WO2004056772A1 - Substituted 1,4-di-piperidin-4-yl-piperazine derivatives and their use as tachykinin antagonists - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns substituted 1,4-di-piperidin-4-yl-piperazine derivatives having tachykinin antagonistic activity, in particular NK1 antagonistic activity, their preparation, compositions comprising them and their use as a medicine, in particular for the treatment of emesis, anxiety, depression and IBS. The compounds according to the invention can be represented by general Formula (I) and comprises also the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and prodrugs thereof, wherein all substituents are defined as in Claim 1. In view of their capability to antagonize the actions of tachykinins by blocking the tachykinin receptors, and in particular antagonizing the actions of substance P by blocking the NK1 receptor, the compounds according to the invention are useful as a medicine, in particular in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of tachykinin-mediated conditions, such as, for instance CNS disorders, in particular depression, anxiety disorders, stress-related disorders, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders, personality disorders, schizoaffective disorders, eating disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, addiction disorders, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, pain and other CNS-related conditions; inflammation; allergic disorders; emesis; gastrointestinal disorders, in particular irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); skin disorders; vasospastic diseases; fibrosing and collagen diseases; disorders related to immune enhancement or suppression and rheumatic diseases and body weight control.

Description

SUBSTITUTED 1,4-DI-PIPERIDIN-4-YL-PIPERAZINE DERIVATIVES AND THEIR USE AS TACHYKININ ANTAGONISTS

Field of the Invention

This invention concerns l,4-di-piperidin-4-yl-piperazine derivatives having tachykinin antagonistic activity, in particular NKi antagonistic activity, their preparation, compositions comprising them and their use as a medicine, in particular for the treatment of emesis, anxiety, depression and IBS.

Background of The Invention

Tachykinins belong to a family of short peptides that are widely distributed in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system (Bertrand and Geppetti, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 17:255-259 (1996) ; Lundberg, Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 73:908- 914 (1995) ; Maggi , Gen. Pharmacol 26: 911 -944 ( 1995) ; Regoli et al, Pharmacol. Rev. 46 (1994)). They share the common C-terminal sequence Phe-Xaa-Gly-Leu-Met- NH₂. Tachykinins released from peripheral sensory nerve endings are believed to be involved in neurogenic inflammation. In the spinal cord/central nervous system, tachykinins may play a role in pain transmission/perception and in some autonomic reflexes and behaviours. The three major tachykinins are Substance P (SP), Neurokinin A (NK_A) and Neurokinin B (NK_B) with preferential affinity for three distinct receptor subtypes, termed NK_{1 ;} NK₂, and NK₃, respectively. However, functional studies on cloned receptors suggest strong functional cross-interaction between the 3 tachykinins and their corresponding receptors (Maggi and Schwartz, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 18: 351-355 (1997)).

Species differences in structure of NKi receptors are responsible for species- related potency differences of NB antagonists (Maggi, Gen. Pharmacol. 26:911-944 (1995) ; Regoli et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 46(4):551-599 (1994)). The human NK, receptor closely resembles the NK] receptor of guinea-pigs and gerbils but differs markedly from the NKi receptor of rodents. The development of tachykinin antagonists has led to date to a series of peptide compounds of which might be anticipated that they are metabolically too labile to be employed as pharmaceutically active substances (Longmore J. et al., DN&P 8(l):5-23 (1995)).

The tachykinins are involved in emesis, (stress-related) anxiety states, inflammatory responses, smooth muscle contraction and pain perception. Tachykinin antagonists are in development for indications such as emesis, anxiety and depression, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), circadian rhythm disturbances, visceral pain, neurogenic inflammation, asthma, micturition disorders, and nociception.

Emesis

Nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing side effects of cancer chemotherapy. These reduce the quality of life and may cause patients to delay or refuse, potentially curative drugs (Kris et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 3:1379-1384 (1985)). The incidence, intensity and pattern of emesis is determined by different factors, such as the chemotherapeutic agent, dosage and route of administration. Typically, early or acute emesis starts within the first 4 h after chemotherapy administration, reaching a peak between 4 h and 10 h, and decreases by 12 to 24 h. Delayed emesis (developing after 24 h and continuing until 3-5 days post chemotherapy) is observed with most 'high-emetogenic' chemotherapeutic drugs (level 4 and 5 according to Hesketh et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 15:103 (1997)). In humans, these 'high-emetogenic' anti-cancer treatments, including cis-platinum, induce acute emesis in > 98% and delayed emesis in 60-90% of cancer patients.

Animal models of chemotherapy such as cisplatin-induced emesis in ferrets (Rudd and Naylor, Neuropharmacology 33: 1607-1608 (1994) ; Naylor and Rudd, Cancer. Surv. 21:117-135 (1996)) have successfully predicted the clinical efficacy of the 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists. Although this discovery led to a successful therapy for the treatment of chemotherapy- and radiation-induced sickness in cancer patients, 5-HT₃ antagonists such as ondansetron and granisetron (either or not associated with dexamethasone) are effective in the control of the acute emetic phase (the first 24 h) but can only reduce the development of delayed emesis (> 24 h) with poor efficacy (De Mulder et al., Annuals of Internal Medicine 113:834-840 (1990) ; Roila, Oncology 50:163-167 (1993)). Despite these currently most effective treatments for the prevention of both acute and delayed emesis, still 50% of patients suffer from delayed vomiting and/or nausea (Antiemetic Subcommittee, Annals Oncol. 9:811-819 (1998)). In contrast to 5-HT₃ antagonists, NK_t antagonists such as CP-99,994 (Piedimonte et al, L. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 266:270-273 (1993)) and aprepitant (also known as MK-869 or L-754,030 ; Kramer et al, Science 281:1640-1645 (1998) ; Rupniak and Kramer, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 20:1-12 (1999)) have now been shown to inhibit not only the acute but also the delayed phase of cisplatin-induced emesis in animals (Rudd et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 119:931-936 (1996) ; Tattersall et al, Neuropharmacology 39:652-663 (2000)). NKi antagonists have also been demonstrated to reduce 'delayed' emesis in man in the absence of concomitant therapy (Cocquyt et al., Eur. J. Cancer 37:835-842 (2001) ; Navari et al, N. Engl. L. Med. 340:190-195 (1999)). When administered together with dexamethasone and 5-HT₃ antagonists, moreover, NKi antagonists (such as MK-869 and CJ-11,974, also known as Ezlopitant) have been shown to produce additional effects in the prevention of acute emesis (Campos et al, J. Clin. Oncol. 19:1759-1767 (2001) ; Hesketh et al, Clin. Oncol 17:338-343 (1999)).

Central tachykinin NKi receptors play a major role in the regulation of emesis. NKi antagonists are active against a wide variety of emetic stimuli (Watson et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 115:84-94 (1995) ; Tattersall et al, Neuropharmacol 35:1121-1129 (1996) ; Megens et al, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1-14 (2002)). The compounds are suggested to act by blocking central NK_t-receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius. Apart from NKi antagonism, CNS penetration is thus a prerequisite for the antiemetic activity of these compounds. Loperamide-induced emesis in ferrets can be used as a fast and reliable screening model for the antiemetic activity of NK] antagonists.

Further evaluation of their therapeutic value in the treatment of both the acute and the delayed phases of cisplatin-induced emesis has been demonstrated in the established ferret model (Rudd et al, Br. J. Pharmacol. 119:931-936 (1994)). This model studies both 'acute' and 'delayed' emesis after cisplatin and has been validated in terms of its sensitivity to 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, glucocorticoids (Sam et al, Eur. J.

Pharmacol. 417:231-237 (2001)) and other pharmacological challenges. It is unlikely that any future anti-emetic would find clinical acceptance unless successfully treating both the 'acute' and 'delayed' phases of emesis.

Anxiety and depression

Depression is one of the most common affective disorders of modern society with a high and still increasing prevalence, particularly in the younger members of the population. The life time prevalence rates of Major depression (MDD, DSM-IV) is currently estimated to be 10-25 % for women and 5-12 % for men, whereby in about 25 % of patients the life time MDD is recurrent, without full inter-episode recovery and superimposed on dysthymic disorder. There is a high co-morbidity of depression with other mental disorders and, particularly in younger population high association with drug and alcohol abuse. In the view of the fact that depression primarily affects the population between 18-44 years of age e.g. the most productive population, it is obvious that it imposes a high burden on individuals, families and the whole society. Among all therapeutic possibilities, the therapy with antidepressants is incontestably the most effective. A large number of antidepressants have been developed and introduced to the market in the course of the last 40 years. Nevertheless, none of the current antidepressants fulfill all criteria of an ideal drug (high therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy, rapid onset of action, completely satisfactory short- and long- term safety, simple and favourable pharmacokinetics) or is without side effects which in one or the other way limits their use in all groups and subgroups of depressed patients.

Since no treatment of the cause of depression exists at present, nor appears imminent, and no antidepressant is effective in more than 60-70 % of patients; the development of a new antidepressant which may circumvent any of the disadvantages of the available drugs is justified.

Several findings indicate involvement of SP in stress-related anxiety states.

Central injection of SP induces a cardiovascular response resembling the classical "fight or flight" reaction characterised physiologically by vascular dilatation in skeletal muscles and decrease of mesenteric and renal blood flow. This cardiovascular reaction is accompanied by a behavioural response observed in rodents after noxious stimuli or stress (Culman and Unger, Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 73:885-891 (1995)). In mice, centrally administered NKi agonists and antagonists are anxiogenic and anxiolytic, respectively (Teixeira et al, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 311:7-14 (1996)). The ability of NK] antagonists to inhibit thumping induced by SP (or by electric shock; Ballard et al, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 17:255-259 (2001)) might correspond to this antidepressant / anxiolytic activity, since in gerbils thumping plays a role as an alerting or warning signal to conspecifics.

The NKi receptor is widely distributed throughout the limbic system and fear- processing pathways of the brain, including the amygdala, hippocampus, septum, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal grey. Additionally, substance P is released centrally in response to traumatic or noxious stimuli and substance P-associated neurotransmission may contribute to or be involved in anxiety, fear, and the emotional disturbances that accompany affective disorders such as depression and anxiety. In support of this view, changes in substance P content in discrete brain regions can be observed in response to stressful stimuli (Brodin et al, Neuropeptides 26:253-260 (1994)). Central injection of substance P mimetics (agonists) induces a range of defensive behavioural and cardiovascular alterations including conditioned place aversion (Elliott, Exp. Brain. Res. 73:354-356 (1988)), potentiated acoustic startle response (Krase et al, Behav. Brain. Res. 63:81-88 (1994)), distress vocalisations, escape behaviour (Kramer et al, Science 281:1640-1645 (1998)) and anxiety on the elevated plus maze (Aguiar and Brandao, Physiol. Behav. 60:1183-1186 (1996)). These compounds did not modify motor performance and co-ordination on the rotarod apparatus or ambulation in an activity cage. Down-regulation of substance P biosynthesis occurs in response to the administration of known anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs (Brodin et al, Neuropeptides 26:253-260 (1994) ; Shirayama et al, Brain. Res. 739:70-78 (1996)). Similarly, a centrally administered NK! agonist-induced vocalisation response in guinea-pigs can be antagonised by antidepressants such as imipramine and fluoxetine as well as L-733,060, an NKi antagonist. These studies provide evidence suggesting that blockade of central NK] receptors may inhibit psychological stress in a manner resembling antidepressants and anxiolytics (Rupniak and Kramer, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 20:1-12 (1999)), but without the side effects of present medications. This is supported by data demonstrating that aprepitant is a clinically efficacious antidepressant with significant anxiolytic activity in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study (Kramer et al, Science 281:1640-1645 (1998)).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience impaired quality of life, and utilise health care resources extensively as they seek better "solutions" (including unnecessary repeated investigations or even surgery). Although these patients suffer from a 'benign' disorder (in other words, they will never die or develop significant complications), they nevertheless cause a significant economic burden by extensive health care resource utilisation, and absence from work.

A reasonable number of pre-clinical publications over the role of NKi receptors in visceral pain has been published. Using NK_t receptor knockout mice and NKi antagonists in animal models, different groups have demonstrated the important role played by the NKj receptor in hyperalgesia and visceral pain. The distribution of NKi receptors and substance P favours a major role in visceral rather than in somatic pain. Indeed more than 80% of visceral primary afferent contain substance P compared with only 25% skin afferents. NKj receptors are also involved in gastrointestinal motility (Tonini et al, Gastroenterol. 120:938-945 (2001) ; Okano et al, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 298:559-564 (2001)). Because of this dual role in both gastrointestinal motility and in nociception, NKj antagonists are considered to have potential to ameliorate symptoms in IBS patients.

Background prior art

Compounds containing the l-piperidin-4-yl-piperazinyl moiety were published in WO 97/16440-A1, published May 9, 1997 by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. for use as substance P antagonists, in WO 02/32867, published April 25, 2002 by Glaxo Group Ltd. for their special advantages as tachykinin antagonists (more specifically were disclosed 4-piperazin-l-yl-piperidine-l-carboxylic acid amide derivatives), in WO 01/30348-Al, published May 03, 2001 by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., for use as substance P antagonists for influencing the circadian timing system, and in WO 02/062784-A1, published August 15, 2002 by Hoffmann-La Roche AG for use as neurokinin 1 antagonists.

The compounds of the present invention differ from the compounds of the prior art in the substitution of the piperazinyl moiety, being a substituted piperidinyl moiety as well as in their improved ability as potent, orally and centrally active tachykinin antagonists with therapeutic value, especially for the treatment of emesis, anxiety and depression, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), circadian rhythm disturbances, visceral pain, neurogenic inflammation, asthma, micturition disorders, and nociception.

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel l,4-di-piperidin-4-yl-piperazine derivatives according to the general Formula (I)

the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and prodrugs thereof, wherein : n is an integer, equal to 0, 1 or 2 ; m is an integer, equal to 1 or 2, provided that if m is 2, then n is 1 ; p is an integer equal to 1 or 2 ;

Q is O or ΝR³ ;

X is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -O-, -S- or -ΝR³- ; each R³ independently from each other, is hydrogen or alkyl ; each R¹ independently from each other, is selected from the group of Ar¹, Ar¹- alkyl and di(Ar¹)-alkyl ; q is an integer equal to 0 or 1 ;

R² is alkyl, Ar², Ar²-alkyl, Het¹ or Het'-alkyl ;

Y is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -C(=O)- or -SO₂-; each Alk represents, independently from each other, a covalent bond; a bivalent straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms ; or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; each radical optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more alkyl, phenyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals ; L is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyloxy, Ar -oxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, mono-and di(Ar³)amino, Ar³, Ar³-carbonyl, Het² and Het²-carbonyl;

Ar¹ is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of halo, alkyl, cyano, aminocarbonyl and alkyloxy ; Ar² is naphthalenyl or phenyl, each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents, each independently from each other, selected from the group of halo, nitro, amino, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, cyano, alkyl, hydroxy, alkyloxy, carboxyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl and mono- and di(alkyl)aminocarbonyl ; Ar³ is naphthalenyl or phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of alkyloxy, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, pyridinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazo[l,2-α]pyridinyl, morpholinylcarbonyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, amino and cyano; Het¹ is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the the group of pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothienyl ; each heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted on any atom by a radical selected from the group of halo and alkyl ; Het is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of pyrrolidinyl, dioxolyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, dithianyl, thiomorpholinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolinyl, pyrrazolinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of benzopipeiidinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, chromenyl, benzimidazolyl, imidazo[l,2-α]pyridinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothienyl ; each radical optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group of Ar¹, Ar'alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, oxo, alkyloxy, alkyloxyalkyl and alkyloxycarbonyl ; and alkyl is a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more radicals selected from the group of phenyl, halo, cyano, oxo, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals .

More in particular, the invention relates to a compound according to the general Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and a prodrug thereof, wherein : n is 1 m is 1 p is 1

Q is O ;

X is a covalent bond ; each R¹ is Ar¹ or Ar^alkyl ; q is 0 or 1 ;

R² is Ar² ;

Y is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -C(=O)- or -SO₂- ; each Alk represents, independently from each other, a covalent bond; a bivalent straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms ; or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; each radical optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more phenyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, for yl and amino radicals ;

L is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyloxy, Ar³-oxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, mono-and di(Ar³)amino, Ar³ and Het²; Ar¹ is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 alkyl radicals ;

Ar² is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 alkyl radicals ;

Ar³ is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of alkyloxy, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, pyridinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazo[l,2- jpyridinyl, morpholinylcarbonyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, amino and cyano ;

Het² is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, and pyridazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of benzopiperidinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, chromenyl and benzimidazolyl ; each radical optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group of Ar¹, Ar'alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, oxo and alkyloxycarbonyl ; and alkyl is a straight hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more halo radicals ;

More in particular, the invention relates to a compound according to the general Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and a prodrug thereof, wherein R¹ is A^methyl and attached to the 2-position or R¹ is Ar¹ and attached to the 3-position, as exemplified in either of the following formulas for compounds according to Formula (I) wherein m and n are equal to 1 and Ar is an unsubstituted phenyl. Preferably, A^methyl is an unsubstituted benzyl radical.

More in particular, the invention relates to a compound according to the general Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and a prodrug thereof, wherein the R²-X-C(=Q)- moiety is 3,5-di-(trifluoromethyl) phenylcarbonyl.

In the framework of this application, alkyl is defined as a monovalent straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, pentyl, hexyl ; alkyl further defines a monovalent cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, for example cyclopropyl, methylcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The definition of alkyl also comprises an alkyl radical that is optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more phenyl, halo, cyano, oxo, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals, for example hydroxyalkyl, in particular hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl and polyhaloalkyl, in particular difluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl.

In the framework of this application, halo is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

In the framework of this application, with "compounds according to the invention" is meant a compound according to the general Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and a prodrug thereof.

In the framework of this application, especially in the moiety Alk^a-Y-Alk^b in Formula (I), when two or more consecutive elements of said moiety denote a covalent bond, then a single covalent bond is denoted. For example, when Alk^a and Y denote both a covalent bond and Alk is CH₂, then the moiety Alk -Y-Alk^b denotes -CH₂.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts are defined to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salts forms that the compounds according to Formula (I) are able to form. Said salts can be obtained by treating the base form of the compounds according to Formula (I) with appropriate acids, for example inorganic acids, for example hydrohalic acid, in particular hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid ; organic acids, for example acetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, propanoic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, cyclamic acid, salicylic acid, p-aminosalicylic acid and pamoic acid.

The compounds according to Formula (I) containing acidic protons may also be converted into their therapeutically active non-toxic metal or amine addition salts forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salts forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkaline and earth alkaline metal salts, in particular lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium salts, salts with organic bases, e.g. the benzathine, /V-methyl-D-glucamine, hybramine salts, and salts with amino acids, for example arginine and lysine.

Conversely, said salts forms can be converted into the free forms by treatment with an appropriate base or acid.

The term addition salt as used in the framework of this application also comprises the solvates that the compounds according to Formula (I) as well as the salts thereof, are able to form. Such solvates are, for example, hydrates and alcoholates.

The N-oxide forms of the compounds according to Formula (I) are meant to comprise those compounds of Formula (I) wherein one or several nitrogen atoms are oxidized to the so-called N-oxide, particularly those N-oxides wherein one or more tertiary nitrogens (e.g of the piperazinyl or piperidinyl radical) are N-oxidized. Such N- oxides can easily be obtained by a skilled person without any inventive skills and they are obvious alternatives for the compounds according to Formula (I) since these compounds are metabolites, which are formed by oxidation in the human body upon uptake . As is generally known, oxidation is normally the first step involved in drug metabolism ( Textbook of Organic Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 1977, pages 70- 75). As is also generally known, the metabolite form of a compound can also be administered to a human instead of the compound per se, with much the same effects.

The compounds according to the invention possess at least 2 oxydizable nitrogens (tertiary amines moieties). It is therefore highly likely that N-oxides are to form in the human metabolism.

The compounds of Formula (I) may be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a trivalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form. Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be carried out by reacting the starting material of Formula (I) with an appropriate organic or inorganic peroxide. Appropriate inorganic peroxides comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropriate organic peroxides may comprise peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alkanols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents.

The term "stereochemically isomeric forms" as used hereinbefore defines all the possible isomeric forms that the compounds of Formula (I) may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure. More in particular, stereogenic centers may have the R- or S-configuration; substituents on bivalent cyclic (partially) saturated radicals may have either the cis- or trans-configuration. Compounds encompassing double bonds can have an E or Z-stereochemistry at said double bond. Stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of Formula (I) are obviously intended to be embraced within the scope of this invention.

Following CAS nomenclature conventions, when two stereogenic centers of known absolute configuration are present in a molecule, an R or S descriptor is assigned (based on Cahn-Ingold-Prelog sequence rule) to the lowest-numbered chiral center, the reference center. The configuration of the second stereogenic center is indicated using relative descriptors [R* R* ] or [R* S*7, where R* is always specified as the reference center and [R* R*] indicates centers with the same chirality and [R*,S*] indicates centers of unlike chirality. For example, if the lowest-numbered chiral center in the molecule has an S configuration and the second center is R, the stereo descriptor would be specified as S-[R* S*]. If "α" and "β" are used : the position of the highest priority substituent on the asymmetric carbon atom in the ring system having the lowest ring number, is arbitrarily always in the "α" position of the mean plane determined by the ring system. The position of the highest priority substituent on the other asymmetric carbon atom in the ring system (hydrogen atom in compounds according to Formula (I)) relative to the position of the highest priority substituent on the reference atom is denominated "α", if it is on the same side of the mean plane determined by the ring system, or "β", if it is on the other side of the mean plane determined by the ring system.

Compounds according to Formula (I) and some of the intermediate compounds have at least two stereogenic centers in their structure.

The invention also comprises derivative compounds (usually called "pro-drugs") of the pharmacologically-active compounds according to the invention, which are degraded in vivo to yield the compounds according to the invention. Pro-drugs are usually (but not always) of lower potency at the target receptor than the compounds to which they are degraded. Pro-drugs are particularly useful when the desired compound has chemical or physical properties that make its administration difficult or inefficient. For example, the desired compound may be only poorly soluble, it may be poorly transported across the mucosal epithelium, or it may have an undesirably short plasma half-life. Further discussion on pro-drugs may be found in Stella, V. J. et al,

"Prodrugs", Drug Delivery Systems, 1985, pp. 112-176, and Drugs, 1985, 29, pp. 455- 473.

Pro-drugs forms of the pharmacologically-active compounds according to the invention will generally be compounds according to Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof and the N-oxide form thereof, having an acid group which is esterified or amidated. Included in such esterified acid groups are groups of the formula -COOR^x, where R^x is a C^alkyl, phenyl, benzyl or one of the following groups :

Amidated groups include groups of the formula - COΝR^yR^z, wherein R^y is H, C].₆alkyl, phenyl or benzyl and R^z is -OH, H, Cι_₆alkyl, phenyl or benzyl. Compounds according to the invention having an amino group may be derivatised with a ketone or an aldehyde such as formaldehyde to form a Mannich base. This base will hydrolyze with first order kinetics in aqueous solution. The compounds of Formula (I) as prepared in the processes described below may be synthesized in the form of racemic mixtures of enantiomers that can be separated from one another following art-known resolution procedures. The racemic compounds of Formula (I) may be converted into the corresponding diastereomeric salt forms by reaction with a suitable chiral acid. Said diastereomeric salt forms are subsequently separated, for example, by selective or fractional crystallization and the enantiomers are liberated therefrom by alkali. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of Formula (I) involves liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reaction occurs stereospecifically. Preferably if a specific stereoisomer is desired, said compound would be synthesized by stereospecific methods of preparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomerically pure starting materials.

Pharmacology

Substance P and other neurokinins are involved in a variety of biological actions such as pain transmission (nociception), neurogenic inflammation, smooth muscle contraction, plasma protein extravasation, vasodilation, secretion, mast cell degranulation, and also in activation of the immune system. A number of diseases are deemed to be engendered by activation of neurokinin receptors, in particular the NKi receptor, by excessive release of substance P and other neurokinins in particular cells such as cells in the neuronal plexi of the gastrointestinal tract, unmyelinated primary sensory afferent neurons, sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons and nonneuronal cell types (DN&P 8(l):5-23 (1995) and Longmore J. et al.."Neurokinin Receptors" Pharmacological Reviews 46(4):551-599 (1994)).

The compounds of the present invention are potent inhibitors of neurokinin- mediated effects, in particular those mediated via the NKi receptor, and may therefore be described as tachykinin antagonists, especially as substance P antagonists, as indicated in vitro by the antagonism of substance P-induced relaxation of pig coronary arteries which is described hereinafter. The binding affinity of the present compounds for the human, guinea-pig and gerbil neurokinin receptors may be determined in vitro in a receptor binding test using ³H-substance-P as radioligand. The subject compounds also show substance-P antagonistic activity in vivo as may be evidenced by, for instance, the antagonism of substance P-induced plasma extravasation in guinea-pigs, or the antagonism of drug-induced emesis in ferrets (Watson et al, Br. J. Pharmacol. 115:84-94 (1995)).

In view of their capability to antagonize the actions of tachykinins by blocking the tachykinin receptors, and in particular antagonizing the actions of substance P by blocking the NKi receptor, the compounds according to the invention are useful as a medicine, in particular in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of tachykinin- mediated conditions.

The invention therefore relates to a compound according to the general Formula

(I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and prodrugs thereof, for use as a medicine.

The invention also relates to the use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-3 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating, either prophylactic or therapeutic or both, tachykinin mediated conditions.

The compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment of CΝS disorders,in particular depression, anxiety disorders, stress-related disorders, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders, personality disorders, schizoaffective disorders, eating disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, addiction disorders, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, pain and other CΝS-related conditions ; inflammation ; allergic disorders ; emesis ; gastrointestinal disorders, in particular irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); skin disorders ; vasospastic diseases ; fibrosing and collagen diseases ; disorders related to immune enhancement or suppression and rheumatic diseases and body weight control.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of depression including but not limited to major depressive disorders including bipolar depression ; unipolar depression ; single or recurrent major depressive episodes with or without psychotic features, catatonic features, melancholic features, atypical features or postpartum onset, and, in the case of recurrent episodes, with or without seasonal pattern. Other mood disorders encompassed within the term "major depressive disorder" include dysthymic disorder with early or late onset and with or without atypical features, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, recurrent brief depressive disorder, mixed affective disorder, neurotic depression, post traumatic stress disorder and social phobia ; dementia of the Alzheimer's type with early or late onset, with depressed mood ; vascular dementia with depressed mood ; substance-induced mood disorders such as mood disorders induced by alcohol, amphetamines, ***e, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics and other substances ; schizoaffective disorder of the depressed type ; and adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Major depressive disorders may also result from a general medical condition including, but not limited to, myocardial infarction, diabetes, miscarriage or abortion, etc.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of anxiety disorders, including but not limited to panic attack ; agoraphobia ; panic disorder without agoraphobia ; agoraphobia without history of panic disorder ; specific phobia ; social phobia ; obsessive-compulsive disorder ; post- traumatic stress disorder ; acute stress disorder ; generalized anxiety disorder ; anxiety disorder due to a general medical condition ; substance-induced anxiety disorder ; and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of stress-related disorders associated with depression and/or anxiety, including but not limited to acute stress reaction ; adjustment disorders, such as brief depressive reaction, prolonged depressive reaction, mixed anxiety and depressive reaction, adjustment disorder with predominant disturbance of other emotions, adjustment disorder with predominant disturbance of conduct, adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct and adjustment disorders with other specified predominant symptoms ; and other reactions to severe stress.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of sleep disorders, including but not limited to dysomnia and/or parasomnias as primary sleep disorders ; insomnia ; sleep apnea ; narcolepsy ; circadian rhythms disorders ; sleep disorders related to another mental disorder ; sleep disorder due to a general medical condition ; and substance-induced sleep disorder.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of cognitive disorders, including but not limited to dementia ; amnesic disorders and cognitive disorders not otherwise specified, especially dementia caused by degenerative disorders, lesions, trauma, infections, vascular disorders, toxins, anoxia, vitamin deficiency or endocrinic disorders ; dementia of the Alzheimer's type, with early or late onset, with depressed mood ; AIDS-associated dementia or amnesic disorders caused by alcohol or other causes of thiamin deficiency, bilateral temporal lobe damage due to Heφes simplex encephalitis and other limbic encephalitis, neuronal loss secondary to anoxia / hypoglycemia / severe convulsions and surgery, degenerative disorders, vascular disorders or pathology around ventricle HI. Furthermore, the compounds according to the invention are also useful as memory and/or cognition enhancers in healthy humans with no cognitive and/or memory deficit.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of personality disorders, including but not limited to paranoid personality disorder ; schizoid personality disorder ; schizotypical personality disorder ; antisocial personality disorder ; borderline personality disorder ; histrionic personality disorder ; narcissistic personality disorder ; avoidant personality disorder ; dependent personality disorder ; obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and personality disorder not otherwise specified.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of schizoaffective disorders resulting from various causes, including schizoaffective disorders of the manic type, of the depressive type, of mixed type ; paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated and residual schizophrenia ; schizophreniform disorder ; schizoaffective disorder ; delusional disorder ; brief psychotic disorder ; shared psychotic disorder ; substance-induced psychotic disorder ; and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa ; atypical anorexia nervosa ; bulimia nervosa ; atypical bulimia nervosa ; overeating associated with other psychological disturbances ; vomiting associated with other psychological disturbances ; and non-specified eating disorders.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease ; Huntington's chorea ; Creutzfeld- Jacob disease ; Pick's disease ; demyelinating disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and ALS ; other neuropathies and neuralgia ; multiple sclerosis ; amyotropical lateral sclerosis ; stroke and head trauma.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of addiction disorders, including but not limited to substance dependence or abuse with or without physiological dependence, particularly where the substance is alcohol, amphetamines, amphetamine-like substances, caffeine, ***e, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids (such as cannabis, heroin and moφhine), phencyclidine, phencyclidine-like compounds, sedative-hypnotics, benzodiazepines and/or other substances, particularly useful for treating withdrawal from the above substances and alcohol withdrawal delirium.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of mood disorders induced particularly by alcohol, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabis, ***e, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics and other substances.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of sexual dysfunction, including but not limited to sexual desire disorders ; sexual arousal disorders ; orgasmic disorders ; sexual pain disorders ; sexual dysfunction due to a general medical condition ; substance-induced sexual dysfunction and sexual dysfunction not otherwise specified.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of pain, including but not limited to traumatic pain such as postoperative pain ; traumatic avulsion pain such as brachial plexus ; chronic pain such as arthritic pain such as occurring in osteo- rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis ; neuropathic pain such as post-heφetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, segmental or intercostal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, causalgia, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, AIDS related neuropathy, occipital neuralgia, geniculate neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and phantom limb pain ; various forms of headache such as migraine, acute or chronic tension headache, temporomandibular pain, maxillary sinus pain and cluster headache ; odontalgia ; cancer pain ; visceral pain ; gastrointestinal pain ; nerve entrapment pain ; sport's injury pain ; dysmennorrhoea ; menstrual pain ; meningitis ; arachnoiditis ; musculoskeletal pain ; low back pain such as spinal stenosis, prolapsed disc, sciatica, angina, ankylosing spondyolitis ; gout ; burns ; scar pain ; itch ; and thalamic pain such as post stroke thalamic pain.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of the following other CNS-related conditions : akinesia, akinetic-rigid syndromes, dyskinesia and medication-induced parkinsonism, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and its symptoms, tremor, chorea, myoclonus, tics and dystonia, attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease, drug-induced Parkinsonism, post-encephalitic Parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, parkinsonism-ALS dementia complex and basal ganglia calcification, behavioral disturbances and conduct disorders in dementia and the mentally retarded, including restlessness and agitation, extra-pyramidal movement disorders , Down's syndrome and Akathisia.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of inflammation, including but not limited to inflammatory conditions in asthma, influenza, chronic bronchitis and rheumatoid arthritis ; inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal tract such as, but not limited to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug induced damage ; inflammatory conditions of the skin such as heφes and eczema ; inflammatory conditions of the bladder such as cystitis and urge incontinence ; and eye and dental inflammation and pancreatitis, in particular chronic and acute pacreatitis.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of allergic disorders, including but not limited to allergic disorders of the skin such as but not limited to urticaria ; and allergic disorders of the airways such as but not limited to rhinitis.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of emesis, i.e. nausea, retching and vomiting, including but not limited to acute emesis, delayed emesis and anticipatory emesis ; emesis induced by drugs such as cancer chemotherapeutic agents such as alkylating agents, for example cyclophosphamide, carmustine, lomustine and chlorambucil ; cytotoxic antibiotics, for example dactinomycin, doxorubicin, mitomycin-C and bleomycin ; anti-metabolites, for example cytarabine, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil ; vinca alkaloids, for example etoposide, vinblastine and vincristine ; and other drugs such as cisplatin, dacarbazine, procarbazine and hydroxyurea ; and combinations thereof ; radiation sickness ; radiation therapy, such as in the treatment of cancer ; poisons ; toxins such as toxins caused by metabolic disorders or by infection, such as gastritis, or released during bacterial or viral gastrointestinal infection ; pregnancy ; vestibular disorders, such as motion sickness, vertigo, dizziness and Meniere's disease ; post-operative sickness ; gastrointestinal obstruction ; reduced gastrointestinal motility ; visceral pain, such as myocardial infarction or peritonitis ; migraine ; increased intracranial pressure ; decreased intracranial pressure (such as altitude sickness) ; opioid analgesics, such as moφhine ; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ; acid indigestion ; over-indulgence of food or drink ; acid stomach ; sour stomach ; waterbrash/regurgitation ; heartburn, such as episodic heartburn, nocturnal heartburn and meal induced heartburn ; and dyspepsia.

In particular, the compounds according to the invention are also useful in the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal disorders, including but not limited to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skin disorders such as psoriasis, pruritis and sunburn ; vasospastic diseases such as angina, vascular headache and Reynaud's disease, cerebral ischaemia such as cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage ; fibrosing and collagen diseases such as scleroderma and eosinophilic fascioliasis ; disorders related to immune enhancement or suppression such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatic diseases such as fibrositis ; cough ; and body weight control, including obesity.

The present invention also relates to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of tachykinin-mediated diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of depression, anxiety disorders, emesis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comprising administering to a human in need of such administration an effective amount of a compound according to the invention, in particular according to Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof, as well as the pro- drugs thereof.

The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to the invention, in particular a compound according to Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and a prodrug thereof

The compounds according to the invention, in particular the compounds according to Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and the prodrugs thereof, or any subgroup or combination thereof may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms for administration puφoses. As appropriate compositions there may be cited all compositions usually employed for systemically administering drugs. To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, an effective amount of the particular compound, optionally in addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirable in unitary dosage form suitable, in particular, for administration orally, rectally, percutaneously, by parenteral injection or by inhalation. For example, in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions and solutions; or solid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, diluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. Also included are solid form preparations that are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the carrier optionally comprises a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not introduce a significant deleterious effect on the skin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skin and/or may be helpful for preparing the desired compositions. These compositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermal patch, as a spot-on, as an ointment.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, suppositories, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof.

Since the compounds according to the invention are potent orally administrable NKj/NK₃ antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds for administration orally are especially advantageous.

Chemistry

The compounds according to the invention can generally be prepared by a succession of steps, each of which is known to the skilled person.

The compounds of Formula (I) are conveniently prepared by reductively N-alkylating an intermediate of Formula (II) with and intermediate of Formula (HI) . Said reductive N-alkylation may be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, ethanol or toluene or a mixture thereof, and in the presence of an appropriate reducing agent such as, for example, a borohydride, e.g. sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or triacetoxy borohydride. In case a borohydride is used as a reducing agent, it may be convenient to use a complex -forming agent such as, for example, titanium(IV)isopropylate as described in J. Org. Chem, 1990, 55, 2552-2554. Using said comple -forming agent may also result in an improved cisltrans ratio in favour of the trans isomer. It may also be convenient to use hydrogen as a reducing agent in combination with a suitable catalyst such as, for example, palladium-on-charcoal or platinum-on-charcoal. In case hydrogen is used as reducing agent, it may be advantageous to add a dehydrating agent to the reaction mixture such as, for example, aluminium tert-butoxide. In order to prevent the undesired further hydrogenation of certain functional groups in the reactants and the reaction products, it may also be advantageous to add an appropriate catalyst-poison to the reaction mixture, e.g., thiophene or quinoline-sulphur. Stirring and optionally elevated temperatures and/or pressure may enhance the rate of the reaction.

(H) (ffl) In this and the following preparations, the reaction products may be isolated from the reaction medium and, if necessary, further purified according to methodologies generally known in the art such as, for example, extraction, crystallization, trituration and chromatography.

Especially advantage is the preparation of a compound according to the invention according to the previous reaction scheme in which the Alk-Y-Alk-L-moiety is benzyl, thus giving rise to a compound according to Formula (I) in which the Alk-Y-Alk-L- moiety is benzyl. Said compound is pharmacological active and can be converted into a compound according to the invention in which the Alk-Y-Alk-L-moiety is hydrogen by reductive hydrogenation using e.g. hydrogen as a reducing agent in combination with a suitable catalyst such as, for example, palladium-on-charcoal or platinum-on- charcoal. The resulting compound according to the invention can then be converted into other compounds according to the invention by art-known transformations, e.g. acylation and alkylation.

In particular, the compounds of Formula (I^a) can be prepared by reacting a final compound of Formula (I¹) with an intermediate of Formula (V) wherein W¹ is an appropriate leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. chloro or bromo, or a sulfonyloxy leaving group, e.g. methanesulfonyloxy or benzenesulfonyloxy. The reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or a ketone, e.g. methyl isobutylketone, and in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or triethylamine. Stirring may enhance the rate of the reaction. The reaction may conveniently be carried at a temperature ranging between room temperature and reflux temperature.

(T) (V) d^a)

Alternatively, the compounds of Formula (I^a) can also be prepared by reacting a final compound of Formula (I') with a carboxylic acid of Formula (VI). The reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or a ketone, e.g. methyl isobutylketone, and in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or triethylamine. Stirring may enhance the rate of the reaction. The reaction may conveniently be carried at a temperature ranging between room temperature and reflux temperature.

(T) (VI) d^a)

In particular, the compounds of Formula (I^b) can be prepared by reacting a final compound of Formula (I') with a compound of Formula (VII) wherein W² is an appropriate leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. chloro or bromo, or a sulfonyloxy leaving group, e.g. methanesulfonyloxy or benzenesulfonyloxy. The reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or a ketone, e.g. methyl isobutylketone, and in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or triethylamine. Stirring may enhance the rate of the reaction. The reaction may conveniently be carried at a temperature ranging between room temperature and reflux temperature.

(D (vπ) d^b)

The compounds of Formula (I^c) can be prepared by reductive amination/alkylation of a final compound of Formula (I¹) with a compound of Formula (VHJ) wherein W³ is an appropriate leaving group such as, for example, a halogen, e.g. chloro or bromo, or a sulfonyloxy leaving group, e.g. methanesulfonyloxy or benzenesulfonyloxy. The reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent such as, for example, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or a ketone, e.g. methyl isobutylketone, and in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or triethylamine. Stirring may enhance the rate of the reaction. The reaction may conveniently be carried at a temperature ranging between room temperature and reflux temperature.

(D (Vffl) (1°)

The starting materials and some of the intermediates are known compounds and are commercially available or may be prepared according to conventional reaction procedures generally known in the art. For example, intermediates of formula (U) may be prepared by reductively N-alkylating an intermediate of formula (DC) with an intermediate of formula (X) in which W⁴ is a benzyl radical, after which the compound according to Formula (X) is subsequently reduced to yield an intermediate compound according to Formula (TJ). Said reductive N-alkylation may be performed in a reaction- inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, ethanol, toluene or a mixture thereof, and in the presence of an appropriate reducing agent such as, for example, a borohydride, e.g. sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or triacetoxy borohydride. In case a borohydride is used as a reducing agent, it may be convenient to use a complex-forming agent such as, for example, titanium(IV)isopropylate as described in J. Org. Chem, 1990, 55, 2552-2554. Using said complex -forming agent may also result in an improved cisltrans ratio in favour of the trans isomer. It may also be convenient to use hydrogen as a reducing agent in combination with a suitable catalyst such as, for example, palladium-on-charcoal or platinum-on-charcoal. In case hydrogen is used as reducing agent, it may be advantageous to add a dehydrating agent to the reaction mixture such as, for example, aluminium tert-butoxide. In order to prevent the undesired further hydrogenation of certain functional groups in the reactants and the reaction products, it may also be advantageous to add an appropriate catalyst- poison to the reaction mixture, e.g., thiophene or quinoline-sulphur. Stirring and optionally elevated temperatures and/or pressure may enhance the rate of the reaction.

(K) (X) (π)

The preparation of these and other intermediates is described in WO 97/16440-Al, published May 9, 1997 by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, which is disclosed herein by reference as well as in other publications mentioned in WO 97/16440-Al, such as , e.g. EP-0,532,456-A.

The following examples are intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the present invention.

Experimental Part

Hereinafter "RT" means room temperature, "THF" means tetrahydrofuran, "DIPE" means diisopropylether, "DCM" means dichloromethane and "DMF" means N,N- dimethylformamide.

Preparation of the intermediate compounds Example Al a. Preparation of intermediate compound 1

Et₃Ν (0.55 mol) was added to a stirring mixture of 7-(phenylmethyl)-l,4-dioxa-8- azaspiro[4.5]decane (0.5 mol) in toluene (1500ml). 3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl chloride (0.5 mol) was added over a 1-hour period (exothermic reaction). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then allowed to stand for the weekend and washed three times with water (500ml, 2x250ml). The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yielding: 245g (100%). Part of this fraction was crystallized from petroleum ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yielding: 1.06g of intermediate compound 1.

b. Preparation of intermediate compound 2

HC1 cp (300 ml) was added to a mixture of intermediate compound 1 (0.5 mol) in ethanol (300 ml) and H₂O (300 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 60 °C for 20 hours. The precipitate was filtered off, ground, stirred in H₂O, filtered off, washed with petroleum ether and dried. Yielding: 192 g of intermediate compound 2 ((+-)-l-[3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-2-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinone) (89.4%) (mixture of R and S enantiomers).

c. Preparation of intermediate compound 3

A mixture of intermediate compound 2 (0.046 mol), l-(phenylmethyl)piperazine (0.051 mol) and C (0.056 mol) was stirred for 2 hours at 40 °C. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. Ethanol, p.a. (350 ml) was added. BI ^a (0.138 mol) was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature, then for one hour at 50 °C. More BELjNa (5.2 g) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 50 °C. Again, BFLjNa was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, then for 2 hours at 50 °C. Water (10 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 15 min. CH₂C1₂ (200 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 min. The organic phase was separated, dried (MgSO₄), dicalite was added, the mixture was filtered over dicalite, and the filtrate was evaporated. This fraction was separated into (CIS) and (TRANS) by column chromatography over silica gel. The desired (TRANS)-fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, giving 14.8 g of residue ((I), 1.06% (CIS)) and 4.9 g of residue ((H), 6% (CIS)). Resolution and purification of those (TRANS)-fractions (± 20 g in total) was obtained by chromatography over stationary phase Chiralcel OD (1900Gr) in Prochrom LCI 10 35 bar (eluent: hexane/ethanol 90/10). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yielding: 9.5 g of intermediate compound 3 (2R-trans)-l-[3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-2-(phenylmethyl)-4-[4-(phenylmethyl)-l- piperazinyljpiperidine.

d. Preparation of intermediate compound 4

A mixture of intermediate compound 3 (0.288 mol) in methanol (700 ml) was hydrogenated at 40 °C with Pd/C, 10% (5 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. Yielding: 141.2 g of intermediate compound 4 (+)-(2R-trans)-l-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-2- (phenylmethyl)-4-(l-piperazinyl)piperidine.

Example A2

Preparation of intermediate compound 5

A mixture of N-[(l,l-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-L-tyrosine 1,1-dimethylcarbonate (0.005 mol), NN-dimethyl-4-pyridinamine (0.006 mol) and Et₃Ν (0.006 mol) in CH₂C1₂, p. a. (10ml) was stirred at room temperature. N-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-NN- dimethyl-l,3-propanediamine monohydrochloride (0.006 mol) was added portionwise and was stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. Then final compound 2 (described in example B 1.b) (0.005 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was washed with H₂O and Νa₂CO₃. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 100/0;98/2;96/4;94/6). The purest fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated Yield : 1.4g intermediate compound 5 (30%).

Example A3 a. Preparation of intermediate compound 6

A mixture of 7-(hydroxyphenylmethyl)-l,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-8-carboxylic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (0.5 mol) and 2-methyl-2-propanol potassium salt (6g) in toluene (900ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2h. The mixture was evaporated and the residue was stirred up in petrol ether and a little water. The mixture was decanted and the residue was stirred up in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yielding 127.4g of intermediate compound 6 (92%).

b. Preparation of intermediate compound 7

A mixture of intermediate compound 6 (0.5 mol) in methanol (700ml) was hydrogenated at 50°C overnight with Pd/C, 10% (5g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (leq), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was taken up in water and extracted with CH₂C1₂. The organic layer was dried (MgSO ), filtered off and evaporated. Yielding : 99g intermediate compound 7 (85%). c. Preparation of intermediate compound 8

Et₃N (0.55 mol) was added to a mixture of intermediate compound 7 (0.5 mol) in toluene (1500ml). 3,5-Dimethylbenzoyl chloride (0.5 mol) was added dropwise slowly over a 1-hour period while the temperature was kept below 50°C and while stirring was continued. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight, then washed three times with water (500ml, 2x250ml) and separated into its layers. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yielding: 197g (113%). Part of this fraction was dried. Yielding: 0.65g of intermediate compound 8.

d. Preparation of intermediate compound 9

A mixture of intermediate compound 8 (0.56 mol) in ethanol (300ml), HCl (300ml) and H₂O (300ml) was stirred at 60°C for 8 hours. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for the weekend. The precipitate was filtered off, taken up in water, filtered off, washed with petroleum ether and dried. Yielding: 140.9g of intermediate compound 9 (88%).

e. Preparation of intermediate compound 10

A mixture of intermediate compound 9 (0.05 mol) and l-(phenylmethyl)-piperazine

(0.05 mol) in thiophene, 4% solution (2ml) and toluene (500ml) was hydrogenated with Pd/C, 10% (lg) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (leq), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and evaporated. Yielding : 17.07g (71%).. The pure fractions of fraction 1 were collected and evaporated. Yielding : 2.5g of intermediate compound 10 (10%). f. Preparation of intermedi te compound 11

A mixture of intermediate compound 10 (0.0052 mol) in methanol (100ml) was hydrogenated at 50°C for one night with Pd C, 10% (lg) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (leq), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified on a glass filter over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 99/1, 98/2, 97/3, 96/4 and 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and evaporated. Yielding : 1.7g on intermediate compound 11 (83%).

Example A4

Preparation of intermediate compound 12

A mixture of N-[(l,l-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]- L-Tyrosine 1,1-dimethylethyl carbonate ester (0.005 mol), NN-dimethyl-4-pyridinamine (0.006 mol) and (Et)₃Ν (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature. N'-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-l,3- propanediamine monochloride (0.006 mol) was added portionwise and was stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. Then final compound 2 (prepared according Bib) (0.005 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was washed with H₂O and Νa CO₃. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl/MeOH 100/0; 98/2; 94/6). The purest fraction were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1.4 g of intermediate compound 12 (30%). Preparation of the final compounds Example B 1 a. Preparation of final compound 1

A mixture of intermediate compound 4 (0.12 mol) and l-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinone (0.12 mol) in methanol (250ml) was hydrogenated (H163-066) at 50°C with Pd/C 10% (3g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (2ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was suspended in petroleum ether, filtered off and crystallized from DIPE. Yield : 46g (FI). The filtrate was evaporated. Yield : 37.7g (F2). FI and F2 were combined and purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 91/9). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield : 46 g (F3). F3 was crystallized from DIPE. Yield : 0.65 g of final compound 1.

b. Preparation of final compound 2

A mixture of final compound 1 (0.0074 mol) in methanol (150ml) was hydrogenated (H163-077) with Pd C 10% (lg) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated. Yield : 4.3g of final compound 2. Example B2 Preparation of final compound 3

A mixture of compound 2 (0.0015 mol) and Et₃N (0.1 mol) in CH₂C1₂ (100ml) was stirred at room temperature. Benzoylchloride (0.0025 mol) was dissolved in CH₂C1₂ and added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. NaOH (IN; 100ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The separated aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂C1₂. The organic layer was washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 100/0;90/10). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield : 0.624g of final compound 3. (61%).

Example B3 a. Preparation of final compound 4

A mixture of 5-methyl-4-isoxazolecarboxylic acid (0.0015 mol) in CH₂C1₂ (20 ml) and l,l'-carbonylbis-lH-imidazole (0.0015 mol) was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. Compound 2 (prepared according to Bl.b) (0.001 mol) was added. After stirring overnight, the reaction mixture was washed with diluted NaOΗ, washed with Η₂O, dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂C1₂ -gradient 0->10% MeOH).The product fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated. The residue was dried. Yield : 0.204 g of final compound 4.

b. Preparation of final compound 5

A mixture of 3-thiophenecarboxylic acid (0.00188 mol), NN-dimethyl-4-pyridinamine (0.00255 mol) and Et₃Ν (0.00255 mol) in CH₂C1₂ (200 ml) was stirred at room temperature. NN-dimethyl-N'-(methylcarbonimidoyl)-l,3-propanediamine (0.00255 mol) was added portionwise and the mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature. A solution of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.00188 mol) in CH₂CI₂ was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred over the weekend at room temperature. The mixture was poured out into 1 g ΝaOH/water. The layers were separated. The water layer was extracted with CH₂C1₂. The separated organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH from 100/0 to 90/10). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.749 g of compound 5 (58%).

Example B4 a. Preparation of final compound 6

A mixture of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.005 mol), 4- (chlorophenylacetyl)-moφholine (0.005 mol) and Νa₂CO₃ (0.01 mol) in MDC, p.a. (125 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 18 hours using a water separator. The reaction mixture was washed with water, dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 95/5). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE, filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.702 g of compound 6.

b. Preparation of final compound 7

A mixture of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.0012 mol), 2-(chloromethyl)- lH-benzimidazole (0.0014 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.0018 mol) in CΗ₃CN (5ml) was stirred and refluxed for 12 hours, then cooled to room temperature and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂C1₂. The organic layer was washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.95g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CI^CyCHsOH/NFL_tOH 90/10/0.5; 15-40μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.14g) was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yielding: 0.087g of compound 7 (10%) (mp.l35°C).

c. Preparation of final compound 8

A mixture of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.005 mol) and 2- (chloromethyl)-6-methyl-3-pyridinol (0.006 mol) was taken up in DMF (50ml). N- methyl-N-(l-methylethyl)-propanamine (0.02 mol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at ±65°C. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂C1₂ and washed with a diluted ΝH₃ solution. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/(MeOH/NH₃) 95/5). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield : 1.423g of compound 8.

Example B5 Preparation of final compound 9

A mixture of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.003 mol) and 1-methyl-lH- pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde (0.0046 mol) was hydrogenated at 50°C under Η₂ with Pd/C 10% (lg) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (1ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv.), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent : CH₂Cl₂/(MeOH/NH₃) 97/3;95/5). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in petroleumether. Yield : 1.079g of compound 9.

Example B6 Preparation of final compound 10 and 11

[2α,4α(2R*,4S*)]= compound 10

[2α,4β(2R\4S*)]=compound 11

A mixture of intermediate compound 2 (prepared according to Alb) (0.005 mol), intermediate compound 11 (prepared according to A3f) (0.005 mol) and Ti(Oι^'Pro)

(3g) in methanol (150ml) was hydrogenated at 50°C under N₂ flow with Pd/C 10% (lg) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (1ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was taken up in H₂O and CH₂C1₂. The mixture was stirred for 10 min and filtered over dicalite. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 97/3). Two fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated. Yielding: 0.53g compound 10 and 0.4g of compound 11.

Example B7 Preparation of final compound 12

A mixture of compound 2 (prepared according to Bib) (0.001 mol) in CH₂CI₂ (50 ml) and C (0.0015 mol) was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with diluted NaOH, washed with H₂O, dried and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (Eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 100/0 and 90/10). The product fractions were collected and the solvent evaporated. Yield : 0.645 g of compound 12.

Example B8 Preparation of final compound 13

(2R-TRANS) Hydrochloridθ (1 :3) Hydrate (1 :1 ) A mixture of intermediate compound 12 (prepared according to A4) (0.0015 mol) in HCl/2-propanol (5 ml) and methanol (20 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was crystallized, filtered off and dried. Yield : 0.43 g of final compound 13 (38%)

The compounds exemplified in the following tables were prepared in a manner analogous to one of the foregoing examples Bl to B8. Table 1

20040

-44-

cb = Covalent Bond

Table 2:

cb = Covalent Bond

C. Pharmacological example

Example Cl : Binding experiment for h-NKl, h-NK2 and h-NK3 receptors

The compounds according to the invention were investigated for interaction with various neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels and transporter binding sites using the radioligand binding technique. Membranes from tissue homogenates or from cells, expressing the receptor or transporter of interests, were incubated with a radioactively labelled substance ([³H]- or [¹²⁵I] ligand) to label a particular receptor. Specific receptor binding of the radioligand was distinguished from the non-specific membrane labelling by selectively inhibiting the receptor labelling with an unlabelled drug (the blank), known to compete with the radioligand for binding to the receptor sites. Following incubation, labelled membranes were harvested and rinsed with excessive cold buffer to remove non-bound radioactivity by rapid filtration under suction. Membrane bound radioactivity was counted in a scintillation counter and results were expressed in counts per minute (cpm). The compounds were dissolved in DMSO and tested at 10 concentrations ranging from 10^"10 to 10^"5 M.

The ability of the compounds according to the invention to displace [³H] -Substance P from cloned human h-NKi receptors expressed in CHO cells, to displace [³H]-SR- 48968 from cloned human h-NK₂ receptors expressed in Sf9 cells, and to displace [³H]-SR-142801 from cloned human h-NK₃ receptors expressed in CHO cells was evaluated.

The pIC₅o data for the h-NKl, h-NK2 and h-NK3 receptor testing for a representative selection of compounds are presented in Table 3.

All selected compounds show (sub)nanomolar affinity for the h-NKi receptor most of them with more than 100-fold selectivity towards the h-NK₂ and h-NK₃ receptors.

Example C.2 : Signal transduction

This test evaluates in vitro functional NKi antagonistic activity. For the measurements of intracellular Ca⁺⁺ concentrations the cells were grown on 96-well (black wall/transparent bottom) plates from Costar for 2 days until they reached confluence. The cells were loaded with 2 μM Fluo3 in DMEM containing 0.1% BSA and 2.5 mM probenecid for 1 h at 37°C. They were washed 3x with a Krebs buffer (140 mM NaCl, 1 mM MgCl₂x6H₂O, 5 mM KC1, 10 mM glucose, 5 mM HEPES; 1.25 mM CaCl₂; pH 7.4) containing 2.5 mM probenecid and 0.1 % BSA (CaAbuffer). The cells were preincubated with a concentration range of antagonists for 20 min at RT and Ca ^"1"- signals after addition of the agonists were measured in a Fluorescence Image Plate Reader (FLDPR from Molecular Devices, Crawley, England). The peak of the Ca^"A transient was considered as the relevant signal and the mean values of corresponding wells were analysed as described below.

The sigmoidal dose response curves were analysed by computerised curve-fitting, using the GraphPad Program. The EC₅₀ -value of a compound is the effective dose showing 50 % of maximal effect. For mean curves the response to the agonist with the highest potency was normalised to 100 %. For antagonist responses the IC₅o-value was calculated using non-linear regression. Table 3

D. Composition examples

"Active ingredient" (A.I.) as used throughout these examples relates to a compound of Formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide form thereof and prodrugs thereof.

Example D.l : ORAL DROPS

500 Grams of the A.I. was dissolved in 0.5 1 of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and 1.5 1 of the polyethylene glycol at 60~80°C. After cooling to 30~40°C there were added 35 1 of polyethylene glycol and the mixture was stirred well. Then there was added a solution of 1750 grams of sodium saccharin in 2.5 1 of purified water and while stirring there were added 2.5 1 of cocoa flavor and polyethylene glycol q.s. to a volume of 50 1, providing an oral drop solution comprising 10 mg/ml of A.I. The resulting solution was filled into suitable containers.

Example D.2 : ORAL SOLUTION

9 Grams of methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and 1 gram of propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate were dissolved in 4 1 of boiling purified water. In 3 1 of this solution were dissolved first 10 grams of 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid and thereafter 20 grams of the A.I. The latter solution was combined with the remaining part of the former solution and 12 1 1,2,3- propanetriol and 3 1 of sorbitol 70% solution were added thereto. 40 Grams of sodium saccharin were dissolved in 0.5 1 of water and 2 ml of raspberry and 2 ml of gooseberry essence were added. The latter solution was combined with the former, water was added q.s. to a volume of 20 1 providing an oral solution comprising 5 mg of the active ingredient per teaspoonful (5 ml). The resulting solution was filled in suitable containers. Example D.3 : FTLM-COATED TABLETS Prcp_.aration of.tablet_.core

A mixture of 100 grams of the A.I., 570 grams lactose and 200 grams starch was mixed well and thereafter humidified with a solution of 5 grams sodium dodecyl sulfate and 10 grams polyvinylpyrrolidone in about 200 ml of water. The wet powder mixture was sieved, dried and sieved again. Then there was added 100 grams microcrystalline cellulose and 15 grams hydrogenated vegetable oil. The whole was mixed well and compressed into tablets, giving 10.000 tablets, each containing 10 mg of the active ingredient.

Coating

To a solution of 10 grams methyl cellulose in 75 ml of denaturated ethanol there was added a solution of 5 grams of ethyl cellulose in 150 ml of dichloromethane. Then there were added 75 ml of dichloromethane and 2.5 ml 1,2,3-propanetriol. 10 Grams of polyethylene glycol was molten and dissolved in 75 ml of dichloromethane. The latter solution was added to the former and then there were added 2.5 grams of magnesium octadecanoate, 5 grams of polyvinylpyrrolidone and 30 ml of concentrated colour suspension and the whole was homogenated. The tablet cores were coated with the thus obtained mixture in a coating apparatus.

Example D.4 : INJECTABLE SOLUTION

1.8 Grams methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and 0.2 grams propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate were dissolved in about 0.5 1 of boiling water for injection. After cooling to about 50°C there were added while stirring 4 grams lactic acid, 0.05 grams propylene glycol and 4 grams of the A.I.. The solution was cooled to room temperature and supplemented with water for injection q.s. ad 1 1, giving a solution comprising 4 mg/ml of A.I.. The solution was sterilized by filtration and filled in sterile containers.

Claims

A compound according to the general Formula (I)

the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the iV-oxide form thereof and prodrugs thereof, wherein : n is an integer, equal to 0, 1 or 2 ; m is an integer, equal to 1 or 2, provided that if m is 2, then n is 1 ; p is an integer equal to 1 or 2 ;

Q is O or NR³ ;

X is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -O-, -S- or -NR³- ; each R³ independently from each other, is hydrogen or alkyl ; each R¹ independently from each other, is selected from the group of Ar¹, Ar¹- alkyl and di(Ar')-alkyl ; q is an integer equal to 0 or 1 ;

R² is alkyl, Ar², Ar²-alkyl, Het¹ or Het'-alkyl ;

Y is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -C(=O)- or -SO₂-; each Alk represents, independently from each other, a covalent bond; a bivalent straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms ; or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; each radical optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more alkyl, phenyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals ; L is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyloxy, Ar -oxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, mono-and di(Ar³)amino, Ar³, Ar³-carbonyl, Het² and Het²-carbonyl;

Ar¹ is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of halo, alkyl, cyano, aminocarbonyl and alkyloxy ;

Ar is naphthalenyl or phenyl, each optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents, each independently from each other, selected from the group of halo, nitro, amino, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, cyano, alkyl, hydroxy, alkyloxy, carboxyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl and mono- and di(alkyl)aminocarbonyl ; Ar³ is naphthalenyl or phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of alkyloxy, 5 alkyl, halo, hydroxy, pyridinyl, moφholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazo[l,2-α]pyridinyl, moφholinylcarbonyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, amino and cyano; Het¹ is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the the group of pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl,

10 thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothienyl ; each heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted on any atom by a radical

15 selected from the group of halo and alkyl ;

Het² is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of pyrrolidinyl, dioxolyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, moφholinyl, dithianyl, thiomoφholinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolinyl, pyrrazolinyl,

20 pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl and triazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of benzopiperidinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, chromenyl, benzimidazolyl, imidazo[l,2-α]pyridinyl,

25 benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothienyl ; each radical optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group of Ar¹, Ar¹ alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, oxo, alkyloxy, alkyloxyalkyl and alkyloxycarbonyl ; and

30 alkyl is a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more radicals selected from the group of phenyl, halo, cyano, oxo, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals.

35 2. A compound according to claim 1, characterized in that n is 1 ; m is 1 ; p is 1 ;

Q is O ;

X is a covalent bond ; each R¹ is Ar¹ or Ar^alkyl ; q is 0 or 1 ;

R² is Ar² ;

Y is a covalent bond or a bivalent radical of formula -C(=O)- or -SO₂- ; each Alk represents, independently from each other, a covalent bond; a bivalent straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms ; or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms ; each radical optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms with one or more phenyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, formyl and amino radicals ; is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyloxy, Ar³-oxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(alkyl)amino, mono-and di(Ar³)amino, Ar³ and Het²;

Ar' is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 alkyl radicals ; Ar² is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 alkyl radicals ; Ar³ is phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently from each other selected from the group of alkyloxy, alkyl, halo, hydroxy, pyridinyl, moφholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazo[l,2- α]pyridinyl, moφholinylcarbonyl, pyrrolidinylcarbonyl, amino and cyano ;

Het is a monocyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, moφholinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, and pyridazinyl ; or a bicyclic heterocyclic radical selected from the group of benzopiperidinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, chromenyl and benzimidazolyl ; each radical optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group of Ar¹, A alkyl, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, oxo and alkyloxycarbonyl ; and alkyl is a straight hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more halo radicals .

3. A compound according to any of claims 1-2, characterized in that R¹ is Ar'methyl and attached to the 2-position or R¹ is Ar¹ and attached to the 3- position.

4. A compound according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the R²-X-

C(=Q)- moiety is 3,5-di-(trifluoromethyl) phenylcarbonyl.

5. A compound according to any one of claims 1-4 for use as a medicine.

6. The use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-4 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating tachykinin mediated conditions.

7. The use of a compound according to claim 6 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating emesis, depression, anxiety disorders, pancreatitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

8. A pharmaceutica] composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1- 4.

9. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it is in a form suitable to be orally administered.

10. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is intimately mixed with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1-4.