GB2270691A - Antitumour quinoxalines and pyridopyrazines - Google Patents

Abstract

Quinoxaline or pyrido pyrazine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R<1> is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino or aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the nitrogen atom to which it is attached, hydroxyalkylamino or haloalkylamino or an N-alkyl derivative thereof, or hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy; a heterocyclic group which is a 1-pyrrolidino, 1-piperidino, 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted; or a 1-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted substituents in the 2- or 3-position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, pyridyl or phenyl; R<2> is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted; X is -CH= or -N=; and X<1> is hydrogen or halogen; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful in the treatment of tumours, and in particular hypoxic tumours. Processes for producing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Description

NOVEL BIOREDUCTIVE AGENTS The present invention relates to dihydroimidazoquinoxaline and dihydroimidazo-pyridopyrazines useful in the treatment of cancer. It further relates to processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

EP-A-214,632 discloses quinoxaline and pyridopyrazine derivatives which are useful as anti-anaerobic agents, for the treatment of diseases related to anaerobic bacteria.

Such diseases include for example, post-operative sepsis following lower gastrointestinal surgery or female urinogenital surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease, ulcers, gangrene, trichomonal vaginitis, non-specific vaginitis, amoerbiasis, giardiasis, periodontal disease, acne, and the like.

WO-A-93/00900 which was published after both the priority dates of the present case, discloses that the compounds disclosed in EP-A-214,632 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful in the treatment of tumours and particularly hypoxic tumours.

The present invention provides a quinoxaline or pyridopyrazine derivative of formula (I)

wherein Rl is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl (N-alkyl) amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or tw.o alkyl groups or by a diva lent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a diva lent which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (Nalkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N- alkyl)amino, or haloalkyloxy;; a heterocyclic group which is a 1-pyrrolidino, 1-piperidino or 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a 1-piperazino-group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents);; R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and Xl is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;; with the exclusion of (a) the compounds of formula (I) where Rl is hydrogen, X is -N=, X' is hydrogen and R2 is unsubstituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl, and Rl is hydrogen, X is -CH=, X1 is hydrogen and R2 is 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-ethylenedioxy or 3,4,5trimethoxyphenyl and (b) the compound of formula (I) which is l,2-dihydro-8-(piperazin-l-yl)-4-phenylimidazo {1,2a] quinoxaline 5-oxide.

According to further features the present invention provides processes for producing the compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) (including exclusions (a) and (b) from the compounds of the invention).

In the compounds of formula (I), the alkyl, haloalkyl and alkoxy groups may be either straight or branched.

It is preferred that any alkyl groups in the compounds of formula (I) (including alkyl groups which form part of alkoxy groups) be alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, i.e. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl. Particularly preferred alkyl substituents are methyl, and ethyl, most preferably methyl.

In the -compounds of formula (I) halogen atoms present as halogen substituents or in haloalkyl substituents may for example be fluorine, chlorine or bromine atoms.

In a first embodiment the group Rl is hydrogen or an alkyl group. Preferably Rl is other than hydrogen.

In a second embodiment the group Rl is an alkylamino, dialkylamino or alkoxy group, for example an alkylamino or dialkylamino group.

In a third embodiment the group Rl is an aminoalkylamino, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino or aminoalkoxy group, substituted or unsubstituted on the terminal amino group, a hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl(N-alkyl)amino or hydroxyalkoxy group or a haloalkylamino, haloalkyl(N alkyl)amino or haloalkoxy group.

Rl may for example be aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups, amino(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl(Nalkyl) amino, haloalkylamino, or haloalkyl (N-alkyl) amino.

Preferably when Rl is an aminoalkylamino, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino or aminoalkoxy group or a substituted derivative thereof, it is a group of formula (11):- R3R4N(CH,),Y- (11) wherein Y is -O- or -NR5-, preferably -NR5-, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or alkyl of I to 6 carbon atoms, preferably hydrogen or methyl, and a is 2 or 3, preferably 2. Alternatively R3 and R4 may, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring, preferably containing 5 to 7 atoms, such as a pyrrolidino or piperidino ring, or which may contain an extra nitrogen or oxygen atom, such as a piperazino or morpholino ring. Such a ring may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents and/or in the case of a heterocyclic ring containing an additional nitrogen atom unsubstituted at the nitrogen atom or N-substituted by alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms, pyridyl or phenyl. Such N-substituents may themselves be unsubstituted or substituted as hereinbefore defined in relation N-substituted piperazino groups Rl.

Preferably when Rl is a haloalkylamino, haloalkyl(Nalkyl)amino or haloalkoxy or hydroxyalkylamino hydroxyalkyl(N-alkyl)amino group, or hydroxyalkoxy it is a group of formula (III): Y2(CH2)bYI- (III) wherein Yl is -O- or -NR6-, preferably -NR6-, R6 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably hydrogen or methyl, y2 is halogen or hydroxyl, preferably hydroxyl and b is 2 or 3, preferably 2. Rl may for example be haloalkylamino or haloalkyl(N-alkyl)amino or hydroxyalkylamino or hydroxyalkyl (N-alkyl) amino group.

In a fourth embodiment Rl is an unsubstituted or substituted, preferably unsubstituted, 1-pyrrolidino, 1-piperidino, 1-morpholino or aziridino group.

1- Morpholino groups are most preferred. When such a group is substituted it is preferably substituted by a single substituent. Preferred substituents include hydroxyl and alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl, for pyrrolidino, piperadino and morpholino groups and methyl and ethyl, more preferably methyl, for aziridino groups.

In a fifth embodiment Rl is an unsubstituted or substituted l-piperazino group. Preferably the group is unsubstituted in the 2- and 3-positions. Where there is such substitution, there is preferably a single substituent, and preferred substituents include hydroxyl and alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl.

Preferably the 1-piperazino is N-substituted in the 4-position by a haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, pyridyl or phenyl group.

Preferred haloalkyl substituents are fluoroalkyl substituents preferably containing more than one fluorine atom, for example 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or trifluoromethyl, preferably 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl.

Preferred cycloalkyl substituents are cyclohexyl substituents. Preferably such a cycloalkyl substituent is itself unsubstituted. When such a cycloalkyl group is substituted it is preferably substituted by a single substituent and preferred substituents include hydroxyl. and alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl.

Of pyridyl or phenyl substituents, pyridyl substituents are preferred and may be 2- or 3-, preferably 2-pyridyl. Such phenyl and pyridyl groups are preferably themselves unsubstituted. When such a group is itself substituted preferred substituents are as defined in relation to R2 below.

In the compounds of formula (I) R2 may be unsubstituted or substituted, preferably unsubstituted.

Hydrocarbyl aromatic groups may for example be phenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl, and heterocyclyl aromatic groups may for example be pyridyl or thiophenyl, preferably pyridyl. Most preferably R2 is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl. Pyridyl groups may be 2- or 3-, preferably 3-, pyridyl. Naphthyl groups may be 1- or 2-, preferably 2-, naphthyl. Thiophenyl groups may be 2or 3- thiophenyl.

Where the group R2 is substituted it is preferably substituted.by 1 or 2 substituents, chosen from halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy and alkylenedioxy.

Preferred substituents include halogen, for example fluorine, chlorine or bromine, haloalkyl, for example trifluoromethyl, nitro, and alkoxy, for example methoxy and ethoxy, preferably methoxy. Where R2 is substituted phenyl, preferably it is 4-substituted phenyl, more preferably 4-halophenyl and most preferably 4-fluorophenyl.

In the compounds of formula (I) X is preferably -N=.

Preferably Xl is hydrogen.

Salts of the compounds of formula (I) may be any pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of formula (I). Examples of suitable salts include, salts of inorganic acids such as chlorides, bromides, iodides, phosphates and sulphates and salts of organic acids such as acetates, citrates, lactates and tartrates. Salts of inorganic acids are preferred, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides and hydroiodides are more preferred. Hydrochlorides are most preferred.

Particular examples of the compounds of formula (I) are: - 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo[1,2- a]quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-4-(4-fluorophenyl)imidazotl,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(l-methyl-1-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)amino)-4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (1-methyl-1-hydroxyethylamino) -4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8-(1-aminopropyl)amino-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(morpholin-l-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (4-cyclohexylpiperazin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido (3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8- (2-methylaziridin-l-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, l,2-Dihydro-8- (piperidin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)piperazin-1- yl)imidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2-pyridyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido (3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (morpholin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(pipiridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, l,2-Dihydro-8-(pyrrolidin-l-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-l-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)amino) -4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, l,2-Dihydro-4-(3-pyridyl)-imidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8-(aziridin-l-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, l,2-Dihydro-8-methoxy-4-phenylimidazo [1, 2-a] pyrido [3,2e] pyrazine 5-oxide, and 1,2-Dihydro-8-(l-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide.

These compounds may be in the form of a free base or of salts, and in particular hydrochloride salts.

The compounds of formula (I) may be produced, by reacting a compound of formula (IV):

in which R2 is as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula (V)

in which Z is halogen and Rl, X and Xl are as hereinbefore defined.

The reaction is generally carried out under basic conditions in an organic solvent as reaction medium, such as acetonitrile or an alcohol, for example 2-propanol.

Generally the reaction is carried out at from 50 to 1100C, preferably about 800C.

Compounds of formula (I) where Rl is other than hydrogen or alkyl, alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy, may alternatively be produced by reacting a compound of formula (VI): Rl-H (VI) wherein Rl is as hereinbefore defined with a compound of formula (VII)

wherein R2, X and Xl are as hereinbefore defined and Z1 is halogen.

Generally reaction with a compound (VI) is carried out in an organic solvent, such as an alcohol, for example propan-2-ol at a temperature from 60 to 1100C.

Compounds of formula (I) where Rl is alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy may be produced by reacting a metal alkoxide, (VIA) Rl -M (VIA) in which Rí is alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy, and M is a.metal, for example an alkali metal, with a compound of formula (VII) as hereinbefore defined.

Generally reaction with an alkoxide (VIA) is performed in an alcoholic solution of alkoxide, for example in the corresponding alcohol as solvent or in methanol or ethanol, at a temperature from 50 to 800C.

The compound of formula (I) thus obtained may be purified by chromatography, for example on silica gel, or; recrystallised using an appropriate solvent.

Compounds of formula (I) may be converted into pharmaceutically acceptable salts in conventional manner for the formation of acid addition salts. For example, the salts of the present invention may be produced by reaction with an organic acid, or more preferably an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, in an organic reaction medium.

The compounds of formulae (IV), (V), (VI), -(VIA) and (VII) are compounds which may be prepared using known methods. In particular compounds of formula (IV) may be obtained by reacting an acetonitrile derivative R2CH2CN in ethylenediamine at elevated temperature, e.g. about 2000C for 24 to 48 hours. Compounds of formula (VII) may be obtained according to procedures described in EP-A-214,632.

The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof are useful in increasing the sensitivity of tumour cells to radiation in radiotherapy and as bioreductive agents. A compound is administered to a patient having a radiationtreatable cancer, prior to or after, more typically shortly after irradiation of the tumour, in an amount effective to increase the sensitivity of the tumour cells to the effects of the irradiation.

Any solid tumour, which may have regions where cells are radiobiologically hypoxic and become resistant to ionising radiation, may be treated. Examples of such tumours are epithelial tumours of the head, neck, thorax and abdomen, soft tissue sarcomas and brain tumours. The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof can therefore be employed in the radiotherapy of all such solid tumours where hypoxic cells are known or suspected to exist.

The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof may also be used where an agent having differential hypoxic cytotoxicity is required. The compounds can be employed for chemopotentiation of a chemotherapeutic agent or as a chemotherapeutic by administration of a compound to a patient having a localised or metastatic cancer.

Administration is carried out prior to, simultaneously with or after administration of, typically prior to or simultaneously with, a chemotherapeutic agent such as melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, CCNU(1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) or tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Any solid tumours, such as above, which are primary or secondary deposits, where it is known or suspected that hypoxic cells are present can therefore benefit from treatment employing a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof.

The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof are useful in particular for the treatment of hypoxic tumours.

However they may also be useful in the treatment of other tumours rich in enzymes required to activate them as bioreductive agents or radiosensitisers. Such enzymes may include cytochrome P450, NADPH dependent cytochrome P450 reductase, DT-diaphorase and xanthine oxidase.

The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof may be administered orally or parenterally. The amount administered depends on factors such as the cancer, the condition of the patient and the body weight of the patient. Typically, however, doses of 50 to 1000mg/m2 of a patient's body area may be employed.

Accordingly, the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), as hereinbefore defined or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

The compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof may be formulated in a manner appropriate to the treatment for which it is to be used by bringing it into association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Preferably the composition is in a form suitable for parenteral administration. The compound may be included in a dosage form suitable for bolus injection or such as a tablet or capsule, for example a capsule comprising known formulation components. The compound may also be formulated for intravenous administration e.g. in a saline drip solution.

Suitable carrier or diluent materials for inclusion in the compositions of the present invention include organic or inorganic inert carrier or diluent material for example, water, gelatin, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, talc, vegetable oils, gum arabic, polyalkylene- glycols, petroleum jelly and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions may be sterilised, pyrogen-free and isotonic.

The compositions may contain adjuvants such as preserving, stabilising, wetting or emulsifying agents, salts for varying the osmotic pressure or buffers. The pharmaceutical compositions may contain other therapeutically valuable substances.

The present invention further provides compounds of formula (I), as hereinbefore defined, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof with the exclusion of (a) the compounds of formula (I) where Rl is hydrogen, X is -N=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is unsubstituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl, and Rl is hydrogen, X is -CH=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is 4fluorophenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3, 4-ethylenedioxy or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl (but including 1, 2-dihydro-8- (piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1, 2a] quinoxaline 5oxide) for use in the treatment of the human or animal body in a method of therapy, for example treatment of a hypoxic tumour.

The invention further provides use of the compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (including compounds excluded by (a) and (b), from the compounds of the invention) in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a tumour, for example a hypoxic tumour.

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 1,2-Dihydro-8- (piperazin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo(1,2- a) quinoxaline 5-oxide Under an argon atmosphere, 1,2-dihydro-8-fluoro-4phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide (4.0g, 14.2 mmol) and piperazine (12.2g, 0.142 mmol) were heated at 900C in 2-propanol (20 ml) for 3.5h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in CH2Cl2 (50 ml), washed with H2O (50 ml)) and dried (MgSO4) and concentrated.The resulting orange solid was recrystallised from EtOAc/CH2Cl2 to yield 4.2g (72%) of 1,2 dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo[1,2 a]quinoxaline 5-oxide, mp-212-214"C (Found : C; 68.2, H; 6.0, N; 19.6%, C2J{21N50.0.33H20 requires C; 68.0, H; 6.1, N; 19.8t).

1, 2-Dihydro-8-fluoro-4-phenylimidazo [ 1,2- a]quinoxaline 5-oxide may be prepared as disclosed in EP-A214632.

EXAMPLE 2 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo[1,2-a] pyrido 13,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide.

1, 2-Dihydro-8-chloro-4 -phenylimidazo t 1 , 2 -a 3 pyrido t3, 2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (0.lg, 0.335 mmol) and piperazine (0.288g, 3.35 mmol) were heated at 60 C in 2-propanol for 0.5h under an argon atmosphere. The solution was cooled, evaporated and redissolved in 50ml CH2C12, washed with JI2O (50 ml), dried and evaporated to afford, after recrystallisation from EtOAc/CHCl3 l,2-dihydro-8- (piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo(1,2-a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (72%) as an orange solid, mp=177-178 C (Found :C; 64.7, H; 5.7, N; 23.8%, C19N20N6O.0.33H2O requires C; 64.4, H; 5.8, N; 23.7%) The product was converted to a bis-hydrochloride by reaction with 2.2 equivalents of HC1, using the procedure described in Example 4, (m.p.: greater than 2500C).

1,2-Dihydro-8-chloro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide may be prepared as disclosed in EP-A-214632.

EXAMPLE 3 1,2-Dihydro-4-(4-fluorophenyl)imaidazo[1,2-a] pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide.

A mixture of 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine (0.44g, 2.8 mmol) and 2-(4-fluorobenzyl) -2-imidazoline (0.5g, 2.79 mmol) in CH3CN (8 ml) was heated at 80 C for 12 h in a nitrogen atmosphere. The solutionwas then left at room temperature overnight, evaporated and the residue purified on silica (MeOH/EtOAc, 1:10) to give 0.38g (48%) of 1,2 dihydro-4- (4-fluorophenyl) imidazo[1, 2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide after recrystallisation from MeOH, mp=213 2150C, tH-NMR (CDC13) 6 4.1 (s,4H), 6.8 (dd,lH,J=8 and 8Hz), 7.0 (d,2H,J=9.6Hz), 7.9 (d,2H,J=9.6Hz) and.8.2 (m,2H) ppm.

EXAMPLE 4 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-1-(NwN-dimethylaminoethyl)amino)-i- phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide bishydrochloride 8-Chloro-1,2-dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (l.Og, 3.36 mmol) and N,N,N'trimethylethylenediamine (3.4g, 33.6 mmol) were heated at 900C in 2-propanol (5 ml) for 3.5h.The solution was then evaporated and the residue purified on silica (MeOH/CH2Cl2, 1:10) to afford an orange foam (65%), of which.437 mg (1.0 mmol) was redissolved in 4 ml EtOAc/CH2Cl2 (1:1), and 2.2ml of a 1.OM solution of HCl in Et2O, filtered and washed again with cold Et2O to give 1,2-dihydro-8-( l-methyl-l- (N,N-dimethylaminoethyl) amino) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide bishydrochloride mp=2052080C (dec.) 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 2.3 (s,6H) 2.5 (t,2H,J=7.2Hz), 3.1 (s,3H), 3.75 (t,2H,J=7.2Hz), 4.1 (s,4H), 6.1 (d,lH.J=8.4 Hz), 7.4 (m,3H), 7.8 (m,2H) and 8.05 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz) ppm. (Found :C; 49.7, H; 6.4, N; 17.0%, C2t24N6O.2HCl.2.5H2O requires C; 49.8, H; 6.3, N; 17.4%) EXAMPLE 5 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-1-hydroxyethylamino)-4- phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide hydrochloride This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4 using 2-(methylamino)ethanol as nucleophile and with a reaction time of 1.5h and converted to a hydrochloride to afford l,2-dihydro-8-(l-methyl-l- hydroxyethylamino) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide hydrochloride (63%) as a yellow solid, mp=228-2300C (dec.) (Found : C; 57.8, H; 5.3, N; 18.9%, -Cl8Ht9NO2.HCl requires C; 57.8, H; 5.3, N; 18.7%).

EXAMPLE 6 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-aminopropyl)amino-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4 above using 1,3-diaminopropane as nucleophile and a reaction time of 1.5h. The residue after evaporation was triturated with EtOAc and the solid filtered and recrystallised from EtOAc to afford 1,2dihydro-8-(1-aminopropyl)amino-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (57%) as orange crystals, mp=179-1800C (Found : C; 62.4, H; 6.0, N; 24.4%, Cl8H2l6O.0.5H2O requires C; 62.6, H; 6.1, N; 24.4t).

EXAMPLE 7 1,2-Dihydro-8-(morpholin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide bishydrochloride This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4 above at 800C for 2.5h using morpholine as the nucleophile, and the orange crystals which appeared upon cooling were filtered, washed with EtOH and recrystallised from 2-propanol, and converted to the hydrochloride using the procedure described above to yield 1,2-dihydro-8-(morpholin-l-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide bishydrochloride (74%), mp=224-2260C, (Found, C; 54.3, H; 5.3, N; 16.6%, Cl9Hl9NO2.2HCl requires C; 54.0, H; 5.0, N; 16.6%).

EXAMPLE 8 1,2-Dihydro-8- (4-cyclohexylpiperazin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4 above using 4-cyclohexylpiperazine as the nucleophile, and the orange crystals formed on cooling were collected and washed with 2-propanol. The product was recrystallised from 2-propanol to afford 1,2 dihydro-8- (4-cyclohexylpiperazin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (78%), mp=188 1890C, (Found : C; 69.7, H; 7.0, N; 19.5%, C2sH3oN6O requires C; 69.8, H; 7.0, N; 19.5%).

EXAMPLE 9 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (2-methylaziridin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo (1,2- a] pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide 8-Chloro-l, 2-dihydro-4-phenylimidazo tl,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (0.25g, 0.84 mmol) was dissolved in 1.5 ml benzene and 0.3 ml Et3N, and 2-methylaziridine (0.2g, 3.5 mmol) were added and the solution stirred at 70800C for 1.5h. The solution was cooled and evaporated and the residue purified on silica (MeOH/CH2Cl2,1:10) to afford 1,2-dihydro-8-(2-methylaziridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2- a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (42%) as an orange waxy solid.The compound was analysed as the ring-opened hydrobromide, prepared by treating with 48% HBr in Me2CO, filtering and washing with cold Me2CO to give the ringopened monohydrobromide, mp=200-2010C (dec.), (Found : C; 45.2, H; 4.1, N; 14.6%, CIsHlsN5OBr.HBr requires C; 44.9, H; 4.0, N; 14.6t).

EXAMPLE 10 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperidin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the reaction conditions described for Example 4, using piperidine as nucleophile and at a reaction temperature of 600C for 0.5h. Recrystallisation from 2-propanol afforded 1,2-dihydro-8-(piperidin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (68%) as an orange solid, mp=185-1870C (Found : C; 69.1, H; 6.1, N; 20.2%, C2(,H2XNsO requires C; 69.2, H; 6.1, N; 20.28).

EXAMPLE 11 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)piperazin-1- yl)imidazo 112-a] pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4, using N-(2,2,2trifluoroethyl)piperazine as nucleophile to afford 1,2 dihydro-8-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)piperazin-1-yl)imidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (68%) as an orange solid after recrystallisation from ethanol, mp=221-222 C (Found : C; 58.7, H; 4.9, N; 19.6%, C2lH2lN6OF3 required C; 58.6, H; 4.9, N; 19.5%).

EXAMPLE 12 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2-pyridyl)piperazine-1-yl)-4phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido 13,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 4, except that the cooled reaction mixture was left at -180C for lh, and the orange crystals filtered and washed with 2-propanol to yield, after recrystallisation from 2-propanol, 1,2-dihydro-8-(4-(2 pyridyl)piperazine-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (55%), mp=201.5-202.50C, 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 6 3.8 (m,8H), 4.2 (s,4H), 6.3 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz), 6.75 (m,2H), 7.4 (m,3H), 7.8 (m,3H), 8.3 (m,lH), 8.35 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz) ppm.

The product was converted to a bishydrochloride as described for Example 4, mp=232-2350C (dec.) EXAMPLE 13 1,2-Dihydro-8- (morpholin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) quinoxaline 5-oxide 1,2-Dihydro-8-fluoro-4-phenylimidazo tl,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide (0.5g, 1.54 mmol) in 5 ml 2-propanol, was heated at 1000C for 8h with morpholine (1.5 ml,ca. 16:8 mmol). The solution was then cooled and evaporated, and the residue purified on silica gel, eluting with EtOAc/MeOH (5:1), to yield 1,2-dihydro-8-(morpholin-l-yl)-4- phenylimidazo (1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide (65%) as an orange solid, mp=232-2330C (dec.) The product was converted to a monohydrochloride as described for Example 4 using 1.1 equivalents of HC1.

EXAMPLE 14 1,2-Dihydro-8-(pipiridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) quinoxaline 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 13 to afford 1,2-dihydro-8-(pipiridin l-yl)-4-phenylimidazo 11,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide (71%) as an orange solid, mp=230-231 C (dec.), monohydrochloride mp=246-2470C (dec.) 1H-NMR (CDC13) 6 1.8 (m,6H), 3.4 (m,4H), 4.05 (s,4H), 6.0 (d,1H,J=2.4Hz), 6.5 (dd,lH,J=2.4 and 9.6Hz), 7.3 (m,3H), 7.8 (m,2H) and-8.0 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz) ppm.

EXAMPLE 15 1,2-Dihydro-8-(pyrrolidin-l-yl) -4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) quinoxaline 5-oxide This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 13, to afford, as an orange solid, 1,2-dihydro-8- (pyrrolidin-l-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [1, 2-a quinoxaline 5-oxide, mp=246-247 0C (dec.), monohydrochloride mp > =2750C (dec.) 1H-NMR 6 2.0 (m,4H), 3.35 (m,4H), 4.0 (s,4H), 5.6 (d,lH,J=2.4Hz)., 6.2 (dd,lH,J=2.4 and 9.6Hz), 7.3 (m,3H), 7.75 (m,2H) and 8.0 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz)ppm.

EXAMPLE 16 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-1-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)amino)-4- phenylimidazo (1,2-a) quinoxaline 5-oxide bishydrochloride 1, 2-Dihydro-8-fluoro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide (0.5g, 1.7 mmol) and N,N,N'trimethylethylenediamine (1.7g, ca.17 mmol) were heated at 950C for 24h, cooled and evaporated.The residue was purified on silica gel eluting with 10% MeOH/CH2Cl2 to afford an orange waxy solid (62%), which was converted into the bishydrochloride as described in Example 4 to give 1,2 dihydro-8- (l-methyl-l- (N, N-dimethylaminoethyl) amino) -4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] quinoxaline 5-oxide bishydrochloride, mp= > 250"C (dec.) 1H-NMR (CDCl3) S 2.3 (s,6H), 2.6 (t,2H,J=7.2Hz), 3.05 (s,3H), 3.5 (t,2H,J=7.2Hz), 4.0 (s,4H), 5.8 (d,lH,J=2.4Hz), 6.4 (dd,lH,J=2.4 and 9.6Hz), 7.35 (m,3H), 7.7 (m,2H), and 8.0 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz) ppm.

EXAMPLE 17 1,2-Dihydro-4-(3-pyridyl)-imidazo (1,2-a) pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide 2-Chloro-3-nitropyridine (0.22g, 1.4-mmol) and 2-(3pyridyl)methyl-imidazoline (0.23g, 1.42 mmol) were heated at 850C in acetonitrile for 4.5h. The solution was cooled, evaporated and the residue purified on silica, eluting with EtOAc/MeOH (10:1) to yield 1,2-dihydro-4-(3-pyridyl)- imidazo tl,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (50%) as deep yellow crystals after recrystallisation from EtOAc, mp=128-1300C, monohydrochloride mp=214-216 C (dec.) 'H-NMR 5 3.6 (s,2H), 3.8 (s,2H), 6.7 (dd,lH,J=4.8 and 9.6Hz), 7.3 (m,lH), 7.6 (m,lH) and 8.4 (m,4H) ppm.

EXAMPLE 18 1, 2-Dihydro-4-phenylimidazo tl,2-a] pyrido (3, 2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide hydrochloride This compound was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 17 using tolazoline in place of 2-(3pyridyl)methyl-imidazoline and with a reaction time of l2h.

Deep yellow crystals of the free base were obtained (63%) and recrystallised from MeOH, mp=194-1950C 4H-NMR (CDCl3) 6 3.6 (s,2H) 3.9 (s,2H), 6.6 (dd,lH,J=8 and 8Hz) and 8.3 (m,2H) ppm. This material was converted into the monohydrochloride salt as described in Example 4, using 1.1 equivalents of HCl,.to afford, as a yellow solid, 1,2dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5oxide hydrochloride, mp=238-2400C (dec.).

EXAMPLE 19 1,2-Dihydro-8-(aziridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a] pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide 8-Chloro-l, 2-dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (l.Og, 3.36 mmol) was stirred with aziridine 3.5g (81.4 mmol) at 250C for 2h.The excess aziridine was evaporated at room temperature and the residue purified on silica eluting with ethyl acetate: triethylamine (99:1) to afford 1,2-dihydro-8-(aziridin-1yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide as a deep yellow solid, recrystallised from ethyl acetate mp = 168-1700C, lH-NMR (CDCl3) 5 2.2 (s,4H), 4.0 (bs,4H), 6.4 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz), 7.2 (m,3H), 7.6 (m,2H), and 8.0 (d,lH,J=8.4Hz) ppm. (Found: C; 66.8, H; 4.6, N; 22.7%, Cl7HtsN5O requires C; 66.9, H; 4.9, N; 22.9%).

EXAMPLE 20 1,2-Dihydro-8-methoxy-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide A solution of sodium methoxide in methanol (25%, lmL) was stirred at room temperature together with 8-chloro-1,2dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5 oxide (O.lg, 0.34 mmol) for 2 hours. The solution was then heated for 1 hour at 800C, cooled and water (lmL) added.

The solution was evaporated, and redissolved in chloroform (25mL), then washed with water (25mL). The organic layer was dried and evaporated, and the residue purified on silica gel, eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (1:1) to afford 1, 2-dihydro-8-methoxy-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (75mg, 75%) as an orange solid which was recrystallised from mp 194-1950C. The product was converted to a monohydrochloride using the method described in Example 4, mp 223-224"C(dec.). Found: C; 64.8, H; 4.8, N; 19.2%, C16H14N402 requires C; 65.3, H; 4.8, N; 19.0%.

EXAMPLE 2.1 1-2-Dihydro-8- (1-dimethylamino) ethoxy-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide 8-Chloro-l, 2-dihydro-4-phenylimidazo (1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide (l.Og, 3.4 mmol) was added slowly to a cooled solution of sodium N,N-dimethylethanolamine (6mL, 30% in N,N-dimethylethanolamine) and the solution stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, followed by 2 hours at 500C. Water (SOmL) was added and the solution extracted with ethyl acetate (3xlOOmL), dried and evaporated.The residue was purified on silica, eluting with ethyl acetate: methanol: ammonium hydroxide (47.5:47.5:5) to afford l-2-dihydro-8-(ldimethylamino)ethoxy-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido t3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide as an orange solid (0.7g, 69%) recrystallised from ethyl acetate:methanol, mp 158-161"C, (Found C; 61.0, H; 5.9, N; 18.8%, C1H21N5Q 1.25 H20 requires C; 61.0, H; 6.3, N; 18.7%) EXAMPLE 22 The toxicity of compounds prepared in the foregoing Examples towards aerobic or hypoxic V79 Chinese hamster cells in vitro is shown in Table 1. Toxicity was determined by the use of the modified MTT assay (Stratford and Stephens (1989), Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 16 973-976). Values quoted represent concentration of drug required to reduce proliferation of treated cultures by 50%. Cells are treated with various drug doses for 3 hours at 37"C under aerobic or hypoxic conditions, following drug removal cells are allowed to proliferate for 3 days prior to assay.

TABLE 1 Compound C air C N2 Ratio mmol din? Example 1* 0.2 0.03 6.7 Example 2 0.45 0.045 10 Example 4 0.45 0.06 7.5 Example 7 0.5 0.2 2.5 Example 8 0.45 0.045 10 Example 12* 1.0 0.1 10 Example 13 2.4 0.55 4.4 Example 18 5.0 0.6 8.3 Example 20 12.0 0.7 17.0 Example 21* 2.5 0.05 50 * tested as free base.

EXAMPLE 23 C3H mice in which the transplantable rodent tumour RIF-1 had been implanted subcutaneously were adminisbered the compound of Example 2 (hydrochloride salt) [100 mg/kg] intraperitoneally immediately after irradiation with 25 Gy X-rays. The time for the tumour to increase in size to four times its original volume was 44 days compared with the corresponding time where no treatment was applied to the tumour (5 days) and where the tumour was treated by irradiation with 25 Gy X-rays alone (35 days).

The results show that the use of the compound immediately after irraditation to kill viable cells which were hypoxic at the time of irradiation, leads to a significant slowing in the growth of the tumour.

Claims (17)

1. A quinoxaline or pyridopyrazine derivative of formula (I)

wherein Rl is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (Nalkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N- alkyl)amino, or haloalkyloxy; a heterocyclic group which is a 1-pyrrolidino, 1piperidino, 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a 1-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents); R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and X1 is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; with the exclusion of (a) the compounds of formula (I) where Rl is hydrogen, X is -N=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is unsubstituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl, and Rl is hydrogen, X is -CH=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is 4-f luorophenyl, 3,4dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-ethylenedioxy- or 3,4,5trimethoxyphenyl and (b) the compound of formula (I) which is 1,2-dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo [l,2a] quinoxaline 5-oxide.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Rl is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (N-alkyl) amino, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N-alkyl) amino; a heterocyclic group which is a 1-pyrrolidino, 1piperidino, 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a l-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents); and R2 is phenyl or pyridyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy alkoxy and alkylenedioxy;

3. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 in which Rl is other than hydrogen.

4. A compound according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the group Rl is aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl(N alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom, and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (N-alkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N-alkyl) amino, or haloalkyloxy.

5. A compound according to claim 4 in which Rl is a group of formula (II) R3R4N (CHj) 3Y (11) wherein Y is -O- or -NR5-, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or form a heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 7 carbon atoms, together with the amino nitrogen atom to which they are attached and optionally a further nitrogen or oxygen atom and a is 2 or 3; or Rl is a group of formula (III) Y (CH2)bY (III) wherein yl is -O- or -NR6-, R6 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Y2 is halogen or hydroxyl, and b is 2 or 3.

6. A compound according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which Rl is unsubstituted or substituted 1-pyrrolidino, 1 piperidino, 1-morpholino or aziridino.

7. A compound according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which Rl is a l-piperazino group N-substituted in the 4position by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, pyridyl or phenyl.

8. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims in which R2 is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl.

9. A compound according to claim 8 in which f is unsubstituted phenyl or 4-halophenyl.

10. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims in which X is -N=.

11. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims in which Xl is hydrogen.

12. A compound according to claim 1 which is: l,2-Dihydro-8-(piperazin-l-yl) -4-phenylimidazo(l,2- a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo[1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-4-(4-fluorophenyl) imidazo(1, 2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-1-(N,N- dimethylaminoethyl)amino)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (1-methyl-1-hydroxyethylamino) -4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-aminopropyl)amino-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide1 1, 2-Dihydro-8- (morpholin-1-yl) -4-phenylimidazo y1,2- a) pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-cyclohexylpiperazin-1-yl)-4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(2-methylaziridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(piperidin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)piperazin-1- yl)imidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(4-(2-pyridyl)piperazin-l-yl) -4- phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(morpholin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2 a) quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(pipiridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2a] quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2 a) quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-methyl-1- (N,N- dimethylaminoethyl)amino)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a) quinoxaline 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-4-(3-pyridyl)-imidazo [1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a) pyrido [3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-(aziridin-1-yl)-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a) pyrido (3,2-e) pyrazine 5-oxide, 1,2-Dihydro-8-methoxy-4-phenylimidazo [1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e] pyrazine 5-oxide, or 1,2-Dihydro-8-(1-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)-4- phenylimidazo t1,2-a] pyrido [3,2-e) pyrazine 5 oxide;; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. A process for producing a compound as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises: reacting a compound of formula (IV) :-

wherein R2 is as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (V):

wherein Z is halogen, and Rl, X and Xl are as defined in claim 1; or where R1 is other than hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy, reacting a compound of formula (VI) :- Rl-H (VI) in which Rl is as defined in claim 1 and is other than hydrogen, alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy, with a compound of formula (VII):-

in which Z1 is halogen and X, Xl and R2 are as defined in claim 1; or where Rl is alkoxy, unsubstituted or substitutede aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy reacting a metal alkoxide (VIA) Rl -M (VIA) in which Rl is alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aminoalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy or haloalkoxy, and M is a metal, with a compound of formula (VII) as hereinbefore defined; and optionally, converting the compound of formula (I) thus obtained to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

14. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a quinoxaline or pyridopyrazine derivative of formula (I)

wherein Rl is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a diva lent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a diva lent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (Nalkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N- alkyl)amino, or haloalkyloxy;; a heterocyclic group which is a l-pyrrolidino, 1piperidino, l-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a l-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents); ; R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and Xl is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

15. A quinoxaline or pyridopyrazine derivative for use in the treatment of the human or animal body in a method of therapy, which is of formula (I)

wherein Rl is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by-a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally -being substituted by one or more alkyl hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a diva lent which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (Nalkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl(N alkyl)amino, or haloalkyloxy;; a heterocyclic group which is a 1-pyrrolidino, 1piperidino, 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a 1-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents);; R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and Xl is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;; with the exclusion of (a) the compounds of formula (I) where Rl is hydrogen, X is -N=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is unsubstituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl, and Rl is hydrogen, X is -CH=, Xl is hydrogen and R2 is 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-ethylenedioxy- or 3,4,5trimethoxyphenyl.

16. Use in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a tumour of a quinoxaline or pyridopyrazine derivative of formula (I)

wherein Rl is: hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkylamino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkyl(N-alkyl)amino unsubstituted or substituted on the terminal amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a diva lent group which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, aminoalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted on the amino group by one or two alkyl groups or by a divalent which forms a saturated heterocyclic ring together with the amino nitrogen atom to which it is attached optionally containing a further oxygen or nitrogen atom and optionally being substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxyl or halogen substituents, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkyl (Nalkyl) amino, hydroxyalkyloxy, haloalkylamino, haloalkyl (N-' alkyl)amino, or haloalkyloxy;; a heterocyclic group which is a l-pyrrolidino, 1piperadino, 1-morpholino group, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents, or an aziridino group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more or alkyl substituents; or a 1-piperazino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents in the 2- or 3- position and in the 4-position is unsubstituted or N-substituted by haloalkyl, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, hydroxy or halogen substituents), or pyridyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents) or phenyl (unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro or halogen substituents);; R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and Xl is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

R2 is a hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen haloalkyl, alkyl, nitro, hydroxy, alkoxy and alkylenedioxy; X is -CH= or -N=; and Xl is hydrogen or halogen; wherein the said alkyl groups and moieties~ incorporating alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the said haloalkyl groups contain one or more halogen atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

17. A process according to claim 13 which is substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of Examples 1 to 21.