GB2117764A - Substituted ethenyl derivatives of 1H-pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine - Google Patents

Abstract

Compounds having anti-ulcerogenic and anti-secretory activity of formula <IMAGE> wherein R1 is: a) hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl; b) a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C6 alkyl; c) a benzyl group, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, C1-C6 alkoxy and C1-C6 alkyl; d) a phenyl ring, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, trihalo-C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, formylamino, C2-C6 alkanoylamino, nitro and amino; each of R2 and R3 independently represents hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl; R4 represents a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C6 alkyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Description

SPECIFICATION Substituted ethenyl derivatives of 1H-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine and process for their preparation The present invention relates to new substituted ethenyl derivatives of 1 H-pyrazolo[i 5-a] pyrimidine, to a process for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

The invention provides compounds having the following general formula (I)

wherein R1 is: a) hydrogen or C-C6 alkyl; b) a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by Ci-Ce alkyl; c) a benzyl group, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, C1-C6 alkoxy and C,-C6 alkoxy and C1 -C6 alkyl; d) a phenyl ring, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, trihalo-C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, formylamino, C2-C6 alkanoylamino, nitro and amino; each of R2 and P3 independently represents hydrogen, halogen or C1 -C6 alkyl; R4 represents a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by C1 -C5 alkyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention includes also the metabolites, the metabolic precursors of the compounds of formula (I) and all the possible isomers, e.g., cis or trans isomers and optical isomers, and the mixtures thereof. Preferably the -CH=CH-R4 moiety, wherein R4 is as defined above, is in the trans configuration.

The alkyl, alkoxy, trihalo-alkyl and alkanoylamino groups may be branched or straight chain groups.

A halogen atom is for example chlorine, fluorine or bromine, preferably it is chlorine or fluorine.

A C2-C6 alkanoylamino group is for example a group chosen from acetylamino, propionylamino, butyrylamino, valerylamino and isovalerylamino; preferably it is acetylamino or propionylamino.

Atrihalo-C1-C6 alkyl group is, for example, a trifluoro-C-C6 alkyl group, in particular it is trifluoro-C-C4 alkyl, preferably trifluoromethyl.

When R1 and/or R4 is a pyridyl group substituted by a C1-C6 alkyl group, the alkyl group is, for example, methyl, ethyl or propyl; preferably, it is methyl. When R1, is a benzyl ring substituted as defined above, the phenyl ring is preferably substituted by one or two substituents chosen from chlorine, fluorine, methyl and methoxy.

When R1 is phenyl ring substituted as defined above, it is preferably substituted by one or two substituents chosen from chlorine, fluorine, amino, acetylamino, methyl and trifluoromethyl.

When R2 and/or P3 represents a C1-Cs alkyl group, it is, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl, preferably it is methyl.

Preferred componds of this invention are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R1 represents a') pyridyl; b') phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by a substituent chosen from amino, acetylamino, methyl, chlorine, fluorine and trifluoro-methyl; c') benzyl or d') C1-C4 alkyl; each of R2 and R3, independently, represents hydrogen, chlorine or methyl; R4 represents pyridyl, unsubstituted or substituted by methyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those with inorganic acids, e.g., hydrochloric, hydrobromic, nitric and sulphuric acids and those with organic acids, e.g., citric, tartaric, maleic, malic, fumaric, methane-sulphonic and ethanesulphonic acids.

Examples of particularly preferred compounds of the invention are: 1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a] pyri midine-7-one; 1 -(44luorn-phenyl)-S4rans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyndyl)-ethenyli-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -t4-methyl-phenyl)-5-tra ns-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenylj-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1 -(3-ch loro-phenyl)-5-tra ns-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a] pyrim idine-7-one; 1-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(4-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-pyridyl)-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl)-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl )-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in particular the hydrochlorides and the methanesulphonates. The compounds of the invention are prepared, for example, by a process comprising A) reacting a compound of formula (II)

wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above, Q is aryl or C,-C6 alkyl, and Y(~) represents an acidic anion, with an aldehyde of formula (III) R4-CHO (III) wherein R4 is as defined above; or B) reacting a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above, with a compound of formula (V) (+) R4-CH2P(Q)3 y(-) (V) wherein R4, Q and Y(~) are as defined above, or alternatively with a compound of formula (Vl)

wherein R4 is as defined above and R5 is C1-C4 alkyl; and, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) and/or if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or, if desired, obtaining a free compound of formula (I) from a salt thereof and/or if desired, separating a mixture of isomers into the single isomers.

The acidic anion y(.) in the compounds of formula (II) and (V) is, for example, an acidic anion deriving from a hydrohalic acid, preferably deriving from hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid.

When Q in the compounds of formula (II) and (V) is aryl, it is preferably phenyl; and when Q is C1 -C6 alkyl, it is preferably ethyl.

The reaction between a compound of formula (II) and an aldehyde of formula (III) as well as the reaction of a compound of formula (IV) with a compound of formula (V) or with a compound of formula (VI), may, for example, be carried out by treatment with a base such as dimethylsulphinyl carbanion or sodium methoxide or sodium hydride or potassium terbutoxide or with an alkyllithium or an aryllithium derivative, preferably with methyllithium or butyllithium or phenyllithium, in an organic solvent such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide or their mixtures at a temperature varying from about 0 C to about 1 00 C.

A compound of formula (I) may be converted, as stated above, into another compound of formula (I) by known methods; for example, an amino group as substituent in a phenyl ring in a compound of formula (I) may be converted into a formylamino or a C2-C6 alkanoylamino group using conventional methods well known in organic chemistry.

A nitro group as substituent in a phenyl ring in a compound of formula (I) may be converted into an amino group by treatment, for example, with stannous chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid, using, if necessary, an organic cosolvent such as acetic acid, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature varying between room temperature and about 100"C.

Also the optional salification of a compound of formula (I) as well as the conversion of a salt into the free compound and the separation of a mixture of isomers into the single isomers may be carried out by conventional methods.

For example the separation of a mixture of optical isomers into the individual isomers may be carried out by salification with an optically active acid and subsequent fractional crystallization.

Thus, the separation of a mixture of geometric isomers may be carried out, for example, by fractional crystallization.

The compounds of formula (II) may be prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (Vll)

wherein Y is a radical capable of being converted into an anion Y(~) as defined above and R1, R3 and F3 are as defined above, with a compound of formula PO3, wherein Q is as defined above, in a solvent such as, benzene, toluene, xylene or acetonitrile at a temperature varying between room temperature and the reflux temperature.The compounds of formula (IV) may be prepared, for example, by oxidizing a compound of formula (VIII)

wherein R1, R2 and F3 are as defined above, for example, with dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide and phosphoric acid or pyridinium-trifluoro-acetate (Moffat reaction) in a solvent such as benzene, toluene or dimethylsulfoxide at a temperature varying between 0 C and about 50"C.

The compounds of formula (VII) wherein Y is halogen may, for example, by prepared by reacting a compound of formula (IX)

wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above, with a compound of formula (X)

wherein R7 is C1-C6 alkoxy and Y' represents a halogen atom, preferably chlorine.

The reaction between a compound of formula (IX) and a compound of formula (X) may, for example, be carried out in the presence of an acid condensing agent such as polyphosphoric acid (polyphosphoric acid means a mixture of about equal weights of 99% H3PO4 and P206), sulphuric acid, methanesulphonic acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid, at a temperature ranging preferably between about 50"C and 1 50 C; the reaction may be carried out in an organic solvent such as, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, acetic acid, formic acid, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene glycol monomethylether or dichloroethane, but it is preferably carried out in the absence of a solvent.The compounds of formula (VIII) may be prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (Vli) wherein Y is a good leaving group, for example, Cl or Br, with potassium or sodium acetate in dimethylformamide at a temperature varying between room temperature and about 100"C, so obtaining the corresponding acetoxy-derivative, which in turn is hydrolysed to the corresponding alcohol (Vlil), for example, by treatment with 37% HCI in dioxane at a temperature varying between room temperature and the reflux temperature.

The compounds of formula (III), (V), (VI), (IX) and (X) are known compounds and may be prepared by conventional methods: in some cases they are commercially availabie products.

The compounds of the present invention are active on the gastroenteric system, in particular they are endowed with anti-ulcerogenic and gastric anti-secretory activity and are therefore useful in therapy, for example in the prevention and treatment of peptic, e.g. duodenal, gastric and exophageal, ulcers and to inhibit gastric acid secretion. The compounds of the invention are also useful for reducing the undesiderable gastrointestinal side-effects resulting from systemic administration of anti-inflammatory prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors and may be, therefore, used for this purpose in association with them.The anti-ulcerogenic activity of the compounds of the invention is shown, e.g., by the fact that they are active in the test of the inhibition of restraint ulcers in rats, according to the method of Bonfils et al., (ThBrapie, 1960, 15, 1096; Jap. J. Pharmac. 1968, 18,9). Six Sprague-Dawley male rates (100-120 9) fasted 24 hours were used for the experiment: a square flexible small-mesh wire netting was used for the immobilization and 4 hours after the immobilization the rats were sacrificed, their stomachs were removed and the lesions counted under a dissecting microscope. The tested compounds were administered per os (p.o.) one hour before the immobilization.The compounds of the invention own also gastric antisecretory activity as shown, e.g., by the fact that they proved to be active, after intraduodenal administration, in inhibiting the gastric secretion in rats according to the method of H.Shay et al. (Gastroenter., 1945,43, 5). Gastric antisecretory activity was evaluated in rats by the pylorus ligature technique. Six Sprague-Dawley male rats (110-130 g) were used for each group. Twenty-four hours before the test, the rats were deprived of food but their water supply was mantained. On the day of the operation, the pylorus was ligated under light ether anaesthesia. Each compound was injected intraduodenally (i.d.) at the time of the ligature.Four hours after the ligature the rats were sacrificed, the stomach secretion was collected and centrifuged at 3500 r.p.m. for 10 minutes, and the volume, less sediment, was determined.

The amount of the free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice was determined by titration against 0.01 N sodium hydroxide to pH 7.0 on the pH-meter.

The following Table shows, for example, the approximate ED50 values of the anti-ulcerogenic activity and the gastric antisecretory activity in the rat obtained for one of the compounds of this invention: 1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenylj-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, identified by the internal code FCE 21542: TABLE Antiulcerogenic activity Gastric anti Compound ED50 p.o. secretory acti vity ED50 i.d.

FCE 21542 7 mg/kg 3.2 mg/kg In view of their high therapeutic index, the compounds of the invention can be used safely in medicine. For example, the approximate acute toxicity (LD50) of the compound 1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]1 H,7H-pyrazolo [1 ,5-ajpyrimidine-7-one (FCE 21542) in the mouse, determined by single administration of increasing doses and measured on the seventh day after the day of treatment, is higher than 400 mg/kg per os. Analogous toxicity data have been found for other compounds of the invention. The compounds of the invention can be administered in a variety of dosage forms, e.g. orally, in the form of tablets, capsules, sugar or film coated tablets, liquid solutions or suspensions, rectally, in the form of suppositories, parenterally, e.g.

intramusularly, or by intravenous injection or infusion. The dosage depends on the age, weight, conditions of the patient and administration route; for example the dosage adopted for oral administration to adult humans may range from about 50 to about 200 mg pro dose, from 1 to 5 times daily. The invention includes also pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient (which can be a carrier or diluent).

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention are usually prepared following conventional methods and are administered in a pharmaceutically suitable form.

For example, the solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound, diluents, e.g., lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch or potato starch; lubricants, e.g. silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycols; binding agents, e.g. starches, arabic gums, gelatin methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, e.g. a starch, alginic acid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non-toxic and pharmacologically inactive substance used in pharmaceutical formulations.Said pharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, for example, by means of mixing, granulating, tabletting, sugar-coating, or film-coating processes.

The liquid dispersions for oral administration may be e.g. syrups, emulsions and suspensions. The syrups may contain as carrier, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol; in particular a syrup to be administered to diabetic patients can contain as carriers only products not metabolizable to glucose, or metabolizable in very small amount to glucose, for example sorbitol.

The suspensions and the emulsions may contain as carrier, for example, a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspensions or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain together with the active compound a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.

The solutions for intravenous injections or infusions may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions.

The suppositories may contain together with the active compound a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. cocoa-butter, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactant or lecithin.

The following examples illustrate but do not limit the invention.

Example 1 3-amino-1-phenyi-pyrazole (4 g) was reacted with ethyl 4-chloro-acetoacetate (4.1 g) in polyphosphoric acid (19. 89; 10.69 of H3PO4 and 9.2 g of P205) under stirring at 100"C for 30 minutes; after cooling the reaction mixture was diluted with ice water and neutralized with 35% NaOH. The precipitate was filtered and washed with water to give 5-chloromethyl-1 -phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 194-196 C (5.9 g), which was reacted with triphenylphosphine (6.75 g) in acetonitrile (190 ml) at reflux temperature for 65 hours.After cooling the solution was evaporated in vacuo to dryness and the residue was treated with ethyl acetate: filtration of the crystalline product gave (1 -phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one-5- yl)-methyl-triphenylphosphonium chloride, m.p. 245-2470C (10 g),which was dissolved in chloroform (100 ml) and added dropwise to a suspension of 75% NaH (0.74g) in chloroform (50 ml) and dimethylsulphoxide (5 ml) maintaining the temperature under 20 C.

The reaction mixture was kept 1 hour under stirring at room temperature, then 3-pyridine-carboxaldehyde (2.25 g) dissolved in chloroform (5 ml) was added and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 30 minutes. After dilution with ice water and neutralization with NaH2PO4 the organic phase was separated and evaporated in vacuo to dryness: crystallization from isopropyl alcohol gave 2.55 g of 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 221-224 C, N.M.R.

(CDCl3) p.p.m. : 6.19 (s) (1 H, C-6 proton), 6.59 (d) (1 H, C-3 proton), 7.08(d) (1 (1 H, t3-ethenylproton), 7.22-7.62 (m) (6H, phenyl protons and C-s pyridyl proton), 7.76 (d) (1 H, C-2 proton), 7.78 (d) (1 H, a-ethenyl proton), 7.93 (dt) (1H, C-4 pyridyl proton), 8.58 (dd) (1H, C-6 pyridyl proton),8.83 (1H, C-2 pyridyl proton); JHaHp = 16Hz.

By proceeding analogously the following compounds were prepared: 1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 230-235 C dec.; 1-(3-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 208-209 C;; 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 225-228 C dec.; 1 -(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 199-201 0C; 1-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 240-247 C dec.; 1-(3-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 240-242 C; 3-methyl-1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 3-methyl-1 -(3-trifl uoromethyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolol1,5-a] pyri midi ne-7- one; 3-methyl-1 -(4-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-ch I oro-phenyl )-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenylj-1 H,7H-pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(3-chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-chloro-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 213-214 C; 2-chloro-1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; ; 2-chloro-1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-chloro-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-chloro-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-chloro-1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-chloro-1-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7one; 2-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-methyl-1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-(2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-methyl-1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-chloro-phenyl-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo [1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2,5-dichloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-bromo-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(2,4-d ichloro-phenyl )-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl )-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1-(2,5-dichloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 2 By proceeding according to Example 1, using suitable pyridine-carboxaldehydes, the following compounds were prepared: 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 255-257 C; 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(4-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 250-255 C (dec.); 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 228-232 C (dec.); 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 2-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H,pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1-(4-chloro-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1-(4-methyl-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 3 By proceeding according to Example 1, starting from suitable 3-amino-1 -pyridyl-pyrazoles, the following compounds were prepared: 1-(3-pyridyl)-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(3-pyridyl )-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[i ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(2-pyridyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 219-221 C; 2-methyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H-7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 3-methyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-pyridyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 3-methyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 4 By proceeding according to Example 1, starting from suitable 3-amino-pyrazoles, the following compounds were prepared: 5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-methyl-5-trans[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimdine-7-one, m.p. 203-205 C; 1 -tert.butyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -benzyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one. m.p. 173-1 750C (dec.); 1-(4-chloro-benzyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-fluoro-benzyi)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 [1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(3-methoxy-benzyl)-5-trans-[2(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one;; 1 -(4-methyl-benzyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-benzyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethyenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-benzyl-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-benzyl-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1-tert.butyl-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 5 1-(4-nitro-phenyl)-5-trnas-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrimidine-7-one, (5.2 g), was reacted with SnCI2.2H2O (32.7 g) in 37% HCI (30 ml) and acetic acid (100 ml) under stirring at 600C for 1 hour.

After cooling the precipitate was filtered and washed with water and then suspended under stirring in 2N NaOH; the product was filtered, washed with water until neutral and then purified over a SiO2 column using chloroform; methanol 95:5 as eluent. Washings with isopropyl ether of the recovered product gave 2.6 g of 1 -(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 245-250"C dec., NMR (DMSO d6) p.p.m : 5.46 (bs) (2H, NH2), 6.05 (s) (1 H, C-6 proton), 6.56 (d) (2H, C-3 and C-S phenyl protons), 6.62 (d) (1 H, C-3 proton), 7.09 (d) (2H, C-2 and C-6 phenyl protons), 7.25 (d) (1 H, ss-ethenyl proton), 7.42 (dd) (1 H, C-S pyridyl proton), 7.72 (d) (1 H, a-ethenyl proton), 8.11 (dt) (1 H, C-4 pyridyl proton), 8.28 (d) (1H, C-2 proton), 8.51 (dd) (1H, C-6 pyridyl proton), 8.82 (1H, C-2 pyridyl proton); JHaHP = 16Hz.

By proceeding analogously the following compounds were prepared: 1 -(3-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenylj-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1 -(4-amino-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-amino-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimdine-7-one; 1-(4-amino-phenyl)-2-chloro-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-amino-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1 -(3-amino-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 6 1 -(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one (1 g), was reacted with acetic anhydride (3 ml) in pyridine (4 ml) and dimethylformamide (15 ml) at 60 C for 3 hours.

Dilution with ice water gave a precipitate, which was filtered and washed with water; crystallization from dimethylformamide-ethanol gave 0.85 g of 1 -(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7Hpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 270-275 C (dec.) By proceeding analogously the following compounds were prepared; 1-(3-acetylamino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-2-hloro-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-acetylamino-phenyl)-2-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1-(3-acetylamino-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one.

Example 7 5-chloromethyl-1 -phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one (5.2 g), prepared according to Example 1, was dissolved in dimethylformamide (30 ml) and reacted with an hydros potassium acetate (4 g) under stirring at room temperature for 20 hours. After dilution with ice water the precipitate was filtered and washed with water to give 5-acetoxymethyl-1 -phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 172- 175"C, (4.9 g) which was hydrolized by treatment with 8% HCI (50 ml) under stirring at 900C for 30 minutes.

The reaction mixture was neutralized with 35% NaOH and the precipitate was filtered and washed with water to give 5-hydroxymethyl-1 -phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 241-242 C, (4.1 g), which was reacted with dicyclo-hexylcarbodiimide (8 g) in benzene (60 ml) and dimethyl-sulphoxide (15 ml) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (0.6 ml) and pyridine (1 ml) under stirring at room temperature for 20 hours.

After treatment with oxalic acid bihydrate (1.8 g) at room temperature, the precipitate of dicyclohexylurea was filtered off and the organic solution was evaporated in vacuo to dryness: the residue was purified over a SlO2 column using chloroform; ethyl acetate = 95:5 as eluent. The 7-formyl-1-phenyl-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]- pyrimidine-7-one so obtained (2.5 g) was reacted with the ylide obtained by treatment of (3-pyridyl)-methyl - triphenylphosphonium chloride (4.2 g) with potassium tert-butoxide (1.25 g) in dimethyl-sulphoxide (20 ml) at room temperature for 30 minutes. After dilution with ice water the precipitate was filtered and washed with water; crystallization from isopropyl alcohol gave 2.05 g of 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 221-224 C.

By proceeding analogously the following compounds were prepared: 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo] 1,5-a] pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 208-209"C; 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 225-228 C dec.; 1 -(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 199-201 'C; 1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 230-235 C dec.; and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, m.p. 240-242 C.

Example 8 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one (2 g) dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 ml) was treated with the stoichiometric amount of gaseous HCI at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered and washed with ethyl acetate to give 2. 1 g of 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[l ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride, m.p. > 300"C.

By proceeding analogously the following compounds were prepared: 2-methyl-1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, dihydrochloride, m.p. 257-262"C dec.; 1 -(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride; 1 -(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride; 1 -(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride;; 1 -(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride; and 3-methyl-1 -phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, hydrochloride.

Example 9 Tablets, each weighing 150 mg and containing 50 mg of the active substance are manufactured as follows: Compositions (for 10000 tablets) 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo 500 g [1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one 710 g Lactose Corn starch 237.5 g Talc powder 37.5g Magnesium stearate 15g 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one, lactose and a half of the corn starch are mixed; the mixture is then forced through a sieve of 0.5 mm openings. Corn starch (18 g) is suspended in warm water (180 ml). The resulting paste is used to granulate the powder. The granules are dried, comminuted on a sieve of sieve size 1.4 mm, then the remaining quantity of starch, talc and magnesium stearate is added, carefully mixed and processed into tablets using punches of 8 mm diameter.

Claims (9)

1. Acompound of general formula (I)

wherein R, is: a) hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; b) a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C6 alkyl; c) a benzyl group, wherein the phenyl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, C1-C6 alkoxy and C1 -C6 alkyl; d) a phenyl ring, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen, trihalo-C,-C6 alkyl, C,-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, formylamino, C2-C6 alkanoylamino, nitro and amino; each of R2 and R3 independently represents hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl; R4 represents a pyridyl group, unsubstituted or substituted by C1 -C6 alkyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

2. A compound of formula (I), according to claim 1, wherein: R1 represents a') pyridyl; b') phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by a substituent chosen from amino, acetylamino, methyl, chlorine, fluorine and trifluoromethyl; c') benzyl or d') C1-C4 alkyl; each of R2 and R3, independently, represents hydrogen, chlorine or methyl; R4 represents pyridyl, unsubstituted or substituted by methyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

3. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo]1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1 H,7H-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one;; 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(4-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-acetylamino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a[pyrimidine-7-one; 1-(4-amino-phenyl)-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(3-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and 1-phenyl-5-trans-[2-(2-pyridyl)-ethenyl]-1H,7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-one; and and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

4. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising: A) reacting a compound of formula (II)

wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in claim 1, Q is aryl or C1-C6 alkyl, and Y(-) represents an acidic anion, with an aldehyde of formula (III) R4-CHO (III) wherein R4 is as defined in claim 1; or B) reacting a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R1, R2 and P3 are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (V) (+) R4-CH2 P(Q)3 Y(-) (V) wherein R4 is as defined in claim 1 and Q and Y(-) are as defined above, or alternatively with a compound of formula (VI)

wherein R@ is as defined in claim 1 and R5 is C1-C4 alkyl; and, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) and/or if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or, if desired, obtaining a free compound of formula (I) from a salt thereof and/or if desired, separating a mixture of isomers into the single isomers.

5. A pharmaceutical composition containing a suitable carrier and/or diluent and, as an active principle, a compound of formula (I) according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

6. A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, according to claim 1, for use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or a diagnosis practised on the human or animal body.

7. A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutical composition, according to claim 5, for use in administration to human patients or animals to prevent or treat peptic ulcers and to inhibit gastric acid secretion.

8. A process according to claim 4 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 8.

9. A composition according to claim 5 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Example 9.