WO2010072770A2

WO2010072770A2 - Griseofulvin analogues for the treatment of cancer by inhibition of centrosomal clustering

Info

Publication number: WO2010072770A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/067761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alwin Kraemer; Blanka Rebacz; Mads Clausen; Thomas Larsen; Mads Roennest; Kasper Worm
Original assignee: Dkfz Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-22
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: EP2379520A2; DK2379520T3; EP2379520B1; ES2522970T3; US20120035200A1; US9108941B2; EP2204367A1; WO2010072770A3

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I), where the symbols have the meaning given in the specification, for use in a method for treating cancer, to use of these compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer, and to methods of treatment for said diseases employing a compound of formula (I).

Description

Griseofuhin analogues for the treatment of cancer by inhibition of centrosomal clustering

The present invention relates to uses of compounds having a structure as shown by formula (I) for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer The present invention encompasses methods of treatment for such diseases The present invention is also directed to a part of the compounds disclosed m the present application as such

A drawback of the current standard therapy for cancer using surgery, chemotherapy, high dosage chemotherapy including stem cell transplantation, radiation and "¹I-MIBG therapy is the limited efficacy and selectivity accompanied by varying lethality rates, as the case may be Moreover, serious side effects are regularly encountered

Classical anti-cancer drugs use

division as a target, thereby killing all dividing cells without differentiating betw een cells belonging to the tumour that should be targeted and normal tissues This lack of specificity causes most of the well-known and unavoidable side effects of classical chemotherapeutical agents

There is a long-felt need to provide or identify compounds, -which can be used for the treatment of cancer, the anti-tumoral mode of action of which shall not be based on the cytotoxic principles of traditional chemotherapy and which arc selective for cancer cells only, not for normal, non-transformed cells of the body

Gnseofulvm (Chemical Abstract name (2-5-trans)-7-chloro-2,4,6-tπmethoxy-6- methylspiro-[benzofuran-2(3H), l-(2)-cyclohexene]-3,4-dione, Chem Abstr Ser No 126- 07-8, chemical structure see structure (II)) is a natural antibiotic produced by Penicillium gnseofulvum as well as other micro fungi and was isolated in 1938 Griseofulvin is still commonly used in humans for the treatment of dermatomycoses in skin, hair, and nails caused by Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epideπnophyton. The mode of action on fungi is not fully understood, but it has been shown that it causes a reversible block of protein and nucleic acid synthesis and that its main effect on mitosis is apparently due to disorganization of the spindle microtubules. The daily dose for adults is 0.5 to 1 g (maximal 20 mg/kg bw.); in children it is 10 mg/kg bw. The treatment time depends on the type and localization of the infection, for hair infections 2 to 3 months, for onychomycoses and nail infections approximately 6 months arc required. Griscofulvin is also used in veterinary medicine against ringworm {Trichophyton) infections.

Patent application WO 97/05870 discloses the use of griseofulvin for inhibiting the growth of cancers, particularly in humans. The compound can be used to inhibit the growth of leukemia, tumors and cancer cells. The disclosure of this application is restricted to griseofulvin alone.

Oda discloses in J. Antibiot. 59(2), pages 114-116 (2006) that an analogue of griseofulvin in which the methoxy group in 2' position has been replaced by a n-propoxy group exhibits a stronger inhibiting effect on cancer cells than griseofulvin itself. L. Mir et al. report an enhanced effect on cancer cells for 2'-(2-iodoethoxy)griseofulvin (FEBS Letters 88 (1978) pages 259 - 263).

The inhibiting effect of griseofulvin and these derivatives, is, however, not regarded as being sufficient to allow their use in the treatment of cancer. In addition, none of the documents mentions an inhibiton of ccntrosomal clustering by these compounds.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide compounds which may be active in the treatment of cancer and which should not be based on the cytotoxic traditional chemotherapy principles. A further object of the present invention is the provision of methods for treating cancer wherein, the anti-tumoral mode of action should not be based on the cytotoxic principles of traditional chemotherapy. Furthermore cancer cells should be effected more selectively compared to "normal" non-transformed cells of the body. In particular cases, the compounds should have improved properties for the treatment of cancer compared to the known griseofulvin or its anti-cancer activity tested analogues, with respect to their anti-tumor activity as well as with respect to the spectrum of cancers which can be treated. It has been found that certain derivatives of griseofulvm that have aromatic or heterocyclic substituents m the 2'-position (which are preferably further substituted) and-Or certain substituents in the 3 '-position show an enhanced anti-tumor activity that is characterized by an inhibition of centrosomal clustering

Some of these compounds are known, in particular as having antifungal or dermatological activity (see e g US-A 3,102,123, JP-A 03-255081, I E Page and S E Stamforth, The Chemical Society, Chemical Society, Letchworth, Hert (1962) 1292 1303, I Dhanshri C et al , Indian Journal of Chemistry Sect A , 45 A (2006) 194 201), however, no anti- tumor actrv ity is disclosed in these documents

Accordingly, the object is attained by a compound according to the general formula (I)

In the most general meaning classified below under I, the symbols have the following meanings

I:

A is selected from -O, -NOR\ -N-NRV or -NR⁸, X is halogen, hydrogen or pseudohalogen,

Y _1S -O-, -S-, a single bond -NH-, -NR¹¹-, -N⁺R¹²R¹³- or -C(O)-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-, n is an integer from 0 to 10,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-C₅)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino,

(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl,

(C5-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Cι-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic hctcrocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring hctcroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing hctcrocyclcs one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstitutcd or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non- aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R ,

R¹ is, in case R² is other than hydrogen: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic hctcrocyclyl group which contains I , 2 or 3 identical or different ring hctcroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (CV Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃- C7)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-d)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Cι-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Cι-C.₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Cι -C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (CVCio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (d-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R^"4 is hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-Cτ)-cycloalkyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryl or aralkyl comprising linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl and (Cs-Cio)-aryl wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more halogen substituent(s),

R⁵, R^c, R⁷, R⁸, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are independently of each other hydrogen, linear or branched (Cι-C₄)-alkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (1) as described above, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a preferred embodiment thereof for use in a method for treating cancer in a patient, preferably by administering to a patient suffering from said disease in a therapeutically effective amount a compound of formula (I) and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups can be linear, i.e. straight-chain, or branched. This also applies when they are part of other groups, for example alkyloxy groups (= alkoxy groups, i.e. alkyl-O- groups), alkyloxycarbonyl groups or alkyl-substituted amino groups, or when they are substituted. Examples of alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, the n-isomers of these groups, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl or 3,3-dimethylbutyl. Alkenyl groups and alkynyl groups preferably contain one double bond or triple bond, respectively, which can be present in any desired position of the group. Examples of alkenyl and alkynyl are prop-1-enyl, prop-2-enyl (= allyl), but-2- enyl, 2-methylprop-2-enyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, hex-3-enyl, hex-4-enyl, proρ-2-ynyl (= propargyl), but-2-ynyl, but-3-ynyl, hcx-4-ynyl or hcx-5-ynyl.

As far as applicable, the preceding explanations regarding alkyl groups apply correspondingly to divalent alkyl, i.e. alkanediyl (alkylene) groups, such as the methylene group -CH₂- and the groups -CH₂-CH₂- and -CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-. As far as applicable, these groups can also be linear or branched. Examples of the group C₁₁H_2n, in which the number n is 1, 2, or 3, are -CH₂-, -CH₂-CH₂-, -CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-, -CH(CH₃)-, -C(CH₃)₂-, -CH(CH₃)-

CH₂-, -CH₂-CH(CH₃)-. If the number n in the group C_nH_2n is 0 (= zero), the groups which are attached to the group C₁₁H_2n are directly connected to one another via a single bond.

Examples of cycloalkyl groups are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. In general, all cycloalkyl groups can also carry one or two identical or different (Cι-C₄)-alkyl substituents, for example methyl substituents, which can be located in any desired positions. Examples of alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups are A- methylcyclohexyl, 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl or 2,3-dimethylcycloρentyl.

Groups like phenyl, naphthalcnyl (= naphthyl) and hctcrocyclyl can be unsubstitutcd or substituted. If such a group is substituted by one or more substituents, it can carry for example one, two, three, four or five identical or different substituents. The substituents can be located in any desired position. Substituted heterocyclyl groups can be substituted on ring carbon atoms and/or on suitable ring nitrogen atoms, i.e. ring nitrogen atoms which in the parent ring system carry a hydrogen atom. Preferred substituents on such substituted ring nitrogen atoms are alkyl groups, for example (Ci-C₄)-alkyl groups, unless stated otherwise. Suitable ring nitrogen atoms, such as the ring nitrogen atoms in a pyridine ring or a quinoline ring, can also be present as N-oxides or as quaternary salts, the latter preferably having a counter-anion which is derived from a physiologically acceptable acid.

In monosubstituted phenyl groups, the substituent can be located in the 2-position, the 3- position or the 4-position. In a disubstituted phenyl group, the substituents can be located in 2,3-position, 2, 4-position, 2,5-position, 2,6-position, 3,4-position or 3,5-position. In trisubstituted phenyl groups, the substituents can be located in 2, 3, 4-position, 2,3,5- position, 2,3,6-position, 2,4,5-position, 2,4,6-position or 3,4,5-position. Naphthalenyl can be naphthalen-1-yl or naphthalen-2-yl. In monosubstituted naphthalen-1-yl groups, the substituent can be located in the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-position, in monosubstituted naphthalen-2-yl groups, the substituent can be located in the 1-, 3-, A-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8- position. In disubstituted naphthalenyl groups, the substituents can likewise occur in any desired positions in the ring via which the naphthalenyl group is bonded, and/or in the other ring.

Hctcroaryl groups (i.e. aromatic hctcrocyclyl groups) arc preferably 5-mcmbcrcd or 6- membered monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic groups or 9-membered or 10-membered bicyclic aromatic heterocyclic groups, where the bicyclic groups contain a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered or two fused 6-membered rings. In bicyclic heteroaryl groups, one or both rings can be aromatic and one or both rings can contain hetero ring members. Preferably heteroaryl groups and other heterocyclic groups contain one, two, three or four, preferably one, two or three, in particular one or two, identical or different ring hetero ring members. The ring heteroatoms in heteroaryl groups and other heterocyclic groups are chosen from N, O and S, wherein N includes ring nitrogen atoms which carry a hydrogen atom or any substituent as is the case in 5-membered aromatic heterocycles such as pyrrole, pyrazole or imidazole, for example. The heteroatoms in heteroaryl groups and other heterocyclic groups can be located in any desired positions provided that the resulting heterocyclic system is known in the art and is stable and suitable as a subgroup in a drug substance. For example, in general two atoms from the series O and S cannot be present in adjacent ring positions. Examples of parent hctcrocyclcs of hctcroaryl groups and other heterocyclic groups arc pyrrole, furan, thiophcnc, imidazole, pyrazole, 1 ,2,3- triazolc, 1 ,2,4-triazolc, oxazolc (= 1 ,3-oxazolc), isoxazolc (= 1 ,2-oxazolc), thiazolc (= 1 ,3- thiazole), isothiazole (= 1,2-thiazole), tetrazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, indole, benzothiophene, benzo furan, 1,3-benzodioxole (= 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene), 1 ,3-benzoxazole, 1,3- benzothiazole, benzo imidazole, chroman, isochroman, 1 ,4-benzodioxane (= 1,2- ethylenedioxybenzene), quinoline, isoquinoline, cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, phthalazine, thienothiophenes, 1,8-naphthyridine and other naphthyridines, or pteridine. Heteroaryl and other heterocyclic groups can be bonded via any desired suitable ring carbon atom and, in the case of nitrogen heterocycles, ring nitrogen atom. Preferably they are bonded via a ring carbon atom. For example, thiophenyl (= thienyl) can be thiophen-2- yl or thiophen-3-yl, pyridinyl (= pyridyl) can be pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl or pyridin-4-yl, imidazolyl can be, for example, lH-imidazol-1-yl, lH-imidazol-2-yl, lH-imidazol-4-yl or lH-imidazol-5-yl, quinolinyl (= quinolyl) can be quinolin-2-yl, quinolin-3-yl, quinolin-4- yl, quinolin-5-yl, quinolin-6-yl, quinolin-7-yl or quinolin-8-yl. In monosubstituted pyridin- 2-yl the substituent can be located in the 3-position, 4-position, 5-position or 6-position, in monosubstituted pyridin-3-yl the substituent can be located in the 2-position, 4-position, 5- position or 6-position, in monosubstituted pyridin-4-yl the substituent can be located in the 2-position or 3-position.

With regard to bicyclic systems that contain an aromatic ring and a non-aromatic ring, such systems arc regarded as aromatic if they arc bonded through the aromatic ring and as non- aromatic if they arc bonded through the non-aromatic ring.

Preferred heteroaryl groups are pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, pyrazole, 1,2,3- triazolc, 1,2,4-triazolc, oxazolc (= 1,3-oxazolc), isoxazolc (= 1,2-oxazolc), thiazolc (= 1,3- thiazolc), isothiazolc (= 1 ,2-thiazolc), tctrazolc, pyridine, pyridazinc, pyrimidinc, pyrazinc, indole, bcnzothiophcnc, bcnzofuran, 1 ,3-bcnzodioxolc (= 1 ,2-mcthylcncdioxybcnzcnc), 1 ,3-bcnzoxazolc, bcnzoimidazolc, quinolinc, isoquinolinc.

Non-aromatic heterocyclic rings can be 4-membered, 5-membered, 6-membered, 7- membered, 8-membered, 9-membered or 10-membered, and can be saturated, i.e. contain no double bond within the ring, or unsaturated, including partially unsaturated and partially aromatic (i.e. in a bicyclic ring system one ring is aromatic), in particular partially unsaturated, and contain, for example, one, two, three or four double bonds within the ring, provided the respective ring system is known in the art to be stable and suitable as a subgroup in a drug substance. Examples arc azctidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 2,5-dihydro-l H- pyrrolyl, pipcridinyl, 1 ,2,3,4-tctrahydropyridinyl, 1 ,2,5,6-tctrahydropyridinyl, 1 ,2- dihydropyridinyl, azcpanyl, azocanyl, azccanyl, octahydrocyclopcnta[b]pyrrolyl, 2,3- dihydro-lH-indolyl, octahydro-lH-indolyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH-isoindolyl, octahydro-lH- isoindolyl, 1,2-dihydroquinolinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 1,2- dihydroisoquinolinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, decahydroisoquinolinyl, decahydroisoquinolinyl, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, hexahydropyrimidinyl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrimidinyl, piperazinyl, [l,3]diazepanyl, [l,4]diazepanyl, oxazolidinyl, [l,3]oxazinanyl, [l,3]oxazepanyl, morpholinyl, [l,4]oxazepanyl, thiazolidinyl, [l,3]thiazinanyl, thiomorpholinyl, 3,4- dihydro-2H-[l,4]thiazinyl, [l,3]thiazepanyl, [l,4]thiazepanyl, [l,4]thiazepanyl, oxiranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, isoxazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, 1,2,4- oxadiazolidinyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolidinyl, 1,2,4-triazolidinyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolidinyl, 1,3,4- thiadiazolidinyl, 1,3,4-triazolidinyl, 2,3-dihydrofuranyl, 2,5-dihydrofuranyl, 2,3- dihydrothienyl, 2,5-dihydrothienyl, 2,3-dihydroρyrτolyl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazolyl, 4,5- dihydroisoxazolyl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazolyl, 2,3-dihydroisothiazolyl, 4,5-dihydroisothiazolyl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazolyl, 2,3-dihydropyrazolyl, 4,5-dihydropyrazolyl, 2,5-dihydropyrazolyl, 2,3-dihydrooxazolyl, 4,5-dihydrooxazolyl, 2,5-dihydrooxazolyl, 2,3-dihydrothiazolyl, 4,5- dihydrothiazolyl, 2,5-dihydrothiazolyl, 2,3-dihydroimidazolyl, 4,5-dihydroimidazolyl, 2,5- dihydroimidazolyl, tetrahydropyridazinyl, tetrahydropyrimidinyl, tetrahydropyrazinyl, 1,3,5-tetrahydrotriazinyl, 1,3-dihydrooxazinyl, 1,3-dithianyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tctrahydrothiopyranyl, 1 ,3-dioxolanyl, 3,4,5,6-tctrahydropyridinyl, 4H-l ,3-thiazinyl, 4H- 3,1 -bcnzothiazinyl, 1 ,l -dioxo-2,3,4,5-tctrahydrothicny1, 2H-l ,4-bcnzothiazinyl, 2H-1 ,4- bcnzoxazinyl, 1 ,3-dihydrooxazinyl, and 2-oxy-5-azabicyclo[2.2.1 ]-hcptan-5-y1.

Preferred non-aromatic heterocyclic rings are pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH- indolyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, hcxahydropyrimidinyl, pipcrazinyl, tetrahydropyridazinyl, tetrahydropyrimidinyl, tetrahydropyrazinyl. In general, all listed examples of heterocyclic groups can be unsubstituted or substituted as indicated above, for example by R¹⁰. For example, they can be substituted on one or more, for example one, two or three, preferably one or two, more preferably one, ring carbon atoms by oxo groups, and/or by one or more, for example one, two, three or four, preferably one or two, identical or different (Cι-C4)-alkyl or (C:t-C7)-cycloalkyl-C_vH2ι- (v — 0, 1 or 2) groups, preferably (Ci-C₄)-alkyl groups, such as methyl groups, and/or on one or more ring nitrogen atom by a (Ci-Gi)-alkyl group or a (Ci-CO-alkyl-CO- group such as methyl or acetyl. Furthermore, ring sulfur atoms in the listed heterocyclic groups can carry one or two oxo groups, i.e. doubly bonded oxygen atoms, and thus become SO or SO₂ groups, i.e. sulfoxide or sulfonc groups or S-oxidcs or S,S-dioxidcs.

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

Pseudohalogen is -CN, -N₃, -OCN, -NCO, -CNO, -SCN or -NSC. An oxo group, when bonded to a carbon atom, replaces two hydrogen atoms on a carbon atom of the parent system. Thus, if a CH₂ group is substituted by oxo, i.e. by a doubly bonded oxygen atom, it becomes a CO group. Evidently, an oxo group cannot occur as a substituent on a carbon atom in an aromatic ring.

In a preferred embodiment of group I R is hydrogen, n is other than 0 and R is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected fiυm N, O and S wherein m case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰

In a further preferred embodiment of group I R² is hydrogen and n is 0 and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group w hich contains 1 , 2 or S identical or different ring hctcroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containmg hctcrocyclcs one of the ring nitrogen 10 atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R^lc

In a further preferred embodiment of group I R² is other than hydrogen and R¹ is phenyl, l*i naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group w hich contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein m case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or

20 substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R , hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Gio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (G2-Cio)-alkynyl, (G-rC-)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substitucnt(s) from the group halogen, pscudohalogcn, hydroxycarbonyl, mtro, ammo, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(CVC₄)-alkyl

25

In a further preferred embodiment of group I R² is other than hydrogen and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group w hich contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen

30 atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (CVCio)-alkynyl, (CVC₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group

35 halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, mtro, ammo hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(CVC₄)- dlkyl Another preferred embodiment is classified below under II.

II: A is selected from: =0, =NOR⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-, a single bond, -NH-, -NR¹¹-, -N⁺R¹²R¹³-, -C(O)-,

Z is -(CH₂J_n-, ri is an integer from 0 to 10,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pscudohalogcn, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C-O-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R is, in case R is hydrogen and n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitucnt R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non- aromatic heterocyclyl group arc substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substitucnts R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is halogen: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10- membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (Cι-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C?-C₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups arc unsubstituted or carry one or more substitucnt(s) from the group halogen, pscudohalogcn, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl- (Ci-C)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-buryl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Cι-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Cι-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amnio sulfonyl, (Cι-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Cι-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R^? is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹,

R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹ ' are independently of each other H, linear or branched (CV C₄)-alkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰. Another preferred embodiment is classified below under III.

Ill: A is =0,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S- or a single bond,

Z is -(CH₂J_n-, n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pscudohalogcn, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)-alkyl, linear or branched (XiyCO-alkenyl, linear or branched (XiyCsJ-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C-O-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹, is in case R² is iodine: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10- membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (Cι-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C?-C₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups arc unsubstituted or carry one or more substitucnt(s) from the group halogen, pscudohalogcn, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl- (Ci-C)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹,

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

Another preferred embodiment is classified below under IV.

IV: A is = O,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-, n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkcnyl, linear or branched (C₂-C<i)-alkynyl, (CVC<j)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-alky1oxy-(Ci-C₄)-alky1, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogcn-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (d-CO-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-a1kylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non- aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n = 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, R¹ is, in case R² is iodine: phenyl, naplithyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10- membered monocyclic or bicyclic lieterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R , hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C2-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C2-Cio)-alkynyl, (Ci-CN)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl- (Ci-C)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tcrt-butyl, R¹⁰ is halogen, pscudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R³ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R^"4 independently has the same meaning as R³ and R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

Another preferred embodiment is classified below under V.

V:

A is =0, X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-, Z is -(CH₂)_n-,

n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R is hydrogen

R¹ is, in case n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10- mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic hctcrocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing hctcrocyclcs one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstitutcd or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitucnt R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent

R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pscudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkcny1, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C.₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl,

(C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl,

sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R³ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents, R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R³,

R independently has the same meaning as R .

Another preferred embodiment is classified below under VI.

VI:

A is selected from: =0, =NOR⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR^S,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂).-, n is an integer from 0 to 2,

R² is hydrogen,

R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstitutcd or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitucnt R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group arc substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-buryl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-C₅)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkynyl,

phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-

C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci- C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C-O-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R³ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R independently has the same meaning as R and

R³, R⁶, R' and R⁸ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (Ci-C₄)-alkyl or (CyCO-alkylcarbonyl.

Another preferred embodiment is classified below under VTT.

VII:

A is selected from: =0, =N0R⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-, n is an integer from 1 to 2,

R² is hydrogen,

R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstitiited or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Cι-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Cι-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Cι-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Cι-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R^? is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents, R^"4 independently has the same meaning as

R³, R⁶, R' and R⁸ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (Ci-C₄)-alkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl,

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

Another preferred embodiment is classified below under VIII.

VII I:

A is selected from:

or

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂)_n-, n is an integer from 1 to 2,

R² is hydrogen, R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R ,

R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-buryl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (CVCsj-alkcnyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkynyl, (C<-C₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxyl, (CVC₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci- CO-alkyl, halogcn-(d-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(CVC₄)-alkylamino, (CV CO-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (CVCO-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R³ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R³ and

R\ R⁶, R' and R⁸ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (Cι -C₄)-alkyl or (C ₁ -C.₄)-alkylcarbonyl.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I), where the symbols have the following meanings:

A is selected from: =0, =NOR⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸, X is halogen, hydrogen or pseudohalogen,

Y is -O-, -S-, a single bond, -NH-, -NR¹¹-, -N⁺R¹²R¹³- or -C(O)-,

Z is -(CH₂J_n-, n is an integer from O to 10,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkynyl, (C?-C(j)-cycloalkyl,

(Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino,

(Ci-CO-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-Gι)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl,

(Cs-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alky1amino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is other than hydrogen: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R , linear or branched (C₂-Cιo)-alkenyl, linear or branched (CVCi o)-alkynyl, (CyC7)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydro xyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (CVCioj-alkcnyl, linear or branched (CVCio)-alkynyl, (CVC₇)-cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstitutcd or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substitucnts R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (CYC₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C.₄)-a1kyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C.₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (CVC₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R⁴ is hydrogen, linear or branched (Cι-Cιo)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cιo)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cιo)-alkynyl, (CVCvJ-cycloalkyl, (CVCio)-aryl or aralkyl comprising linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl and (CVCio)-aryl wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more halogen substituent(s),

R⁵, R^s, R⁷, R⁸, R" , R¹² and R^π arc independently of each other hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-CWalkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

In a preferred embodiment of the novel compounds of formula (I) R is hydrogen, n is other than 0 and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent

R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R . In a further preferred embodiment of the novel compounds of formula (I) R is hydrogen, n is 0 and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group arc substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substitucnts R¹⁰.

In a further preferred embodiment of the novel compounds of formula (I) R² is other than hydrogen and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-atkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-atkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl.

Within the definitions made beforehand for embodiments I to VIII, the individual meanings for each substituent or each group are not construed to be restricted to the embodiment under which it is mentioned, i.e. a definition cited under III may be combined with the definitions made under e.g. I, II, or III. The entire combination of all the definitions for each substituent made under each of I to VIII is however preferred.

As an example, for the best known compound close to the formula (I) and which is not included in the present invention is griseofulvin according to the formula (II)

The cancer varieties which can be treated with the compounds as defined beforehand are human malignancies, preferably solid neoplasias or haematological malignancies Examples for such malignancies comprise bram cancer, head- and neck cancer, renal cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer lung cancer, pancreas cancer, biliary tract cancer, prostate cancer, skm cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, sarcoma, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma, including both Hodgkm and Non-Hodgkm lymphomas

Basically, all human malignancies are potential targets for centrosomal cluster lnhibitors'gnseofulvm/griseofulvm analogues since almost all malignant neoplasias examined to date harbour centrosome aberrations Specifically, centrosome aberrations have been reported in solid tumors of different origin including bram, breast, lung, cervical colon, pancreatic, bihary tract, prostate, and head and neck cancers Also, sarcomas and hematological malignancies including Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkm lymphomas, acute and chronic myeloid lcukcmias, chronic lymphocytic lcukcrmas and multiple myelomas ha\ c been described to harbour centrosomal abnormalities Importantly, since several preneoplastic lesions like, cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, ductal carcinoma in situ of the mammary gland, colon and pancreatic adenomas, pre-invasive carcinomas in situ of the prostate myelodysplastic syndromes, and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance contain centrosome aberrations as w ell, the above therapy might also serve to prevent progression of these lesions into invasive carcinomas, leukaemia or multiple myeloma, respectively

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound according to formula (I) as defined above m general form or m preferred embodiments, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use as medicament

The term ,,pharmaccutical composition" is sometimes referred to as ,,ρhaimaccutical" or ,,mcdicamcnt" hereinafter or m the pπor art Said terms shall have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably

The compounds according to the formula (I) act as an inhibitor of centrosome clustering They force tumor cells with supernumerary centrosomes to undergo multipolar mitoses and, subsequently, apoptosis Moreover, the compounds are specific for the tumours because they elicit no or only minor specific side effects on healthy body cells with a normal centrosome content Accordingly, there are no or only minor side effects to be expected

*> Centrosomes are small cytoplasmic organelles which consist of a pair of centnoles embedded in pericentπolar material and act as microtubule organizing centers During mitosis, centrosomes function as spmdle poles, directing the formation of bipolar spindles, a process essential for accurate chromosome segregation Since the centrosome duplicates precisely once per cell cycle, each daughter cell recerv es one centrosome upon cytokinesis0 and contains two centrosomes at the time of mitosis

Centrosome amplification has been frequently observed in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies and is linked to tumoπgcncsis and ancuploidy The extent of ccntrosomal aberrations is correlated with the degree of chromosomal instability and5 clinical aggressiveness of the malignant neoplasms Tn mitosis, supernumerary centrosomes can lead to the formation of multipolar spindles which are responsible for chromosome malsegregation with subsequent aneuploidy and which can be found in many tumor types Multipolar spindles, however, are antagonistic to cell viability Most progeny derived from a defective mitosis will undergo apoptosis, but few daughter cells, receiving the0 appropriate chromosome complement and gene dosage, may survive and contribute, via clonal selection, to a population of aneuploid tumor cells The survivors, however, must overcome the condition of supernumerary centrosomes in order to divide efficiently To regain secondary karyotype stability, many tumor cells have developed a mechanism termed centrosomal clustering that prevents the formation of multipolar spindles by5 coalescence of multiple centrosomes into two functional spmdle poles

Centrosome positioning in the center of interphase cells is accomplished by pulling forces applied to microtubules by dyncin, which serves to keep the centrosome aw ay from the cell margin, and microtubule pushing by actomyosm-dπvcn forces directed toward the cell0 center Several pieces of evidence suggest that the minus-cnd-dircctcd microtubule motor protein dynein is involved in microtubule minus end bundling for the establishment of bipolar spindles A current model suggests that the function of dynein to tether spindle pole microtubules into bundles requires NuMA, which might use the motor activity of dynein to become localized to centrosomes At the spindle poles, it forms a matrix to hold "> microtubule minus ends together Analogous, in cells w ith multiple centrosomes, centrosomal clustering seems to be mediated by dynein Recent data show that only cells with spmdle-associated dynein localization were capable of coalescing multiple centrosomes into two spindle poles Spindle multipolarity, on the other hand, was found to follow overexpression of NuMA which interferes with the spindle localization of dynein With the exception of the involvement of dynein and NuMA, the molecular mechanisms responsible for clustering of multiple centrosomes into two spindle poles of tumor cells are unknown

The only known small molecules that specifically affect the mitotic machinery target either tubulin or the plus-end-directed motor protein Eg5, a mitotic kmesm required for spmdle bipoldπty Whereas vmca alkaloids and taxanes disrupt spmdle function by inhibiting or increasing microtubule polymerization, inhibition of Eg5 activity by monastrol leads to impaired microtubule-dependent centrosome separation and formation of monopolar spmdlcs Both vmca alkaloids and taxanes arc used as anticancer drugs and Eg5 is currently evaluated as a potential target for antineoplastic drug development However, neither microtubule poisoning nor Eg5 inhibition selectively affects tumor cells, explaining side effects and dose limitations of antimitotic drugs in clinical use

Supernumerary centrosomes do almost exclusively occur in a wide variety of neoplastic disorders but not in non-transformed cells Therefore, inhibition of centrosomal clustering with consequential induction of multipolar spindles and subsequent cell death would specifically target tumor cells with no impact on normal cells with a regular centrosome content To identify cell-permeable small molecules that inhibit centrosomal clustering in cells with supernumerary centrosomes, we developed a cell-based screening strategy founded on the visualization of microtubules and chromatin Natural products have proved to be rich sources of novel anti-cancer lead compounds during the past 20 years Therefore, w e decided to screen a fungal extract library for compounds inhibiting centrosomal clustering The fungal extracts were selected based on a chcmotaxonormc screening approach, in order to increase the chcmodivcrsity to be tested An initial screening effort using extracts from different Penicilhum species led to the identification of gπscofulvin as an inhibitor of centrosome coalescence in several different tumor cell lines

The concentrations of the compounds used according to the present invention necessary for the induction of multipolar spindles are similar to those required for the inhibition of mitosis and cell proliferation, suggesting that multipolar spindles lead to aberrant cell divisions and subsequent cell death The cytotoxicity induced by the compounds used according to the present invention is limited to cells with multipolar spindles Unlike those, cells with bipolar spindles, despite experiencing a prolonged mitosis, eventually di\ ide and survive in the presence of the compounds of the invention

The compounds having a structure as shown in the general formula (I) are more potent than the known compound gnseofulvm

Specifically, grovvth, cell cycle and viability of normal" non-transformed body cells is not affected by the compounds of the invention The present invention includes the use of all stereoisomers forms of the compounds of the formula (1) for the purposes laid out herein, i e for the treatment of cancer, particular the cancer varieties which can be treated with a compound of the formula (I) The present m\ cntion also includes, for the compounds as defined beforehand which arc not known, all stereo iso men c forms of these compounds Centers of asymmetry that arc present in the compounds of formula (I) all independently of one another ha\ c S configuration or R configuration The invention includes all possible enantiomers and diastereomers and mixtures of two or more stereoisomers, for example mixtures of enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in all ratios Thus, compounds according to the present invention which can exist as enantiomers can be present in enantiomerically pure form, both as levorotatory and as dextrorotatory antipodes, m the form of racemates and in the form of mixtures of the two enantiomers m all ratios In the case of a cis'trans isomerism the invention includes both the cis form and the trans form as w ell as mixtures of these forms in all ratios All these forms are an object of the present invention The preparation of individual stereoisomers can be carried out, if desired, by separation of a mixture by customary methods, for example by chromatography or crystallization, by

uniform starting materials for the synthesis or by stereoselective synthesis Optionally a denvatization can be earned out before a separation of stereoisomers The separation of a mixture of stereoisomers can be carried out at the stage of the compounds of the formula (T) or at the stage of an intermediate during the synthesis The present invention also includes all tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I)

In case the compounds according to formula (I) contain one or more acidic or basic groups, the invention also comprises their corresponding pharmaceutically or toxicologically acceptable salts, in particular their pharmaceutically utihzable salts Thus, the compounds of the formula (I), which contain acidic groups, can be present on these groups and can be used according to the invention, for example, as alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or as ammonium salts More precise examples of such salts include sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts or salts with ammonia or organic amines such as, for example, ethylamine, ethanolamine, triethanolamine or amino acids. Compounds of the formula (I), which contain one or more basic groups, i.e. groups which can be protonated, can be present and can be used according to the invention in the form of their addition salts with inorganic or organic acids. Examples for suitable acids include hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acids, oxalic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, pivalic acid, diethylacetic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, sulfaminic acid, phenylpropionic acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, isonicotinic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, and other acids known to the person skilled in the art. If the compounds of the formula (1) simultaneously contain acidic and basic groups in the molecule, the invention also includes, in addition to the salt forms mentioned, inner salts or bctaincs (zwittcrions). The respective salts according to the formula (T) can be obtained by customary methods, which arc known to the person skilled in the art like, for example by contacting these with an organic or inorganic acid or base in a solvent or dispersant, or by anion exchange or cation exchange with other salts. The present invention also includes all salts of the compounds of the formula (I), which, owing to low physiological compatibility, are not directly suitable for use in pharmaceuticals but which can be used, for example, as intermediates for chemical reactions or for the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

The present invention furthermore includes all solvates of compounds of the formula (I), for example hydrates or adducts with alcohols, active metabolites of the compounds of the formula (I), and also derivatives and prodrugs of the compounds of the formula (I) which contain physiologically tolerable and cleavable groups, for example esters, amides and compounds in which the N-H group depicted in formula (I) is replaced with an N-alkyl group, such as N-mcthyl, or with an N-acyl group, such as N-acctyl or N-argininyl, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts formed on functional groups present in the N- acyl group.

The compounds according to general formula (I) and their precursors can be prepared according to methods published in the literature or, respectively, analogous methods. Appropriate methods have been published in, for example, Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart, or Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, New York. AIl reactions for the synthesis of the compounds of the formula (I) are per se well-known to the skilled person and can be carried out under standard conditions according to or analogously to procedures described in the literature, for example in Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie (Methods of Organic Chemistry), Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart, or Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Depending on the circumstances of the individual case, in order to avoid side reactions during the synthesis of a compound of the formula (I), it can be necessary or advantageous to temporarily block functional groups by introducing protective groups and to deprotect them in a later stage of the synthesis, or introduce functional groups in the form of precursor groups which in a later reaction step are converted into the desired functional groups. Such synthesis strategies and protective groups and precursor groups, which are suitable in an individual case, arc known to the skilled person. If desired, the compounds of the formula (I) can be purified by customary purification procedures, for example by rccrystallization or chromatography. The starting compounds for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I) arc commercially available or can be prepared according to or analogously to literature procedures. The compounds obtained with the above-mentioned synthesis methods are a further object of the present invention.

The compounds according to the formula (I) can also be used in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds, preferably compounds which are able to enhance the effect of the compounds according to the general formula (I). Examples of such compounds include: (i) antimetabolites, cytarabine, fludarabine, 5-fluoro-2^'-deoxyuridine, gemcitabine, hydroxyurea or methotrexate; (ii) DNA- fragment ing agents, bleomycin, (iii) DNA-crosshnking and alkylating agents, chlorambucil, cisplatin, carboplatin, fotemustine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dacarbazine or nitrogen mustard; (iv) intercalating agents, adriamycin (doxorubicin) or mitoxantrone; (v) protein synthesis inhibitors, L-asparaginase, cycloheximide, puromycin or diphteria toxin; (vi) topoisomerase I poisons, camptothecin or topotccan; (vii) topoisomerase I I poisons, ctoposidc (VP-16) or tcniposidc; (viii) microtubulc-dircctcd agents, colccmid, colchicine, paclitaxcl (taxol), docctaxcl (taxotcrc), vinblastine or vincristine; (ix) kinase inhibitors, flavopiridol, staurosporin, STI571 (CPG 57148B) or UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine); (x) miscellaneous investigational agents, trichostatin A, thioplatin, PS-341, phenylbutyrate, ET-I8-OCH₃, or farnesyl transferase inhibitors (L-739749, L-744832); polyphenols, quercetin, resveratrol, piceatannol, epigallocatechine gallate, theaflavins, flavanols, procyanidins, betulinic acid and derivatives thereof; (xi) hormones, glucocorticoids or fenretinide; (xii) hormone antagonists, tamoxifen, finasteride or LHRH antagonists, (xiii) demethylating agents, 5- azacytidine, 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine, 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytidine, or (xiv) a combination of - Η -

any of the pharmaceuticals given above or use in high-dose chemotherapy regimens including stem cell transplantation, (xv) differentiation inducing agents such as retinoic acid derivatives, (xvi) ionizing radiation therapy, MIBG-therapy and conventional radiation therapy

The compounds of the formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds, can be administered to animals, preferably to mammals, and in particular to humans, as pharmaceuticals by themsehes, in mixtures with one another or in the form of pharmaceutical preparations Further sub]ects of the present invention therefore also are the compounds of the formula (1) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for use as pharmaceuticals, including the use of the pharmaceuticals as inhibitor of ccntrosomc clustering, to induce multipolar mitoses of tumor cells with supernumerary ccntrosomcs, and to induce apoptosis They can be used in the therapy and prophylaxis of the above-mentioned diseases and syndromes as well as for preparing pharmaceuticals for these purposes Furthermore, subjects of the present inv ention are pharmaceutical preparations (or pharmaceutical compositions), which comprise an effective dose of at least one compound of the formula (I) and'or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, i e one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carrier substances and^;or additives

The pharmaceuticals according to the invention can be administered orally, for example m the form of pills, tablets, lacquered tablets, sugar-coated tablets, granules, hard and soft gelatin capsules, aqueous, alcoholic or oily solutions, syrups, emulsions or suspensions, or rectdlly, for example in the form of suppositories Administration can also be carried out parenterally, for example subcutaneously intramuscularly or intravenously in the form of solutions for injection or infusion Other suitable administration forms are, for example, percutaneous or topical administration, for example in the form of ointments, tinctures, sprays or transdermal therapeutic systems, or the lnhalativc administration m the form of nasal sprays or aerosol mixtures, or, for example, microcapsules, implants or rods The preferred administration form depends, for example, on the disease to be treated and on its severity

The preparation of the pharmaceutical preparations can be carried out in a manner known per se To this end, one or more compounds of the formula (I) and/or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, together with one or more solid or liquid pharmaceutical earner substances and/or additives (or auxiliary substances) and, if desired, in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds having therapeutic or prophylactic action, - M -

are brought into a suitable administration form or dosage form, which can then be used as a pharmaceutical in human or -veterinary medicine

For the production of pills, tablets, sugar-coated tablets and hard gelatin capsules it is possible to use, for example, lactose, starch, for example maize starch, or starch derivatives, talc, stearic acid or its salts, etc Carriers for soft gelatin capsules and suppositories are, for example, fats, waxes, semisolid and liquid polyols, natural or hardened oils, etc Suitable earners for the preparation of solutions, for example of solutions for injection, or of emulsions or syrups are, for example, w ater, physiologically sodium chloride solution, alcohols such as ethanol, glycerol, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose, mannitol, vegetable oils, etc It is also possible to lyophilize the compounds of the formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to use the resulting lyophihsatcs, for example, for preparing preparations for injection or infusion Suitable carriers for microcapsules, implants or rods arc, for example, copolymers of glycolic acid and lactic acid

Besides the compound or compounds according to the intention and carriers, the pharmaceutical preparations can also contain additives, for example fillers, disintegrants, binders, lubricants, wetting agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, dispersants, preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, flavorings, aromatrzers, thickeners, diluents, buffer substances, solvents, solubihzers, agents for achieving a depot effect, salts for altering the osmotic pressure, coating agents or antioxidants

The dosage of the compound of the formula (I) to be administered and/or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof depends on the individual case and is, as is customary, to be adapted to the individual circumstances to achieve an optimum effect

Thus, it depends on the nature and the severity of the disorder to be treated, and also on the sex, age, weight and individual rcsponsncncss of the human or ammal to be treated, on the efficacy and duration of action of the compounds used, on whether the therapy is acute or chronic or prophylactic, or on whether other active compounds arc administered m addition to compounds of the formula (T) The daily dose can be administered in a single dose or, in particular when larger amounts are administered, be drvided into several, for example two, three or four indrvidual doses In some cases, depending on the individual response, it may be necessary to deviate upwards or downwards from the given daily dose

It is to be understood that the compounds identified in accordance with the method of the present invention may be used as pharmaceutical compositions to treat cancer and, preferably, even the cancer varieties referred to beforehand. Accordingly, the method of the present invention may further comprise the steps of manufacturing the identified compound as a pharmaceutical composition as described elsewhere in this specification.

The compounds 1 to 11 and Pl to P12 give representative examples of compounds, which have been prepared in the framework of the present invention, together with their activity, which has been determined as described below.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following Examples. However, the Examples are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any respect.

Materials and Methods

Cell Culture. All cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM; PAA Laboratories, Pasching, Austria) supplemented with 10 % FCS (PAA). SCCl 14 cells stably expressing GFP-α-tubulin were generated by transfection (Fugene 6, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) of the transgene in pEGFP-Cl (Clontech, Heidelberg, Germany) and maintained under selective pressure by addition of geniticin (Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany). Primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK; PromoCell, Heidelberg, Germany) were cultured in Keratinocyte Growth Medium 2 (PromoCell). When indicated a griseofulvin analogue was added to the culture medium. The griseofulvin analogue was dissolved in DMSO (Sigma). In all experiments, the final DMSO concentration was 0.1 %.

Antibodies. The following antibodies were used: mouse monoclonal antibodies to Eg5 (Transduction Laboratories, Lexington, KY), α-tubulin (DM l A), γ-tubulin (GTU-88) (Sigma, Dciscnhofcn, Germany), δ-tubulin (A l ), ε-tubulin (H280), PARP (F-2) (Santa Cruz, Heidelberg, Germany) dyncin light intermediate chain (Chcmicon International, Hampshire, UK), and NuMA (Calbiochem, Darmstadt, Germany); rabbit polyclonal antibodies to γ-tubulin, centrin (Sigma), pericentrin (Covance, Richmond, CA), actin (1-19) (Santa Cruz), and phospho-S10-histone H3 (Upstate Biotechnology, Lake Placid, NY). A mouse monoclonal antibody to centrin and a rabbit polyclonal antibody to c-Napl was kindly provided by J.L. Salisbury, Rochester, MN and E.A. Nigg, Martinsried, Germany, respectively. Iniiminofluoi escence. Immunofluorescence staining was performed as described (Kramer et al, 2004). The following fluorochrome-conjugated secondary antibodies were used: anti-rabbit Alexa 488 (Molecular Probes, Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany) and anti- mouse Cy3 (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, West Grove, PN). Immunostained cells were examined using a Zeiss Axiovert 200 M fluorescence microscope (Gόttingen, Germany). Images were processed with Photoshop software (Adobe, Munich, Germany). [Kramer A, Mailand N, Lukas C, et al. Centrosome-associated Chkl prevents premature activation of cyclin-B-Cdkl kinase. Nat Cell Biol 2004;6:884-891] Time-lapse video microscopy. For live-cell imaging, GFP-α-tubulin expressing

SCCl 14 cells were grown in COi-independent Leibovitz's medium (Gibco, invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany) on plastic dishes (μ-dishes, Ibidi, Munich, Germany). Live-cell imaging was carried out using a Nikon TE2000-U inverted microscope equipped with differential interference contrast optics and an Orca AG camera (Hamamatsu), driven by NTS-Elcmcnt AR software (Nikon). Individual GFP-α-tubulin expressing cells containing bipolar or multipolar spindles were detected by immunofluorescence and followed using differential interference contrast imaging.

Flow cytometry. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry including the quantification of cells in mitosis by phospho-S10-histone H3 staining was performed as previously described (Syljuasen et al., 2004)).

[Syljuasen RG, Sorensen CS, Nylandsted J, Lukas C, Lukas J, Bartek J. Inhibition of Chkl by CEP-3891 accelerates mitotic nuclear fragmentation in response to ionizing Radiation. Cancer Res 2004;64:9035-40]

Colorimetric MTT (tetraiolium) assay. The cytotoxicity assay was performed as previously described (Mosmann, 1983).

[Mosmann T. Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J Immunol Methods 1983;65 :55-63]

Isolation and analysis of human centrosomes. Centrosomes from SCCl 14 cells were isolated as previously described (Kramer et al., 2004; Blomberg-Wirschell and Doxsey, 1998).

[Kramer A, Mailand N, Lukas C, et al. Centrosome-associated Chkl prevents premature activation of cyclin-B-Cdkl kinase. Nat Cell Biol 2004;6:884-891]

[Blomberg-Wirschell M, Doxsey SJ. Rapid isolation of centrosomes. Methods Enzymol 1998;298:228-38] Measurement of Annexin-V-positive cells. Phosphatidylserine externalization was analyzed using the Apoptosis Detection Kit I from Becton Dickinson (Heidelberg, Germany) according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Treatment of GFP-α-tubulin expressing SCC114 cells with griseofulvin analogues. Analogues were dissolved in DMSO/water and diluted to span a concentration range of 100 micromolar to 10 nanomolar.

Synthesis of griseofulvin derivatives. Griseofulvin and all other chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and used without further purification. Thin-layer chromatography was performed on aluminum plates prccoatcd with silica gel. Flash chromatography was performed using Merck silica gel 60. ¹ H NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Unity Inova 500 spectrometer or a Varian Mcrcurc 300 spectrometer and ⁿC NMR spectra on a Brukcr AC 200 spectrometer operating at 50 MHz. IR spectra were obtained using a Perkin-Elmer 1600 FT-IR instrument. Melting points were determined using a Heidolph capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. EIMS were recorded by direct inlet to a GCMS-QP5000 Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer from Shimadzu. High-resolution LC-DAD-MS was performed on an Agilent 1100 system equipped with a photodiode array detector (DAD) and coupled to a LCT orthogonal time- of-flight mass spectrometer (Waters-Micromass, Manchester, UK) with a Z-spray electrospray ionisation (ESI) source and a LockSpray probe (M+H 556.2771) and controlled by MassLynx 4.0 software. LC-MS calibration from m/z 100-900 was done with a PEG mixture. Standard separation involved a LUNA 2 column with an acetonitrile (50 ppm TFA) in water gradient starting from 15% to 100% over 25 minutes with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Microanalyses were conducted by H. Kolbe Mikroanalytisches Laboratorium, Mϋlheim an der Ruhr, Germany.

Synthesis of representative, active compounds of the formula (I):

General procedure 1 for compounds with variation in Y, Z and R¹:

To a solution of 2'-demethoxy-2'-chloro griseofulvin (0.1 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in dry THF

(0.5 mL) was added a solution of a nucleophile (0.2 mmol, 2.0 equiv.) and NaH (0.3 mmol, 3.0 equiv.) in dry THF (0.25 mL). The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then quenched with NH₄CI (satd. aq.) and extracted with EtOAc (3 x 5 mL). The combined organic phases were dried with MgSO^, concentrated in vacuo and purified by flash column chromatography. When possible the product was re-crystallized from EtOAc/heptane.

General procedure 2 for compounds with λ^rariation in Y, Z, R¹ and R²: To an ice-cooled solution of griseofulvin (or 2'-analog) (1.4 mmol, 1 equiv.) and N- iodosuccinimide (2.1 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) in anhydrous CH₂CI₂ (15 mL, 0.1 M) under an argon atmosphere was added triethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (0.35 mmol 0.25 equiv.). The mixture was stirred at 20 ⁰C for 24 h and then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (60 mL) and washed with sat. aq. NaHCO_? (60 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL), the combined organic phases were dried (MgSC^) and concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc: heptane 1 :3) to yield the desired product. When possible the product was rc-crystallizcd from EtOAc/hcptanc.

The following representative compounds were prepared according to general procedure 1 :

(25,6'7?)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l '-(2'-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 1: R/ (EtOAc:heptane 5: 1): 0.42; m.p.: 173-175 ⁰C; IR (KBr, cm ¹): 1705, 1659; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.24 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.09 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 6.10 (IH, s), 5.54 (IH, s), 4.85 (IH, A, J = 12.3 Hz), 4.73 (IH, A, J = 12.3 Hz), 4.00 (3H, s), 3.94 (3H, s), 3.03 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 13.3 Hz), 2.84 (IH, ddq, J = 13.3, 4.5, 6.6 Hz), 2.41 (IH, dd, J= 16.5, 4.5 Hz), 0.96 (3H, d, J= 6.6 Hz); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 196.7, 192.6, 169.7, 169.6, 164.9, 158.0, 134.2, 133.4, 129.0 (2C), 128.3 (2C), 106.2, 105.3, 97.3, 90.3, 89.8, 70.1 , 57.3, 56.6, 40.2, 36.6, 14.5; EIMS: m/e calcd for C₂₁H₂₀Cl₂O₆ M⁺ 462. Found 462; Anal. Calcd for C₂₁H₂₀Cl₂O₆: C, 59.62; H, 4.35. Found: C, 59.68; H, 4.37.

(2i5,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-sρiro-r-(2'-(4-iodobenzyloxy)- 6'-mcthyl-cyclohcx-2'-cnc-4'-onc) 2: R/ (EtOAc:hcρtanc 5: 1 ): 0.48; m.p.: 166-168 ⁰C; IR (KBr, cm^"1): 1702, 1657; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl,): δ 7.60 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz), 6.10 (I H, s), 5.54 (I H, s), 4.83 (I H, A, J = 12.5 Hz), 4.71 (I H, A, J = 12.5 Hz), 4.01 (3H, s), 3.95 (3H, s), 3.03 (I H, dd, J = 16.5, 13.4 Hz), 2.90-2.78 (I H, m),

9 .42 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 4.5 Hz), 0.96 (3H, A, J = 6.6 Hz); I ¹ VC NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 197.3, 192.6, 169.6, 164.9, 169.7, 153.0, 137.9 (2C), 134.5, 128.7 (2C), 106.2, 105.3, 97.4, 94.1, 90.9, 89.8, 70.2, 56.6, 57.3, 40.2, 36.6, 14.1 ; EIMS: m/e calcd for C₂₃H₂₀ClIO₆ M^" 554. Found 554; Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₂₀ClIO₆: C, 49.80; H, 3.63. Found: C, 49.89; H, 3.74. (25,6 '7?)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(2'-(3-iodobenzylo xy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 3: R_/ (EtO Ac/heptane 5:1): 0.45; m.p.: 171-174 ⁰C; IR (AgCl, cm ¹): 1704, 1660; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.57 (IH, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 7.42 (IH, s), 7.11 (IH, d, J = 7.7 Hz), 7.00 (IH, t, J = 7.8 Hz), 6.13 (IH, s), 5.55 (IH, s), 4.83 (IH, d, J= 12.5 Hz), 4.71 (IH, d, J= 12.5 Hz), 4.02 (3H, s), 3.97 (3H, s), 3.07 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 13.5 Hz), 2.93-2.80 (IH, m), 2.44 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 4.5 Hz), 0.99 (3H, d, J = 6.6 Hz); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 196.8, 192.7, 169.7, 169.5, 165.0, 158.0, 137.4, 137.2, 135.5, 130.5, 125.8, 106.1, 105.7, 97.1, 94.6, 91.0, 89.9, 69.5, 57.3, 56.7, 40.4, 36.5, 14.6; EIMS: m/e calcd for C₂₅H₂₀ClIO₆ M⁺ 554. Found 554; Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₂₀ClIO₆: C, 49.80; H, 3.63. Found: C, 49.69; H, 3.68.

(2iS,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimcthoxy-bcnzofuran-3-onc)-2-sρiro-r-(2'-(2-iodobcnzyloxy)- 6'-mcthyl-cyclohcx-2'-cnc-4'-onc) 4: R_/ (EtOAc:hcρtanc 5:1): 0.48; m.p.: 167-169 ⁰C; IR (AgCl, cm^"1): 1706, 1661 ; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl,): δ 7.60-754 (IH, m), 7.45-7.41 (I H, m), 7.19-7.09 (IH, m), 7.05-6.97 (I H, m), 6.12 (IH, s), 5.63 (IH, s), 4.85 (IH, d, J = 13.3 Hz), 4.71 (IH, d, J= 13.2 Hz), 4.03 (3H, s), 3.97 (3H, s), 3.08 (IH, dd, J= 16.5, 13.4 Hz), 2.95-2.83 (IH, m), 2.46 (IH, dd, J= 16.5, 4.4 Hz), 1.00 (3H, d, J= 6.6 Hz); "C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 196.9, 192.6, 169.8, 169.4, 164.9, 158.1, 139.5, 137.0, 130.0, 128.6,

128.1, 106.4, 105.2, 97.1, 96.5, 91.0, 89.8, 74.7, 57.3, 56.7, 40.3, 36.7, 14.5; EIMS: m/e calcd for C₂₃H₂₀ClIO,; M⁺ 554. Found 554.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(6'-methyl-2'-(4- methylbenzyloxy)-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 5: Rf (EtOAc: heptane 5:1): 0.45; m.p.: 176-178 ⁰C; IR (KBr, cm^"1): 1709, 1664; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.11-7.04 (4H, m), 6.09 (IH, s), 5.58 (IH, s), 4.87 (IH, d, J = 12.2 Hz), 4.76 (IH, d, J = 12.2 Hz), 4 01 (3H, s), 3.95 (3H, s), 3.04 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 13.4 Hz), 2.85 (IH, ddq, J = 13.2, 4.5, 6.6 Hz), 2.41 (IH, dd, J = 16.4, 4.4 Hz), 2.30 (3H, s), 0.97 (3H, d, J = 6.6 Hz); ^πC NMR (75 MHz, CDCI,): δ 197.1 , 192.7, 169.9, 169.8, 164.7, 157.9, 138.2, 131.8, 129.5 (2C), 127.0 (2C),

106.2, 105.8, 97.1 , 91.0, 89.7, 71.0, 57.2, 56.6, 40.2, 36.7, 21.4, 14.5; HRMS (ESI+) calcd for [C₂₄H₂₄ClO₆] 443.1261 , found 443.1273.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(6'-methyl-2'-(4- hydroxymethylbenzyloxy)-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 6: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.31 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 2H), 6.11 (s, IH), 5.56 (s, IH), 4.90 (d, J= 12.5 Hz, IH), 4.79 (d, J = 12.5 Hz, IH), 4.44 (s, 2H), 4.02 (s, 3H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.04 (dd, J = 16.5, 13.4 Hz, IH), 2.86 (ddq, J= 13.4, 4.5, 6.6 Hz, IH), 2.42 (dd, J= 16.5, 4.5 Hz, IH), 0.98 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H). (25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(6'-methyl-2'-(4-bromo- methylbenzyloxy)-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 7: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.31 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 6.10 (s, IH), 5.56 (s, IH), 4.90 (d, J= 12.5 Hz, IH), 4.78 (d, J= 12.5 Hz, IH), 4.44 (s, 2H), 4.02 (s, 3H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.04 (dd, J= 16.5, 13.5 Hz, IH), 2.85-2.76 (m, IH), 2.42 (dd, J= 16.5, 4.4 Hz, IH), 0.97 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H).

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(6'-methyl-2--((3,5- dimethyl-4-πitro-pyrid-2-yl)methyloxy)-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 8: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl,): δ 7.35 (s, IH), 6.10 (s, IH), 5.75 (s, IH), 5.03 (s, 2H), 4.00 (s, 3H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.01 (dd, ./ = 16.5, 13.5 Hz, IH), 2.80 (ddq, ./ = 13.5, 4.5, 6.7 Hz, IH), 2.39 (dd, J = 16.5, 4.4 Hz, IH), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.12 (s, 3H) 0.93 (d, ./ = 6.7 Hz, 3H).

(25,6'/?)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimcthoxy-bcnzofiiran-3-onc)-2-spiro-l '-(2'-(4-biphcnylmcthoxy)- 6'-mcthyl-cyclohcx-2'-cnc-4'-onc) 9: R_f (tohicnc:CH₂Cl₂:hcptanc 2:2:1 ); 0.32; IR (KBr, cm ¹): 1704, 1662; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.58-7.50 (4H, m), 7.46-7.40 (2H, m),

7.37-7.31 (IH, m), 7.28-7.23 (2H, m), 6.10 (IH, s), 5.63 (IH, s), 4.97 (IH, d, J = 12.4 Hz),

4.85 (IH, ά, J = 12.4 Hz), 4.01 (3H, s), 3.96 (3H, s), 3.07 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 13.4 Hz), 2.88

(IH, ddq, J = 13.4, 4.6, 6.6 Hz), 2.45 (IH, dd, J = 16.5, 4.6 Hz), 1.00 (3H, A, J = 6.6 Hz); ¹³C NMR(50 MHz, CDCl₃); 197.0, 192.4, 169.5 (2C), 164.5, 157.7, 141.0, 140.4, 133.6,

128.7 (4C), 127.2, 127.0 (4C), 105.9, 105.3, 97.2, 90.7, 89.4, 70.4, 56.9, 56.3, 40.0, 36.3,

14.2; HRMS (ESI+) calcd for [C₂₉H₂₆ClO₆J⁺ 505.1418, found 505.1421.

(2S,6'R)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(6'-methyl-2'-phenoxy- cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 10: R_r (EtOAc :heptane 5:1); 0.50; IR (KBr, cm^"1): 1704, 1665; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl,): δ 7.36-7.29 (2H, m), 7.22-7.16 (IH, m), 7.00-6.95 (2H, m), 6.13 (IH, s), 5.30 (IH, s), 4.01 (3H, s), 3.99 (3H, s) 3.06 (IH, dd, ./ = 16.0, 13.5 Hz), 2.99-2.85 (I H, m), 2.42 (I H, dd, J = 16.0, 4.0 Hz), 1.01 (3H, d, J = 6.5 Hz); "C NMR(75 MHz, CDCl,); 197.0, 192.3, 170.9, 169.6, 164.8, 157.8, 152.6, 130.0 (2C), 126.3, 121.1 (2C), 108.8, 105.2, 97.2, 90.6, 89.5, 57.0, 56.4, 40.3, 36.5, 14.3; HRMS (ESI+) calcd for [C₂₂H₂OCIO₆] ¹ 415.0948, found.415.0941.

The following representative compound was prepared according to general procedure 2: (25,6'7?)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(3'-iodo-6'-metliyl-2'- propoxy-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) 11: R_f (EtOAc:heptane 5:1): 0.53; m.p.: 98-100 ⁰C; IR (KBr₅ Cm ¹): 1719, 1618; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.13 (IH, s), 4.14-4.11 (2H, m), 4.03 (3H, s), 4.00 (3H, s), 3.80-3.73 (IH, m), 2.94-2.87 (IH, m), 2.92-2.90 (IH, m), 1.75- 1.68 (2H, m), 1.05 (3H, d, J = 5.8 Hz), 1.00 (3H, t, J = 7.4 Hz); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 196.7, 192.1, 188.0, 172.3, 172.3, 165.5, 158.3, 112.2, 103.8, 97.9, 90.1, 67.9, 57.4, 56.8, 39.4, 38.2, 22.3, 12.2, 10.8; HRMS (ESI+) calcd for [C_wH₂iCUO₆]⁺ 507.0071, found 507.0069.

The IC₅₀ values for the compounds 1 to 11 are shown in table 1

Table 1

Compound IC₅₀ \\. Compound TC50 [μ

1 3.4 7 4.7

2 3.3 8 9.1

3 * 9 3.2

4 5.8 10 1.5

5 0.9 11 2.1

6 1.2

Compound 3 is expected to show IC50 values in the range from 0,1 to 10 μM.

The structure of the compounds 1 to 11 is shown below:

10

It is expected, that the following compounds Pl to P12 can be synthesised in a straightforward manner.

P1 P2 P3

P9 P10

P11 P12

The IUPAC names of the compounds Pl to P12 are as follows: (25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(2-chlorobenzyloxy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) Pl.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzoflιran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(3-bromobenzyloxy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) P2.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(4-fluorobenzyloxy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) P3. (2S,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuraii-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(4- methoxybenzyloxy)-6 ' -methyl-cyclohex-2 ' -ene-4 ' -one-4 ' -oxime) P4.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chlora-4,6-diτncthoxy-bcnzofuran-3-onc)-2-sρiro-1 '-(2'-(4-cyanobcnzyloxy)- 6'-mcthyl-cyclohcx-2'-cnc-4'-onc) P5.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(2'-(4-aminobenzyloxy)- 6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) P6.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(2'-(benzo[l,3]dioxol-5- ylmethoxy)-6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) P7.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-l'-(2'-(3,5- dibenzyloxybenzyloxy)-6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one) P8. (2S,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuraii-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(4- butyloxybenzyloxy)-6 '-methyl-cyclohex-2 '-ene-4 ' -one) P9.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chlora-4,6-diτncthoxy-bcnzofu.ran-3-onc)-2-sρira-T-(2'-(4- trifluoromcthylbcnzyloxy)-6'-mcthyl-cyclohcx-2'-cnc-4'-onc) PlO.

(25,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-sρiro-r-(2'-decyloxy-3'-iodo-6'- methyl-cyclohex-2 '-ene-4 '-one) PIl .

(2jS,6'Λ)-(7-Chloro-4-trifluoromethoxy-6-methoxy-benzofuran-3-one)-2-spiro-r-(2'-(4- methylbenzyloxy)-6'-methyl-cyclohex-2'-ene-4'-one-4'-oxime) P12. The expected IC₅₀ values of the compounds Pl to P12 are shown in table 2.

Table 2

Compound IC₅₀ [μlV Compound IC₅₀ [μM]

Pl 0.1-3 P7 0.01-0.2

P2 0.1-2 P8 1-15

P3 0.1-1 P9 0.001-0.1

P4 0.1-0.5 PlO 0.01-0.5

P5 0.1-0.7 PI l 1-8

P6 0.1-5 P12 0.001-0.05

Claims

1. A compound according to the general formula (I) and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a method for treating cancer in a patient,

wherein the symbols in formula (I) have the following meanings: A is O, =N0R⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸,

X is halogen, hydrogen or pseudohalogen,

Y is -O-, -S-, a single bond, -NH-, -NR¹¹-, -N⁺R¹²R¹³-, -C(O)-,

Z is -(CHz)_n-, n is an integer from 0 to 10, R² is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)- alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-C_ϊ)-alkcnyl, linear or branched (C₂-C_ϊ)-alkynyl, (C₆- Q,)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-a1kyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-a1kyl, halogcn- (Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)- alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms

9 is iinsubstitiited or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitiient R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is other than hydrogen: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R^lu, hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Cι-C₄)-alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tcrt-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pscudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cm)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C7)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino,

(Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (CV C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R is hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-C₁₀)- alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (CVC₇)-cycloalkyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryl or aralkyl comprising linear or branched (Cι-Cιo)-alkyl and (Cs-Cιo)-aryl wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more halogen substituent(s),

R⁵, R⁶, R', R⁸, R¹ ' , R¹² and R' ' arc independently of each other hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-GO-alkyl or (Ci-C.₄)-alkylcarbonyl and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰

and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. The compound according to claim 1, where R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0, and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R .

3. The compound according to claim 1 , where R² is hydrogen and n is 0, and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰.

4. The compound according to claim 1, where R² is other than hydrogen, and R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci- Cιo)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cιo)-alkynyl, (Ct-C₇)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl.

5. The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein

or =NR⁸

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-, a single bond, -NH-, -NR¹¹-, -N⁺R¹²R¹³-, -C(O)-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-,

n is an integer from 0 to 10,

R is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)- alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, (CV C_fj)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogcn- (Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (d-C₄)-alky1amino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)- alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsiibstitiited or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R is, in case R is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group arc unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is halogen: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (CVCN)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)- alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tcrt-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C7)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl,

(Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-CO-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl,

amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci- C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R¹ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R³,

R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^s, R¹¹, R¹² and Rⁿ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (Ci-C₄)-alkyl or (Ci-CO-alkylcarbonyl and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

The compound according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein

A is =0,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S- or a single bond,

Z is -(CH₂),,-,

n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R² is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)- alkyl, linear or branched (CV(\)-alkcnyl, linear or branched (CV(\)-alkynyl, (C-,- C₆)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-C₄)-a1kyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxy1-(Ci-C)-a1kyl, halogcn- (Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alky1amino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)- alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C-O-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R ,

R¹, is in case R² is iodine: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of

N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R , hydrogen, linear or branched (Cι-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C}-C^)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pscudohalogcn, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)- alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C7)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-CO-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino,

amino, (Ci-C-O-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci- C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R^J is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents, R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R³,

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

7. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein

A is = O,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-,

n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R is hydrogen, halogen, pseudohalogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)- alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cϊ)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cϊ)-alkynyl, (CY C_fj)-cycloalkyl, (Ci-Ci)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogcn- (C]-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)- alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy carbonyl, (Cs-Cio)-aryloxy carbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R is, in case R^* is hydrogen and n = 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group arc unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case R² is iodine: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, hydrogen, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (Ci-CN)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)- alkyl,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tcrt-butyl,

(Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-CO-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci- C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl, R^J is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R³ and

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

8. A compound according to any of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7 wherein

A is =0,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-, n is an integer from 0 to 3,

R² is hydrogen,

R is, in case n is other than 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring hctcroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing hctcrocyclcs one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstitutcd or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitucnt R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R¹ is, in case n is 0: phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10- membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of

N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitiient R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsiibstitiited or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert -butyl,

R is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C2-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C2-Cio)-alkynyl, (Ci-Ci)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy,

(Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(d-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(d-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-Ci)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-

C₄)-aUcylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R^J is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from 1 to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R^J,

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 wherein

A is selected from: =O, =NOR⁵, =N-NR^fiR⁷ or =NR⁸,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CHz)₁₁-,

n is an integer from 0 to 2

R² is hydrogen, R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R ,

R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cs)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cϊ)-alkcnyl, linear or branched (C₂-C^)-alkynyl, (C1-C₇)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci- C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(d-C₄)-alkyl, halogcn-(Ci-d)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)- alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-CO-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci- C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R independently has the same meaning as R and

R , R , R and R are independently of each other H, linear or branched (Ci-C₄)- alkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl.

10. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 wherein

A is selected from: =0, =NOR⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸, X is Cl, Y is -O-, -S-,

Z is -(CH₂),,-, n is an integer from 1 to 2,

R² is hydrogen,

R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R , and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tcrt-butyl, R¹⁰ is halogen, pscudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C7)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁴, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl, amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (Ci-CO-alkylcarbonyl amino,

(Ci-CzO-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-Czi)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₅-Cio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-Gi)-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci- C4)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C4)-alkylamino sulfonyl,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R',

R\ R^β, R' and R⁸ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (C₁-C₄)- alkyl or (Ci-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl,

R¹⁴ independently has the same meaning as R¹⁰.

11. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 wherein A is selected from: =0, =NOR⁵, =N-NR⁶R⁷ or =NR⁸,

X is Cl,

Y is -O-, -S-, Z is -(CH₂),,-,

n is an integer from 1 to 2,

R² is hydrogen,

R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic hctcrocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring hctcroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N- containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is imsubstitiited or carries a hydrogen atom or a substitiient R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰,

R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert -butyl,

R¹⁰ is halogen, pseudo halogen, nitro, cyano, linear or branched (Ci-Cio)-alkyl, linear or branched (C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, linear or branched (C₂-Cs)-alkynyl, (C^-C?)- cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy, (Ci-C₄)-alkyloxy-(Cι-

C.₄)-alkyl, hydroxyl-(Cι -C₄)-alkyl, halogen-(Cι -C₄)-alkyl, amino, (C₁-C₄)- alkylamino, di(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino, (CVC₄)-alkylcarbonyl amino, (Ci-C₄)-alkyl sulfonyl amino, (Ci-Ci)-alkyl carbonyl, hydroxyl carbonyl, (C₁-C₄)- alkyloxycarbonyl, (TVCio)-aryloxycarbonyl, amino carbonyl, (Ci-CO-alkylamino carbonyl, di-(Ci-C₄)-alkylamino carbonyl, hydroxy sulfonyl, amino sulfonyl, (Ci-

C₄)-alkylamino sulfonyl and di-(Ci-C₄)-a1kylamino sulfonyl,

R¹ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or halogen substituted methyl or ethyl carrying from I to 5 halogen substituents,

R⁴ independently has the same meaning as R^J and R\ R^β, R and R⁸ are independently of each other H, linear or branched (C₁-C₄)- alkyl or (Ci-CO-alkylcarbonyl

12 The use of a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 11, or a pharmaceutically *> acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer

13 The use according to claim 12 wherein the cancer is selected from solid neoplasia and hdemdtological malignancy 0

14 The use according to claim 13, wherein said cancer is selected from bram cancer, head- and neck cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, hvcr cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, pancreas cancer, bihary tract cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, sarcoma,5 bone and soft tissue sarcomas, leukaemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma, including both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphomas

15 The use of a compound as defined in any of the claims 1 to 11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical0 composition for the inhibition of centrosome clustering

16 The use of a compound as defined in any of the claims 1 to 11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition to induce multipolar mitoses in cells with supernumerary centrosomes5

17 The use of a compound as defined in any of the claims 1 to 11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition to induce apoptosis in cells 0 18 A method for treating cancer m a patient, comprising administering to a patient suffering from said disease in a therapeutically effective amount a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 11

19 A compound of the formula (I) as defined in claim 1, where i R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is other than 0 phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non-aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1, 2 or 3 identical or different ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S w- herein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R

R¹ is, in case R² is hydrogen and n is 0 phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different ring heterodtoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-contammg heterocycles one of the ring nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents

R¹⁰,

R¹ IS, in case R² is other than hydrogen phenyl, naphthyl or an aromatic or non- aromatic, 5- to 10-mcmbcrcd monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclyl group which contains 1 , 2 or 3 identical or different πng heteroatoms selected from N, O and S wherein in case of N-containing heterocycles one of the πng nitrogen atoms is unsubstituted or carries a hydrogen atom or a substituent R⁹, and wherein the phenyl, naphthyl and the aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by identical or different substituents R¹⁰, linear or branched (C₂-Cio)-alkenyl, linear or branched

(C₂-Cio)-alkynyl, (C₃-C-)-cycloalkyl, wherein the named groups are unsubstituted or carry one or more substituent(s) from the group halogen, pseudohalogen, hydroxycarbonyl, nitro, ammo, hydroxyl and hydroxyl-(Ci-C₄)-alkyl,

20 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 19 and optionally carriers and additives