ H
diastereomer 20th process (26) (la) Scheme 6 Namely, optically active substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives represented by the general formula (la) O O

Ri cr H ~ ( ' OH (la) R~ R2 H

[wherein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, R2 denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenoxy group, lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, and R4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reacting compounds represented by the general formula (le) O O
) N (le Rl H 2 OH

[wherein R1, R 2 and R4 are as described above], with pivaloyl chloride in the presence of base, to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (23) O O

R~ N ~ ~ ~ O (23) H ~ 20 R'~
[wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as described above], by reacting (nineteenth process) these compounds with compounds represented by a general formula (24) Xp' H (24) [wherein Xp' denotes an optically active chiral oxazolidinone derivative such as optically active 4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, 4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group or 4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, amide derivative, sultam derivative or the like], in the presence of base, to synthesize compounds represented by a general formula (25) O O

Rl ~ H XP (25) ~ R2 R
[wherein R1, Rz, R4 and Xp' are as described above], by separating each diastereomer of these compounds by fractional recrystallization or column chromatography, to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (26) O O

N ~XPf (26) [wherein R', Rz, R 4 and Xp' are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (twentieth process) Xp' portion of these compounds.

In the reaction of the nineteenth process, first, the synthesis of compounds represented by the general formula (23) W \ r H \ ~ zO (23) Ra [wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as described above], can be performed in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or diethyl ether, using tertiary amine such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, ethyldimethylamine or pyridine as a base. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -100 C to room temperature, preferably -40 C to 0 C.

Next, the reaction between general formula (23) 0 (23) Rl g [wherein R', R 2 and R9 are as described above], and the general formula (24) Xp' H (24) [wherein Xp' is as described above], can be performed in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or diethyl ether, in the presence of a base of alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, organometallic compound such as butyl lithium, metal amide such as lithium diisopropylamide, or metal alkoxide such as sodium methoxide or potassium t-butoxide, or the like. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -100 C to room temperature, preferably -40 C to 0 C.

The reaction of the twentieth process can be performed under alkaline condition. For alkaline condition, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, mixture of lithium hydroxide with hydrogen peroxide, or the like is used. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 100 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C.

Moreover, optically active compounds being said general formula (la) can also be prepared, for example, through following processes (Scheme 7).

O O
O
Xp"
~ I O ~ I Br --. .~ ~ ~ ~ =, 21 st process R R2 H 22nd process (28) (27) N X ,~
H Xpf- Ri H P
R4 RZ 23rd process R R2 H
(29) (26a) O O

-- Ri H OH
24th process R4 R2 H

(1a) Scheme 7 Namely, optically active substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivatives represented by the general formula (la) O O

5zixr OH (1a) ~ R4 RH

[whe rein R' denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, trifluoromethyl group, trifluoromethoxy group, phenyl group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, phenoxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents or benzyloxy group which is unsubstituted or may have substituents, R2 denotes a lower alkyl group with carbon atoms of 1 to 4, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group, lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenoxy group, lower alkylthio group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3, phenylthio group or benzylthio group, and R4 denotes a lower alkoxy group with carbon atoms of 1 to 3], can be prepared by reacting (twenty-first process) compounds represented by a general formula (27) O
JOBr (27) Ra [wherein R4 is as described above], with compounds represented by a general formula (30) O
(Xp" (30) RZ

[wherein R2 is as described above, and Xpl, denotes a chiral oxazolidinone with absolute configuration being (R) such as (R)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, (R)-4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group or (R)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl group, chiral imidazolidinone, chiral cyclic lactam, chiral sultam or the like], in the presence of base, to afford compounds represented by a general formula (28) O XP" (28) R4 Rz H

[wherein R2, R4 and Xp" are as described above], which was hydrogenolysed (twenty-second process) in the presence of base to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (29) HO Xp" (29) [wherein R2, R 4 and Xp" are as described above], by reacting (twenty-third process) these compounds with compounds represented by the general formula (7) __( ~ NHz (7) [wherein R1 is as described above], to obtain compounds represented by a general formula (26a) O O
N Xpvl (26a) Ra Rz H

[wherein R1, R2, R4 and Xp" are as described above], and by hydrolyzing (twenty-fourth process) COXp" position of these compounds.
For the reaction of the twenty-first process, for example, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, organometallic compound such as butyl lithium, metal amide such as lithium diisopropylamide or sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide can be used as a base in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether or hexane. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -100 C to room temperature, preferably -80 C to 0 C.
The reaction of the twenty-second process can be performed at a hydrogen pressure of 98.1kPa to 49lkPa in a solvent such as ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of metallic catalyst such as palladium on activated carbon, platinum on activated carbon, platinumoxide or rhodium on alumina. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of 0 C to 100 C, preferably room temperature to 80 C.

The reaction of the twenty-third process can be performed by leaving carboxyl group as it is or converting it to reactive derivatives. As the "reactive derivative group of carboxyl group", acid chloride, acid bromide, acid anhydride, carbonylimidazole or the like is mentioned.

In the case of the reaction using reactive derivative, the reaction can be performed in a solvent such as dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence or absence of, for example, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or organic base such as pyridine or triethylamine as a base.

In the case of conducting the reaction by leaving carboxylic acid form as it is, the reaction can be performed in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of condensing agent in the presence or absence of base, and further in the presence or absence of additive.

As the condensing agent, for example, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, diethyl cyanophosphate, diphenylphosphoric azide, carbonyldiimidazole or the like can be mentioned. As the base, for example, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, or organic base such as pyridine or triethylamine can be mentioned. As the additive, N-hydroxybenzotriazole, N-hydroxysuccinimide, 3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazine or the like can be mentioned.
The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 100 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C.

The reaction of the twenty-fourth process can be performed under alkaline condition. For alkaline condition, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, mixture of lithium hydroxide with hydrogen peroxide, or the like is used. The reaction can be performed at a reaction temperature of -20 C to 100 C, prefer-ably 0 C to 50 C .
As the administrating form of the inventive novel compounds, for example, oral administration with tablet, capsule, granule, powder, inhalant, syrup or the like, or parenteral administra-tion with injection, suppository or the like can be mentioned.

Best embodiment to put the invention into practice (Example 1) Ethyl 3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylpropanate Sodium hydride (214mg, 5.35mmol) was suspended in lOml of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran under an atmosphere of argon, which was cooled with ice. Triethyl 2-phosphonobutyrate (1.34g, 5.31mmol) dissolved in 20m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Next, benzyl 5-formyl-2-methoxybenzoate (Referential example 3; 1.44g, 5.33mmol) dissolved in 25m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 4.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into ice water, which was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water and saturated brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane: ethyl acetate=5:lv/v) to obtain 1.45g (74%) of ethyl (3-benzyloxy-carbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylacrylate as a yellow oil.

Mass analysis m/z 368(M+).

The ethyl (3-benzyloxy-carbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylacrylate (4.OOg, 10.9mmo1) was dissolved in 200m1 of ethanol, 10% palladium on activated carbon (1.lOg) was added, and medium pressure hydrogenation was performed for 3 hours at an initial pressure of 353kPa. After completion of the reaction, the catalyst was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to obtain 3.Og (98%) of the title compound as a faintly yellow oil.

Mass analysis m/z 280(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) b 0.93(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.18(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.52-1.59(1H,m), 1.59-1.70(1H,m), 2.55-2.61(1H,m), 2.76(1H,dd,J=14.2, 6.4Hz), 2.92(1H,dd,J=14.2, 6.4Hz), 4.03-4.12(2H,m), 4.06(3H,s), 6.97(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.38(1H, dd,J=8.8, 2.4Hz), 8.00(1H,d,J=2.4Hz).

(Examples 2 through 6) The compounds listed in Table 1 were obtained similarly to Example 1.

<Table 1>

O O
HO I ~ ORs Example R 2 R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 2 CH3 OCH3 C2H5 266(M+) 3 n-03H7 OCN3 C2H5 294(M+) 4 OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 282(M+) 0C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 296(M+) 6 OPh 00H3 C2H5 344(M+) (Example 7) Ethyl 2-ethYl-3-f4-methoxy-3-fN-ff4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyll-methyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropanoate Ethyl 3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylpropanoate (5.00g, 17.8mmol) was dissolved in 80m1 of dehydrated dichloromethane, which was cooled to -10 C to -15 C.

Triethylamine (6.21m1, 44.5mmol) was added under stirring.
Next, ethyl chlorocarbonate (1.86m1, 19.5 mmol), dissolved in lOml of dehydrated dichloromethane was added dropwise. After stirring for 10 minutes at -10 C, 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine (2.51m1, 17.8mmol), dissolved in 10ml of dehydrated dichloromethane was added dropwise.

After stirring for 30 minutes at -10 C, the mixture was stirred for 7 hours at room temperature and then allowed to stand overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with aqueous solution of citric acid, aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized from a mixed solvent of n-hexane with ethyl acetate to obtain 7.2g (93%) of the aimed compound as colorless crystals. Melting point 77.5-79.5 C;

Mass analysis m/z 437(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S
0.91(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.18(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.51-1.69(2H,m), 2.54-2.61(1H,m), 2.75 (1H,dd,J=13.7, 6.8Hz), 2.92(1H,dd,J=13.7, 8.8Hz), 3.92(3H,s), 4.04-4.12(2H,m), 4.73(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.89(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.25-7.28(1H,m), 7.47(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.59(2H,d,J=8.3Hz), 8.06(1H,d,J= 2.4Hz), 8.30(1H,t,J=5.4Hz).
(Examples 8 through 19) The compounds listed in Table 2 were obtained similarly to Example 7.

<Table 2>

O O
RI N ORs Rz R

Example RI R2 R4 R 5 Mass analysis (m/z) 8 4-CF3 CH 3 OCH3 C2H5 423 (M+) 9 4-OCH2Ph CH3 OCH3 C2H5 461 (M+) 4-OPh C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 461 (M+) 11 4-OCH2Ph C2H5 0CH9 C2H5 475 (M+) 12 4-Ph C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 445 (M+) 13 4-CF3 OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 439 (M+) 14 4-OCH2Ph OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 477 (M+) 4-OPh OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 463 (M') 16 4-Ph OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 447 (M+) 17 4-OCH3 OCH3 OCH3 C2H5 401 W) 18 4-CF3 0C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 453 (M') 19 4-CF3 OPh 0CH3 C2H5 437 (M+) (Example 20) 2-Ethyl-3-j4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyll-methyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropanoic acid Ethyl 2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoate (1.26g, 2.88mmol;
Example 7), 15m1 of ethanol and 15m1 of lmol/l aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide were mixed and, after stirring for 4 hours at 50 C, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in water, which was made acidic with dilute hydrochloric acid. The precipitates produced were filtered, dried and then recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 1.26g (95%) of the title compound as colorless prisms. Melting point 144.5-146.5 C; Mass analysis m/z 409(M+); Elemental analysis C21HZZF3N04 ( 409 . 40 ) :
Calcd. C, 61.61; H, 5.42; N, 3.42.
Found C, 61.48; H, 5.40; N, 3.41.

1H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 0.96(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.53-1.72(2H,m), 2.59-2.66(1H,m), 2.77(1H,dd,J=13.7, 6.8Hz), 2.96(1H,dd,J=13.7, 8.3 Hz), 3.92(3H,s), 4.73(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.90(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.29(1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4Hz), 7.47(2H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.59(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.08 (1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.32(1H,t,J=5.9Hz).
(Examples 21-31) The compounds listed in Table 3 were obtained similarly to Example 20.

<Table 3>

O O
Rl N OH
H Ri R

E) mple R' R 2 R4 MeRing point ( C) Charac. formula Elemental analysis (%) 21 4-OCHZPh C2H6 OCH3 127. 0-127.5 C27H2eNO5 Calcd. C 72.46, H 6.53, N 3. 13 Found C 72= 30. H 6. 55, N 3. 14 22 4-Ph CzH6 OCH3 158. 5-159. 5 C28H27N04 CeAcd, ; C 74.80. H 6.52, N 3.35 Found ; C 74.87, H 6.63, N 3.34 23 4-OPh CzH6 0CH3 127. 0-128.0 C26H27NO6 Calcd. ; C 72.04, H 6.28. N 3.23 Found C 71.86, H 6.31, N 3.21 24 4-CF3 0011, 0CH3 161. 0-163. 0 020H26F3N05 Calcd. ; C 58.39. H 4.90, N 3.40 Found C 58.35, H 4.82, N 3.49 25 4-OCH2Ph OCH3 OCH3 136. 0-138.0 C26H27NO6 Calcd. C 69.47, H 6.05. N 3. 12 Found ; C 69.38, H 6.09, N 3.16 26 4-Ph OCHa OCH3 176. 0-178. 0 C25H26NO6 Calcd. C 71.58. H 8. 01, N 3.34 Found ; C 71.56. H 6.15. N 3.36 27 4-OPh OCH6 0CH3 137. 5-139.0 C2sH26NDa Calcd. ; C 68. 95, H 5.79, N 3.22 Found C 68.74. H 5.80. N 3.23 28 4-0CH3 0CH3 OCHa 128.5-129.5 C2oH23N06 Calcd. C 64. 33, H 6.21, N 3.75 Found C 64. 22, H 6.22, N 3. 79 29 4-CF3 0CZH5 0CH3 146.0-148.0 CZrH22F3N06 Calcd. C 59.29, H 5.21, N 3.29 Found C 59.04, H 5.10, N 3.33 30 4-CF3 CH3 0CH3 155.0-156.0 C2OH2oF3N04 Calcd. C 60. 76, H 5. 10, N 3.54 Found C 60.77. H 5.12. N 3.57 31 4-CFa OPh 0CH3 141. 5-143.0 C2bHz2F3N06 Calcd. C 63.42. H 4.68, N 2.96 Found C 63. 25, H 4.70, N 2.93 (Referential example 1) 5-Formyl-2-methoxy-N-L14-(trifluoromethyl)phenyllmethyll-benzamide Publicly known [e.g. E.J.Wayne et al, J. Chem. Soc., 1022(1922)]5-formyl-2-methoxybenzoic acid (4.05g, 22.5mmo1) was dissolved in 80m1 of dichloromethane, which was cooled with ice. Triethylamine (7.94ml, 56.2mmol) was added under stirring. Next, ethyl chlorocarbonate (2.44m1, 24.8mmol) was added and, after stirring for 10 minutes, 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine (3.31m1, 22.5mmol) was added dropwise, which was allowed to stand overnight. After washed with water, the reaction mixture was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. Water was added to the residue, which was made acidic with dilute hydrochloric acid. Then, the precipitates were filtered and dried to quantitatively obtain the title compound as milky white crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 337(M).
(Example 32) Ethyl 2-methoxy-3-f4-methoxy-3-fN-ff4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyllacrylate Ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-2-methoxyacetate (265mg, 1.lOmmol) was dissolved in 3ml of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran and potassium t-butoxide (123mg, 1.lOmmol) was added under stirring and cooling with ice under an atmosphere of argon, which was stirred for 30 minutes. Next, N-[[4-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl]methyl]-5-formyl-2-methoxybenzamide (338mg, 1.OOmmol) dissolved in 2ml of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added. After stirring for 1 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into ice water, which was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=3:lv/v) to obtain 330mg (78%) of the title compound (mixture of geometrical isomers relevant to double bond) as colorless crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 423(M).
(Example 33) Ethyl 2-methoxy-3-f4-methoxy-3-fN-ff4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropanoate Ethyl 2-methoxy-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]acrylate (150mg, 0.354mmol), 2.5ml of ethanol and 2.5ml of tetrahydrofuran were mixed, 10%

palladium on activated carbon (30mg) was added thereto, and normal pressure hydrogenation was conducted for 7.5 hours at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the catalyst was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to obtain 148mg (98%) of the title compound as colorless crystals.
Mass analysis m/z 425(M).

(Referential example 2) 2-Methoxy-5-nitro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]-benzamide Publicly known [e.g. De.Paulis et al, J. Med. Chem., 1022(1922)]2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzoic acid (9.OOg, 45.7mmol) was dissolved in 450ml of dichloromethane and, after triethylamine (8.llml, 58.4mmol) and ethyl chlorocarbonate (4.70m1, 49.3mmol) were added, the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. Next, 4-trifluoromethylbenzylamine (9.59g, 54.8mmol) was added dropwise, which was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water. The organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 12.5g of the aimed compound as yellow powder. Further, the filtrate was concentrated and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 2.13g of the second crystals. Total 14.6g (91%).

Mass analysis m/z 354(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 4.09(3H,s), 4.75(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 7.11(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.47(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.61 (2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.05(1H,brs), 8.36(1H,dd,J=8.8, 3.0Hz), 9.12(1H,d, J=3.OHz).

(Example 34) 5-Amino-2-methoxy-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]-benzamide 2-Methoxy-5-nitro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]-benzamide (14.6g, 41.2mmol) and 146m1 of ethyl acetate were mixed and, after 10% palladium on activated carbon (2.6g) was added, the mixture was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature.
Catalyst was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate, and the reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was re-crystallized from a mixed solvent of n-hexane with ethyl acetate to obtain 12.4g (93%) of the title compound as colorless crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 324(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) b 3.87(3H,s), 4.72(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.80(1H,dd,J=8.8, 3.0Hz), 6.83(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.46(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.59(3H,m), 8.43(1H,brs).

(Example 35) Ethyl 2-bromo-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoate 5-Amino-2-methoxy-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methyl]benzamide (7.OOg, 21.6mmol), 85m1 of acetone and 34m1 of methanol were mixed, which was cooled with ice. Under stirring, 17.5ml of 47% hydrobromic acid, sodium nitrite (1.65g, 23.9mmol) and 6.2m1 of water were added and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Next, ethyl acrylate (13.4m1, 128mmol) and copper oxide (I) (416mg, 2.91mmol) were added at room temperature. After stirring for 30 minutes, the reaction mixture was poured into saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate, which was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized from a mixed solvent of n-hexane with ethyl acetate to obtain 683mg (71%) of the title compound as colorless crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 469(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) b 1.21-1.26(6H, m), 2.61-2.67(2H,m), 2.96(1H,dd,J=14.2, 6.8Hz), 3.18(1H,dd,J=14.2, 9.3Hz), 3.53(1H,dd,J=9.3, 6.8Hz), 3.93(3H,s), 4.10-4.19(2H,m), 4.73 (2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.91(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.32(1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4 Hz), 7.47(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.59(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.11(1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.30 (1H,brs).

(Example 36) Ethyl 2-ethylthio-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoate Ethyl 2-bromo-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoate (1.OOg, 2.05mmol;
Example 37) and 56m1 of ethanol were mixed and, after sodium thioethoxide (268mg, 2.55mmol) was added under stirring, the mixture was refluxed for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated, water was added, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=2:lv/v) to obtain 3.4g (43%) of the title compound as colorless crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 324(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) b 3.87(3H,s), 4.72(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.80(1H,dd,J=8.8, 3.0Hz), 6.83(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.46(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.59(3H,m), 8.43(1H,brs).

(Examples 37 and 38) The compounds listed in Table 4 were obtained similarly to Example 36.

<Table 4>

N ORs R~

Example R R2 R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 37 4-CF3 SPh OCH3 C2H5 517 (M+) 38 4-CF3 SCH2Ph OCH3 C2H5 531 (M+) (Examples 39 through 41) Compounds in Table 5 were obtained similarly to Example 20.
<Table 5>

O O
R1 ~ OH
H / Rz Example R' R2 R' Melting point ( C) Charac. formula Elemental analysis (%) 39 4-CF3 SCzHs OCH3 155. 0-157. 0 C21H22F3N04S Calcd. C 57. 13, H 5. 02, N
3.17 Found C 56. 79, H 4.89, N 3. 15 40 4-CF3 SPh OCHa 130. 0-131. 5 CZsHzzF3Ne4S Calcd. C 61. 34, H 4.53, N 2. 86 Found C 61. 08, H 4.45, N 2.82 41 4-CF3 SCH2Ph 0CH3 Foaai C21H22F9N04S Calcd. C 62. 02, H 4. 80, N 2. 78 Found C 62.39. H 5.03, N 2.72 (Referential example 3) Benzyl 5-acetoxymethyl-2-methoxybenzoate 5-Formyl-2-methoxybenzoic acid (1.76g, 9.77mmol), benzylbromide (1.26ml, 10.3mmol), potassium hydrogencarbonate (2.94g, 29.3mmol) and 40ml of N,N-dimethylformamide were mixed and the mixture was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature, then the insolubles were filtered. Ethyl acetate was added to the filtrate, which was washed with water and with brine, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to quantitatively obtain benzyl 5-formyl-2-methoxybenzoate.

Mass analysis m/z 270(M+); Melting point 58.5-59.5 C.
Benzyl 5-formyl-2-methoxybenzoate (1.lOg, 4.07mmol) and 30ml of methanol were mixed and sodium borohydride (155mg, 4.lOmmol) was added little by little under stirring and cooling with ice. After stirring for 2 hours under cooling with ice, the reaction mixture was poured into ice water and made acidic with lmol/l hydrochloric acid, which was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water and with brine, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to obtain 1.llg (99%) of benzyl 5-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxybenzoate (without purifying further, this compound was used for the next reaction).

Next, benzyl 5-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxybenzoate and 100m1 of methylene chloride were mixed and, after pyridine (660ml, 8.16mmol), acetic anhydride (460ml, 4.88mmol) and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (25 mg, 0.205mmol) were added under stirring and cooling with ice, the mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with lmol/l hydrochloric acid, aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen-carbonate and brine, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to obtain 1.27g (99%) of the title compound as a colorless oil.
Mass analysis m/z 314(M+); 1H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 2.08(3H,s), 3.91(3H,s), 5.03(2H,s), 5.35(2H,s), 6.97(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.31-7.50 (6H,m), 7.83(1H,d,J=2.4Hz).

(Example 42) Methyl 3-(3-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanoate Benzyl 5-acetoxymethyl-2-methoxybenzoate (630mg, 2.OOmmol), methyl trimethylsilyldimethylketeneacetal (730mg, 4.02mmol) and 25m1 of dehydrated methylene chloride were mixed and magnesium perchlorate (45mg, 0.202mmol) was added under an atmosphere of argon, which was stirred for 6 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was washed with water and with brine, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=8:lv/v) to obtain 131mg (18%) of the title compound as colorless crystals.
Mass analysis m/z 356(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 1.16(6H,s), 2.79(2H,s), 3.56(3H,s), 3.88(3H,s), 5.33(2H,s), 6.88(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.20(1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4Hz), 7.30-7.47(5H,m), 7.56(1H,d,J=2.4Hz).

(Example 43) Methyl 3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionate Methyl 3-(3-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanoate (310mg, 0.870mmol) was dissolved in 7ml of mixed solvent of ethanol with tetrahydrofuran at a ratio of 1:1, 10% palladium on activated carbon (20mg) was added thereto, and normal pressure hydrogenation was conducted for 5 hours. After completion of the reaction, catalyst was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to obtain 290mg (90%) of the title compound as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 266(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 1.18(6H,s), 2.85(2H,s), 3.68(3H,s), 4.06(3H,s), 6.96(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.31(1H,dd,J=8.3,2.OHz), 7.94(1H,d,J=2.OHz), 10.46-11.00(1H,brs).

(Example 44) Methyl 3-[4-methoxy-3-fN-[f4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyll-2,2-dimethylpropanoate Using methyl 3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanoate (204 mg, 0.766mmo1), triethylamine (135m1, 0.969mmo1), ethyl chlorocarbonate (82.Oml, 0.843mmo1), 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine (120 ml, 0.842mmo1) and 8ml of dehydrated dichloromethane and conducting the procedure similar to Example 7, 309mg (95%) of the title compound were obtained as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 423(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 1.18(6H,s), 2.85(2H,s), 3.69(3H,s), 3.92(3H,s), 4.73(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.89(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.20(1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4Hz), 7.47(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.59(2H, d,J=7.8Hz), 7.99(1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.29(1H,brs).

(Example 45) 3-[4-Methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid Using methyl 3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoate (300 mg, 0.708mmol; Example 47), ethanol (5m1) and 10% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (2ml) and conducting the procedure similar to Example 22, 206 mg (90%) of the title compound were obtained as colorless crystals.

Melting point 151.0-152.0 C; Mass analysis m/z 409(M+);

Elemental analysis CZ1H22F3NO4 ( 409 .40 ) :
Calcd. C, 61.61; H, 5.42; N, 3.42.
Found C, 61.68; H, 5.45; N, 3.48.;

1H-NMR (400MHz, DMSO-d6) S 1.06(6H,s), 2.96(2H,s), 3.88(3H,s), 4.56 (2H,d,J=6.4Hz), 7.06(1H,d,J=8.8Hz), 7.25(1H,dd,J=8.8, 2.4Hz), 7.51-7.58(2H,m), 7.70(1H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.80(1H,t,J=5.9Hz), 12.24(1H, s).

(Referential example 4) (S)-4-benzyl-3-butyryl-2-oxazolidinone (S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (2.26g, 15.Ommol) and 30m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran were mixed, which was cooled to -78 C under an atmosphere of argon. Under stirring, 1.6mol/l solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane (10.3m1, 16.5mmol) was added dropwise for over 10 minutes and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes as it was. Next, butyryl chloride (1.56m1, 15.Ommo1) dissolved into 30m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise for over 10 minutes and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, followed by stirring for 3 hours at room temperature. Saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride was added to the reaction mixture and concentrated.
Water was added to the residue, which was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water and with brine, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=l:lv/v) to obtain 3.64g (98%) of the title compound as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 247(M+).

(Example 46) (+)-2-ethyl-3-f4-methoxy-3-[N-ff4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropanoic acid (S)-4-benzyl-3-butyryl-2-oxazolidinone (1.65g, 6.68mmo1) was dissolved in 22m1 of dehydrated methylene chloride, which was cooled to -74 C under an atmosphere of argon. After triethylamine (1.llml, 8.02mmol) was added, 1.Omo1/1 solution of dibutylboryltrifurate in methylene chloride (7.35m1, 7.35mmol) was added dropwise over 15 minutes, which was stirred for 30 minutes. Next, after stirring for 50 minutes under cooling with ice, the mixture was cooled to -75 C.
Following this, benzyl 5-formyl-2-methoxybenzoate (1.81g, 6.68mmol) dissolved into 56.5m1 of dehydrated methylene chloride was added dropwise over 20 minutes. After stirring for 1.5 hours at -75 C, the mixture was stirred for 2 hours under cooling with ice. A mixed solution comprising 30m1 of methanol, 16.7m1 of phosphate buffer and 7.3m1 of 30%

aqueous hydrogen peroxide was added and the mixture was stirred further for 30 minutes at 0 C. The reaction mixture was poured into water, which was extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=3:2v/v) to obtain 1.36g (39%) of (4S)-3-[3-(3-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethyl-3-hydroxypropionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone.
Mass analysis m/z 518(M+1)+.

Next, (4S)-3-[3-(3-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethyl-3-hydroxypropionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (1.35g, 2.61mmol) and 22 ml of trifluoroacetic acid were mixed under cooling with ice and triethylsilane (3.95m1, 26.1mmo1) was added over 5 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour under cooling with ice, followed by stirring for 4 days at room temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was poured into 0.5mol/l aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, which was washed with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was made acidic and extracted with methylene chloride.
The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to obtain 1.34g of crude (4S)-3-[3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylpropionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone as a yellow oil. This compound was used for next reaction without purifying further.

Using crude (4S)-3-[3-(3-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-ethylpropionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (1.34g), triethylamine (435m1, 3.13 mmol), ethyl chlorocarbonate (275ml, 2.87mmol), 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine (686mg, 3.92mmol) and 33m1 of methylene chloride and conducting the procedure similar to Example 7, 860mg (58%) of (4S)-3-[2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]-carbamoyl]phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone as colorless powder.

Mass analysis m/z 568(M+); 'H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S
0.98(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.58-1.65(1H,m), 1.80-1.87(1H,m), 2.71(1H,dd,J=13.2, 9.8 Hz), 2.78(1H,dd,J=13.2, 6.4Hz), 3.00(1H,dd,J=13.7, 8.3Hz), 3.30(1H,dd,J=13.7, 2.9Hz), 3.92(3H,s), 3.98-4.07(3H,m), 4.61-4.67(1H, m), 4.71(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.90(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.20-7.37(6H,m), 7.44 (2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.57(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.00(1H,d,J=2.5Hz), 8.24(1H,t,J=5.9Hz).

(4S)-3-[2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (860mg, 1.51mmo1) was mixed with 8m1 of mixed solution of tetrahydrofuran with water (4:lv/v), which was cooled with ice under an atmosphere of argon. Under stirring, 611m1 of 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide was added over 2 minutes, further 101mg of lithium hydroxide monohydrate dissolved in 2.7m1 of water was added thereto over 2 minutes.
After the mixture was stirred for 1 hour under cooling with ice, sodium sulfite 7-hydrate dissolved in 4m1 of water was added, and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at 0 C. The reaction mixture was poured into 5% aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, which was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was crystallized by adding ethyl acetate and n-hexane to obtain 125mg (20%) of the title compound as colorless prisms.

Melting point 128.0-130.0 C; Mass analysis m/z 409(M+);
Elemental analysis C21H42F3NO4 ( 409 . 40 ):

Calcd. C, 61.61; H, 5.42; N, 3.42.
Found C, 61.48; H, 5.40; N, 3.41.;

1H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) 8 0.96(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.55-1.71(2H,m), 2.61-2.67(1H,m), 2.77(1H,dd,J=13.7, 6.4Hz), 2.96(1H,dd,J=13.7, 7.8Hz), 3.92(3H,s), 4.73(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.90(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.29 (1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4Hz), 7.46 (2H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.59(2H,d,J=8.3Hz), 8.08(1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.32(1H,t,J=5.9Hz).
Specific rotation [a]p25 +23 (C 0.4, MeOH); Optical purity 88%
e.e. (from HPLC analysis using Chiral PAC AD).

(Examples 47 and 48) The compounds listed in Table 6 were obtained similarly to Example 1.

<Table 6>

O O~R2 g 4 I ~ ORS
i Example R 2 R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 47 1-C3H7 OCH3 C2H5 294 (M+) 48 n-C4H8 OCH3 C2H5 308(M+) (Examples 49 through 94) The compounds listed in Table 7 were obtained similarly to Example 7.

<Table 7>

Example RI R 2 R4 R 5 Mass analysis (m/z) 49 4-CF3 n-C3H7 OCH3 02H5 451 (M+) 50 4-OPh n~3H7 0CH3 CZH5 475 (M+) 51 4-OCH2Ph n-03H7 OCH3 C2H5 489 (Y+) 52 4-Ph n-CgH? OCH3 C2H5 459 (M+) 53 4-CF3 i-C3H7 0CH3 C2H5 451 (M+) 54 4-OPh i-CA OCH3 C2H5 475 (M+) 55 4-OCH2Ph i-CA OCHg C2H5 489 (M+) 56 4-Ph i-CA OCH3 C2H5 459 (M+) 57 4-CF3 n-C4H9 0CH3 C2H5 465 (M+) 58 4-OPh n-C4H9 OCHg C2H5 489 (Y') 59 4-OCH2Ph n-04H9 0CH3 C2H5 503 (M+) 60 4-Ph n-C4Hg 0CH3 C2H5 473 (M+) 81 2--OPh C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 481 (M*) 82 3-OPh 02H5 OCH3 C2H5 481 (11') 63 2--OPh n-03H7 OCH3 C2H5 475 (U;) 64 3-OPh n-C3H7 0CH3 CZHS 475 (Y+) Example RI R2 R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 85 4-OPh(4-CH3) C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 475 (M') 86 4-OPh(3-CH9) CsHS 0CH3 C2H5 475 (M+) 67 4-OPh(2-CH3) CpHS OCH3 C2H5 475 (W) 68 4-OPh(4-CI) C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 495 (M+) 69 4-OPh(3-CI) C2H5 OCHg C2H5 495 (M+) 70 4-OPh(4-F) C2H5 0CH3 C2H5 479 (M+) 71 4-OPh(4-Br) C2H5 OCH3 02H5 539 (M+) 72 4-OPh(4-CCH3) C2H5 OCH3 CZH5 491 (M+) 73 4-OPh(3-OCH3) C2H5 0CH9 C2H5 491 (M+) 74 4-OPh (2-0CH3) CZH5 OC}Is C2H5 491 (MC) 75 4-OPh (4-CH3) n-C3H7 OCH3 C2H5 489 (M+) 78 4-OPh (3-CH3) n-CA OCHs C2H5 489 (M+) 77 4-OPh (2-CH3) n-C3H7 0CH3 C2H5 489 (M+) 78 4-OPh(3-Cl) n-C3H7 OCH3 C2H5 509 (M+) 79 4-OPh(4-OCH3) n-CA OCH3 C2H5 505 (M') 80 4-OPh(3-OCH3) n--G3H7 OCHg C2H5 505 (M+) 81 4-OPh (2-OCHg) n-C3H7 0CH9 CpHg . 505 (M+) Example Ri le R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 82 4-OPh(4-F) n~3H7 OCH3 CYH5 493 (M+) 83 4-OPh(4-Br) n-03H7 0CH3 C2H5 553 W) 84 4-OCF3 n-03H7 0CH3 C2H5 467 (M+) 85 4-CH3 n-03H7 OCH3 C2H5 397 (M') 86 4-0CH3 n-C3H7 OCH3 C2H5 413 (M+) 87 4-Ph (4-C I) n-03H7 0CH3 02H5 493 (M+) 88 4-Ph (4-CH3) n~3H7 0CH3 02H5 473 (M~) 89 4-Ph(4-0CH3) n-03H7 OCH3 02H5 489 (M+) 90 4-UCH2Ph(4-CI) n-C3H7 0CH3 CpHs 523 (M') 91 4-OCH2Ph(4-CH3) n-C3H7 0CH3 C2H5 503 (M+) 92 4-0Ph (2-F) n-C3H7 OCHs 02Hb 493 (M+) 93 4-OPh(2-0C2H5) n-C3H7 0CH3 C2H5 519 (M;) 94 4-OPh (2-C2H5) n-03H7 OCH3 CpHs 503 (M+) (Examples 95 through 141) The compounds listed in Table 8 were obtained similarly to Example 20.

<Table 8>

O O
Ri \ H OH
~ 4 R2 Exmmple R' Rz R4 AAelting poird ( C) Cherac. formula Elemental analysis (%) 95 4-CF9 n-C9H7 OCH3 147 CnH24FsNO4 Calcd. : C 82.40. H 5. 71, N 3. 31 Found ; C 82. 33, H 5. 85, N 3.39 98 4-OPh n-C3H7 OCH3 117 C27HnN0s Calcd. ; C 72.46, H 0.53. N 3. 13 Found ; C 72. 31, H 8.58, N 3. 28 97 4-OCH2Ph n-CaHf OCH3 111-112 CnH'fNOy Calcd. ; C 72.80. H 0.77. N 3.03 Found ; C 72.77. H 8. 78, N 3. 10 98 4-Ph n-C3H, OCH3 180-182 C2-,H6NO4 = 1/10Hz0 Csicd. ; C 74. 84, H 8. 79, N
3. 23 Found ; C 74. 78, H 8. 81, N 3. 37 99 4-CF3 i-C3H7 OCHs 174-175 CVH24F'NO4 Calcd. ; C 82.40, H 5.71, N 3.31 Found ; C 62. 42, H 5. 81, N 3. 34 100 4-OPh i-C3H7 OCH3 148-147 CxiHsoNOs Cdcd. ; C 72. 48, H 6.53. N 3. 13 Found C 72. 43, H 8. 80, N 3. 15 101 4-OOH2Ph i-C9H7 OCH3 139-140 C2eH91N0s Calcd. ; C 72. 88, H 8. 77, N 3. 03 Found C 72.75. H 0. 75, N 3.07 102 4-Ph i-C3H7 OOH3 157 C27HnNO4 Calcd. : C 75. 15, H 8. 77, N 3_ 25 Found C 75. 02, H 8. 75, N 3. 22 103 4-CF9 n-C4H9 OCH3 150 CnH2eF3ND4 Calcd. ; C 83. 15, H 5. 99, N 3. 20 Found ; C 83. 25, H 5. 95, N 3.26 104 4-OPh n-CaHe 00H9 141-143 CnH31NOs Calcd. : C 72.86. H 6.77. N 3.03 Found ; C 72. 89, H 8.82, N 3. 05 105 4-OCH2Ph n-C4Ho OCH3 137-138 C"H=NUs = 1/10N20 Calod. C 72. 98, H 7. 01, N
2.93 Found ; C 72. 85, H 7.01, N 2.99 106 4-Ph n-C4H, OCH9 135-136 C28H311 N04 Cacd, 0 75. 48, H 7.01, N 3. 14 Found ; C 75. 33, H 7. 02, N 3. 23 Example R R2 R4 Mefling poiM ("C) Charac. formula Elemental analysis (%) 107 4-0Ph (4-CH3) 0zHs OCH3 126-127 C=7IlnNOs Calcd. C 72. 46, H 6.53, -N 3.13 Found 0 72. 27, H 8.53, N 3. 10 108 4--0Ph (3-0113) C=Ha OCH3 120-121 C=~42,NOs Calcd. ; C 72. 48, H 6.53, N
3. 13 Found ; 0 72.47, H 8.48, N 3. 10 109 4-OPh (2-CHa) C=Ha OCHs 142-143 C27HUMs Calcd. C 72. 46, H 6.53. N 3. 13 Found C 72.46, H 6.53, N 3. 13 110 4--0Ph (4-C 1) 0zNa 00H3 143-144 C2aH26C 1Nos Celcd. C 66. 73, H 5.60, N
2.99 Found ; C 86. 52, H 5. 64, N 2.97 111 4-OPb(3-CI) C=Hs OCHs 131-132 0HH=2CIN06 Cadcd. ; 0 86.73, H 5.60, N 2.99 Found 0 66. 68, H 5. 56, N 3. 00 112 4-OPh (4-F) C=Ha 00H9 137-139 CrHrFNO6 Calcd. ; 0 89. 17, H 5.80, N 3. 10 Found ; 0 69.09, H 5. 85, N 3. 12 113 4-OPh(4-8r) 0zHs OCH9 148-149 C26H26BrNOa Calcd. : C 80.95, H 5.11, N 2.73 Found C 81.02, H 5.09, N 2.78 114 4--0Ph (4-OCH9) CpHs 0CH8 124-125 C:7HzrNOe CeJcd. ; C 69. 96, H 6.31, N
3.02 Found ; 0 69. 88, H 6. 29, N 3. 06 115 4-OPh (3-OCIIs) C2H6 OCH3 112-113 Cs711nN0a Calcd. ; C 69.96, H 6. 31, N
3.02 Found ; 0 69. 75, H 6. 25, N 3.04 116 4--0Ph (2-OCH3) CqHa OCH3 124-125 C=7IIUMOr ' 1/10H=0 Cadcd. ; C 69. 69, H
6. 33, N 3.01 Found C 89. 53. H 6.32, N 2. 93 117 4-0Ph (4-CH3) n-0~ OCH, 139-141 Ct~tN03 Calcd. ; C 72.86. H 6. 77, N 3.03 Found C 72. 63, H 0.78. N 3. 10 118 4-OPh (3-CH3) n-03H, OCHs 102-103 CnH31N06 ' 1/10H90 Calcd. ; C 72.56. H
6. 79, N 3.02 Found ; C 72.41, H 8. 82, N 3.02 119 4-OPh (2-01113) n-03ll7 OCH1114 C2AI N0s Calcd. ; C 72. 88, H 6.77. N 3.03 Found ; C 72.83, H 6.83. N 3. 12 120 4-0Ph (3-C 1) n-0A-, OCH3 101-102 C=AaC IN0a Calcd. 0 67.28. H 5.86. N
2.91 Found ; C 87. 23, H 5.80, N 2. 90 121 4-0Ph (4-OCHy) n-03Ili 00113 124-125 CnIIaiNOr Cadcd. C 70. 42. H 6.54. N
2.93 Found ; C 70. 36, H 6. 57, N 2. 99 122 4-OPh(3-0CH3) n-C3HT 0CH8 92-93 Cz~tNoa Cadcd. C 0 70.42, H 6.54, N 2.93 Found 0 70. 13, H 6.64, N 2.87 123 4-OPh (2-UCH3) n-0,HT OCH3 124-125 C2$H31NOe ' 1/10HZ0 Calcd. ; 0 70. 16, H 6.56, N 2.92 Found ; C 70.07, H 6. 61, N 2.92 Exmmple R' Rz R4 Me@Irg polnt ('C) Cherec. fortnule Elemental analysis (%) 124 4-0Ph (4-F) n-C3H7 00% 148-149 CnHõFNOf Cadcd. : C 69. 66, H 6. 06, N 3.01 Found 7 C 69.36, H 4.06. N 3.02 125 4-OPh (4-Br) n-C~H, OCH3 153-154 CrrH BrNOs Cadcd. 7 C 61. 60, H 5.36, N
2.66 Found c C 61.57, H 5.31, N 2.70 126 4-OCF' n-C~ CCH3 126-127 C:2Ht4FAt Calod. ; C 60. 13, H 5.51, N 3.19 Found C 59. 86, H 5.50, N 3.16 127 4-ql' n-CeH7 OCHe 115-116 CnN=IN04 Calcd. ; C 71. 52, H 7. 37, N 3.79 Found ; C 71. 30, H 7.35, N 3.74 128 4-0C118 n-CA OCHa 149-150 CnH211106' 1/10H=0 Caicd. C 68.23, H 7.08. N
3.62 Found C 66.21. H 7. 10, N 3.60 129 4-Ph (4-C I) n-C3H1 OCHa 163-164 C,HnC INO4 Cejcd. ; C 69.59, H 6.06, N
3.01 Found ; C 69. 55, H 6.03, N 3.03 130 4-Ph(4-W n-C3H, OCH3 155-156 CxeNaNO4 Calcd. ; C 75.48, H 7.01, N 3.14 Found C 75.46, H 7.05, N 3.10 131 4-Ph(4-~) n-C3lh OCH3 146-147 CrUSINOe Calcd. ; C 72. 86, H 6. 77, N 3.03 Found ; C 72. 77, H 6. 77, N 3.01 132 4-OCHpPh (4-C 1) rC3111 0C113 128-129 C,H~C (NO6 Calcd, ; C 67. 80, H
6.10, N 2.82 Found ; C 67. 78, H 6.05, N 2. 85 133 4-0CH2Ph (4-CH9) n-C3H7 OCH3 118-119 CNHaNO* Celcd. 7 C 73. 24, H 6.99. N
2. 95 Found ; C 73.11. H 6.90. N 2.96 134 4-CFa C.H. OCsHs 119-120 CnH24F3NO4 Calod. C 62. 40, H 5.71, N 3.31 Found ; C 62.33. H 5. 70, N 3.32 135 2-0Ph C2H' OCHg 146-147 Cae dlOs Cadcd. C 72. 04, H 6. 28, N 3. 23 Found ; 6 71.90, H 8. 32, N 3.23 136 2-OPh n-C~ OCH, 111-113 Cx)HstM6 Cadcd. C 72. 46, H 6.53, N 3.13 Found ; C 72.53, H 6.49, N 3. 11 137 3-OPh C:H6 OCHr 91-92 C:sHilfflc Calcd. ; C 72. 04, H 6.28, N 3.23 Found ; C 71.93, H 6.24, N 3.29 138 3-OPh n-C3H1 OCH, 111-112 C:iHtXs Ctdcd. ; C 72.46, H 6.53, N 3.13 Found C 72.40. H 6. 59, N 3.17 139 4-OPh (2-F) n-C~ OCHr 105-105 Cz7HõFNOs Cojed, C 69. 68, H 6. 06. N 3.01 Found ; C 69. 66, H 6.05, N 3.05 140 4-OPh(2-0C:H6) mC~H, OCHa 121-123 CnH37110s = 1/10Hr0 Cadqd, C 70. 60, H
6.78, N 2.84 Found ; C 70. 33, H 6. 78, N 2. 84 141 4-OPh (2-CzHs) n-%117 OCH3 113-115 Cz9N N0s Calcd. ; C 73.24. H 6.99, N
2.95 Found ; C 73.10, H 6.98. N 3.04 (Examples 142 through 144) The compounds listed in Table 9 were obtained similarly to Example 42.

<Table 9>

O ORs C'ROR2R3 Example R2 R3 R4 RS Mass analysis (m/z) 142 CH3 C2Hs 0CH3 C2H5 384 (M') 143 CYHS C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 398 (M+) 144 CH2CF9 H 0CH3 CzHs 424 (M+) (Examples 145 through 147) The compounds listed in Table 10 were obtained similarly to Example 43.

<Table 10>

HO )~I AORS
Rz R3 Example Rz R3 R4 R5 Mass analysis (m/z) 145 CHa C2H5 00Ha CzHs 294 (M') 146 C2Hb C2H5 OC"a C2H5 308 (M+) 147 CHZCF3 H OCHz C2H5 334(M{) (Examples 148 through 153) The compounds listed in Table 11 were obtained similarly to Example 44.

<Table 11>

I
O O ~
~ N I ~ 'OR'~I3 ~ R2 R3 R R

Example RI R2 R3 R4 R 5 Mass analysis (m/z) 148 4-CF3 C2H5 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 465 (M+) 149 4-OPh C2H5 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 489 (M+) 150 4-CF3 CH3 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 451 (M+) 151 4-OPh CH3 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 475 (M+) 152 4-CF3 CH2CF3 H OCH3 C2H5 491 (M+) 153 4-OPh CH2CF3 H OCH3 C2H5 = 515 (M+) (Examples 154 through 159) The compounds listed in Table 12 were obtained similarly to Example 20.

<Table 12>

N OH
R1 H Rz R3 Exmmple R' R 4 Ra R4 Melting point ( C) Charac. fonnula Elemental analysis (%) 154 4-CF3 C2H6 CZH6 OCH3 156-157 C23H"F2i04 C 63.15. H 5.99, N 3.20 Found ; C 83. 04, H 5.93, N 3. 16 155 4-Opb C2H6 CzH6 OCH3 144-145 Ca6KirNO6 = 1/4H:0 Calcd. C 72.16, H 6.81, N
3.01 Found C 72.04, H 6.81, N 3.07 156 4-ICF3 CH2 C=H6 OCH03 167-168 CnH24F3N04 Calcd. ; C 62.40, H 5.71, N 3.31 Found C 62. 33, H 5. 78, N 3.30 157 4-OPh CH3 CzHs OCH3 142-143 C27ZY'õ6 Calcd. C 72.46, H 6.53, N 3.13 Found ; C 72. 38, H 6.43, N 3.09 158 4-CFa CHzCF, H OCH,r 120-121 C2rHj9F6N04 ; C 54. 43, H 4.13, N 3.02 Found ; C 54.37, H 4.19, N 3.07 159 4-OPA CHpCFa H OCH=r 119-120 C16H24FT406 Calcd. C 64.06. H 4.96, N 2. 87 Found C 63. 96, H 5_ 04. N 2.90 (Example 160) j3(2S ),4S1-3-j2-ethyl-3-f4-methoxy-3-fN-ff4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropionyll-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one ( )-2-Ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoic acid (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-162235) (26.8g, 65.6mmol) and 34m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran were mixed under an atmosphere of argon and triethylamine (9.14ml, 65.8mmol) and pivaloyl chloride (8.07m1, 65.6mmol) were added dropwise under stirring and cooling with ice, which was thereafter stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature to synthesize the mixed acid anhydride derivative. On the other hand, in another vessel, potassium t-butoxide (8.83g, 78.7mmol) and 88m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran were mixed under an atmosphere of argon and (S)-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (13.9g, 78.7mmol) dissolved into 70m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes. Next, the suspension of the mixed acid anhydride derivative previously synthesized was added dropwise, while filtering under an atmosphere of argon. After completion of the dropwise addition, the reaction mixture was con-centrated and then poured into water, which was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with 5% hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated.
The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=3:2v/v, then methylene chloride:

methanol=15:lv/v) to obtain 15.2g (41%) of the diastereomer mixture. Diisopropyl ether and ether were added to this mixture, which was dissolved by heating, and then allowed to stand. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration, washed with diisopropyl ether and then dried to obtain 5.62g (15%) of the aimed compound as colorless crystals.

Mass analysis m/z 568(M+).
(Example 161) (S)-(+)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[f4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyllmethyllcarbamoyllphenyllpropanoic acid [3(2S),4S]-3-[2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (90.9g, 0.160mol) was dissolved into 802m1 of mixed solvent of tetrahydrofuran with water (4:lv/v), which was cooled with ice under an atmosphere of argon. Under stirring, 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide (63.7m1, 0.630mo1) was added dropwise over 5 minutes. Following this, lithium hydroxide monohydrate (10.7g, 0.256mo1) dissolved in 267m1 of water was added dropwise over 5 minutes and the mixture was stirred further for 1 hour under cooling with ice. 64% Sodium hydrogensulfite (102g, 0.627mo1) dissolved in 401m1 of water was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was concentrated, the residue was poured into ice water, which was made acidic by adding 5% hydrochloric acid, and then extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and n-hexane by heating and allowed to stand. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration and dried. Additionally, second crystals were obtained from the filtrate. The first crystals and the second crystals were combined, washed with mixed solvent of n-hexane with ethyl acetate (4:lv/v) in suspended state, and then dried to obtain 52.4g (80%) of the aimed compound as colorless crystalline powder.

Melting point 128-130 C;
Mass analysis m/z 409(M);

Elemental analysis C21H2ZF3N09 ( 409 .40 ) :
Calcd. C, 61.61; H, 5.42; N, 3.42.
Found C, 61.41; H, 5.44; N, 3.41.;

1H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 0.95(3H,dd,J=7.3, 7.3Hz), 1.54-1.70(2H, m), 2.58-2.65(1H,m), 2.77(1H,dd,J=13.7, 6.3Hz), 2.96(1H,dd,J=13.7, 8.3Hz), 3.92(3H,s), 4.38(1H,brs), 4.72(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.90(1H,d,J=8.3Hz), 7.29 (1H,dd,J=8.3, 2.4Hz), 7.46 (2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.58(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 8.07(1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.34(1H,t,J=5.9Hz).

Specific rotation [a]D25 +24 (C 0.8, MeOH);

Optical purity 99% e.e.(CHIRALI PAC AD 0.0046x0.25m, eluate;
n-hexane:isopropanol:trifluoroacetic acid=80:20:0.2, detecting wave-length; 298nm, column temperature; 30 C, flow rate;
1.OOml/min).

(Example 162) (R)-3-(1-valeroyl)-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one Potassium t-butoxide (2.47g, 22.Ommol) and 50m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran were mixed under an atmosphere of argon and (R)-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (3.55g, 20.Ommol) dissolved into 30m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise under stirring and cooling with ice. After stirring for 30 minutes under cooling with ice, n-valeroyl chloride (2.60ml, 21.9mmol) dissolved in 20m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 1 hour and saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride was added to the reaction mixture, which was extracted with ethyl acetate.
The extract was washed with water, saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=4:lv/v) to obtain 5.06g (97%) of the aimed compound as a pale yellow oil.

Mass analysis m/z 261(M+).
(Example 163) Benzyl 5-bromomethyl-2-methoxybenzoate Benzyl 5-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxybenzoate (Patent Application No. Hei 11-162235) (15.5g, 56.9mmol) and 300ml of dehydrated ether were mixed and phosphorus tribromide (2.Oml, 21.1mmo1) was added dropwise under stirring and cooling with ice, which was further stirred for 1 hour. Ice water was added to the reaction mixture and ether layer was separated. The ether layer was washed with water, saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The crystals obtained were recrystallized from diisopropyl ether to obtain 12.7g (66%) of the aimed compound as colorless prisms.
Mass analysis m/z 334, 336(M+).

(Example 164) f3(2S),4R]-3-j2-n-propyl-3-j4-methoxy-3-(benzyloxy-carbonyl)phenyllpropionyll-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (R)-3-(1-valeroyl)-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (3.56g, 13.6mmol) and 70m1 of dehydrated tetrahydrofuran were mixed under an atmosphere of argon, which was cooled to -78 C. Under stirring, lmol/l solution of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in tetrahydrofuran (15.0 ml, 15.Ommo1) was added dropwise.
After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 1 hour at -78 C and then a solution of benzyl 5-bromomethyl-2-methoxybenzoate (5.04g, 15.Ommo1) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 3 hours at -78 C, followed by stirring for 3 hours at -35 to -40 C.
Saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride was added to the reaction mixture, which was extracted with ethyl acetate.
The extract was washed with water and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane:ethyl acetate=4:lv/v) to obtain 6.llg (87%) of the aimed compound as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 515(M).
(Example 165) I3(2S),4R1-3-f2-ethyl-3-f4-methoxy-3-(benzyloxy-carbonyl)phenyllpropiony11-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one Similarly to Example 5, the title compound was obtained as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 501(M).

(Example 166) j5(2S,4'R)1-2-methoxy-5-rf2-(2-oxo-4-benzyloxazolidine-3-yl)carbonyllpentyllbenzoic acid [3(2S),4R]-3-[2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-(benzyloxy-carbonyl)phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (20.9g, 40.5mmo1), 2.OOg of 10% palladium on activated carbon and 200ml of ethyl acetate were mixed and catalytic hydrogenation was conducted at an initial hydrogen pressure of 294kPa. After completion of the reaction, catalyst was filtered and washed with ethyl acetate. The reaction mixture and the washings were combined and concentrated to obtain 17.2g (100%) of the aimed compound as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 425(M+).
(Example 167) [5(2S,4'R)]-2-methoxy-5-[[2-(2-oxo-4-benzyloxazolidine-3-yl)-carbonyl]butyl]benzoic acid Similarly to Example 7, the title compound was obtained as a colorless oil.

Mass analysis m/z 411(M+) (Example 168) [3(2S),4R]-3-[2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[(4-phenoxyphenyl)methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one [5(2S,4'R)]-2-methoxy-5-[[2-(2-oxo-4-benzyloxazolidine-3-yl)carbonyl]pentyl]benzoic acid (12.1g, 28.4mmol), triethylamine (10.Oml, 71.7mmol) and 200ml of dichloromethane were mixed and ethyl chlorocarbonate (3.05ml, 31.3mmol) was added dropwise under stirring and cooling with ice, After stirring for 20 minutes at 0 C, 4-phenoxybenzylamine hydrochloride (7.37g, 31.3mmol) was added little by little.
After stirring for 1 hour at 0 C, the mixture was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was washed with 0.lmol/l hydrochloric acid, water, saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine in sequence, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (eluate n-hexane :ethyl acetate=7:3v/v) to obtain 16.1g (93%) of the aimed compound as a colorless oily product.

Mass analysis m/z 606(M+).
(Examples 169 through 173) The compounds listed in Table 13 were obtained similarly to Example 168.

<Table 13>

= CA 02376094 2001-12-10 RI

, H
rI) a O
R~ R:

Example R1 RZ R3 Mass analysis (m/z) 169 2-0CH3 CzHS OCHa 622 (1+) 170 2-OCF13 n-03H7 OCH3 636 (M+) 171 3-0CH3 n~3H7 OCH3 636 (M+) 172 4-F C2H5 OCH3 610 (M+) 173 4-F n~3H7 0CH3 624 (M+) (Example 174) (S)-(+)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[(4-fluorophenoxy-phenyl)methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propanoic acid [3(2S),4R]-3-[2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[(4-fluorophenoxyphenyl)methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]propionyl]-4-benzyloxazolidine-2-one (2.02g, 3.31mo1) was dissolved into 18m1 of mixed solvent of tetrahydrofuran with water (4:lv/v), which was cooled with ice under an atmosphere of argon. Under stirring, 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide (1.34m1, 13.2mmol) was added dropwise over 5 minutes. Following this, lithium hydroxide (222mg, 5.30mmo1) dissolved in 6m1 of water was added dropwise over 5 minutes. The mixture was stirred further for 1 hour under cooling with ice. Sodium sulfite (1.37g, 13.2 mmol) dissolved in 9m1 of water was added dropwise to the reaction mixture, which was stirred for 30 minutes as it was.
The reaction mixture was poured into water, which was extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified using diisopropyl ether:acetic acid=40:lv/v to obtain 1.08g (yield 73%) of aimed compound as colorless crystals.

Melting point 95-96 C;
Mass analysis m/z 451(M+);

Elemental analysis C26H26FN05 (451.49):
Calcd. C, 69.17; H, 5.80; N, 3.10.
Found C, 69.06; H, 5.73; N, 3.17.;

1H-NMR (400MHz, CDC13) S 0.95(3H,t,J=7.3Hz), 1.54-1.69(2H,m), 2.60-2.65(1H,m), 2.75(1H,dd,J=13.7, 6.4Hz), 2.96(1H,dd,J=13.7, 7.8 Hz), 3.89(3H,s), 4.63(2H,d,J=5.9Hz), 6.89-7.04(7H,m), 7.28-7.32(3H, m), 8.08(1H,d,J=2.4Hz), 8.24(1H,t,J=5.9Hz).
Specific rotation [a]D28 +31 (C 0.8, MeCN);

Optical purity 97% e.e.(CHIRALI PAC OJ, 0.0046x0.25m, eluate;
n-hexane:isopropanol:trifluoroacetic acid =90:10:0.1, detecting wave-length; 254nm, column temperature; 40 C, flow rate;
1.OOm1/min).

(Examples 175 through 179) The compounds listed in Table 14 were obtained similarly to Example 174.

<Table 14>

OH
o 3 R:

B mple R' R4 R3 MeRing point ( C) Charac. fortnula Elemental anatysis (%) Angle of rotation ([ a]e) OWical oudtv (s. e. ) 175 2-Ma CzNb OCHa 121-122 C27HssMOs Calcd. C 69. 96, H 6. 31, N 3.02 +28' (C
0.57, NeOA) 99%
Found C 69.77. H 6. 28. N 3. 09 176 2-0CNa n-C3Hl OCNs 98-99 C"H71NOs Calcd. C 70.42, H 6. 54, N 2. 93 +22' (C
0. 50. NeC#1) 98%
Found C 70.34, H 6.60. N 3. 10 177 3-0CN3 n-CaH, OCH3 70-71 CyHaINOi Calcd. ; C 70.42. H 6. 54, N 2. 93 +22' (C 0. 53. rs(;N) 98%
Found ; C 70. 52, H 6.54. N 3.06 178 N rr'CA OCNs 88-8{ C27H2,110s Calcd. G C 72.46. H 6.53. N 3.13 +23' (C 0.
54, Nsql) 97%
Found ; C 72.42. H 6.54, N 3.19 179 4-F '7-C3H7 OCNa 128-127 C21HaFNOs Calcd. G C 69. 66. H 6.06. N 3.01 +23' (C 0. 52, NeCN) 100%
Found ; C 69.65. H 6. 07, N 3.06 (The determination of optical purity is under the same conditions as Example 174 in Examples 177, 178 and 179, and, in Examples 175 and 176, mixed solvent of n-hexane:
isopropanol:trifluoroacetic acid=85:15:0.1 was used for eluate and the others are same conditions as in Example 174).
(Examples 180 through 188) The compounds listed in Table 15 were obtained similarly to Example 7.

<Table 15>

p O
ORs i N O~R2 H R

Example R' R2 R4 R 5 Mass analysis (m/z) 180 3-CF3 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 437 (Y') 181 4-OCF3 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 453 (N') 182 2-OGH3 C2H5 OCH3 C?H5 399 (N+) 183 3-OCH3 C2H5 OCHs C2H5 399 (M+) 184 4-OCH3 C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 399 (Y+) 185 4-OPh(4-0C:H5) C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 505 (M+) 186 4-OPh(4-OnC3H7) C2H5 OCH3 C2H5 399 (M+) 187 4-OPh(4-0C2H5) nCsH7 OCH3 C2H5 399 (M+) 188 4-OPh (4-OnC3H7) nC3H7 OCH3 C2H5 399 (M+) (Examples 189 through 197) The compounds listed in Table 16 were obtained similarly to Example 20.

<Table 16>

O O
~ N ~

/ Ii , R2 R

B mpla R' R 2 R4 Melting polnrt M) Charac. formula Elemental anaysls (%) 189 3-CFa C=F16 OCHa 144-146 C"HnFeNO4 Calcd. :; C 80.72. H 5. 50, N 3.37 Found C 60.87. H 5.31, N 3.43 190 4-OCF3 CYH6 0CF4, 135-137 C21HnFaNOs Calod. .: C 59.29, H 5.21, N 3.29 Found ; C 58. 91, H 5.08, N 3.34 191 2-aCHa C=H6 OCHa 120-121 C2tHnN08 = 1/10N20 Calcd. =: C 67.58, H 6.81, N
3.75 Found .; C 67. 32, H 6.74, N 3.73 192 3-OCHa CYH6 0CH3 103-105 C:,HxNOs ' 1/2Hs0 Calcd. . 7 C 66.30, H 6.89. N
3.68 Found i C66= 53, H 6. 67, N 3.81 193 4-OCHa CA 0016 143-144 Ct,HN06 = 1/3H~0 Calcd. ; C 66.83. H 6.86, N 3.71 Found ; C 66. 85, H 6. 69, N 3. 76 194 4-OPh (4-0CH6) CpH6 0C116 124-125 CnHa1NO6 Calcd. ; C 70.56. H 6. 77, N
2.85 Fourd ; C 70.69. H 6. 71, N 2.89 195 4-Wh (4-OnCA) CZH6 OCHe 114-116 CY9H=N06 Calod. C 71. 27, H 6.98. N 2.77 Found ; C 71. 09, H 6. 92, N 2.87 196 4-0Ph (4-0CtH6) n-C3H7 0C11, 123-125 CYyHWNOa Calcd C 71. 27, H 6.98. N
2.77 .
F-ound ; C 71. 02, H 6. 95, N 2. 97 197 4--0Ph (4-OnCaH7) n-C3H7 OCHa 120-121 C30H35N06 Calcd. C 71. 65, H 7.18. N
2.70 Found ;C 71. 35, H 7.17, N 2.85 [Biological activity]

(Test example 1) Transactivation assay for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)a To CHO cells cultured in a Dulbecco-modified Eagle's medium containing 10% delipidated fetal calf serum (FCS/DMEM), receptor plasmid that expresses fused protein of DNA-binding domain being transcription factor of yeast with ligand-binding domain of human type PPARa (Biochemistry, 1993, 32, 5598) its reporter plasmid (STRATAGENE Corp.), and luciferase plasmid of Renilla (Promega Corp.) as an internal standard were cotransfected with lipofectamine in the serum-free state.
Thereafter, testing compound and (8S)-HETE being control compound were added to 10% FCS/DMEM and both luciferase activities were measured after 24 hours, which were corrected with internal standard.

Results are shown in Table 17. From these results, it was shown that the inventive compounds had potent transcriptional activity for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a.

(Test example 2) Binding assay to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)a A plasmid that expresses protein of human PPARa-ligand binding domain attached with histidine tag (His-hPPARa-LBD) was cultured by infecting to Escherichia coli (JM-109) and aimed protein was recovered and purified. [3H]-5-[(2,4-dioxothiazolidine-5-yl)methyl]-2-methoxy-N-[[4-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl]methyl]benzamide (Amasham), testing compound and (8S)-HETE being control compound were incubated for 45 minutes at room temperature at various concentrations together with His-hPPARa-LBD protein in lOmmol/1 Tris hydrochloride buffer (pH 7.4) containing 50mmo1/1 potassium chloride and lOmmol/l dithiothreitol. After the reaction, amount of [3H]-5-[(2,4-dioxothiazolidine-5-yl)methyl]-2-methoxy-N-[[4-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl]methyl]benzamide was determined by a liquid scintillation counter.

Results are shown in Table 17. From these results, it was shown that the inventive compounds had potent binding activity to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a.

<Table 17>

Transcriptional activity Binding activity Example EC50 ( mol/1) EC50 ( P,mol/1) 20 0.0115 0.19 22 0.11 0.43 23 0.024 0.74 24 0.18 0.56 30 0.20 0.84 (8S)HETE 1.30 0.17 (Test example 3) Test on lipid-lowering action After SD strain male rats (Nippon Charles Liver) were bred from 8-(weeks old) with feed (Nippon Clear), test was started from 11-(weeks old). After (fasting) for 2 days, testing compound and Bezafibrate (30mg/kg), being control compound, suspended into 0.5% solution of arabic gum were administered orally once a day for continuous 4 days. For the feed during administration period, AIN-93M modified fructose-loaded diet (Oriental Yeast) was used. After administration for 4 days, blood was collected from (trial) vein and the blood levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid were determined by enzymatic method.

The lowering rate of triglyceride in blood, overall cholesterol and free fatty acid was calculated, respectively, by determining the proportion of a figure obtained by subtracting average level of triglyceride in blood (or, average level of (total) cholesterol or level of free fatty acid) of dosage group from average level of triglyceride in blood (or, average level of (total) cholesterol or level of free fatty acid) of vehicle control group to average level of triglyceride in blood (or, average level of overall cholesterol or level of free fatty acid) of vehicle control group.
Results are shown in Table 18. As evident from these results, it was shown that the inventive compounds had excellent blood lipids (cholesterol and neutral lipid)lowering action.

<Table 18>

Dosage Lowering rate (~) Example Free fatty Total Triglyceride (mg/kg) acid cholesterol in blood Bezafibrate 30 37 49 64 (Test example 4) Test of transcription activation on human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)a The test of transcription activation on human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)a shown in Test example 1 was performed to obtain results shown in Table 19.

<Table 19>

Transcriptional activity Example EC50( mol/1) 174 0.024 178 0.094 179 0.0092 From these results, it was shown that the inventive compounds had potent transcriptional activity for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a.

[Result]
From the results as described above, the inventive substituted phenylpropanonic acid derivatives are novel compounds group with excellent binding activity to human PPARa, transcriptional activity, and blood lipids (cholesterol and neutral lipid)-lowering action.

With these inventive compounds, from the fact that they have agonistic activity on human PPARa, it can be said that they are effective compounds as lipid-lowering drugs aforementioned, in particular, lipid-lowering drugs for liver, and suppressing drugs for the progress of arteriosclerosis.

Claims (46)

CLAIMS:

1. A substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivative represented by the general formula (1) [wherein R1 denotes lower alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkoxy with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted, phenoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted or benzyloxy which is unsubstituted or substituted, R2 denotes lower alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, lower alkoxy with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, phenoxy, lower alkylthio with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, phenylthio or benzylthio, R3 denotes hydrogen or lower alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms when R2 is lower alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, and R3 denotes hydrogen when R2 is lower alkoxy with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, phenoxy, lower alkylthio with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, phenylthio or benzylthio, and R4 denotes lower alkoxy with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

2. A compound according to claim 1 in which R3 is hydrogen and having the general formula (1a) [wherein R1, R2, and R4 are as defined in claim 1] .

3. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is trifluoromethyl.

4. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is benzyloxy.

5. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is phenoxy.

6. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R2 is ethyl.

7. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R2 is methoxy.

8. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R2 is n-propyl.

9. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is 3-methoxyphenoxy.

10. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is 4-fluorophenoxy.

11. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is 2-methoxyphenoxy.

12. The compound 2-methoxy-3- [ 4-methoxy-3- [N-[[ 4- ( tri fluoromethyl ) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

13. The compound 2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-( trifluoromethyl ) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ]phenyl ] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

14. The compound 2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(phenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

15. The compound (+) -2-ethyl-3- [4-methoxy-3- [N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]carbamcyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

16. The compound 2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

17. The compound 2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[ 4- ( 2-methoxyphenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

18. The compound 2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(3-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

19. The compound 2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[ 4- ( 3-methoxyphenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

20. The compound 2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[ 4- ( 4-fluorophenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

21. The compound 2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[ 4- ( 4-fluorophenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

22. The compound (S)-2-ethyL-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

23. The compound (S)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[(4-phenoxyphenyl)methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

24. The compound (S)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[ [ 4- ( 2-methoxyphenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

25. The compound (S)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

26. The compound (S)-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[( 4-phenoxyphenyl ) methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

27. The compound (S)-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

28. The compound (S)-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[ 4- ( 3-methoxyphenoxy) phenyl ] methyl ] carbamoyl ] phenyl ]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

29. The compound (S)-2-n-propyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]
propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

30. The compound 2-ethyl-3[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifluoromethyoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

31. The compound (S)-(+)-2-ethyl-3-[4-methoxy-3-[N-[[4-(trifloromethoxy)phenyl]methyl]carbamoyl]phenyl] propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

32. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein the salt is an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt or an aluminum salt.

33. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 32 wherein the salt is selected from sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and aluminum salts.

34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 33 in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

35. A composition according to claim 34 which is a lipid decreasing composition.

36. A composition according to claim 34 which is an agonist of human peroxisome proliferant-activated receptor (PPAR) .alpha..

37. A composition according to claim 34 for treating arteriosclerosis.

38. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 35 to 37 wherein the compound is a compound of formula (1a) as defined in claim 2.

39. A use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 33 for lipid reduction.

40. A use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 33 as an agonist of human peroxisome proliferant-activated receptor (PPAR).alpha..

41. A use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 33 in the treatment of arteriosclerosis.

42. A process for preparing a compound of the general formula (la) as defined in claim 2, wherein R1, R2 and R 4 are as defined in claim 2, which process comprises reacting a compound represented by general formula (1e) [wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above], with pivaloyl chloride to obtain a compound of the formula (23) [wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined above] , followed by reacting the compound of formula (23) so obtained with a compound of the formula (24) [wherein Xp' denotes an optically active chiral oxazolidinone, imidazolidinone, cyclic lactam or sultam to obtain a compound of the formula (25) [wherein R1, R2, R4 and Xp' are as defined above], separating each diastereomer so obtained to obtain a compound of the formula (26) [wherein R1, R2, R4 and Xp' are as defined above] , and, where required, hydrolyzing the Xp' portion of these compounds or forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

43. A process according to claim 42 wherein Xp' is 4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl, 4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl or 4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl, imidazolidinone, cyclic lactam, or sultam.

44. A process according to claim 42 wherein the diastereomers of formula (25) are separated by recrystallization or column chromatography.

45. A process for preparing a compound of the formula (la) as defined in claim 2 where R1, R2 and R4 are as defined in claim 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, which process comprises reacting a compound of the formula (27) [wherein R4 is as defined above], with a compound of the formula (30) [wherein R2 is as defined above, and Xp" denotes a chiral oxazolidinone imidazolidinone, cyclic lactam or sultam with absolute configuration being (R) to obtain a compound of the formula (28) [wherein R2, R4 and Xp" are as defined above] , hydrogenolyzing the compound so obtained to obtain a compound of the formula (29) [wherein R2, R4 and Xp" are as defined above], reacting the compound so obtained with a compound of the formula (7) [wherein R1 is as defined above], to obtain a compound of the formula (26a) [wherein R1, R2, R4 and Xp" are as defined above], and, where required, hydrolyzing an Xp" portion of the compound so obtained or forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or ester thereof.

46. A process according to claim 45 wherein Xp" denotes (R)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl, (R)-4-isopropyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl or (R)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone-3-yl, imidazolidinone, cyclic lactam or sultam with absolute configuration being (R).