GB887337A - New benzo-bis-imidazoles and process for their manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises compounds of the general formula <FORM:0887337/IV (b)/1> and their physiologically tolerable acid addition salts and quaternary ammonium salts, wherein each R represents an alkyl group and each R1 a C1-20 alkyl group optionally substituted by a halogen atom, a hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy or amino group or a tertiary amino group substituted by alkyl and/or cycloalkyl and/or hydroxyalkyl groups or an N-containing saturated heterocyclic ring which may contain an oxygen atom and the preparation thereof wherein a hydroquinone of the general formula <FORM:0887337/IV (b)/2> or the corresponding quinone is treated with an alcoholic solution of a mineral acid, and, if desired, a hydroquinone so obtained is oxidised to the quinone or a quinone is reduced to the hydroquinone, and if desired, a hydroquinone or quinone so obtained in the form of a tertiary base is converted into a quaternary ammonium salt or a hydroquinone or quinone in the form of a free base is converted into an acid addition salt or an acid p addition salt into the base. Optionally the quinone starting material may be reduced to the hydroquinone before ring closure. 2 : 5 - Diacetamido - 3 : 6 - didodecylamino -, -dimethylamino -, -di - n - butylamino -, -di - (b - di-ethylamino ethylamino) -, - di - (b - morpholinoethylamino) and - di - (b - hydroxyethylamino) - benzoquinones are prepared from 2 : 8-diacetamido - 3 : 6 - dichloro - benzoquinone and an appropriate amine.ALSO:Pharmaceutical compositions comprise a benzo-bis-imidazole of the general formula <FORM:0887337/VI/1> or a salt or quaternary ammonium salt thereof wherein each R represents an alkyl group and each R1 represents an alkyl group containing 1-20 carbon atoms, which latter alkyl groups may be substituted by a halogen atom, a hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy or amino group, or a tertiary amino group substituted by alkyl and/or cycloalkyl and/or hydroxyalkyl groups or an N-containing saturated heterocyclic ring which may contain an oxygen atom, in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier suitable for enteral parenteral or topical administration. The compositions, which may additionally contain other therapeutically active substances are in conventional forms. Specified salts are hydrohalides, sulphates, nitrates, phosphates, thiocyanates, acetates, propionates, oxalates, malonates, succinates, malates, tartrates, citrates, methane-, ethane-, hydroxyethane-, benzene- and toluene-sulphonates and salts with therapeutically active acids; quaternary halides and sulphonates. The effect of the above p compounds on the curative effect of sulphonamides is mentioned.