WO1997042183A1

WO1997042183A1 - Benzofuryl derivatives and their use

Info

Publication number: WO1997042183A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/002092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Bös; Heinz Stadler; Jürgen Wichmann
Original assignee: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag
Priority date: 1996-05-03
Filing date: 1997-04-24
Publication date: 1997-11-13
Also published as: JP3148253B2; CN1217720A; AU2769697A; CA2253547A1; EP0906301A1; AU712056B2; PT906301E; CO4940471A1; TR199802206T2; KR100343060B1; JPH11508283A; DE69716062T2; KR20000010708A; BR9708902A; MA24168A1; EP0906301B1; ES2182070T3; CA2253547C; ZA973708B; HRP970225A2

Abstract

The invention is concerned with the use of compounds of general formula (I) wherein R1-R4 signify hydrogen, halogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, aryl, benzyloxy, lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl, lower-alkyl-sulphanyl, lower-alkyl-sulphanyl-lower-alkyl or R?1 and R2¿ together signify the group -O-(CH¿2?)2- or -(CH2)2-O- and R?5¿ signifies hydrogen or hydroxy, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts in the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow and, respectively, for the production of corresponding medicaments.

Description

Benzofuryl derivatives and their use

The invention is concerned with benzofuryl derivatives of the general formula

R⁴

wherein

RT -R⁴ signify hydrogen, halogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, aryl, benzyloxy, lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl, lower- alky l-sulphany I, lower-alkyl-sulphanyl-lower-alkyl or R¹ and R² together signify the group -O-(CH2)2- or -(CH2)2-0- and

R⁵ signifies hydrogen or hydroxy, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Some of these compounds are described in EP 0 352 832 for use as broncopulmonary active substances, especially for the treatment of asthma. Furthermore, the unsubstituted amidoxime is known as an antidepressant (Khim. Farm. Zhurnal, vol. 1 8, No. 1 1 , pp. 1 309-1 31 3, 1 984). Moreover, analgesic, inflammation- inhibiting and ulcerogenic properties of certain 2-benzofuryl- amidoxime derivatives are described in Eur. J. Med. Chem., No. 6, 1 982, pp. 577-581 .

It has surprisingly been found that the compounds of formula I have a strong affinity to serotonin receptors, primarily to the 5-HΪ2C and 5-HT2A receptors, and are accordingly suitable for the treatment of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system. Objects of the present invention are the use of compounds of formula I and of pharmaceutically usable salts thereof for the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow and, respectively, for the production of corresponding medicaments.

Further objects of the present invention are novel compounds from the group of compounds of formula I and their salts, their use as therapeutically active substances, the manufacture of the novel compounds and salts as well as medicaments based thereon and the production of such medicaments.

The term "lower-alky!" used in the present description denotes straight-chain or branched-chain saturated hydrocarbon residues such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl and the like with up to 7 carbon atoms. The terms "lower-alkoxy" denotes an alkyl residue in the sense of the foregoing definition bonded via an oxygen atom.

"Halogen" can signify fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

"Aryl" in the present description signifies phenyl and the like.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" embraces salts with inorganic and organic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, formic acid, maleic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, methanesulphonic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid and the like.

The binding of the compounds of formula I in accordance with the invention to selected serotonin receptors was determined in vitro by standard methods. It was thereby found that the amidines of the formula

R¹

IA

wherein Rϊ -R⁴ have the significance set forth above, show good activities in vitro, while the amidoximes of the formula

wherein R^ -R⁴ have the significance set forth above, are only active in vivo. As prodrugs the amidoximes have no affinity to the 5-HT2C receptor. However, they are converted in vivo into the corresponding amidines of formula IA.

Still novel and in the scope of the present invention especially preferred compounds from the group of amidines of formula IA are the following:

5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

4-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

6-fluoro-7-propylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine; 4,6-difluorbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine; 4-fluoro-6-propyl-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine; and 7-bromo-4-fluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine;

and from the group of amidoximes of formula IB the following:

5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime; 7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime; 5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime; 6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime;

7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime; and 4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime.

Furthermore, the following compounds, which are known per se, are especially suitable for the use referred to above:

benzofuran-2-carboxamidine and benzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime.

The manufacture of the specifically named novel compounds of formula IA can be effected by

a) reacting a compound of the formula

II

wherein

R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or

RT -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies ethoxy, or R¹ signifies methoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

R¹ signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or R¹ , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine, or R¹ signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ signifies n-propyl, R² signifies fluorine and R³ and

R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ and R³ signify hydrogen and R² and R⁴ signify fluorine, or R¹ signifies n-propyl, R⁴ signifies fluorine and R² and R³ signify hydrogen or R¹ signifies bromine, R⁴ signifies fluorine and R² and R³ signify hydrogen, or R¹ -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies fluorine, with an oxonium salt, preferably with triethyloxonium tetra- fluoroborate, and subsequently treating with an ammonium halide, or

b) converting a compound of the formula

III

wherein Rϊ -R⁴ have the significances set forth under a), with H2S gas into a corresponding thioamide and subsequently reacting this with an ammonium salt in the presence of an alkyl halide, or

c) hydrogenating a compound of formula IB in which R^"> -R⁴ have the significances set forth under a), and

d) if desired, converting a compound of formula IA into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The manufacture of the specifically named novel compounds of formula IB can be effected by

e) reacting a compound of formula III in which R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or R¹ signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or R¹ , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine or R¹ signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen with hydroxylamine, and

f) if desired, converting a compound of formula IB into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

A more detailed description of process variants a), d) and e) set forth above is given in Examples 1 -1 8. The starting materials are known or can be prepared in a generally usual manner illustrated in the Examples hereinafter or in analogy thereto.

In accordance with process variant b) for the manufacture of amidine compounds of formula IA, compounds of formula III are firstly converted into a corresponding thioamide by conducting a H2S stream through a mixture consisting of a compound of formula III, pyridine and triethylamine. Then, the thioamide is treated with an alkyl halide, for example with methyl iodide, and subsequently reacted with an ammonium salt, preferably with ammonium acetate.

The hydrogenation according to variant c) is effected according to generally usual methods, preferably with Ra-Ni in an ethanol/acetic acid mixture.

The following Scheme illustrates the manufacture of compounds of formula I. Scheme 1

R¹ R¹ R¹

In this RT -R⁴ have the significance described above and R⁶ signifies lower alkyl. As mentioned earlier, the compounds of formula I have valuable pharmacological properties, since they have a strong binding to serotonin receptors, primarily to 4-HT2C and 5-HT2A receptors, and are accordingly suitable for the treatment or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow.

The binding of compounds of formula I in accordance with the invention to selected serotonin inhibitors was determined in vitro by standard methods. The preparations were investigated in accordance with the tests given hereinafter:

a) Affinity to the 5-HT2C receptor in accordance with the [3H]-5-HT binding assay according to the method of S.J. Peroutka et al., Brain Research ££4, 191 -196 (1 992).

b) Affinity to the 5-HT£A receptor in accordance with the

[3H]-DOB binding assay according to the method of T. Branchek et. al., Molecular Pharmacology 23., 604-609 (1 990).

The pki values (pki = -log 10 Kj) of the test substances are given. The Ki value is defined by the following formula:

Ki = £50

1 + IL1 ^KD with the IC50 values being those concentrations of test compounds in nM at which 50% of the receptor-bonded ligands are displaced. [L] is the ligand concentration and the KD value is the dissocation constant of the ligand.

The thus-determined activity of some compounds in accordance with the invention will be evident from the following Table:

Penile erection (rats)

It has been shown that penile erection is dependent on the stimulation of 5HT2C receptors (see Berendsen & Broekkamp, Eur. J. Pharm., 135, 1 79-184 (1987).

The number of penile erections was determined within 45 minutes following the administration of the test substance to the animals. The ED50 is the dosage which causes 50% of these erections.

The compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. The administration can, however, also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions.

The compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be processed with pharmaceutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharma¬ ceutical preparations. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and the like can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for soft gelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature of the active ingredient no carriers are, however, usually required in the case of soft gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for the production of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants such as alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils and the like can be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula I, but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols and the like. The pharmaceutical preparations can also contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still other therapeutically valuable substances.

As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing a novel compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically inert excipient are also an object of the present invention, as is a process for the production of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more novel compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and, if desired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into a galenical administration form together with one or more therapeutically inert carriers. The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, in the case of intravenous administration a daily dosage of about 1 -1000 mg should be appropriate.

The following Examples are intended to illustrate the manufacture of the specific novel compounds in more detail.

Example 1

5.6-Difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

a) 7.29 ml (66.3 mmol) of titanium tetrachloride were added while stirring to a solution, cooled to 0°, of 5.73 g (39.8 mmol) of 3,4-difluoroanisole in 30 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane. Subsequently, the mixture was treated dropwise over 10 minutes with 3.51 ml (39.6 mmol) of 1 ,1 -dichloromethyl methyl ketone and stirred at room temperature for one hour. The mixture was poured into 1 00 ml of ice-water, extracted twice with 1 50 ml of dichloromethane each time and the combined organic phases were washed once with 100 ml of water and once with 100 ml of saturated sodium chloride solution. After drying over magnesium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chroma¬ tography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 4:1 ). There were obtained 5.8 g (84%) of 4,5-difluoro-2-methoxybenzaldehyde as a white solid with m.p. 74°.

b) A solution of 5.8 g (33.7 mmol) of 4,5-difluoro-2- methoxybenzaldehyde in 400 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane was treated dropwise at -70° while stirring over a period of 10 minutes with 37 ml (37 mmol) of a 1 M boron tribromide solution in dichloromethane. Subsequently, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 6 hours, poured on to 400 ml of ice-water and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted once with 400 ml of dichloromethane and the combined organic phases were washed once with 200 ml of satrurated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 4:1 ). There were obtained 5.05 g (94%) of 4,5-difluoro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde as a white solid with m.p. 64o.

c) A mixture of 6.5 g (41 .1 mmol) of 4,5-difluoro-2- hydroxybenzaldehyde, 10.4 ml (61 .7 mmol) of diethyl bromo- malonate, 1 1 .3 g (82.2 mmol) of potassium carbonate and 50 ml of ethyl methyl ketone was boiled at reflux for 3 hours while stirring, filtered and concentrated in a vacuum. The brown oil obtained was dissolved in 65 ml of ethanol, treated with 6.5 g of potassium hydroxide pellets and heated at reflux for one hour while stirring. The mixture was concentrated in a vacuum and the residue was treated with 65 ml of water and 65 ml of 3N sulphuric acid and heated at reflux over 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was filtered and the residue was washed with water and triturated in 50 ml of hexane over 30 minutes. The solid was filtered off and dried. There were obtained 4.95 g (60%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid as a light yellow solid with m.p. 270°. d) A mixture of 4.6 g (23.2 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran- 2-carboxylic acid and 25 ml of thionyl chloride was heated under reflux for 2.5 hours while stirring. Subsequently, the mixture was concentrated in a vacuum, the residue was dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran and the solution was added while stirring at room temperature over a period of 1 0 minutes to a mixture of 20 ml of ammonium hydroxide solution and 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for a further 30 minutes, poured into 1 50 ml of saturated sodium chloride solution and extracted twice with 250 ml of ethyl acetate each time. The combined organic phases were washed once with 1 00 ml of saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. There were obtained 4.38 g (95%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2- carboxamide as a beige solid with m.p. 21 7°.

e) A mixture of 1 .4 g (7.1 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran- 2-carboxamide and 1 .62 g (8.5 mmol) of triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate in 40 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane was stirred at room temperature over 64 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was poured into 70 ml of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, extracted twice with 100 ml of dichloro¬ methane each time and the combined organic phases were washed once with 70 ml of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. The brown solid obtained was dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous ethanol, treated with 2 g of ammonium chloride and heated under reflux for 22 hours. The mixture was diluted with 90 ml of ethyl acetate and extracted three times with 50 ml of water each time. Subsequently, the combined aqueous phases were made basic with 3N sodium hydroxide solution and the solid was filtered off and washed with water. After drying there was obtained 0.55 g (40%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2- carboxamidine as a white solid with m.p. 178°.

f) 0.55 g (2.8 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbox- amidine was dissolved in 1 0 ml of methanol-HCI (2.6N) and treated at room temperature while stirring with 1 00 ml of diethyl ether. The mixture was stirred for a further 3 hours and the white crystals were subsequently filtered off. There was obtained 0.61 g (87%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbox- amidine hydrochloride with m.p. >270°.

Example 2

4-Ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

a) A mixture of 1 g (5.64 mmol) of 4-hydroxybenzofuran-2- carboxamide, 0.5 ml (6.77 mmol) of ethyl bromide, 1 .56 g (1 1 .3 mmol) of potassium carbonate, 6 ml of anhydrous DMF and 50 ml of anhydrous acetone was heated at reflux over 24 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was poured on to 70 ml of ice-water, extracted twice with 100 ml of ethyl acetate each time and the combined organic phases were washed once with 100 ml of saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. There were obtained 1 .1 5 g (99%) of 4-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamide as a yellow solid with m.p. 1 1 3°.

Further reactions were effected analogously to Example 1 e-f. 4-Ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride was obtained as a white solid with m.p. >220°.

Example 3

7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example l e-f, starting from 7-methoxy- benzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 7-methoxy- benzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >220°. Example 4

7-Ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example I d-f, starting from 7-ethoxybenzo- furan-2-carboxylic acid there was obtained 7-ethoxybenzofuran- 2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 190°.

Example 5

5-Fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example I d-f, starting from 5-fluorobenzo- furan-2-carboxylic acid there was obtained 5-fluorobenzofuran- 2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >250°.

Example 6

6-Fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example 1 d-f, starting from 6-fluorobenzo- furan-2-carboxylic acid there was obtained 6-fluorobenzofuran- 2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >220°.

Example 7

7-Ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example l e-f, starting from 7-ethoxy- methyl-benzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 7-ethoxy- methylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >220°.

The 7-ethoxymethyl-benzofuran-2-carboxamide used was prepared as follows:

a) 4.67 g (1 6.5 mmol) of ethyl 7-bromomethyl-benzofuran-2- carboxylate were added to a solution of sodium ethanolate in anhydrous ethanol (freshly prepared from 400 mg (1 7.4 mmol) of sodium in 40 ml of anhydrous ethanol) and the mixture was heated at reflux for one hour. After cooling to room temperature the mixture was poured into 1 00 ml of 1 N HCl and extracted 5 twice with 1 50 ml of dichloromethane. After drying over magnesium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chroma¬ tography on silica gel (dichloromethane). There were obtained 2.8 g (69%) of ethyl 7-ethoxymethyl-benzofuran-2-carboxylate 10 as a pale yellow oil.

b) 40 ml of a 25% aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution were added to a solution of 2.8 g (1 1 .3 mmol) of ethyl 7-ethoxy- methyl-benzofuran-2-carboxylate in 20 ml of ethanol and the i 5 mixture was stirred at room temperature for three hours. The crystals formed were filtered off and dried in a high vacuum. There were thus obtained 1 .66 g (67%) of 7-ethoxymethyl- benzofuran-2-carboxamide as a white solid with m.p. 1 33-1 34°.

20 Example 8

6-Fluoro-7-propylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example l c-f, starting from 4-fluoro-2- 25 hydroxy-3-propyl-benzaldehyde there was obtained 6-fluoro-7- propylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >220°.

The 4-fluoro-2-hydroxy-3-propyl-benzaldehyde was 30 prepared as follows:

a) 66.7 ml (106.8 mmol) of a 1.6N butyllithium solution in hexane were added at -78° to a solution of 1 2 g (95.14 mmol) of 3-fluoroanisole in 240 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and the 35 mixture was stirred for one hour. Subsequently, 21 ml

(288 mmol) of propionaldehyde were added dropwise thereto at -78°, the mixture was stirred for one hour and the solution was left to come to room temperature. The mixture was poured into 240 ml of I N HCl and extracted twice with 250 ml of diethyl ether each time After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloro- methane/hexane 1 :1 ). There were obtained 1 5 g (86%) of 1 -(2- fluoro-6-methoxy-phenyl)-propan-1 -ol as a pale yellow oil.

b) 500 mg of palladium-on-charcoal (1 0%) were added to a solution of 1 5 g (81 .4 mmol) of 1 -(2-fluoro-6-methoxy-phenyl)- propan-1 -ol in 200 ml of ethanol and the mixture was hydrogenated at room temperature for 10 hours. The catalyst was filtered off over Dicalite and the filtrate was concentrated in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 1 :2). There were obtained 1 0.9 g (73%) of 1 -fluoro-3-methoxy-2- propyl-benzene as a pale yellow oil.

c) 24 ml (24 mmol) of a 1 M boron tribromide solution in dichloromethane were added at -78° to a solution of 3.36 mmol (20 mmol) of l -fluoro-3-methoxy-2-propyl-benzene in 25 ml of dichloromethane and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. After warming to room temperature the mixture was poured cautiously on to 100 ml of ice-water and extracted twice with 250 ml of dichloromethane each time. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 4:1 ). There were obtained 2.9 g (94%) of 3-fluoro-2-propyl-phenol as a pale yellow oil.

d) A solution of 1 .4 g (1 1 .7 mmol) of propargyl bromide in 1 ml of dimethylformamide was added dropwise to a suspension of 1 .3 g (8.4 mmol) of 3-fluoro-2-propyl-phenol and 1 .7 g of potassium carbonate in 4 ml of dimethylformamide and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for one hour. The mixture was poured on to 30 ml of ice-water and extracted three times with 50 ml of dichloromethane each time. After drying concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 1 :1 ). There were obtained 1 .45 g (90%) of 1 -fluoro-2-propyl-3-prop-2-ynyloxy-benzene as a pale yellow oil.

e) A suspension of 1 .5 g (7.8 mmol) of 1 -fluoro-2-propyl-3- prop-2-ynyloxy-benzene and 1 .7 g (1 1 .1 5 mmol) of caesium fluoride in 1 4 ml of diethylaniline was heated at reflux in a metal bath for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature 100 ml of diethyl ether were added thereto and insoluble constituents were filtered off. The diethyl ether phase was washed three times with 60 ml of 1 N hydrochloric acid, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 1 :2). There was obtained 0.6 g (40%) of 6-fluoro-2-methyl-7-proρyl-benzofuran as a pale yellow oil.

f) Ozone was conducted at -78° into a solution of 4.8 g

(25 mmol) of 6-fluoro-2-methyl-7-propyl-benzofuran until the colour became blue. Subsequently, argon was conducted through the solution which was then treated at -78° with 1 0 ml (1 36 mmol) of dimethyl sulphide. After warming to room temperature the solution was concentrated in a vacuum and the residue was dissolved in 40 ml of ethanol. After the addition of 20 ml of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution the mixture was stirred at 70° for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was poured on to 200 ml of ice-water, made acid with 10% HCl and extracted three times with 1 50 ml of diethyl ether each time. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane). There were obtained 3.3 g (72%) of 4-fluoro-2-hydroxy-3-propyl- benzaldehyde as a pale yellow oil. Example 9

4-Fluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example 1 c-f, starting from 6-fluoro-2- hydroxybenzaldehyde there was obtained 4-fluoro-benzofuran-2- carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >220°.

Example 10

4.6-Difluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example 1 c-f, starting from 2,4-difluoro-6- hydroxy-benzaldehyde there was obtained 4,6-difluoro- benzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >250°.

Example 1 1

4-Fluoro-6-propyl-benzofuran-3-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example l c-f, starting from 6-fluoro-2- hydroxy-3-propyl-benzaldehyde there was obtained 4-fluoro-6- propyl-benzofuran-3-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 208-210°.

The 6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-3-propyl-benzaldehyde used was prepared as follows:

a) A solution of 42.95 g (0.36 mol) of propargyl bromide in 30 ml of dimethylformamide was added dropwise to a suspension of 50 g (0.26 mol) of 2-bromo-5-fluoro-phenol and 55 g of potassium carbonate in 300 ml of dimethylformamide and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for two hours. The mixture was poured on to 1 500 ml of ice-water and extracted three times with 600 ml of dichloromethane each time. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 1 :1 ). 58 g (97%) of 1 -bromo-4-fluoro-2-prop-2-ynyloxy-benzene were obtained as a pale yellow oil.

b) A suspension of 57 g (250 mmol) of 1 -bromo-4-fluoro-2- prop-2-ynyloxy-benzene and 53 g (350 mmol) of caesium fluoride in 400 ml of diethylaniline was heated at reflux in a metal bath for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature 1 500 ml of diethyl ether were added thereto and the insoluble constituents were filtered off. The diethyl ether phase was washed three times with 600 ml of 1 N hydrochloric acid, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (hexane). 51 .4 g (89%) of 7-bromo-4-fluoro-2-methyl- benzofuran were obtained as a pale yellow oil.

c) A solution of 5.75 g (25.1 mmol) of 7-bromo-4-fluoro-2- methylbenzofuran in 90 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise to a suspension of 0.625 g (27.5 mmol) of Mg in 100 ml of boiling tetrahydrofuran and the mixture was stirred at reflux for 2.5 hours. Subsequently, it was cooled to 10°C, 2.75 ml (37.5 mmol) of propionaldehyde were added dropwise thereto and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture was poured into 200 ml of I N hydrochloric acid and extracted three times with 1 50 ml of dichloromethane. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 4:1 ). 3.6 g (55%) of 1 -(4- fluoro-2-methyl-benzofuran-7-yl)-propan-1 -ol were obtained as a pale yellow oil.

d) A suspension of 4.0 g (19.2 mmol) of 1 -(4-fluoro-2- methyl-benzofuran-7-yl)-propan-l -ol and 0.7 g of Pd/C in 60 ml of ethanol was hydrogenated for 2 hours. The catalyst was filtered off, the ethanol was evaporated in a vacuum and the crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 4:1 ). There were obtained 2.6 g (72%) of a 4:1 mixture of 4-fluoro-2-methyl-7-propyl- benzofuran and 4-fluoro-2-methyl-7-propyl-2,3-dihydro- benzofuran, which was used as such in the next reaction.

e) Ozone was conducted at -78°C into a solution of 6.6 g (34 mmol) of a 4:1 mixture of 4-fluoro-2-methyl-7-propyl- benzofuran and 4-fluoro-2-methyl-7-propyl-2,3-dihydro- benzofuran until the colour became blue. Subsequently, argon was conducted through the solution which was then treated at -78°C with 1 3 ml of dimethyl sulphide. After warming to room temperature the solution was concentrated in a vacuum and the residue was dissolved in 50 ml of ethanol. After the addition of 50 ml of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution the mixture was stirred at 70°C for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was poured on to 200 ml of ice-water, made acid with 10% HCl and extracted three times with 1 50 ml of diethyl ether each time. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/hexane 2:3). There were obtained 5.0 g (1 00%) of 6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-3- propyl-benzaldehyde as a pale yellow oil, which was used immediately in the next reaction.

Example 1 2

7-Bromo-4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine

Analogously to Example l c-f, starting from 3-bromo-6- fluoro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde there was obtained 7-bromo-4- fluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. >230°.

The 3-bromo-6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde used was prepared as follows:

Ozone was conducted into a solution of 8.0 g (35 mmol) of

7-bromo-4-fluoro-2-methylbenzofuran at -78°C until the colour became blue. Subsequently, argon was conducted through the solution which was then treated at -78°C with 13 ml of dimethyl sulphide. After warming to room temperature the solution was concentrated in a vacuum and the residue was dissolved in 50 ml of ethanol. After the addition of 50 ml of 3% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution the mixture was stirred at 70° for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was poured on to 200 ml of ice-water, made acid with 10% HCl and extracted three times with 1 50 ml of diethyl ether. After drying over sodium sulphate concentration was carried out in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloro- methane/hexane 4:1 ). There were obtained 7.5 g (98%) of 3- bromo-6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde as a pale yellow oil, which was used immediately in the next reaction.

Example 13

5.6-Difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

a) 1 .5 g (7.61 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbox- amide were treated with 8 ml of phosphorus oxychloride and heated under reflux over a period of 5 minutes while stirring. Subsequently, the clear solution was added dropwise while stirring to a mixture of 36 ml of ammonium hydroxide solution and 64 g of ice, with the temperature not exceeding 20°. The mixture was stirred for a further 30 minutes and the beige crystals were subsequently filtered off. There were obtained 1 .2 g (88%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbonitrile as a beige solid with m.p. 103°.

b) A mixture of 1 .2 g (6.7 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran- 2-carbonitrile, 0.93 g (13.4 mmol) of hydroxylamine hydro¬ chloride, 2.78 g (20.1 mmol) of potassium carbonate and 50 ml of anhydrous ethanol was heated under reflux over 1 6 hours while stirring. Subsequently, the solid was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated in a vacuum. The crude product obtained was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane 3:2). There was obtained 0.88 g (61 %) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime as a light yellow solid with m.p. 184°. c) 0.88 g (4.1 5 mmol) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbox- amidoxime was dissolved in 5 ml of methanol-HCI (2.6N) and treated at room temperature while stirring with 1 00 ml of diethyl ether. The mixture was stirred for a further 4 hours and the white crystals were subsequently filtered off. There were obtained 1 .01 g (98%) of 5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carbox- amidoxime hydrochloride with m.p. 193°.

Example 14

7-Ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

Analogously to Example 1 3a-c, starting from 7-ethoxy- benzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 7-ethoxybenzo- furan-2-carboxamidoxime hydrochloride as a light yellow solid with m.p. 1 71 °.

Example 1 5

5-Fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

Analogously to Example 1 3a-c, starting from 5-fluoro- benzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 5-fluorobenzo- furan-2-carboxamidoxime hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 203-204°.

Example 16

6-Fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

Analogously to Example 1 3a-c, starting from 6-fluoro- benzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 6-fluorobenzo- furan-2-carboxamidoxime hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 224-225°. Example 1 7

7-Ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

Analogously to Example 1 3a-c, starting from 7-ethoxy- methylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide there was obtained 7-ethoxy- methylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 200-202°.

Example 1 8

4-Fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

Analogously to 1 3a-c, starting from 4-fluorobenzofuran-2- carboxamide there was obtained 4-fluorobenzofuran-2- carboxamidoxime hydrochloride as a white solid with m.p. 186- 188°.

Example A

Tablets of the following composition are produced in the usual manner:

mα/Tablet Active ingredient 100

Powd. lactose 95

White corn starch 35

Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8

Na carboxymethylstarch 10 Magnesium stearate 2

Tablet weight 250

Example B

Tablets of the following composition are produced in the usual manner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 200

Powd. lactose 100

White corn starch 64

Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1 2

Na carboxymethylstarch 20

Magnesium stearate 4

Tablet weight 400

Example C

Capsules of the following composition are produced:

mα/Capsule

Active ingredient 50 Cryst. lactose 60

Microcrystalline cellulose 34

Talc 5

Magnesium stearate 1

Capsule fill weight 1 50

The active ingredient having a suitable particle size, the crystalline lactose and the microcrystalline cellulose are homo¬ geneously mixed with one another, sieved and thereafter talc and magnesium stearate are admixed. The finished mixture is filled into hard gelatine capsules of suitable size.

Claims

1. The use of compounds of the general formula

wherein

R! -R⁴ signify hydrogen, halogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, aryl, benzyloxy, lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl, lower- alkyl-sulphanyl, lower-alkyl-sulphanyl-lower-alkyl or R¹ and R² together signify the group -0-(CH2)2^_ or -(CH2)2-0- and R⁵ signifies hydrogen or hydroxy, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts in the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow and, respectively, for the production of corresponding medicaments.

2. The use of

5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

4-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, benzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 6-fluoro-7-propylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 4,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 4-fluoro-6-propyl-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine and 7-bromo-4-fluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

in accordance with claim 1 .

3. The use of

5,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime,

7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, benzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime,

5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, 6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime,

7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime and

4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime

in accordance with claim 1 .

4. Compounds of the general formula

wherein

R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or RT -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies ethoxy, or

R¹ signifies methoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

R¹ signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or R¹ , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine, or R¹ signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ signifies n-propyl, R² signifies fluorine and R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen or RT -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies fluorine.

5. Compounds of the general formula

wherein R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or R¹ signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or R¹ , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine, or R¹ signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen.

6. 5,6-Difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

4-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

6-fluoro-7-propylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine, 4,6-difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

4-fluoro-6-propyl-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

7-bromo-4-fluoro-benzofuran-2-carboxamidine,

in accordance with claim 4.

7. 5,6-Difluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime,

7-ethoxybenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, 5-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, 6-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, 7-ethoxymethylbenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime, 4-fluorobenzofuran-2-carboxamidoxime,

in accordance with claim 5.

8. A medicament, especially for the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow, containing one or more compounds according to any one of claims 4-7 and a therapeutically inert excipient.

9. A process for the manufacture of compounds of the formula

wherein

R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or

R¹ -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies ethoxy, or R¹ signifies methoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

Ri signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or Ri , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine, or R1 signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

Ri signifies n-propyl, R² signifies fluorine and R³ and

R⁴ signify hydrogen, or R¹ and R³ signify hydrogen and R² and R⁴ signify fluorine, or Ri signifies n-propyl, R⁴ signifies fluorine and R² and R³ signify hydrogen or R¹ signifies bromine, R⁴ signifies fluorine and R² and R³ signify hydrogen, or R! -R³ signify hydrogen and R⁴ signifies fluorine, which process comprises

a) reacting a compound of the formula

II

wherein Rϊ -R⁴ have the significance set forth earlier in this claim, with an oxonium salt, preferably with triethyloxonium tetra¬ fluoroborate, and subsequently treating with an ammonium halide, or

b) converting a compound of the formula

III

wherein R1 -R⁴ have the significance set forth earlier in this claim, with H2S gas into a corresponding thioamide and subsequently reacting this with an ammonium salt in the presence of an alkyl halide, or c) hydrogenating a compound of formula IB in which Rϊ -R⁴ have the significance set forth earlier in this claim, and

d) if desired, converting a compound of formula IA into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

10. A process for the manufacture of compounds of the formula

wherein

R¹ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² and R³ signify fluorine, or R¹ signifies ethoxy and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, or

R¹ , R² and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R³ signifies fluorine, or R¹ , R³ and R⁴ signify hydrogen and R² signifies fluorine, or R¹ signifies methyloxyethyl and R²-R⁴ signify hydrogen, which process comprises

e) reacting a compound of the formula

III

wherein R¹ , R², R³ and R⁴ have the significance set forth earlier in this claim, with hydroxylamine and f) if desired, converting a compound of general formula IB into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

1 1. Compounds according to any one of claims 4-7, whenmanufactured by a process according to claim 9 or 1 0 or a process equivalent thereto.

12. Compound according to any one of claims 4-7 for use as therapeutically active substances, especially for the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system.

13. The use of compounds according to any one of claims 4-7 as therapeutically active substances.

14. The use of compounds according to any one of claims 4-7 in the control or prevention of illnesses or disorders of the central nervous system such as migraine, schizophrenia, anxiety states, sleep disorders, anorexia, Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, etc.), as well as disorders which result from damage to the head/brain or to the spinal column/bone marrow and, respectively, for the production of corresponding medicaments.

15. The invention as hereinbefore described.