WO1992003413A1

WO1992003413A1 - Diphenylurea derivatives

Info

Publication number: WO1992003413A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/001383
Authority: WO
Inventors: David John Lythgoe
Original assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Limited
Priority date: 1990-08-15
Filing date: 1991-08-14
Publication date: 1992-03-05
Also published as: AU8411591A; JPH06500095A; IL99174A0; GB9017892D0; EP0543891A1; ZA916412B; PT98684A; IE912889A1; CA2089165A1

Abstract

Diphenylurea derivatives of formula (I), wherein R1 represents alkyl, X1 represents oxygen, -OCH¿2?- or -S(O)n-, wherein n is zero, 1 or 2, R?2 and R3¿ each represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, R4 represents alkyl, dimethylamino, -OR6 or -S(O)¿mR?6, wherein m is zero, 1 or 2 and R6 represents alkyl optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, and R5 represents -NR?7R8 or -OR9¿, wherein R?7 and R8¿ each represents hydrogen or alkyl optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, and R9 represents alkyl optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms possess useful pharmacological properties.

Description

"DIPHENYLUREA DERIVATIVES"

This invention relates to new, therapeutically useful diphenylurea derivatives, to a process for their production and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods for their use.

The new diphenylurea derivatives of the present invention are the compounds of formula I, hereinafter depicted, wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, X represents an oxygen atom, or a group of the formula -OCH-- or -S(O) -, wherein n represents zero, 1 or 2, R 2 and R3 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a

4 methyl or ethyl group, R represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, a dimethylamino group or a group of the formula -OR or -S(O) R , wherein represents zero, l or 2 and R represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, e.g. oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms, preferably an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, a_lkyl1_ oalkyl, a_Uςlaπ_ir_oa_l_kyl or dia__-kylaro___noal_yl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, and R 5

represents a group of the formula -NR 7R8 or -OR9, wherein R7 and R8 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a straight- or branched- chain alkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, e.g. oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms, preferably an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, a_l_kylthioaIkyl, al_kylami.noa1.Tyl or dia_Uς^lam___r_oaIkyl group

9 containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, and R represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, e.g. oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms, preferably an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl or dialkyla inoalkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some of the compounds of formula I exhibit optical isomerism. All such forms, and their mixtures, are embraced by the invention.

Especially important compounds of the present invention include those wherein at least one of the symbols has a value selected from the following:- (i) R represents an alkyl group containing from 8 to 12, e.g. 9, 10 or 11, carbon atoms;

((i) X represents an oxygen atom;

(iii) R2 and R3 each represents a hydrogen atom; (iv) R represents an alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio group containing 1 or 2, preferably 1, carbon atoms;

7 (v) R represents a hydrogen atom; o

(vi) R represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 5, preferably 3 or 4 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an oxygen or sulphur atom, preferably an alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl group containing up to 5, preferably 3 or 4 carbon atoms; and/or (vii) R represents an alkyl group containing up to 3 carbon atoms, e.g. a methyl group; the other symbols being as hereinbefore defined.

Important compounds according to the invention include:-

A N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methylthio-5-(2- methylthioethylcarbamoy1)pheny1] rea;

B N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-(2-methoxy-5-methoxy- carbonylphenyl)urea;

C N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methoxy-5-(2-methoxy- ethylcarbamoyl)pheny1]urea; D N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methoxy-5-(2-methyl- thioethylcarbamoy1)pheny1] rea;

E N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-N'-(4- decyloxyphenyl)urea;

F N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2- ethylthiophenyl)-N'-(4- decyloxyphenyl)urea;

G N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-N ' -(4- undecyloxyphenyl)urea;

H N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylphenyl)-N'-(4- nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

I N-(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylthiophenyl)-N'- (4-nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

J N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoy1)- pheny1]-N'-(4-nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

K N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoy1)- pheny1]-N'-(4-undecyloxyphenyl)urea; and L N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylphenyl)-N'-(4- undec loxyphenyl)urea.

The letters A to L are allocated to compounds for easy reference later in this specification.

The compounds according to the invention are inhibitors of acyl coenzyme-A:cholesterol-0-acyl transferase (ACAT;EC 2.3.1.26). They are therefore of value as anti-atherosclerotic agents and have utility in the treatment of atherosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia, cholesterol ester storage disease and atheroma in vein grafts.

Compounds within the scope of the present invention exhibit positive pharmacological activities as demonstrated by the following in vitro tests which are believed to correlate to pharmacological activity in humans and other animals.

In assays performed in vitro microsomes

(prepared from the livers of rats fed a diet supplemented with 0.5%w/w cholesterol and 0.25%w/w cholic acid for 7 days) were incubated with radiolabelled oleoyl-CoA in the presence of compounds according to the invention at a concentration of lμg/ml. The degree of ACAT inhibition produced was up to 90%.

Compounds of formula I can be prepared by the application or adaptation of known methods, by which is meant methods used heretofore or described in the literature.

According to a feature of the present invention,

2 compounds of general formula I wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, R 1, R3, R4, R5 and X1 being as hereinbefore defined, are prepared by the reaction of a compound of general formula II hereinafter depicted, wherein R 3, R4 and R5 are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of general formula III, hereinafter depicted, wherein R and X are as hereinbefore defined, optionally prepared in situ, by the application or adaptation of known methods.

The reaction between the compound of formula II and the compound of formula III preferably takes place in a suitable solvent, for example dichloromethane, toluene, or a mixture thereof. The reaction preferably takes place at an elevated temperature, for example at or near 100^βC.

Preparation of the intermediate of formula III in situ can be carried out by the reaction of a compound such as bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate with a compound of the general formula IV, hereinafter depicted, wherein Rl and Xl are as hereinbefore defined. The reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent such as toluene, in the presence of a tertiary amine, e.g. triethylamine, preferably at an elevated temperature.

According to a further feature of the invention, compounds of formula I are prepared by reacting a compound of general formula:

R⁹0H (V) wherein R is as hereinbefore defined, or a compound of general formula:

HNR⁷R⁸ (VI) wherein R7 and R8 are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula VII, hereinafter depicted, wherein

R , R , R , R and X are as hereinbefore defined and

Z represents a halogen, e.g. chlorine, atom, preferably in the presence of a base, such as a tertiary amine and optionally in a solvent, e.g. toluene, optionally with heating.

According to a further feature of the invention, compounds of formula I wherein at least one of m and n is zero may be converted into a compound of formula

I wherein m and/or n is greater than in the starting material, the other symbols being as hereinbefore defined, by oxidation using a conventional oxidant, such as a percarboxylic acid (e.g. m-chloroperbenzoic acid) , in an inert solvent, such as dichloromethane, at or below room temperature.

According to a further feature of the invention, compounds of general formula I are prepared by the interconversion of other compounds of formula I. For example, compounds of formula I wherein R 2 and/or R3

and/or R 7 and/or R8 is other than a hydrogen atom may

₂ be prepared from compounds of formula I wherein R and/or R 3 and/or R7 and/or R8 represents a hydrogen atom by the application or adaptation of known methods of alkylation. Compounds of formulae II, III, IV, V, VI and VII may be prepared by the application or adaptation of known methods.

The following Examples illustrate the preparation of the compounds according to the invention and the Reference Example illustrates the preparation of the intermediates.

EXAMPLE 1 Compounds A and B

A stirred solution of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate (0.49g) in toluene (100ml) was treated with a suspension of 4-decyloxyaniline (l.24g) and triethyl- a ine (0.7ml) in toluene (150ml) at the ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and then was heated at 100°C for 2 hours. The mixture was then cooled and evaporated, and the resulting residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (200ml) . This solution was treated with 3-amino-4-methylthio-N-(2-methylthioethy1)- benzamide (l.lg) and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 hour. The mixture was then allowed to stand at the ambient temperature for 18 hours, and then it was washed with water (100ml) , dried over magnesium sulphate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to a volume of about 50ml when a solid separated. This solid was filtered off and recrystallised from ethanol, to give N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methylthio-5-(2- methylthioethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]urea (1.3g) in the form of small colourless needles, m.p. 126-128°C. Elemental analysis:- C,63.5;H,7.9;N,8.10;S,12.00%; calculated:- C,63.24;H,7.77;N,7.90;S,12.06%;J .

By proceeding in a similar manner, but using methyl 3-amino-4-methoxybenzoate in place of the 3-amino-4-methylthio-N-(2-methylthioethy1)benzamide, there was prepared N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-(2-methoxy- 5-methoxycarbonylphenyl)urea in the form of colourless crystals, m.p. 115-116°C. [Elemental analysis:- C,68.50;H,8.1;N,5.98%; calculated:- C,68.39;H,7.95; N,6.13%] .

EXAMPLE 2 Compounds C. D and E

A mixture of N-(5-carboxy-2-m.ethoxyphenyl)-N'- (4-decyloxyphenyl)urea (1.55g; prepared as described in Reference Example 1) and thionyl chloride (0.27ml) in toluene (60ml) was heated at reflux for 30 minutes. The mixture was then chilled and added dropwise, with cooling, to a stirred solution of 2-methoxyethylamine (0.8g) in toluene (20ml). The mixture was allowed to stand at the ambient temperature for 18 hours, and then it was evaporated and the resulting residue was extracted with hot dichloromethane (3x50ml) . The extract was evaporated and the residue was recrystall- ised from acetone, to give N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'- [2-methoxy-5-(2-methoxyethylcarbamoy1)pheny1]urea (0.75g) in the form of a colourless powder, m.p. 126-128°C. [Elemental analysis:- C,67.70;H,8.4; N,8.50%; calculated:- C,67.31;H,8.27;N,8.41%].

By proceeding in a similar manner, but using the appropriate quantities of 2-methylthioethylamine and butylamine in place of the 2-methoxyethylamine, there were prepared:-

N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methoxy-5-(2-methylthio¬ ethylcarbamoy1)pheny1]urea in the form of colourless crystals, m.p. 105-107°C (from methanol) [Elemental analysis:- C,65.20;H,8.00;N,8.2;S,6.10%; calculated:- C,65.21;H,8.01;N,8.15;S,6.22%] ; and

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-N -(4-decyloxy¬ phenyl)urea, in the form of off-white crystals, m.p. 62-63°C [purification by plc on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of diethyl ether and methanol (19:lv/v)] [Elemental analysis:- C,69.80;H,8.80;N,8.40%; calculated:- C,69.99;H,8.71;N,8.44%] .

EXAMPLE 3 Compound F

A stirred solution of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate (0.49g) in toluene (100ml) was treated with a suspension of 4-decyloxyaniline (l.24g) and triethylamine (0.7ml) in toluene (150ml) at the ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere and stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture was heated at 100°C for 5 hours. The mixture was treated with 3-amino-N-butyl- 4-(methylthio)benzamide (1.19g) and stirring was continued at 100°C for a further period of 2 hours. The mixture was allowed to stand at the ambient temperature for 18 hours, and then it was diluted with dichloromethane (500ml) , washed with hydrochloric acid (2xl00ml;2N) , dried over magnesium sulphate, and then evaporated. The resulting residue was dissolved in a hot mixture of ethyl acetate and ethanol (150ml;l:lv/v) . Upon cooling, a solid separated out and was discarded. The remaining filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to a volume of about 50ml, when a second solid separated. This second solid was recrystallised from ethanol, to give N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylthio¬ phenyl)-N'-(4-decyloxyphenyl)urea (0.65g), in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 110-112°C. [Elemental analysis:- C,67.60;H,8.5;N,7.90%; calculated:- C,67.80; H,8.44;N,8.18%].

EXAMPLE 4 Compounds G, H. I, J. K and L

A stirred solution of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate (0.99g) in toluene (200ml) was treated with 4-undecyloxyaniline (2.63g) at the ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere. The suspension was then treated with triethylamine (2.79ml), resulting in a thick slurry. It was then heated at 100°C 2 hours, with vigorous stirring. The suspension was then filtered and the filtrate was treated with 3-amino-N- butyl-4-(methoxy)benzamide (2.24g). This mixture was then stirred at 100°C for 2 hours, allowed to stand at the ambient temperature for 18 hours, and then evaporated. The resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (300ml) and the solution was washed with hydrochloric acid (2xl00ml;4N) . The organic solution was dried over magnesium sulphate and treated with activated charcoal. After filtration, the colourless solution was evaporated and the residue recrystallised from aqueous ethanol, to give N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2- methoxyphenyl)-N'-(4-undecyloxyphenyl)urea (3.2g) in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 84-86°C. [Elemental analysis:- C,68.30;H,8.80;N,8.00;H_O,3.6%; calculated for C_3QH₄₅N₃0₄:H₂0:- C,68.20;H,8.94;N,7.93; H₂0,3.4%].

By proceeding in a similar manner, but using the appropriate quantities of the corresponding aniline derivatives, there were prepared:-

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoy1-2-methylphenyl)-N'-(4-nonyloxy¬ phenyl)urea in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 171-172°C (from ethyl acetate) [Elemental analysis:- C,71.80;H,8.90;N,8.80%; calculated:- C,71.91;H,8.84; N,8.99%]; N-(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(4-nonyl- oxyphenyl)urea in the form of tiny colourless needles, m.p. 155-157°C (from ethanol) [Elemental analysis:- C,65.10;H,7.50;N,5.80%; calculated:- C,65.47;H,7.47; N,6.11%];

N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]- N'-(4-nonyloxyphenyl)urea in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 120-123°C (from ethyl acetate) [Elemental analysis:- C,62.40;H,7.80;N,7.70%; calculated:- C,62.63;H,7.59;N,8.12%];

N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]- N -(4-undecyloxyphenyl)urea in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 130-131°C (from ethanol) [Elemental analysis:- C,64.1;H,8.2;N,7.4%; calculated:- C,63.82; H,7.94;N,7.70%]; and

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoy1-2-methylphenyl)-N'-(4-undecyl- oxyphenyl)urea in the form of a colourless solid, m.p. 159-164°C (from ethyl acetate) [Elemental analysis:- C,72.25;H,9.2;N,8.3%; calculated:- C,72.69;H,9.15; N,8.48%].

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1

A suspension of N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-(2- methoxy-5-methoxycarbonylphenyl)urea (10.67g) and sodium hydroxide (l.02g) in a mixture of ethanol (250ml) and water (25ml) was heated at reflux for 90 minutes. The mixture was then cooled, acidified by treatment with hydrochloric acid (2 ) and diluted with water (50ml) . The solid which separated was recrystallised from a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and dimethylformamide, to give N-(5-carboxy-2-methoxy- phenyl)-N'-(4-deσyloxyphenyl)urea in the form of colourless crystals, m.p. 261-263°C.

The present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutical formulations which comprise at least one of the compounds of formula I in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or coating. In clinical practice the compounds of the present invention may be administered parenterally, rectally or orally.

Solid compositions for oral administration include compressed tablets, pills, powders and granules. In such solid compositions, one or more of the active compounds is, or are, admixed with at least one inert diluent such as starch, sucrose or lactose. The compositions may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g. lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate.

Liquid compositions for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art such as water and liquid paraffin. Besides inert diluents such compositions may comprise adjuvants, such as wetting and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavouring, perfuming and preserving agents. The compositions according to the invention for oral administration also include capsules of absorbable material such as gelatin, containing one or more of the active substances with or without the addition of diluents or excipients.

Preparations according to the invention for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous, aqueous-organic, and organic solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Examples of organic solvents or suspending media are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. The compositions may also contain adjuvants such as stabilising, preserving, wetting, emulsifying and dispersing agents. They may be sterilised, for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporation in the compositions of sterilising agents, by irradiation or by heating. They may also be manufactured in the form of sterile solid compositions, which can be dissolved in sterile water or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use.

Solid compositions for rectal administration include suppositories formulated in accordance with known methods and containing at least one compound of formula I.

The percentage of active ingredient in the compositions of the invention may be varied, it being necessary that it should constitute a proportion such that a suitable dosage shall be obtained. Obviously, several unit dosage forms may be administered at about the same time. The dose employed will be determined by the physician, and depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, the route of administration and the duration of the treatment, and the condition of the patient. In the adult, the doses are generally from about 0.5 to about 70, preferably about 1 to about 10, mg/kg body weight per day by oral administration.

The following Example illustrates pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention.

COMPOSITION EXAMPLE 1 No. 2 size gelatin capsules each containing:- N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N'-[2-methylthio-5-(2- methylthioethylcarbamoy1)phenyl]urea 20 mg lactose 100 mg starch 60 mg dextrin 40 mg magnesium stearate 1 mg were prepared in accordance with the usual procedure.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A diphenylurea derivative of the formula:

wherein R¹ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, X¹ represents an oxygen atom, or a group of the formula -OCH₂- or -S(0)_n-, wherein n represents zero, 1 or 2, R² and R³ may be the same or dif erent and each represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, R⁴ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, a dimethylamino group or a group of the formula -OR⁶ or -S(0)_mR⁶, wherein represents zero, 1 or 2 and R⁶ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, and R⁵ represents a group of the formula -NR⁷R⁸ or -OR⁹, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, and R⁹ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon- carbon double bonds, and optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms.

2. A compound according to claim l wherein R⁶ and R⁹ each independently represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms and R⁷ and R⁸ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl , or dialkylaminoalkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms.

3. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the symbols has a value selected from the following:-

(i) R¹ represents an alkyl group containing from 8 to

12 carbon atoms; (ii) X¹ represents an oxygen atom; (iii) R² and R³ each represents a hydrogen atom; (iv) R⁴ represents an alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio group containing 1 or 2 carbon atoms; (v) R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom; (vi) R⁸ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 5 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an oxygen or sulphur atom; and/or (vii) R⁹ represents an alkyl group containing up to 3 carbon atoms; the other symbols being as hereinbefore defined.

4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein R¹ represents an alkyl group containing 9, 10 or 11 carbon atoms; R⁴ represents an alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio group containing 1 carbon atom and R⁸ represents a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing up to 5 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by an oxygen or sulphur atom; and R⁹ represents methyl.

5. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein R⁸ represents an alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl group containing 3 or 4 carbon atoms.

6. A compound according to claim 1 which is N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N*-[2-methylthio-5-(2- methylthioethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]urea;

N-( -decyloxyphenyl)-N'-(2-methoxy-5-methoxy- carbonylphenyl)urea;

N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N*-[2-methoxy-5-(2-methoxy- ethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]urea;

N-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-N*- [2-methoxy-5-(2-methyl- thioethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]urea;

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-N'-(4- decyloxyphenyl)urea; N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(4- decyloxyphenyl)urea;

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-N•-(4- undecyloxyphenyl)urea;

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylphenyl)-N*-(4- nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

N-(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylthiophenyl)-N*-(4- nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoyl)- phenyl]-N•-(4-nonyloxyphenyl)urea;

N-[2-methylthio-5-(2-methylthioethylcarbamoyl)- phenyl]-N'-(4-undecy1oxypheny1)urea; or

N-(5-N-butylcarbamoyl-2-methylphenyl)-N*-(4- undecyloxyphenyl)urea.

7. A process for the preparation of a diphenylurea derivative according to claim 1 which comprises:

(A) when R² represents a hydrogen atom and the other symbols are as defined in claim 1, the reaction of a compound of the general formula:

II

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are as defined in claim 1 with a compound of the general formula :

wherein R¹ and X¹ are as defined in claim 1, which compound is optionally prepared in situ;

(B) the reaction of a compound of the general formula:

R⁹OH V wherein R⁹ is as defined in claim 1, or a compound of the general formula :

HNR⁷R⁸ VI

wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of the general formula :

VII

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and X¹ are as defined in claim 1 and Z¹ represents a halogen atom;

(C) the oxidation of a compound of formula (I) wherein at least one of m and n is zero into a compound of formula (I) wherein m and/or n is greater than in the starting material; optionally followed by the conversion of a compound of formula (I) thus obtained into another compound of formula

(I).

8. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a diphenylurea derivative according to claim 1 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or coating.

9. A pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of a condition which can be ameliorated by administration of an inhibitor of aσyl coenzyme- A:cholesterol-0-acyl transferase which comprises a diphenylurea derivative according to claim 1 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or coating.

10. A method for the treatment of a condition which can be ameliorated by an inhibitor of acyl coenzyme- A:cholesterol-0-acyl transferase which comprises the administration of a diphenylurea derivative according to claim 1.