WO2007019867A1 - Novel 2,3-dihydroindole compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The compounds are useful in the treatment of a disease where a D4 receptor and/or a 5-HT2A receptor is implicated.

Description

Novel 2,3-dihydroindole compounds

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel 2,3-dihydroindole compounds having affinity for the dopamine D₄ receptor and for the 5-HT₂A receptor. The compounds are therefore useful in the treatment of certain psychiatric and neurologic disorders, in particular psychoses.

Background of the Invention

Dopamine D₄ receptors belong to the dopamine D₂ subfamily of receptors, which is considered to be responsible for the antipsychotic effects of neuroleptics. The characteristic extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptic drugs, which primarily exert their effect via antagonism of D₂ receptors, are known to be due to D₂ receptor antagonism in the striatal regions of the brain. However, dopamine D₄ receptors are primarily located in areas of the brain other than striatum, suggesting that antagonists of the dopamine D₄ receptor will be devoid of extrapyramidal side effects. This is illustrated by the antipsychotic clozapine, which exerts higher affinity for D₄ than D₂ receptors and is lacking extrapyramidal side effects (Van ToI et aL Nature 1991, 350, 610; Hadley Medicinal Research Reviews 1996, 16, 507-526, and SannerExp. Opin. Ther. Patents 1998, 8, 383-393).

A number of D₄ ligands, which are postulated to be selective D₄ receptor antagonists, (L- 745,879 and U-101958), have been shown to posses antipsychotic potential (Mansbach et aL Psychopharmacology 1998, 135, 194-200). However, recently it has been reported that these compounds are partial D₄ receptor agonists in various in vitro efficacy assays (Gazi et al. Br. J. Pharmacol. 1998, 124, 889-896 and Gazi et al. Br. J. Pharmacol. 1999, 128, 613- 620). Furthermore, it was shown that clozapine, which is an effective antipsychotic, is a silent antagonist (Gazi et aL Br. J. Pharmacol. 1999, 128, 613-620).

Consequently, D₄ ligands, which are partial D₄ receptor agonists or antagonists, may have beneficial effects against psychoses. Dopamine D₄ antagonists may also be useful for the treatment of cognitive deficits (Jentsch et al. Psychopharmacology 1999, 142, 78-84).

Furthermore, evidence for a genetic association between the "primarily inattentive" subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a tandem duplication polymorphism in the gene encoding the dopamine D₄ receptor has been published (McCracken et al. MoI. Psychiat. 2000, 5, 531-536). A link between the D₄ receptor and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is further strengthen by published data showing that D₄ receptor antagonists counteract the hyperactivity in rats induced by neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesions, a preclinical model for this disease (Zhang et al. Psychopharmacology 2002, 161, 100-106). This clearly indicates a link between the dopamine D₄ receptor and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and ligands affecting this receptor may be useful for the treatment of this particular disorder.

Various effects are known with respect to compounds, which are ligands at the different serotonin receptor subtypes. As regards the 5-HT₂A receptor, which was previously referred to as the 5-HT₂ receptor, the following effects have been reported e.g.:

Antidepressive effect and improvement of the sleep quality (Meert et aL Drug. Dev. Res. 1989, 18, 119.), reduction of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and of extrapyramidal side-effects caused by treatment with classical neuroleptics in schizophrenic patients (Gelders British J. Psychiatry 1989, 155 (suppl. 5), 33).

Furthermore, selective 5-HT₂A antagonists could be effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of migraine (Scrip Report; "Migraine - Current trends in research and treatment"; PJB Publications Ltd.; May 1991) and in the treatment of anxiety (Colpart et al.

Psychopharmacology 1985, 86, 303-305 and Perregaard et al. Current Opinion in

Therapeutic Patents 1993, 1, 101-128).

Some clinical studies implicate the 5-HT₂ receptor subtype in aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, a typical serotonin-dopamine antagonist neuroleptics have 5-HT₂ receptor antagonistic effect in addition to their dopamine blocking properties, and they have been reported to possess anti-aggressive behaviour (Connor et al. Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents. 1998, 8(4), 350-351). Recently, evidence has also accumulated which support the rational for selective 5-HT₂A antagonists as drugs capable of treating positive symptoms of psychosis (Ley sen et aL Current Pharmaceutical Design 1997, 3, 367-390 and Carlsson Current Opinion in CPNS Investigational Drugs 2000, 2(1 ), 22-24).

Accordingly, dopamine D₄ receptor ligands are potential drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses, and compounds with combined effects at dopamine D₄ and 5-HT₂A receptors may have the further benefit of improved effect on positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia, including depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Dopamine D₄ ligands related to the compounds of the invention are known from WO 98/28293. The indane and dihydroindole derivatives disclosed herein have the general formula

wherein A is an indole and Y is a group completing an indane or a dihydroindole and the other substituents are as defined in the application.

Other dopamine D₄ ligands, wherein the indane or dihydroindole is replaced by a pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine, a benzimidazole or a furo[2,3-b]pyridine, are described in WO 94/20497, WO 94/22839 and US 5,700,802.

Most lipofilic drugs are mainly eliminated from the body through oxidative metabolism in the liver catalyzed by variuous cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.

The in vivo hepatic blood-clearance (CL_b), considered to be the single most important pharmacokinetic parameter for the drugability of a drug (Bennet, L. The role of pharmacokinetics in the drug development process. Integration of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology in rational drug development, Ed. A. Yacobi et al, Plenum Press, New York, 1993. P. 115- 123), may in theory be estimated by calculation from the intrinsic clearance CLm_t, the hepatic blood flow (Q) and the free unbound fraction (f_u) of the drug in the blood as CL_b = (Q * f_u * CL_1nO / (Q + f_u * CL_1nO. From this follows that drug substances with high measured values for CL^ CL_b will in vivo approximate to the hepatic blood flow (Q) resulting in low oral bioavailability and short half- lives.

The intrinsic clearance (CLj_nO is a theoretic measure for the metabolic capacity of a liver when there is no restrictions in blood supply of nutrients, co-factors etc. An in vitro approach for determining values for intrinsic clearance (CLj_nO in humans and animals using in vitro human and animal liver preparations, as described in detail by e.g. Obach, S. et al., The Prediction of Human Pharmacokinetic Parameters from Preclinical and In Vitro Metabolism Data. JPET. Vol. 283, Issue 1, 46-58, 1997, is widely implemented in the pharmaceutical industry and used for evaluating and optimizing drugability of potential drug candidates.

The oral bioavailability and systemic half- life of a compound in vivo are closely related to the blood-clearance, and compounds with higher oral bioavailability and longer half- lives in humans may be sought in a discovery program by optimization on intrinsic clearance (CLjnO, using human liver preparations, for values well below the average human liver blood flow of approximately 1.4 L/min.

One problem associated with some of the above-described compounds is that they possess poor oral bioavailability and that they are too rapidly cleared from the blood resulting in a very short half-live.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide compounds that are partial agonists or antagonists at the dopamine D₄ receptor, in particular such compounds with combined effects at the dopamine D₄ receptors and the 5-HT₂A receptor. Another object is to provide such compounds with an improved pharmacokinetic profile, e.g. higher bioavailability and/or longer half-lives.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to novel compounds of formula I

wherein X-Y is selected from N-CH₂, C=CH and CH-CH₂;

Z is CR 1ⁱ0^υ or N; R¹ Is A₅ AOr A"

A^' A^" wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond;

R² and R³ are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl;

R⁴-R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, C_1-6-alkyl, C_1-6-alkoxy and halogen;

R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen;

R¹⁰ is hydrogen or halogen;

R¹¹ and R¹² are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl;

or enantiomers or salts thereof.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula I as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, aggression, cognitive disorders, side effects induced by conventional antipsychotic agents, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in the improvement of sleep.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I as defined above in a therapeutically effective amount together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents.

In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to a method of treating a disease where a D₄ receptor and/or a 5-HT₂A receptor is implicated comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined above.

In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a method of treating the positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, aggression, cognitive disorders, side effects induced by conventional antipsychotic agents, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in the improvement of sleep comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined above .

In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to the use of compounds of the present invention in therapy.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein X-Y is N-CH₂.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein X-Y is C=CH. In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein X-Y is CH-CH₂.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein Z is CR¹⁰.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein Z is N.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R¹ is A

A wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R¹ is A'

A^' wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R¹ is A"

A^" wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R² and R³ are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl, preferably methyl.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein both R² and R³ are hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R⁴-R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, C_1-6-alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, C_1-6-alkoxy, preferably methoxy and halogen, preferably fluor.

In another particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R⁴- R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen and fluor.

In a more particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein only one of R⁴-R⁷, selected from R⁴, R⁵ and R⁷, is different from hydrogen.

In a yet more particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R⁴-R⁷ are all hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as ddeefifinneedd aabboovvee w wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen, preferably fluor. In a more particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein both R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R¹⁰ is hydrogen or halogen, preferably flour.

In a more particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein R¹⁰ is hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as ddeefifinneedd aabboovvee wwhheerreeiinn RR¹¹¹¹ aanndd R R¹² are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6- alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl.

In a more particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above wherein both R^{1 !} and R¹² are hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to compounds of formula I, wherein R² and R³ are both hydrogen; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, fluor and methoxy; and R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are all hydrogen. Within this embodiment, particular mentioning is made of X-Y representing N-CH₂ and of Z representing CR¹⁰.

Particular compounds of the invention are compounds selected from:

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide;

(+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide;

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-

IH- indo Ie-I -carboxylic acid amide; (+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5- fluoro-lH-indole-1 -carboxylic acid amide;

(i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol- l-yl)-acetamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((-)-(i?)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(7-Fluoro-lH-indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide; 2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-

JV-methyl-acetamide; iV-Methyl-2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}- 2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-acetamide;

(i?5)-2-((5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l- yl)-propionamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- iV,iV-dimethyl-acetamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- 2-oxo-acetamide;

2-Oxo-2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3- dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-

2-oxoacetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-2-oxo-acetamide; (+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH- indole-1-carboxylic acid amide; and

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide; or salts thereof. The term C_1-6-alkyl refers to a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from one to six carbon atoms inclusive, such as methyl, ethyl, 1 -propyl, 2-propyl, 1 -butyl, 2-butyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl, and 2-methyl-l -propyl.

The term C_1-6- alkoxy designates such groups in which the alkyl group is C_1-6- alkyl as defined above.

Halogen means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

The present invention also comprises salts of the compounds of the invention, typically, pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The salts of the invention include acid addition salts, metal salts, ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts.

A "therapeutically effective amount" of a compound as used herein means an amount sufficient to cure, alleviate or partially arrest the clinical manifestations of a given disease and its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as

"therapeutically effective amount". Effective amounts for each purpose will depend on the severity of the disease or injury as well as the weight and general state of the subject. It will be understood that determining an appropriate dosage may be achieved using routine experimentation, by constructing a matrix of values and testing different points in the matrix, which is all within the ordinary skills of a trained physician. The term "treatment" and "treating" as used herein means the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a condition, such as a disease or a disorder. The term is intended to include the full spectrum of treatments for a given condition from which the patient is suffering, such as administration of the active compound to alleviate the symptoms or complications, to delay the progression of the disease, disorder or condition, to alleviate or relief the symptoms and complications, and/or to cure or eliminate the disease, disorder or condition as well as to prevent the condition, wherein prevention is to be understood as the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating the disease, condition, or disorder and includes the administration of the active compounds to prevent the onset of the symptoms or complications. Nonetheless, prophylactic

(preventive) and therapeutic (curative) treatment are two separate aspect of the invention. The patient to be treated, i.e. the patient in need thereof, is preferably a mammal, in particular a human being.

The salts of the invention are preferably acid addition salts. The acid addition salts of the invention are preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention formed with non-toxic acids. Acid addition salts include salts of inorganic acids as well as organic acids. Examples of suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, phosphoric, sulfuric, sulfamic, nitric acids and the like. Examples of suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, benzoic, cinnamic, citric, fumaric, glycolic, itaconic, lactic, methanesulfonic, maleic, malic, malonic, mandelic, oxalic, picric, pyruvic, salicylic, succinic, methane sulfonic, ethanesulfonic, tartaric, ascorbic, pamoic, bismethylene salicylic, ethanedisulfonic, gluconic, citraconic, aspartic, stearic, palmitic, EDTA, glycolic, p- aminobenzoic, glutamic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic acids, theophylline acetic acids, as well as the 8-halotheophyllines, for example 8-bromotheophylline and the like. Further examples of pharmaceutical acceptable inorganic or organic acid addition salts include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts listed in J. Pharm. Sd. 1977, 66, 2, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of metal salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium salts and the like. Examples of ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts include ammonium, methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, ethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, diethyl-, n-butyl-, sec-butyl-, tert-butyl-, tetramethylammonium salts and the like.

Further, the compounds of this invention may exist in unsolvated as well as in solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol and the like. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of this invention.

The compounds of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric centres and it is intended that any isomers (i.e. enantiomers or diastereomers), as separated, pure or partially purified and any mixtures thereof including racemic and diastereomeric mixtures, i.e. a mixture of stereoisomers, are included within the scope of the invention.

Racemic forms can be resolved into the optical antipodes by known methods, for example, by fractional separation of diastereomeric salts thereof with an optically active acid, and liberating the optically active amine compound by treatment with a base. Another method for resolving racemates into the optical antipodes is based upon chromatography on an optically active matrix. The compounds of the present invention may also be resolved by the formation of diastereomeric derivatives. Additional methods for the resolution of optical isomers, known to those skilled in the art, may be used. Such methods include those discussed by J. Jaques, A. Collet and S. Wilen in "Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions", John Wiley and Sons, New York (1981). Optically active compounds can also be prepared from optically active starting materials, by stereoselective synthesis or by enzymatic resolution.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, or those which are manufactured in accordance with this invention, may be administered by any suitable route, for example orally in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, syrups, etc., or parenterally in the form of solutions for injection. For preparing such compositions, methods well known in the art may be used, and any pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients or other additives normally used in the art may be used. Tablets may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with ordinary adjuvants and/or diluents and subsequently compressing the mixture in a conventional tabletting machine. Examples of adjuvants or diluents comprise: corn starch, potato starch, talcum, magnesium stearate, gelatine, lactose, gums, and the like. Any other adjuvants or additives usually used for such purposes such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives etc. may be used provided that they are compatible with the active ingredients.

Solutions for injections may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient and possible additives in a part of the solvent for injection, preferably sterile water, adjusting the solution to desired volume, sterilising the solution and filling it in suitable ampules or vials. Any suitable additive conventionally used in the art may be added, such as tonicity agents, preservatives, antioxidants, etc.

Conveniently, the compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 0.01 to about 8000 mg, preferably from about 0.05 to about 5000 and more preferred from about 0.1 to about 1000 mg, the actual dosage may however vary e.g. according to the specific compound. The term "unit dosage form" refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients or other additives normally used in the art.

The compounds of the invention are effective over a wide dosage range. For example, dosages per day normally fall within the range of about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight, preferably within the range of about 0.1 to about 75 mg/kg. However, it will be understood that the amount of the compound actually administered will be determined by a physician, according to the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, and the severity of the patient's symptoms, and therefore the above dosage ranges are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. In some instances dosage levels below the lower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate, while in other cases still larger doses may be employed without causing any harmful side effect, provided that such larger doses are first divided into several smaller doses for administration throughout the day.

The compounds of the invention are prepared by the following general methods:

1) Alkylating a piperazine, piperidine or tetrahydropyridine of formula II with an alkylating derivative of formula III:

wherein R¹, R⁴-R⁹, X-Y and Z are as previously defined, and L is a leaving group such as e.g. halogen, mesylate or tosylate

2) Introduction of R¹ at the indoline nitrogen atom of formula IV by e.g. alkylation, acylation or carbamoylation:

IV

wherein R⁴-R⁹, X-Y and Z are as previously defined, by the use of an alkylating agent, an activated ester, an acid chloride, a carboxylic acid and a coupling reagent 3) Reduction of the pyridinium halide of formula V:

wherein R¹, R⁴-R⁹ and Z are as previously defined and A^" is a negatively charged counter ion such as e.g. a halide, by the use of a reducing agent such as e.g. sodium borohydride

4) Reduction of the tetrahydropyridine of formula VI:

Vl wherein R¹, R⁴-R⁹ and Z are as previously defined under reducing conditions such as e.g. hydrogenation in the presence of e.g. palladium; whereupon the compound of formula I is isolated as the free base or a pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

Alkylation according to method 1) and 2) is conveniently performed in an inert organic solvent such as a suitably boiling alcohol or ketone, preferably in the presence of an organic or inorganic base (potassium carbonate, diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine) at reflux temperature. Alternatively, the alkylation can be performed at a fixed temperature, which is different from the boiling point, in one of the above-mentioned solvents or in dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or JV-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP), preferably in the presence of a base. In some cases it is an advantage to add e.g. potassium iodide to the reaction mixture.

Piperazines of formula II are e.g. prepared from nitroindoles or substituted nitroindoles by reduction of the nitro group to the corresponding aniline. The aniline is then converted into a piperazine by methods obvious to a chemist skilled in the art (see e.g. Kruse et al. Red.Trav.Chim.Pays.Bas. 1988 707, 303-309 and WO 98/28293). Furthermore, piperazines of formula II are prepared from properly substituted nitro- or amino-2,3- dihydro-lH-indoles, which subsequently are oxidized to their corresponding indoles and subjected to piperazine synthesis as described above, or alternatively, which subsequently are subjected to piperazine synthesis as described above and oxidized to their corresponding indoles. The tetrahydropyridines are prepared by the method described in WO 94/20459, whereas the corresponding piperidines are prepared from the corresponding tetrahydropyridines by reduction of the double bond by e.g. hydrogenation.

The alkylating derivatives of formula III are described in the literature (see e.g. WO 98/28293) or by analogous methods.

Compounds of formula IV are prepared by method 1), where R₁ is a protecting group. R₁ is e.g. an acetyl or a boc group, which can be removed under acidic and/or alkaline condition.

Compounds of formula V are prepared by alkylation of 5-(pyridin-4-yl)- IH- indoles with alkylating derivatives of formula III, e.g. in 1,4-dioxane or in a ketone. The 5-(pyridin-4- yl)- IH- indoles are prepared by e.g. palladium catalyst cross coupling of an JV-protected 5- halo- IH- indole with e.g. pyridine-4-boronic acid in an appropriate solvent.

Compounds of formula VI are prepared as described in method 3). Experimental Section

LC-MS

General: Solvent system: A = water/TFA (100:0.05) and B = water/acetonitrile/TFA (5:95:0.035) (TFA = trifluoroacetic acid). Retention times (RT) are expressed in minutes. MS instruments are from PESciex (API), equipped with APPI-source and operated in positive ion mode.

Method A: API 150EX and Shimadzu LC8/SLC-10A LC system. Column: 30 x 4.6 mm Waters Symmetry Cl 8 with 3.5 μM particles operated at room temperature. Linear Gradient elution with 90% A to 100% B in 4 min and a flow rate of 2 ml/min.

Method B: API 150EX and Shimadzu LCIOAD/SLC-IOA LC system. Column: 30 x 4.6 mm Waters Atlantis dC18 with 3 μM particles operated at 60 ⁰C. Linear Gradient elution with 98% A to 100% B in 2.4 min and a flow rate of 3.3 ml/min.

Method C: API 300 and Shimadzu LClOADvp/SLC-lOAvp LC system. Column: 30 x 4.6 mm Waters Atlantis dC18 with 3 μM particles operated at 60 ⁰C. Linear Gradient elution with 98% A to 100% B in 1.6 min and a flow rate of 5.2 ml/min.

Optical rotation

Optical rotation was as standard performed as a single determination at a concentration of 1% of compound on a Perkin Elmer Polarimeter model 241 apparatus, using the Na 589 nm Spectral Line for the measurements. As standard, the experiment was done at ambient temperature and in dimethyl sulfoxide.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein (to the maximum extent permitted by law), regardless of any separately provided incorporation of particular documents made elsewhere herein. The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. For example, the phrase "the compound" is to be understood as referring to various compounds of the invention or particular described aspect, unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise indicated, all exact values provided herein are representative of corresponding approximate values (e.g., all exact exemplary values provided with respect to a particular factor or measurement can be considered to also provide a corresponding approximate measurement, modified by "about," where appropriate).

The description herein of any aspect or aspect of the invention using terms such as "comprising", "having," "including," or "containing" with reference to an element or elements is intended to provide support for a similar aspect or aspect of the invention that "consists of, "consists essentially of, or "substantially comprises" that particular element or elements, unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by context (e.g., a composition described herein as comprising a particular element should be understood as also describing a composition consisting of that element, unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by context).

Examples

Preparation of intermediates

A. Amines and pyridines

5-(Piperazin- 1 -vD- IH- indole.

A mixture of 5-nitro-lH-indole (34 g), palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (2.5 g) and ethyl acetate was shaken at room temperature for 1.5 h under 3 atmospheres of hydrogen. The mixture was filtered, and the solvent was removed in vacuo to yield a solid (28 g), which was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (400 mL). This solution was added to a boiling mixture of iV-benzyliminodiacetic acid (54.4 g) and l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole (82.4 g) in tetrahydrofuran (1100 mL), and the resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 3 h. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silicagel (eluent: ethyl acetate/triethylamine 100:4) to give a solid (57.5 g), which subsequently was suspended in tetrahydrofuran (300 mL) and added to alane in tetrahydrofuran (500 mL) at 5-16 ⁰C. The alane was prepared from lithium aluminium hydride (25 g) and 96% sulphuric acid (32.3 g). The mixture was stirred at 5 ⁰C for 45 min and subsequently quenched by addition of water (50 mL), 15 % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (25 mL) and water (125 mL). The mixture was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silicagel (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give a brown oily compound (44.9 g), which subsequently was dissolved in methanol (1000 mL). Ammonium formate (150 g) and palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (12 g) was added, and the mixture was boiled under reflux for 45 min, cooled, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran/ethyl acetate and poured onto brine. Concentrated aqueous ammonia solution was added to the mixture under cooling to give an alkaline reaction mixture. The two phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with tetrahydroiuran/ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was precipitated from tetrahydroiuran/heptane to give the title compound (17.3 g).

5-r3.6-Dihvdro-2H-pyridin-4-ylVlH-indole. 5-(3,6-Dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl)-lH-indole was prepared as described in WO 94/20459.

5-rPiperidin-4-ylV lH-indole. A mixture of 5-(3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl)-lH-indole (3.4 g), platinum oxide (0.2 g) and acetic acid (50 mL) was shaken at room temperature for 24 h and under 3 atmospheres of hydrogen. The mixture was filtered, and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silicagel (eluent: 4 M ammonia in methanol) to give the title compound (1.3 g). 5-(Piperazin-l-yl)-lH-pyrrolor2,3-clpyridine.

To a solution of ethyl piperazine-1-carboxylate (80.7 g, 0.51 mol) in ethanol (500 mL) was added a solution of 2-chloro-4-methyl-5-nitropyridine (22 g, 0.13 mol) in ethanol (500 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days and filtered. The filter cake was washed with diisopropyl ether to give a yellow powder (38.2 g). This compound was mixed with JV,iV-dimethyl formamide dimethylacetal (86 mL, 0.65 mol) and dimethyl formamide (450 mL), and the resulting mixture was heated at 90 ⁰C for 3 days. The mixture was poured onto brine and extracted with tetrahydrofuran. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was precipitated from a mixture of tetrahydroiuran/ethyl acetate/heptane (38.9 g). This compound (27.1 g, 0.78 mol) was dissolved in tetrahydroiuran (600 mL) and ethanol (50 mL), and acetic acid (10 mL) and palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (4.0 g) was added. The mixture was hydrogenated at 3 bar for 4 h and filtered. Triethylamine (25 mL) was added to the filtrate, and the resulting mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate) to give a syrup (19.8 g). The syrup (18.3 g) was dissolved in ethanol (240 mL), and a solution of potassium hydroxide (22.5 g, 0.4 mol) in water (60 mL) was added to this solution. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 48 h, reduced in vacuo (100 mL) and brine was added. The aqueous mixture was extracted with tetrahydrofuran. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, treated with activated carbon, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo (11.6 g). The residue was precipitated from tetrahydroiuran/methanol to give the title compound (8.0 g).

5-rPyridin-4-ylV lH-indole A mixture of pyridine-4-boronic acid (5.0 g, 0.041 mol), tert-buty\ 5-bromo-indo Ie-I- carboxylate (11.8 g, 0.04 mol), 2 M aqueous sodium carbonate (80 mL, 0.16 mol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.92 g, 0.0008 mol), ethanol (19 mL) and toluene (175 mL) was boiled under reflux for 12 h. The experiment was repeated with the double amount of starting materials, e.g. 10 g of pyridine-4-boronic acid. The combined reaction mixture from the two experiments was poured onto a saturated sodium chloride solution (brine), and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate followed by ethyl acetate/triethylamine 95:5) to give tert-butyl 5-pyridin-4-yl-indole-l-carboxylate (25.5 g, 61%), which was dissolved in a mixture of methanol (500 mL), tetrahydrofuran (200 mL) and 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide (25 mL). The mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h, concentrate in vacuo to 200 mL and poured onto brine. The aqueous phase was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was precipitated from a cold mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran to give the title compound as a creamy solid (9.5 g, 54%). A second crop of the title compound was obtained from the mother liquor (1.7 g, 9%).

7-Fluoro-5-(piperazin- 1 - vD- IH- indole

To a mixture of 7-fluoro-lH-indole (18.5 g, 0.14 mol), borane trimethylamine complex (80 g, 1.1 mol) and 1,4-dioxane (700 mL) was, over a periode of 15 min, added a 37% aqueous HCl (80 mL) solution. The resulting solution reached a maximum temperature of 40 ⁰C, and the solution was subsequent stirred at room temperature for another 16 h. The mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h, 6 M aqueous HCl (500 mL) was added, and the resuting mixture was boiled under reflux for another 15 min. The solution was concentrated at atmospheric pressure and poured onto a mixture of ice and brine. The aqueous phase was made alkaline by the use of 25% aqueous ammonia and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in a mixture of triethylamine (38 mL, 0.27 mol) and tetrahydrofuran (350 mL) and cooled to 10 ⁰C. Acetyl Chloride (11.2 g, 0.14 mol) was added to the mixture, which thereafter was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 50:50) to give l-(7-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol-1-yl-ethanone (16.7 g, 0.09 mol), which was dissolved in acetic acid (250 mL). To this mixture was added 100% nitric acid (5.8 ml, 0.14 mol) over a period of 5 min, and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction was not run to completion, and an additional amount of 6 mL of 100% nitric acid was added. Another 6 mL ofl00% nitric acid was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture was poured onto a mixture of ice and brine. The aqueous phase was made alkaline by the use of 25% aqueous ammonia and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was crystallised from a mixture of ethyl acetate and 2-propanol to give l-(7-fluoro-5-nitro-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-ethanone (15.9 g), which was dissolved in methanol (500 mL). To this solution was added ammonium formate (44.4 g, 0.7 mol) and palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (4.0 g), and the mixture was boiled under reflux for 30 min. The mixture was cooled in an ice bath, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in methanol (10OmL) and ethyl acetate ( 500 mL), and ammonium formate precipitated out of solution and was removed by filtration. The mother liquor was concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 65:35) to give l-(5-amino-7-fluoro-2,3- dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-ethanone (13.1 g, >91%). The compound was dissolved in methanol (350 mL), 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (100 mL) and water (100 mL), and the resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 4 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to a volume of about 200 mL, and brine (1 L) was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 7- fluoro-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-5-ylamine (11.0 g, 96%). This compound was dissolved in p- xylene (500 mL), and palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (7.5 g) was added. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux by the use of a Dean/Stark trap for 1.5 h, cooled and filtered. The filter cake was washed with ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran, and the organic phases were combined and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 50:50) to give 7-fluoro-lH-indol-5-ylamine (3.3 g, 29%). A further batch of 7-fluoro-lH-indol-5-ylamine was prepared (0.2 g), and the combined batch was used in the following. A mixture of iV-benzyliminodiacetic (5.9 g, 0.027 mol), l,l'-carbonyldiimidazole (9.0 g, 0.056 mol) and tetrahydroiuran (175 mL) was boiled under reflux for 30 min. To this solution was added a solution of 7-fluoro-lH-indol- 5-ylamine (3.47 g, 0.023 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (75 mL) over a period of 1 h. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 3 h and concentrated in vacuo to 50 mL. This solution was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 80:20) to give 4- benzyl-l-(7-fluoro-lH-indol-5-yl)piperazine-2,6-dione (7.8 g, 95%), which was dissolved in tetrahydroiuran (75 mL) and subsequently added drop wise to a solution of alane in tetrahydroiuran over 60 min at 5-10 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 7 °C for 30 min and then quenched by addition of water (6.5 mL), 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide (3.25 mL) and water (16 mL). MgSO₄ was added to the mixture, which was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 50:50) to give 5-(4-benzylpiperazin-l-yl)-7-fluoro-lH-indole (4.9 g, 63%). The alane was prepared as described in the following: Lithium aluminium hydride (3.23 g, 0.085 mol) was suspended in tetrahydrofuran (100 mL), and the mixture was cooled to 6 °C. To this suspension was added a mixture of 96% sulphuric acid in tetrahydrofuran (75 mL) over 30 min at 5-11 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h at 5-7 °C to give alane in tetrahydrofuran.

A mixture of 5-(4-benzylpiperazin-l-yl)-7-fluoro-lH-indole (4.9 g, 0.016 mol), ammonium formate (16.0 g, 0.25 mol), palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (2.0 g) and methanol (100 mL) was boiled under reflux for 2 h. The mixture was cooled, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 25% aqueous ammonia (50 mL) and brine, and the aqueous phase was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from a mixture of tetrahydroiuran, ethyl acetate and diisopropyl ether to give the title compound (1.6 g,

%).

B. Alkylating reagents

Methyl ri?S)-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnacetate.

A mixture of commercially available (lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (200 g, 1.14 mol), methanol (2700 mL) and a saturated solution of HCl in diethyl ether (750 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was subjected to aqueous work-up under alkaline conditions by the use of aqueous ammonia to yield methyl (lH-indol-3-yl)acetate as an oil (202.5 g, 94%). The crude oil was dissolved in acetic acid (2 L), and sodium cyanoborohydride (60 g, 0.95 mol) was added in portions of 1 g over a period of 8 h. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h and then poured onto an ice/water mixture. Aqueous work-up under alkaline conditions gave the crude product that was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 1 : 1) to give the title compound (97.3 g, 48%). Ethyl ri?S)-r2.3-Dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-vnacetate.

A mixture of ethyl (5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (Bullock et al. J.Am.Chem.Soc. 1951, 73, 5155-5157) (72.5 g, 0.33 mol), 70% methane sulfonic acid (aq) (50 mL) and palladium (5 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (20 g) in ethanol (700 mL) was treated with hydrogen at 3 bar and 50 ⁰C for 48 h. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and aqueous ammonia was added. The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo (55 g, 75%).

Methyl (i?5V( l-fer^Butoxycarbonyl-23-dihvdro- IH- indo 1-3 -vDacetic acid. Methyl (i?5)-(2,3-Dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (97.2 g, 0.51 mol) was dissolved in tetrahydroiuran (1000 mL), and a solution of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (118.2 g, 0.54 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (500 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h and poured into water. The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). The organic solvent was removed in vacuo, and the oily residue was purified by flash chromatography (heptane/ethyl acetate 2:1) to give crude title compound (148 g, 100%).

EthvUi?S)-ri-fert-Butoxycarbonyl-2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-vDacetic acid was prepared in a similar manner starting from ethyl (i?5)-(2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3- yl)acetate.

(+)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihvdro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid. Methyl (i?5)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid

(50 g, 0.17 mol) was mixed with Candida Antarctica Lipase (CAL, SP-435, Novo Nordisk, Denmark) (2.5 g) and subsequently added 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pΗ = 7.0) (3 L) under vigorous stirring. The resulting mixture was stirred vigorously at 25 °C for 120 h, and the pΗ was maintained at 7 by the addition of 0.5 N NaOH. After addition of about 0.45 equivalent of base, filtering off the enzyme stopped the reaction. The enzyme was washed with diethyl ether (1 L), and the pΗ of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 8. The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether (2 x 1 L), and the combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give crude methyl (R)-(\-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid, which was used for the synthesis of (-)-(i?)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (see below). The aqueous phase was cooled by addition of ice, and the pΗ adjusted to 1.5 with 37% HCl (aq). The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether (3 x 1 L), and the combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give crude title compound (enantiomeric excess was about 80-85%). A number of precipitations from diisopropyl ether gave the title compound: mp 137-138 °C; enantiomeric excess 96.5%; [OC]_D = +12.8 ° (c = 0.45, methanol). The chiral analysis was performed on a Ultron ES OVM 150 x 4.6 mm, flow 1.0 ml/min, eluent 25mM phosphate buffer (pΗ ≡ 4.6) / methanol / 2-propanol / tetrahydrofuran 90/5/5/0.5, T = 30 °C. Enantiomeric purities expressed as enantiomeric excess (ee) were calculated from peak areas.

(+)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid was assigned as the (S)- enantiomer, as the dihydrogen phosphate salt of 2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol (obtained as described below from (+)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3- yl)acetic acid) was measured as the (+)-enantiomer (Frydenvang et al. Chirality 2004, 16, 126-130).

The following compound was prepared in a similar manner:

(+)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid from ethyl (i?5)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid.

Assignment of the optical rotation was done in methanol.

(-)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihvdro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid.

Crude methyl (i?)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (33.7 g, 0.116 mol) was treated with CAL enzyme and subsequently subjected to work-up as described above for the synthesis of the (+)-(£)-enantiomer. The residue, which was further enriched in the (i?)-enantiomer, was purified by flash chromatography and dissolved in a mixture of ethanol (500 ml) and 1 N NaOH (500 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min, and the ethanol was removed in vacuo. The aqueous phase was washed with diethyl ether, cooled by the addition of ice, and the pΗ was adjusted to 1. The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether (3 x 400 mL), and the combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent was removed in vacuo (31 g, enantiomeric excess: 94.6%). The residue was precipitated from diisopropyl ether (50 ml) to give the title compound (26 g): mp 136-137 °C; enantiomeric excess 97.7%; [OC]_D = -12.6 ° (c = 0.47, methanol). The chiral analysis was performed on a Ultron ES OVM 150 x 4.6 mm, flow 1.0 ml/min, eluent 25mM phosphate buffer (pH ≡ 4.6) / methanol / 2-propanol / tetrahydrofuran 90/5/5/0.5, T = 30 °C. Enantiomeric purities expressed as enantiomeric excess (ee) were calculated from peak areas.

Methyl fSH2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-yr)acetate. (+)-(5)-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (14.2 g, 0.05 mol) was dissolved in methanol (600 mL), cooled (5 °C) and a saturated solution of HCl in diethyl ether (150 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h, concentrated in vacuo to about 50 mL and poured onto an ice/water mixture. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate and diethyl ether, and the combined organic phases were washed with aqueous ammonia and brine. The organic phase was dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (9.8 g, 100%).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner:

Methyl ri?Vr2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnacetate from (-)-(i?)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid.

Methyl (R) or fSΗ2.3-Dmvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-vnacetate fenantiomer A) from (+)-(l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetic acid.

ri?S)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol.

Methyl (&S)-(2,3-Dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (30.0 g, 0.16 mol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (500 mL) and subsequently added to a suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (10.6 g, 0.28 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (500 mL) over a period of 75 min at 33-39 °C. The reaction was quenched by sequential addition of water (20 mL), 15% NaOH (10 mL) and water (50 mL), and then MgSO₄. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (24.2 g, 95%). The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner: rS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol from methyl (5)-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate

ri?V2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol from methyl (7?)-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate

(R) or rS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol from methyl (R) or (5)-(2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (enantiomer A)

ri?S)-2-r4-Methyl-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol

A mixture of 4-methyl-lH-indole (15.7 g, 0.12 mol), diethyl ether (300 mL) and tetrahydroiuran (300 mL) was stirred at room temperature. To this solution was added oxalyl chloride (22.8 g, 0.18 mol) drop wise. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. Ethanol (100 mL) was added, and the mixture was stirred for 5 min. Triethylamine (100 mL) was added under cooling (20-30 ⁰C) and then ice (200 mL) and brine (1 L). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The solid compound formed was stirred with diethyl ether, collected by filtration and dried in vacuo to give ethyl (4-methyl-lH-indol-3-yl)-oxo-acetate (22.5 g). This compound was dissolved in tetrahydroiuran (250 mL) and subsequently added to lithium aluminium hydride (13 g, 0.35 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (500 mL). The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h and then quenched with water (50 mL). The mixture was filtered, and the mother liquor was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane 50:50) and subsequently crystallised from ethyl acetate to give 2-(4- methyl-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol (14.4 g, 85%). To a mixture of 2-(4-methyl-lH-indol-3- yl)ethanol (14.4 g, 0.08 mol), borane trimethylamine complex (64 g, 0.88 mol) and 1,4- dioxane (500 mL) was added 37% aqueous HCl (55 mL), and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture was boiled under reflux for 1.5 h. 6 M aqueous HCl (260 mL) was added, and 300 mL of 1,4-dioxane/water was removed by distillation. The aqueous phase was cooled to 20 ⁰C and then made alkaline by the use of 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide. The aqueous phase was added brine (500 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (12.5 g, 86%).

The following compound was prepared in a similar manner:

ri?S)-2-r7-Methoxy-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol from 7-methoxy- IH- indole.

(iSV3-(2-Bromoethviy2,3-dihvdro-lH-mdole-l-carboxylic acid amide. To a solution of (5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol (23.4 g, 0.14 mol), 37% HCl (aq) (15 mL) and water (15 mL) was added a solution of potassium cyanate (12.6 g, 0.15 mol) in water (85 mL) over a period of 10 min. The resulting mixture was added water (60 mL) and then poured onto a mixture of ice and brine. The aqueous phase was made alkaline by the use of 25% NH₃ (aq) and subsequently extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). The organic phase was filtered and concentrated in vacuo (19.9 g). The residue was dissolved in tetrahydroiuran (400 mL) and triethylamine (20 mL), which subsequently was cooled to 3 ⁰C. To this mixture was added a solution of methanesulfonyl chloride (8.6 mL, 0.11 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (100 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was dissolved in acetone (1400 mL) and lithium bromide (83.8 g, 0.96 mol) was added. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate) and precipitated from ethyl acetate and heptane to give the title compound (8.8 g).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner:

(i?)-3-(2-Bromoethyl)-2,3-dihvdro-lH-indole-l-carboxylic acid amide from (i?)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol.

(R) or (i-?)-3-(2-Bromoethyl)-2,3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indole-l-carboxylic acid amide from methyl (R) or (5)-(2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (enantiomer A) via (R) or rS)-2-r2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-vnethanol. (i?i-?)-3-(2-Bromoethyl)-2,3-dihvdro-lH-indole-l-carboxylic acid amide irom (i?5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol.

1 - \(S)-3 -f 2-BromoethylV 2.3 -dihvdro- lH-indol- 1 - yll -ethanone.

To a cooled (-28 °C) solution of (S)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol (8.5 g, 0.052 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (500 mL) and triethylamine (5.6 g, 0.055 mol) was added a solution of acetyl chloride (4.0 g, 0.051 mol) in tetrahydroiuran (200 mL) over a period of 35 min at -35 to -30 °C. The mixture was stirred at -25 to -18 °C for 20 min, and an additional amount of triethylamine (6.3 g, 0.062 mol) was added followed by a solution of methanesulfonyl chloride (6 g, 0.052 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (200 mL) over a period of 25 min at -12 to -3 °C. The resulting mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetone (600 mL) and lithium bromide (21.7 g, 0.25 mol) was added. The mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (heptane/ethyl acetate 1 : 1 ) to give the title compound (10.6 g, 76%).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner: l-rri?V3-r2-BromoethylV2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-yll-ethanone from (i?)-2-(2,3-Dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol.

l-rri?) or rS)-3-r2-BromoethylV2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-l-yll-ethanone from methyl (R) or (5)-(2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)acetate (enantiomer A) via (R) or fS)-2-f2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-mdol-3-vDethanol.

l-rri?S)-3-r2-BromoethylV2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-yll-ethanone from (i?5)-2-(2,3-Dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol. l-rri?S)-3-r2-BromoethylV4-methyl-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-yll-ethanone from (i?£)-2-(4-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol

l-rri?S)-3-r2-BromoethylV7-methoxy-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-yll-ethanone from (i?£)-2-(7-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethanol

C. Indolincs

5-{4-rrS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperazin-l-yli-lH-indole A mixture of 5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-indole (38.0 g, 0.19 mol), l-[(5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3- dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl]-ethanone (49.6 g, 0.19 mol) and potassium carbonate (32 g, 0.23 mol) in a mixture of iV,iV-dimethyl formamide (400 mL) and butanone (800 mL)_was boiled under reflux for 8 h. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The reaction was performed once more with the same amounts of starting material, and the combined residues were purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 90:5:5). The purified residue was precipitated from a mixture of methanol/ethyl acetate/heptane to give a solid (77.4 g). This compound (77.2 g, 0.20 mol) was suspended in methanol (1000 mL), and to this suspension was added a mixture of 37% HCl (aq) (125 mL) and water (125 mL). The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 4.5 h. The mixture was poured onto ice and brine, and the aqueous phase was made alkaline by the use of 25% NH₃ (aq). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo (75.1 g). The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 90:5:5) to give the title compound as a solid (58.8 g).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner:

5-{4-rri?V2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperazin-l-yli-lH-indole from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)- IH- indole and l-[(i?)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l- yl]-ethanone. 5- {4- \(R) or (S)-2-(23 -Dihydro-5-fluoro- lH-indol-3 -vD-ethyll -piperazin- 1 - ylj - lH-indole from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)- IH- indole and 1-[(R) or (5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-5- fluoro-lH-indol-l-yl]-ethanone (obtained from enantiomer A).

5-{4-rrS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperazin-l-yl|-lH-pyrrolor2.3-clpyridine from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine and l-[(5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3- dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl] -ethanone.

5-{4-rri?S)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperazin-l-yli-lH-indole from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-indole and l-[(i?5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l- yl] -ethanone.

5-{4-rrS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperazin-l-yli-7-fluoro-lH-indole from 7-Fluoro-5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-indole and l-[(5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl] -ethanone

5- {4- r2-rri?S)-4-Methyl-2.3 -dihvdro- lH-indol-3 - ylVethyll -piperazin- 1 - ylj - lH-indole from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-indole and l-[(i?5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-4-methyl-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl] -ethanone.

5- {4- r2-rri?S)-7-Methoxy-2.3 -dihvdro- lH-indol-3 - ylVethyl] -piperazin- 1 - ylj - lH-indole from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)- IH- indole and l-[(i?5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl] -ethanone.

5-π-rrS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyl1-1.2.3.6-tetrahvdropyridin-4-yli-lH-indole A mixture of 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-lH-indole (17.2 g, 0.089 mol), l-[(5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3- dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl]-ethanone (28.5 g, 0.11 mol), 1,4-dioxane (900 mL), tetrahydroiuran (150 mL) and methanol (100 mL) was heated under reflux at approximately 80 ⁰C for 68 h. The mixture was cooled, and the solid formed was collected by filtration and washed with tetrahydroiuran. The compound was dried in vacuo to give 1 - [2-((S)- 1 -acetyl-2,3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)ethyl] -4-( lH-indol-5-yl)pyridinium bromide (27.5 g, 64%), which was suspended in methanol (900 mL) and cooled (5 ⁰C). To this mixture was added sodium borohydride (6.75 g, 0.18 mol) over a period of 20 min. The resulting mixture was stirred at 10 ⁰C for 1 h and concentrated to about 200 mL. The mixture was poured onto a mixture of brine (750 mL) and 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (20 mL), and the aqueous phase was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and tetrahydroiuran. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/tetrahydroiuran/triethylamine 70:25:5) to give l-((S)-3-{2-[4-(lH-indol-5- yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-ethanone (20.5 g, 85%). This compound (8.0 g, 0.02 mol) was dissolved in 1-propanol (220 mL) and heated to 60⁰C. To this mixture was added 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide, and the resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 7 h. The mixture was cooled and poured onto brine. The aqueous phase was extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was combined with a residue coming from another experiment starting from 1 g of l-((5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l- yl]ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-ethanone. The combined residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/triethylamine 95:5) to give the title compound (4.95 g)-

5-π-rrS)-2-r2.3-Dihvdro-lH-indol-3-ylVethyll-piperidin-4-yl|-lH-indole

A mixture of l-((5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]ethyl}-2,3- dihydro- lH-indol-l-yl)-ethanone (15.3 g, 0.040 mol), palladium (10 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (4.0 g), ammonium formate (50 g, 0.80 mol) and methanol (600 mL) was boiled under reflux for 3 h. The mixture was cooled and filtered, and the filter cake was washed with tetrahydrofuran. The organic phase was reduced in vacuo to 200 mL and poured onto a mixture of brine (IL) and 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (20 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo (13.2 g, 82%). This compound was dissolved in 1-propanol at 80 ⁰C, and 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (100 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 20 h. The mixture was poured onto brine, and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/triethylamine 95:5) to give the title compound (9.8 g, 80%).

Preparation of the compounds of the invention

Examples

Ia. (+)-rS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide.

^O

H₂N

A mixture of 5-(piperazin-l-yl)-lH-indole (3.37 g, 0.017 mol), (5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3- dihydro-lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide (3.0 g, 0.11 mol), potassium carbonate (2.31 g, 0.017 mol) in butanone (450 mL) was boiled under reflux for 12 h. The mixture was filtered, concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 70:25:5). The purified residue was precipitated from ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white solid (3.0 g). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 390 (MH⁺); RT = 1.55 (Method A).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner from:

lb. r+V3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide oxalate.

CO ^Η

from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)- IH- indole and (R) or (5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro- lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide (obtained from enantiomer A). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 408 (MH⁺); RT = 1.65 (Method A).

Ic. r+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Pyrrolor2.3-clpyridin-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyl|-2.3-dihvdro- lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide.

from 5-piperazin-l-yl-lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine and (5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro- lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 391 (MH⁺); RT = 1.05 (Method A).

Id. r+V3-{2-r4-riH-Pyrrolor2.3-clpyridin-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyl|-2.3-dihvdro-5- fluoro-lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide.

from 5-piperazin-l-yl-lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine and (R) or (£)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3- dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indole-l-carboxylic acid amide (obtained from enantiomer A). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 409 (MH⁺); RT = 1.23 (Method A).

Ie. ri?S)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide hydrochloride.

from 5-(piperazin-l-yl)- IH- indole and (i?5)-3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide.

LC/MS (m/z) 390 (MH⁺); RT = 1.56 (Method A).

2a. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV acetamide dihydrochloride.

To a clear solution of 2-chloroacetamide (17.7 g, 0.19 mol) in JV-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (500 mL) was slowly added a solution of 5-{4-[(£)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]- piperazin-1-yl}- IH- indole (52.6 g, 0.15 mol) in butanone (600 mL). Potassium iodide (29.0 g, 0.17 mol) and potassium carbonate (31.4 g, 0.15 mol) was added and the resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 1 h, filtered and poured onto a mixture of ice and brine. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 70:5:5) to give crude title compound (30.6 g). This was precipitated from methanol by addition of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether until pΗ was approximately 3. The compound was collected by filtration as a powder (7.7 g). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 404 (MH⁺); RT = 1.48 (Method A).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner. 2b. 2-rr+V3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-5-fluoro-lH-indol- l-vD-acetamide dihydrochloride.

from 5-{4-[(R) or (S)-2-(2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH- indole (obtained from enantiomer A) and 2-chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 422 (MH⁺); RT = 1.67 (Method A).

2c. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Pyrrolor2.3-clpyridin-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro- lH-indol- 1 - vD-acetamide dihydrochloride.

from 5-{4-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-pyrrolo[2,3- c]pyridine and 2-chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 405 (MH⁺); RT = 1.16 (Method A).

2d. 2-rr-Vri?V3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV acetamide dihydrochloride.

from 5-{4-[(i?)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-indole and 2- chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 404 (MH⁺); RT = 1.51 (Method A).

2e. 2-rri?S)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV acetamide oxalate.

from 5-{4-[(i?5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-indole and 2- chloroacetamide.

LC/MS (m/z) 404 (MH⁺); RT = 1.0 (Method B).

2f, 2-((+)-(S)-3-{2-[4-(7-Fluoro-lH-indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol-l-yl)-acetamide oxalate.

from 5- {4- [(S)-2-(2,3 -dihydro- 1 H-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperazin- 1 -yl} -7-fluoro- 1 H-indole and 2-chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 422 (MH+); RT = 1.1 (Method B). 2g. 2-rri?S)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-4-methyl-2.3-dihvdro-lH- indol-1-vD-acetamide oxalate.

from 5- {4- [2-((R5)-4-methyl-2,3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperazin- 1-yl}- lH-indole and 2-chloroacetamide.

LC/MS (m/z) 418 (MΗ+); RT = 0.40 (Method C).

2h. 2-rri?S)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-7-methoxy-2.3-dihvdro-lH- indol-1-vD-acetamide oxalate.

from 5- {4- [2-((i?5)-7-methoxy-2,3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperazin- 1 -yl} - IH- indole and 2-chloroacetamide.

LC/MS (m/z) 434 (MH⁺); RT = 0.37 (Method C).

2i. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV JV-methyl-acetamide oxalate.

from 5-{4-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-indole and 2- chloro-iV-methylacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 418 (MH⁺); RT = 1.07 (Method B). 2i . iV-Methyl-2-f f +VCSV3 - {2- \4-( lH-pyrrolor2.3 -clpyridin-5- vD-piperazin- 1 - yll -ethyl! - 2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-vD-acetamide oxalate.

fi-om 5-{4-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-pyrrolo[2,3- c]pyridine and 2-chloro-iV-methyl-acetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 419 (MH⁺); RT = 0.78 (Method B).

2k. (RS)-2-((S)-3- {2-r4-nH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin- 1 -yll-ethyli -2.3-dihydro-lH-indol-l - vD-propionamide oxalate.

from 5-{4-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-indole and 2- chloropropionamide. The compound is approximately a 1:1 mixture of diastereomers according to NMR.

LC/MS (m/z) 418 (MH⁺); RT = 1.03 (Method B).

21, 2-((+)-(S)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- N,N-dimethyl-acetamide oxalate.

from 5- {4- [(S)-2-(2,3 -dihydro- 1 H-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperazin- 1 -yl} - 1 H-indole and 2-chloro-N,N-dimethylacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide. LC/MS (m/z) 432 (MH+); RT = 0.41 (Method C).

2m. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylV3.6-dihvdro-2H-pyridin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro- lH-indol-l-vD-acetamide oxalate.

from 5-{l-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl}-lH- indole and 2-chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 401 (MH⁺); RT = 1.12 (Method B).

2n. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperidin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV acetamide oxalate.

from 5- { 1 - [(5)-2-(2,3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperidin-4-yl} - lH-indole and 2-chloroacetamide. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 403 (MΗ+); RT = 0.4 (Method C).

3a. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV 2-oxo-acetamide. N'Y

To a solution of oxalamic acid (2.35g, 0.026 mol) and l,r-carbonyldiimidazole (4.66 g, 0.029 mol) in dry JV,iV-dimethyl formamide (50 mL) was slowly added a solution of 5-{4- [(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-indole (8.3 g, 0.024 mol) in iV,iV-dimethyl formamide (75 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, filtered and poured onto brine. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane/triethylamine 70:25:5) to give the title compound as an oil (6.5 g). The oil was precipitated from ethyl acetate to give a powder (4.1 g). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 418 (MH⁺); RT = 1.62 (Method A).

The following compound was prepared in a similar manner:

3b. 2-Oxo-2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Pyrrolor2.3-clpyridin-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyl|-2.3- dihydro- lH-indol- 1 - vD-acetamide.

from 5-{4-[(5)-2-(2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-piperazin-l-yl}-lH-pyrrolo[2,3- c]pyridine. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 419 (MH⁺); RT = 1.16 (Method A).

3c. 2-rr+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperidin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indol-l-ylV 2-oxoacetamide oxalate.

from 5- { 1 - [(S)-2-(2.3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperidin-4-yl} - lH-indole and oxalamic acid. Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 417 (MH⁺); RT = 0.39 (Method C).

3d. 2-rri?S)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperazin-l-yll-ethyli-7-methoxy-2.3-dihvdro-lH- indol- 1 - vD-2-oxo-acetamide oxalate

from 5- {4- [2-((i?5)-7-methoxy-2,3 -dihydro- lH-indol-3 -yl)-ethyl] -piperazin- 1 -yl} - IH- indole and oxalamic acid.

LC/MS (m/z) 448 (MH⁺); RT = 0.3 (Method C).

4a. r+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylV3.6-dihvdro-2H-pyridin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH- indole-1-carboxylic acid amide hydrochloride.

A mixture of 5-(pyridin-4-yl)- IH- indole (2.6 g, 0.13 mol), 1,4-dioxane (250 mL), tetrahydroiuran (20 mL) and methanol (10 mL) was heated to reflux temperature, and (S)- 3-(2-bromoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l-carboxylic acid amide (3.9 g, 0.015 mol) was added. The resulting mixture was boiled under reflux for 96 h. The mixture was cooled, and the liquid decanted off. The residue was washed with ethyl acetate and then dissolved in methanol (500 mL) under heating. The organic phase was concentrated in vacuo to give l-[2-((5)-l-carbamoyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-4-(lH-indol-5- yl)pyridinium bromide (5.7 g, 75%). This compound was suspended in methanol (130 mL), and sodium borohydride (1.48 g, 0.039 mol) was added over a period of 10 min at 12-20 ⁰C. The resulting mixture is stirred at 10⁰C for 30 min and then poured onto a mixture of brine (500 mL) and 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 85:10:5) to give crude title compound (3.5 g). Starting from 0.7 g of crude compound, the hydrochloric acid salt was prepared (0.63 g). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 387 (MH⁺); RT = 1.11 (Method B).

5a. r+VrS)-3-{2-r4-riH-Indol-5-ylVpiperidin-l-yll-ethyli-2.3-dihvdro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide oxalate.

^O

H₂N

A mixture of (5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3- dihydro-lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide (2.6 g, 0.007 mol), palladium (10 wt%, dry basis) on activated carbon (1.0 g), ammonium formate (8.5 g, 0.13 mol) and methanol (130 mL) was boiled under reflux for 6 h. The mixture was cooled and filtered, and the filter cake was washed with ethanol. The organic phase was poured onto a mixture of brine (500 mL) and 28% aqueous sodium hydroxide (10 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/ethanol/triethylamine 85:10:5) to give the title compound, which was precipitated as the oxalate salt (2.3 g). Assignment of the optical rotation was done in dimethyl sulfoxide.

LC/MS (m/z) 389 (MH⁺); RT = 1.09 (Method B).

List of reagents

Name Supplier CAS No. Cat.No.

Acetyl Chloride FLUKA 75-36-5 01000

Lithium Bromide ALDRICH 7550-35-8 21,322-5 Name Supplier CAS No. Cat.No.

Methanesulfonyl Chloride ALDRICH 124-63-0 47,125-9

Lithium Aluminium Hydride ALDRICH 16853-85-3 19,987-7

Sodium Cyanoborohydride ALDRICH 25895-60-7 15,615-9

5-Nitro-lH-indole ALDRICH 6146-52-7 Nl, 760-2

(lH-Indole-3-yl)acetic Acid AVOCADO 87-51-4 10556

Ammonium Formate ALDRICH 540-69-2 15,626-4

Triethylamine RIEDEL- 121-44-8 16304

DEHAEN

Potassium Iodide ALDRICH 7681-11-0 22,194-5

1 , 1 '-Carbonyldiimidazole ALDRICH 530-62-1 11,553-3

ACROS 120-43-4 11887-

Ethyl Piperazine-1-carboxylate ORGANICS 1000 iV,iV-Dimethylformamide Dimethyl LANCASTER 4637-24-5 0621

Acetal

Oxalamic Acid ALDRICH 471-47-6 0-920-4

Di-tert-Butyl Dicarbonate FLUKA 24424-99-5 34660

Potassium Cyanate MERCK 590-28-3 804957

SCHUCHARDT

JV,iV-Dimethyl Formamide FLUKA 68-12-2 40255

Methanol FLUKA 67-56-1 65550

2-Butanone ACROS 78-93-3 14967001

ORGANICS 0

Tetrahydroiuran RIEDEL- 109-99-9 16212

DEHAEN

2-Propanol RIEDEL- 67-63-0 24137

DEHAEN

Sodium Ηydrogencarbonate ALDRICH 144-55-8 34,094-4

Potassium Hydroxide ALDRICH 1310-58-3 22,147-3

Phosphoric Acid (85% in water) RIEDEL- 7664-38-2 04107

DEHAEN

Methanesulfonic Acid (70% in Name Supplier CAS No. Cat.No. water) ALDRICH 75-75-2 47,134-8

Sodium DihydrogenPhosphate ALDRICH 10049-21-5 22,352-2

Monohydrate

Sodium Hydroxide ACROS 1310-73-2 13407002

ORGANICS 5

Sodium Chloride ACROS 7647-14-5 20779-

ORGANICS 0050

Potassium Carbonate AVOCADO 584-08-7 16625

Diethyl Ether RIEDEL- 60-29-7 24004

DEHAEN

1,4-Dioxane SIGMA- 123-91-1 360481-2L

ALDRICH

Di-isopropyl Ether RIEDEL- 108-20-3 33159

DEHAEN

2-Chloro-5-nitro-4-picoline ACROS 23056-33-9 36103000

ORGANICS 0

Ammonia (25% in water) MERCK 7664-41-7 5432

Hydrochloric Acid (37% in water) ALDRICH 7647-01-0 32,033-1

Sulfuric Acid (95-98% in water) ALDRICH 7664-93-9 43,558-9

Acetic Acid ALDRICH 64-19-7 24,285-3

Ethyl Acetate ALDRICH 141-78-6 31,990-2

Heptane ALDRICH 142-82-5 H219-8

Ethanol ALDRICH 64-17-5 45,984-4

Acetone ALDRICH 67-64-1 17,912-4

Dichloromethane ALDRICH 75-09-2 D6,510-0

Hydrogen Chloride (2.0 M in ALDRICH 7647-01-0 45,518-0 diethylether)

Oxalic Acid ALDRICH 144-62-7 24,117-2

JV-Methylpyrrolidin-2-one RIEDEL- 872-50-4 15780

DEHAEN

Hvdroeen ALDRICH 1333-74-0 29.539-6 Name Supplier CAS No. Cat.No.

Novozyme 435 ALDRICΗ - 53,732-2

Magnesium Sulfate ALDRICΗ 7487-88-9 20,809-4

Palladium, 5 wt % (dry basis) ALDRICΗ - 33,011-6 on activated carbon

Palladium, 10 wt % (dry basis) ALDRICΗ 7440-05-3 20,569-9 on activated carbon

Silica gel, Merck grade 9385 ALDRICΗ 112926-00-8 22,719-6

Molecular sieves 3A ALDRICΗ - 20,858-2

Filter agent, Celite 521 ALDRICΗ 61790-53-2 22,179-1

Activated carbon ALDRICΗ 7440-44-0 16,155-1

Di-sodium Hydrogen Phosphate, ACROS 10039-32-4 27106-

Dodecahydrate ORGANICS 0025

JV-Benzyliminodiacetic acid ALDRICΗ 3987-53-9 B2, 475-8

Platinum Oxide ALDRICΗ 1314-15-4 52,061-6

Borane Trimethylamine Complex ALDRICΗ 75-22-9 17,898-5

1-Propanol RIEDEL- 71-23-8 24135

DEΗAEN

2-Chloroacetamide ALDRICΗ 79-07-2 10,802-2

2-Chloro-iV,iV-dimethylacetamide FLUKA 2675-89-0 24350

2-Chloro-iV-methylacetamide ABCR 96-30-0 FR-1355

2-Chloropropionamide ALDRICΗ 27816-36-0 19,239-2

Pyridin-4-boronic acid ALDRICΗ 1692-15-5 63,449-2 tert-Buty\ 5-Bromoindo Ie-I- ALDRICΗ 182344-70-3 55,7749 carboxylate

Sodium Carbonate ALDRICΗ 497-19-8 22,353-0

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladi ALDRICΗ 14221-01-3 21,666-6 um (0)

Toluene RIEDEL- 108-88-3 24526

DEΗAEN

7-Fluoro-lH-indole APOLLO 387-44-0 PC9454 7-Methoxy- lH-indole ALDRICΗ 3189-22-8 11,398-0 Name Supplier CAS No. Cat.No.

Oxalyl Chloride ALDRICH 79-37-8 22,101-5

4-Methyl-lH-indole ALDRICΗ 16096-32-5 24,630-1

Sodium borohydride ALDRICΗ 16940-66-2 48,088-6 p-Xylene ALDRICΗ 106-42-3 31,719-5

100% Nitric acid MERCK 7697-37-2 1.00450.1

000

Pharmacological testing

The compounds of the invention were characterised in vitro in dopamine D₄, serotonin 5- HT₂A and microsomal stability assays according to the following methods:

³|^"Hl-YM-09151-2 binding to dopamine D₄ receptors

CHO cells expressing human recombinant D₄₂ receptors were generated at Lundbeck using standard stable transfection techniques. Membranes were harvested using standard protocols and affinities were measured by the addition of a serial dilution of compound to a membrane preparation in a mixture of 50 mM Tris-HCl, 5 mM Na₂-EDTA Titriplex III, 5 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM KCl and 1.5 mM CaCl₂. 0.06 nM ³[H]-YM-09151-2 was used as the radioligand assessing the affinity for the human D₄₂ receptor. Total binding was determined in the presence of buffer and non-specific binding was determined in the presence of 10 μM Clozapine. The mixture was incubated for 30 minutes at 37 ⁰C, cooled briefly on ice. Bound and free radioactivity was separated by vacuum filtration on GF/C filters pretreated with 0,1 % Polyetyleneimine (PEI) and filters were counted in a scintillation counter.

Dopamine D₄ efficacy as determined by a cAMP assay

The ability of the compounds to inhibit the D₄₂ receptor mediated inhibition of cAMP formation in CHO cells stably expressing the human recombinant D₄₂ receptor was measure as follows. Cells were seeded in 96 well plates with 400 cells/well 4 days prior to the experiment. On the day of the experiment the cells were washed once in preheated G buffer (1 mM MgCl₂, 0.9 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM IBMX in PBS) and the assay was initiated by addition of 100 μl of a mixture of 1 μM quinpirole, 10 μM forskolin and test compound in G buffer. The cells were incubated 20 minutes at 37 °C and the reaction was stopped by the addition of 100 μl S buffer (0.1 M HCl and 0.1 mM CaCl₂) and the plates were placed at 4 °C for 1 h. 68 μl N buffer (0.15 M NaOH and 60 mM NaAc) were added and the plates were shaken for 10 minutes. 60 μl of the reaction were transferred to cAMP FlashPlates (DuPont NEN) containing 40 μl 60 mM NaAc pH 6.2 and 100 μl IC mix (50 mM NaAc pH 6.2, 0.1 % NaAzid, 12 mM CaCl₂, 1% BSA and 0.15 μCi/ml ¹²⁵I-CAMP) were added. Following an 18-h incubation at 4 °C the plates were washed once and counted in a Wallac TriLux counter.

Serotonin 5-HT?A efficacy as determined by a Ca²⁺-release assay

2 or 3 days before the experiment, CHO cells expressing 250 fmol/mg 5-HT₂A receptors are plated at a density sufficient to yield a mono-confluent layer on the day of the experiment. The cells are dye loaded (Ca²⁺-kit from Molecular Devices and using Hank's balanced salt w/o phenol red, added 2OmM HEPES and pH adjusted to 7.4 with 2M NaOH as assaybuffer) for 60 minutes at 37° C in a 5% CO₂ incubator at 95% humidity. Lacer intensity is set to a suitable level to obtain basal values of approximately 8000-10000 fluorescence units. The variation in basal fluorescence should be less than 10%. EC₅₀ values are assessed using increasing concentrations of test compound covering at least 3 decades. IC₅₀ values are assessed challenging the same range of concentrations of test substances with EC₈₅ of 5 -HT. Test substances are added to the cells 5 minutes before the 5-HT. Ki values were calculated using Cheng-Prusoff equation. % Stimulation of a concentration of the test compound is measured with respect to a maximal concentration of 5-HT (100%). % Inhibition of a concentration of the test compound is measured as the percentage with which the response OfEC₈₅ of 5-HT is lowered. Maximum inhibition is the level of inhibition the curve reaches. In vitro stability in human and rat liver microsomes.

The stability of compounds in liver microsomes is determined by the T¹A method, i.e. the disappearance of lμM drug is measured over time by LCMS. 0.5 mg/ml of microsomal protein (liver microsomes from several donors pooled to obtain an average enzyme content) is used in a NADPH (Nicotinamide- Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate, reduced form) generating system (1.3 mM NADP (oxidized form), 3.3 mM glucose 6-phosphate and 0.4 U/ml glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase), 3.3 mM MgC12 (magnesium Chloride), 0.1 M Potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), in a total volume of 100 μl, and stopping the incubations at time points 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min with 1:1 v/v acetonitrile. The half live is subsequently scaled to the metabolic competence of a whole liver using 45 mg microsome/g liver, 45 g and 20 g liver/kg and Std. weight 70 kg and 0.25 kg, human and rats respectively.

Claims

Claims

1. A compound of formula I

wherein X-Y is selected from N-CH₂, C=CH and CH-CH₂;

Z is CR¹⁰ or N;

R¹ is A, A' or A

A A^' A^" wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond; R² and R³ are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl;

R⁴-R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, C_1-6-alkyl, C_1-6-alkoxy and halogen;

R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from hydrogen and halogen;

R¹⁰ is hydrogen or halogen;

R¹¹ and R¹² are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl;

or enantiomers or salts thereof.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X-Y is N-CH₂.

3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X-Y is C=CH.

4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X-Y is CH-CH₂.

5. A compound according to any of the above claims wherein Z is CR¹⁰.

6. A compound according to any of the claims 1-4 wherein Z is N.

7. A compound according to any of the above claims wherein R¹ is A

A wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

8. A compound according to any of the claims 1-6 wherein R¹ is A'

A^' wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

9. A compound according to any of the claims 1-6 wherein R¹ is A"

A^" wherein * indicates the atom attached to N via a bond.

10. A compound according to any of the above claims wherein R² and R³ are independently selected from hydrogen and C_1-6-alkyl.

11. A compound according to claim 10, wherein R² and R³ are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl.

12. A compound according to claim 10 wherein both R² and R³ are hydrogen.

13. A compound according to any of the above claims wherein R⁴-R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, C_1-6-alkyl, C_1-6-alkoxy, and halogen.

14. A compound according to claim 13 wherein R⁴- R⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy and fluor.

15. A compound according to claim 13 or 14, wherein only one of R⁴-R⁷ selected from R⁴, R⁵ and R⁷ is different from hydrogen.

16. A compound according to claim 13 wherein R⁴-R⁷ are all hydrogen.

17. A compound according to any of the above claims wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from hydrogen and fluor.

18. A compound according to claim 17 wherein both R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen.

19. A compound according to any of the claims 1-5 and 7-18 wherein R¹⁰ is hydrogen or flour.

20. A compound according to claim 19 wherein R 10 is hydrogen.

21. A compound according to any of the claims 1-6, 8 and 10-20 wherein R¹¹ and R¹² are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

22. A compound according to claim 21 wherein both R¹¹ and R¹² are hydrogen.

23. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² and R³ are both hydrogen; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are selected from hydrogen, methyl, fluor and methoxy;

R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are hydrogen.

24. A compound according to claim 23, wherein X-Y is N-CH₂.

25. A compound according to claim 23 or 24, wherein Z is CR¹⁰.

26. A compound according to claim 1 wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide;

(+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide; (+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro- lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide;

(+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5- fluoro-lH-indole-1-carboxylic acid amide;

(i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-5-fluoro-lH-indol- l-yl)-acetamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((-)-(i?)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(7-Fluoro-lH-indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide; 2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- iV-methyl-acetamide; iV-Methyl-2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-

2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-acetamide;

(i?5)-2-((5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l- yl)-propionamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- iV,iV-dimethyl-acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)- acetamide;

2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-

2-oxo-acetamide;

2-Oxo-2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3- dihydro- lH-indol- 1 -yl)-acetamide; 2-((+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indol-l-yl)-

2-oxoacetamide;

2-((i?5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperazin-l-yl]-ethyl}-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-lH- indol- 1 -yl)-2-oxo-acetamide;

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH- indole- 1-carboxylic acid amide; and

(+)-(5)-3-{2-[4-(lH-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-l-yl]-ethyl}-2,3-dihydro-lH-indole-l- carboxylic acid amide; or salts thereof.

27. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any of claims 1 to 26 in a therapeutically effective amount together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents.

28. Use of a compound according to any of claims 1 to 26 for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, aggression, cognitive disorders, side effects induced by conventional antipsychotic agents, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in the improvement of sleep.

29. A method of treating the positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, aggression, cognitive disorders, side effects induced by conventional antipsychotic agents, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in the improvement of sleep comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any of claims 1 to 26 to a patient in need thereof.

30. A compound according to any of claims 1-26 for use in therapy.