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<ep-patent-document id="EP09802482B9W1" file="EP09802482W1B9.xml" lang="en" country="EP" doc-number="2326645" kind="B9" correction-code="W1" date-publ="20130417" status="c" dtd-version="ep-patent-document-v1-4">
<SDOBI lang="en"><B000><eptags><B001EP>ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCY..TRBGCZEEHUPLSK..HRIS..MTNO....SM..................</B001EP><B003EP>*</B003EP><B005EP>J</B005EP><B007EP>DIM360 Ver 2.40 (30 Jan 2013) -  2999001/0</B007EP></eptags></B000><B100><B110>2326645</B110><B120><B121>CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION</B121></B120><B130>B9</B130><B132EP>B1</B132EP><B140><date>20130417</date></B140><B150><B151>W1</B151><B155><B1551>de</B1551><B1552>Ansprüche EN</B1552><B1551>en</B1551><B1552>Claims EN</B1552><B1551>fr</B1551><B1552>Revendications EN</B1552></B155></B150><B190>EP</B190></B100><B200><B210>09802482.1</B210><B220><date>20090717</date></B220><B240><B241><date>20110207</date></B241><B242><date>20111209</date></B242></B240><B250>en</B250><B251EP>en</B251EP><B260>en</B260></B200><B300><B310>08425516</B310><B320><date>20080729</date></B320><B330><ctry>EP</ctry></B330></B300><B400><B405><date>20130417</date><bnum>201316</bnum></B405><B430><date>20110601</date><bnum>201122</bnum></B430><B450><date>20121107</date><bnum>201245</bnum></B450><B452EP><date>20120628</date></B452EP><B480><date>20130417</date><bnum>201316</bnum></B480></B400><B500><B510EP><classification-ipcr sequence="1"><text>C07D 471/04        20060101AFI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="2"><text>A61K  31/4745      20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="3"><text>A61P   1/00        20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="4"><text>A61P   9/00        20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="5"><text>A61P  13/02        20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="6"><text>A61P  25/00        20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="7"><text>A61P  35/00        20060101ALI20100212BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr></B510EP><B540><B541>de</B541><B542>VERBINDUNG MIT SEROTONINERGISCHER AKTIVITÄT, VERFAHREN ZU IHRER HERSTELLUNGUND PHARMAZEUTISCHE ZUSAMMENSETZUNG DAMIT</B542><B541>en</B541><B542>COMPOUND WITH SEROTONINERGIC ACTIVITY, PROCESS FOR PREPARING IT AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING IT</B542><B541>fr</B541><B542>COMPOSÉ PRÉSENTANT UNE ACTIVITÉ SÉROTONINERGIQUE, SON PROCÉDÉ DE FABRICATION ET COMPOSITION PHARMACEUTIQUE LA COMPRENANT</B542></B540><B560><B561><text>EP-A- 1 018 512</text></B561><B561><text>WO-A-98/05660</text></B561><B561><text>US-A- 4 350 814</text></B561><B562><text>DATABASE CA [Online] CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS SERVICE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, US; 2004, DI SANTO, ROBERTO ET AL: "A general, versatile synthesis of 2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolines via tosylmethylisocyanide reaction" XP002511969 retrieved from STN Database accession no. 2004:409160 &amp; ARKIVOC (GAINESVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES) , (5), 181-195 CODEN: AGFUAR URL: HTTP://WWW.ARKAT-USA.ORG/ARK/JOURNAL/2004/ TORTORELLA/VT- 1041L/1041L.PDF, 2004,</text></B562></B560></B500><B700><B720><B721><snm>ALISI, Maria Alessandra</snm><adr><str>Via Nemorense 188</str><city>I-00199 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>CAZZOLLA, Nicola</snm><adr><str>Via Abetonia 20/L</str><city>I-00041 Albano Laziale (Roma)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>COSTI, Roberta</snm><adr><str>Via dei Traghetti 127</str><city>I-00121 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>DI SANTO, Roberto</snm><adr><str>Via dei Traghetti 127</str><city>I-00121 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>FURLOTTI, Guido</snm><adr><str>Via Ferdinando Palasciano 96</str><city>I-00151 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>GUGLIELMOTTI, Angelo</snm><adr><str>Via Gaetano Fuggetta 59</str><city>I-00149 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>POLENZANI, Lorenzo</snm><adr><str>Viale I° Maggio 132</str><city>I-00046 Grottaferrata (Roma)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721></B720><B730><B731><snm>Aziende Chimiche Riunite Angelini 
Francesco A.C.R.A.F. S.p.A.</snm><iid>100082148</iid><irf>RA/08207/PCT/EP</irf><adr><str>Viale Amelia, 70</str><city>00181 Roma</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B731></B730><B740><B741><snm>Allaix, Roberto</snm><iid>101080173</iid><adr><str>Marchi &amp; Partners Srl 
Via Pirelli 19</str><city>20124 Milano</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B741></B740></B700><B800><B840><ctry>AT</ctry><ctry>BE</ctry><ctry>BG</ctry><ctry>CH</ctry><ctry>CY</ctry><ctry>CZ</ctry><ctry>DE</ctry><ctry>DK</ctry><ctry>EE</ctry><ctry>ES</ctry><ctry>FI</ctry><ctry>FR</ctry><ctry>GB</ctry><ctry>GR</ctry><ctry>HR</ctry><ctry>HU</ctry><ctry>IE</ctry><ctry>IS</ctry><ctry>IT</ctry><ctry>LI</ctry><ctry>LT</ctry><ctry>LU</ctry><ctry>LV</ctry><ctry>MC</ctry><ctry>MK</ctry><ctry>MT</ctry><ctry>NL</ctry><ctry>NO</ctry><ctry>PL</ctry><ctry>PT</ctry><ctry>RO</ctry><ctry>SE</ctry><ctry>SI</ctry><ctry>SK</ctry><ctry>SM</ctry><ctry>TR</ctry></B840><B860><B861><dnum><anum>EP2009059216</anum></dnum><date>20090717</date></B861><B862>en</B862></B860><B870><B871><dnum><pnum>WO2010012611</pnum></dnum><date>20100204</date><bnum>201005</bnum></B871></B870><B880><date>20110601</date><bnum>201122</bnum></B880></B800></SDOBI>
<description id="desc" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="1"> --><!-- EPO <DP n="2"> -->
<heading id="h0001">FIELD OF THE INVENTION</heading>
<p id="p0001" num="0001">The present invention relates to a novel 2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compound, to a process for preparing it, to its pharmaceutical use and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising it. The invention also relates to the use of a novel 2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compound for preparing a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of disturbances of the serotoninergic system.</p>
<heading id="h0002">PRIOR ART</heading>
<p id="p0002" num="0002">Among the many known classes of serotonin receptor, the 5HT<sub>4</sub> receptors have been detected in the urinary bladder, in the gastrointestinal system, in smooth muscle and heart muscle and in specific regions of the central nervous system (<nplcit id="ncit0001" npl-type="s"><text>Eglen RM et al., Central 5-HT4 receptors. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 1995; 16(11): 391-8</text></nplcit>; <nplcit id="ncit0002" npl-type="s"><text>Hedge SS and Eglen RM, Peripheral 5-HT4 receptors. FASEB J. 1996; 10(12): 1398-407</text></nplcit>). Compounds with agonist, partial agonist and antagonist activity with respect to the 5-HT<sub>4</sub> receptors are potentially advantageous in the pharmacological treatment of intestinal motility disorders, and disorders of the central nervous system, of urinary incontinence and of cardiac arrhythmia (<nplcit id="ncit0003" npl-type="s"><text>Bockaert J. et al., 5-HT4 receptors. Curr. Drug Targets - CNS Neurol. Disord. 2004, 3(1): 39-51</text></nplcit>; <nplcit id="ncit0004" npl-type="s"><text>Gershon MD. Review article: serotonin receptors and transporters - roles in normal and abnormal gastrointestinal motility. Aliment Pharmacol. Ther. 2004; 20 (Suppl. 7): 3-14</text></nplcit>).</p>
<p id="p0003" num="0003">It is also known that certain drugs that are active on the serotoninergic system are capable of controlling chronic pain and in<!-- EPO <DP n="3"> --> particular neuropathic pain.</p>
<p id="p0004" num="0004">Chronic pain represents a series of pathologies from which, on average, about 10-20% of the adult population suffers. Chronic pain is generally associated with clinical conditions characterized by chronic and/or degenerative lesions.</p>
<p id="p0005" num="0005">Chronic pain differs from acute pain mainly by the duration. Acute pain has a duration of a few days or weeks, correlated with recovery from the event that caused the pain (trauma, burns, intense efforts, surgical or dental interventions, and the like). On the other hand, chronic pain persists for months and even years, causing muscular tension, limited mobility, fatigue, loss of appetite and apathy. Chronic pain may also be manifested in a recurrent manner, with intervals of weeks, months or even years, or may be associated with chronic pathologies. Typical examples of pathologies characterized by chronic pain are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathies, etc. [<nplcit id="ncit0005" npl-type="s"><text>Ashburn MA, Staats PS. Management of chronic pain. Lancet 1999; 353: 1865-69</text></nplcit>].</p>
<p id="p0006" num="0006">Chronic pain, and in particular neuropathic pain, is often debilitating and is a cause of loss of working capacity and of poor quality of life. Economic and social damage thus also follow.</p>
<p id="p0007" num="0007">The analgesic drugs currently used in the treatment of neuropathic pain include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), antidepressants, opioid analgesics, and anticonvulsants [<nplcit id="ncit0006" npl-type="s"><text>Woolf CJ, Mannion RJ, Neuropathic pain: aetiology, symptoms, mechanism, and management. Lancet 1999; 353: 1959-1964</text></nplcit>].</p>
<p id="p0008" num="0008">However, chronic pain, and in particular neuropathic pain, is notoriously difficult to treat with the drugs currently available. Consequently, the development of novel drugs has always been one of the main objectives of the pharmaceutical industry.</p>
<p id="p0009" num="0009">In addition, despite the numerous research efforts directed towards<!-- EPO <DP n="4"> --> identifying a suitable analgesic compound, there are a significant number of patients whose pain condition still lacks a suitable treatment [<nplcit id="ncit0007" npl-type="s"><text>Scholz J, Woolf CJ. Can we conquer pain? Nat Neusci. 2002; 5: 1062-76</text></nplcit>].</p>
<p id="p0010" num="0010">Patent applications <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO2004101548A"><text>WO 2004/101 548</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO2005013989A"><text>WO 2005/013 989</text></patcit> relate to the use of indazole compounds for preparing a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of neuropathic pain.</p>
<p id="p0011" num="0011">A number of compounds that are active on the serotoninergic system, in particular as 5HT<sub>4</sub> receptor antagonists, were considered as being capable of having analgesic activity.</p>
<p id="p0012" num="0012">The compounds that are active on the serotoninergic system have a number of adverse effects and side effects due to their low selectivity with respect to the various serotoninergic receptors. Specifically, it is known that the general category of serotoninergic receptors is subdivided into various subtypes, for instance 5HT<sub>1</sub>(<sub>A-F</sub>), 5HT<sub>2(A-C)</sub>, 5HT<sub>3</sub>, 5HT<sub>4</sub>, 5HT<sub>6</sub> or 5HT<sub>7</sub>, which are variously located in diverse systems, for instance in the central and/or peripheral nervous system, in the digestive system and in the cardiovascular system. The effects of the interaction of active compounds with the serotoninergic receptors differ according to the location of these receptors.</p>
<p id="p0013" num="0013">The low selectivity often forces an interruption of or the avoidance of treatment in the case of particular types of patients who, besides the presence of chronic pain, present concomitant pathologies in specific systems, such as the cardiovascular system.</p>
<p id="p0014" num="0014">Specifically, interaction with the serotoninergic system, and even more particularly with specific sub-receptors such as 5HT<sub>2A</sub>, may give rise to adverse events in the cardiovascular system, inducing effects on the heart rhythm.</p>
<p id="p0015" num="0015">Pyrroloquinoline compounds are generally known. These compounds include in their chemical formula a pyrrole fused with a quinoline to give<!-- EPO <DP n="5"> --> a tricyclic system. Depending on the position of fusion, various classes of pyrroloquinolines may be distinguished.</p>
<p id="p0016" num="0016">2H-Pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoline compounds were described in patent application <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="JP2005306774A"><text>JP 2005/306 774</text></patcit> as pharmaceutical substances with antibacterial activity.</p>
<p id="p0017" num="0017">Pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoline compounds were described in patent <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6335346B"><text>US 6 335 346</text></patcit> as pharmaceutical substances with a sedative or hypnotic effect.</p>
<p id="p0018" num="0018">Pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline compounds were described in international patent application <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="WO9805660A"><text>WO 98/05660</text></patcit> as substances capable of acting as kynurenine-3-hydroxylase (KYN-OH) inhibitors that are potentially useful in the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative disturbances, for instance cerebral ischaemia and/or hypoxia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and the like.</p>
<p id="p0019" num="0019">Pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline compounds were also described in international patent application <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="WO9909029A"><text>WO 99/09029</text></patcit> as substances capable of inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid, which are potentially useful for treating gastric ulcers.</p>
<p id="p0020" num="0020">Hexahydro-2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compounds were described in patents <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US4268513A"><text>US 4 268 513</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US4350814A"><text>US 4 350 814</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="US4440768A"><text>4 440 768</text></patcit> as pharmaceutical substances with antipsychotic, analgesic and antidepressant activities.</p>
<p id="p0021" num="0021">Pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-1-one compounds were described in patents <patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="US6323216B"><text>US 6 323 216</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="US6413978B"><text>6 413 978</text></patcit> as pharmaceutical substances with 5HT<sub>3</sub> serotoninergic receptor antagonist activity that are potentially useful as antiemetic and antitussive agents and in various central nervous system pathologies, for instance anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, Alzheimer's dementia and senile dementia.</p>
<p id="p0022" num="0022">5H-Pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compounds were described in patent <patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="US5908932A"><text>US 5 908 932</text></patcit> as pharmaceutical substances with agonist, antagonist and<!-- EPO <DP n="6"> --> inverse agonist activity on the cerebral GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors and potentially useful in the treatment of sleep disorders, anxiety and convulsions, in the treatment of benzodiazepine overdoses, and for improving attention.</p>
<heading id="h0003">DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION</heading>
<p id="p0023" num="0023">The Applicant has found, surprisingly, that novel 2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compounds are capable of interacting with the serotoninergic system, with high affinity towards the 5HT<sub>4</sub> serotoninergic receptor.</p>
<p id="p0024" num="0024">In addition, the Applicant has also found, surprisingly, that these novel compounds have little or no affinity for the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor, and thus minimal adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.</p>
<p id="p0025" num="0025">Thus, the present invention relates to a compound of formula (1):
<chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img id="ib0001" file="imgb0001.tif" wi="77" he="47" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which:
<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>R1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, or an alkylalkoxy group;</li>
<li>R2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>;</li>
<li>R3 is (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a linear or branched alkyl group; (iii) an alkylalkoxy group; (iv) an arylalkyl group or a heteroarylalkyl group, in which the alkyl group preferably contains 1-3 carbon atoms, and the<!-- EPO <DP n="7"> --> aryl or heteroaryl group may be substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (v) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup>, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, optionally substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, - OH, -NO<sub>2</sub>, -NH<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>H, -CO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>alkyl, -SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub> and -NHSO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>alkyl; and (vi) C<sub>γ</sub>-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>-, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>γ</sub> is an alicyclic group of 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group comprising at least one heteroatom chosen from N and O, optionally N-substituted with an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms,</li>
<li>the acid-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral acid, and the base-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral base.</li>
</ul></p>
<p id="p0026" num="0026">The capacity to interact with the serotoninergic system, and In particular with the 5HT<sub>4</sub> serotoninergic receptor, makes these compounds particularly useful in the treatment of pathologies involving this receptor, and potentially advantageous in the pharmacological treatment of intestinal motility disorders, and disorders of the central nervous system, of urinary incontinence and of cardiac arrhythmia. In particular, the Applicant has observed that the compounds of the<!-- EPO <DP n="8"> --> present invention are particularly useful in the treatment of chronic pain, and in particular of neuropathic pain.</p>
<p id="p0027" num="0027">The high selectivity towards other serotoninergic receptors, in particular the 5HT<sub>2A</sub> receptors, reduces the adverse effects on the cardiovascular system encountered in the case of other drugs that are active on the serotoninergic system.</p>
<p id="p0028" num="0028">The compounds of the present invention are thus useful as pharmaceutical active principles, in particular for intestinal motility disorders, and disorders of the central nervous system, of urinary incontinence and of cardiac arrhythmia, preferably chronic pain, and more preferably neuropathic pain.</p>
<p id="p0029" num="0029">Thus, in a second aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula (I):
<chemistry id="chem0002" num="0002"><img id="ib0002" file="imgb0002.tif" wi="74" he="45" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1, R2 and R3 are as described above,<br/>
the acid-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral acid, and the base-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral base, and<br/>
at least one Pharmaceutical acceptable excipient.<!-- EPO <DP n="9"> --></p>
<p id="p0030" num="0030">According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as described previously, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salts thereof, for pharmaceutical use.</p>
<p id="p0031" num="0031">According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as described previously, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salts thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of intestinal motility disorders, and disorders of the central nervous system, of urinary incontinence and of cardiac arrhythmia.</p>
<p id="p0032" num="0032">In a further preferred aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) as described previously, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salts thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of chronic pain, in particular neuropathic pain.</p>
<p id="p0033" num="0033">Typical examples of pathologies characterized by neuropathic pain are diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, traumas, ischaemia, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, and post-herpetic syndrome.</p>
<p id="p0034" num="0034">Preferably, R1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups, or an alkylalkoxy group, preferably with 1-6 carbon atoms.</p>
<p id="p0035" num="0035">Advantageously, R1 is a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms. More preferably, R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms. Advantageously, R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 OH groups.</p>
<p id="p0036" num="0036">Preferably, R2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group, preferably containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, - SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>. More preferably, R2 is a hydrogen atom, -CF<sub>3</sub>, - OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>.</p>
<p id="p0037" num="0037">Advantageously, R3 is chosen from the group comprising (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a linear or branched alkyl group, preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms; (iii) an alkylalkoxy group, preferably containing 1-6 carbon atoms; (iv) an arylalkyl group or a heteroarylalkyl<!-- EPO <DP n="10"> --> group, in which the aryl or heteroaryl group may be substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (v) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup>, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; and (vi) C<sub>γ-</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>-, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>γ</sub> is a saturated heterocyclic group chosen from the group comprising morpholine, piperidine, N-methylpiperazine and pyrrolidine.</p>
<p id="p0038" num="0038">Even more advantageously, R3 is chosen from the group comprising (i) a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms; (ii) an arylalkyl group, in which the aryl group may be substituted with a substituent chosen from an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -NR'R", -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (iii) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup>, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an aryl group; and (iv) C<sub>γ</sub>-(CH2)<sub>m</sub>-, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>γ</sub> is a morpholine or piperidine residue.</p>
<p id="p0039" num="0039">The aryl or heteroaryl group forming part of the arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl group, which may be represented by the group R3 as described above, may be a group derived from benzene, naphthalene, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrazine, quinoxaline, pyrimidine, quinazoline, pyridazine, cinnoline, furan, benzofuran, isobenzofuran, pyrrole, indole, isoindole, thiophene, benzothiophene, isobenzothiophene, imidazole, benzimidazole, pyrazole, indazole,<!-- EPO <DP n="11"> --> oxazole, benzoxazole, isoxazole, benzisoxazole, thiazole and benzothiazole; preferably benzene, pyridine, furan, benzofuran and pyrrole.</p>
<p id="p0040" num="0040">Typical examples of optionally substituted arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl groups, which may be represented by the group R3 described above, are illustrated hereinbelow:
<chemistry id="chem0003" num="0003"><img id="ib0003" file="imgb0003.tif" wi="103" he="18" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0004" num="0004"><img id="ib0004" file="imgb0004.tif" wi="93" he="15" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0005" num="0005"><img id="ib0005" file="imgb0005.tif" wi="119" he="15" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0006" num="0006"><img id="ib0006" file="imgb0006.tif" wi="89" he="15" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0007" num="0007"><img id="ib0007" file="imgb0007.tif" wi="91" he="23" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0008" num="0008"><img id="ib0008" file="imgb0008.tif" wi="92" he="23" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0009" num="0009"><img id="ib0009" file="imgb0009.tif" wi="126" he="23" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry><!-- EPO <DP n="12"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0010" num="0010"><img id="ib0010" file="imgb0010.tif" wi="108" he="24" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0011" num="0011"><img id="ib0011" file="imgb0011.tif" wi="125" he="30" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
<chemistry id="chem0012" num="0012"><img id="ib0012" file="imgb0012.tif" wi="56" he="15" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry></p>
<p id="p0041" num="0041">Typical examples of compounds represented by the abovementioned formula (I) are illustrated in Table 1 below.
<tables id="tabl0001" num="0001">
<table frame="all">
<title>TABLE 1</title>
<tgroup cols="4">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm"/>
<colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="42mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Compound</entry>
<entry>R1</entry>
<entry>R2</entry>
<entry>R3</entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">1</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">2</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">3</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">4</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">5</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">6</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">7</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">9</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-morpholine</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">10</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NO<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">11</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">13</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHCOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">14</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row><!-- EPO <DP n="13"> -->
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">15</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">16</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>COCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">18</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">19</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">20</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Br</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-pyrrolo-(3-OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">21</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">22</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-piperidine</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">23</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>11</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">24</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>9</sub></entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></p>
<p id="p0042" num="0042">Typical examples of pharmaceutically acceptable mineral acids are: hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Typical examples of pharmaceutically acceptable organic acids are: acetic acid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, methanesulfonic acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, tannic acid and benzoic acid. Amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid may also be used as organic acids.</p>
<p id="p0043" num="0043">Typical examples of pharmaceutically acceptable organic and mineral bases are: mono-, di- and trialkylamines, for instance methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, propylamine, dipropylamine, tripropylamine, ethylenediamine, mono-, di- and trialkanolamines, for instance monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; guanidine, morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, 1-butylpiperidine, 1-ethyl-2-methylpiperidine, N-methylpiperazine, 1 ,4-dimethylpiperazine, N-benzylphenylethylamine, N-methylglucosamine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, iron hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and zinc<!-- EPO <DP n="14"> --> hydroxide. Amino acids such as arginine and lysine may also be used as organic bases.</p>
<p id="p0044" num="0044">The compounds of formula (I) described previously may be prepared according to Scheme A below, starting from novel intermediates of formula (II) by reaction with the appropriate halo derivative (III):
<chemistry id="chem0013" num="0013"><img id="ib0013" file="imgb0013.tif" wi="134" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning indicated previously, and X represents a halogen atom, preferably chlorine or bromine.</p>
<p id="p0045" num="0045">The reaction of Scheme A is preferably performed in the presence of an organic or mineral basic compound and in an organic solvent.</p>
<p id="p0046" num="0046">Useful examples of organic basic substances are aliphatic or aromatic amines such as mono-, di- or trialkylamines, mono-, di- or trialkanolamines, benzylamine, N-methylbenzylamine, and the like. Useful examples of mineral bases are strong bases such as NaOH or KOH, or weak bases such as NH<sub>4</sub>OH, Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, NaHCO<sub>3</sub>, and the like.</p>
<p id="p0047" num="0047">Useful examples of organic solvents are dipolar protic and aprotic organic solvents. Typical examples of dipolar protic organic solvents are methanol, ethanol, propanol or butanol. Typical examples of dipolar aprotic organic solvents are ketones (for example acetone or methyl ethyl ketone), tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, acetonitrile, and the like.</p>
<p id="p0048" num="0048">Advantageously, the reaction is performed with heating, preferably at<!-- EPO <DP n="15"> --> the boiling point of the reaction solution.</p>
<p id="p0049" num="0049">Advantageously, the reaction is performed in the presence of an activating agent, for instance potassium iodide, sodium iodide, caesium iodide, tetrabutylammonium iodide or trimethylphenylammonium iodide.</p>
<p id="p0050" num="0050">The novel intermediate compounds of formula (II) constitute a further aspect of the present invention. The novel intermediates of formula (II) may be prepared according to Scheme A1 below:
<chemistry id="chem0014" num="0014"><img id="ib0014" file="imgb0014.tif" wi="134" he="93" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry></p>
<p id="p0051" num="0051">The preparation of the novel intermediates of formula (II) first involves a reaction between the 4-chloro-2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compound (IV) with (1-benzylpiperid-4-yl)methanol (VI), followed by a debenzylation reaction of the piperidine nitrogen via hydrogenation.</p>
<p id="p0052" num="0052">The reaction of the 4-chloro-2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline (IV) is preferably performed with the sodium salt of (1-benzylpiperid-4-yl)methanol (VI), which is prepared by reacting compound (VI) with a strong base, for instance sodium hydride. The reaction preferably takes place in the presence of an dipolar aprotic solvent chosen from those described previously, preferably dimethylformamide. The reaction is<!-- EPO <DP n="16"> --> performed with heating, preferably at reflux.</p>
<p id="p0053" num="0053">The debenzylation reaction is preferably performed by catalytic hydrogenation under a hydrogen atmosphere, preferably using as catalyst palladium-on-charcoal in an alcoholic solvent. A typical example of an alcoholic solvent is methanol. The reaction is advantageously performed at room temperature.</p>
<p id="p0054" num="0054">Alternatively, the compounds of formula (I) described previously may be prepared according to Scheme B below:
<chemistry id="chem0015" num="0015"><img id="ib0015" file="imgb0015.tif" wi="131" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry></p>
<p id="p0055" num="0055">The reaction of Scheme B is preferably performed in the presence of an organic solvent, using the sodium salt of compound (V), which is prepared by reacting compound (VI) with a strong base, for instance sodium hydride.</p>
<p id="p0056" num="0056">Useful examples of organic solvents are dipolar aprotic organic solvents. Typical examples of dipolar aprotic organic solvents are those described previously, and preferably N,N-dimethylformamide and methyl ethyl ketone.</p>
<p id="p0057" num="0057">The intermediates of structure (IV) are known and their preparation is described in ARKIVOC (2004) number V, 181-195.</p>
<p id="p0058" num="0058">Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are prepared in the form of suitable dosage forms including an effective dose of at least one compound of formula (I) or an acid-addition salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral acid, or a<!-- EPO <DP n="17"> --> base-addition salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral base, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.</p>
<p id="p0059" num="0059">The term "pharmaceutically acceptable excipient" is intended to mean, without any particular limitations, a material that is suitable for preparing a pharmaceutical composition to be administered to a living being.</p>
<p id="p0060" num="0060">These materials, known in the art, are, for example, release agents, binders, disintegrants, fillers, diluents, dyes, fluidizers, glidants, lubricants, preserving agents, stabilizers, humectants, absorbents, surfactants, buffers, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure, emulsifiers, flavourings and sweeteners.</p>
<p id="p0061" num="0061">Useful examples of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are sugars, such as lactose, glucose or sucrose, starches, such as com starch and potato starch, cellulose and derivatives thereof, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose and cellulose acetate, gum tragacanth, malt, gelatin, talc, cocoa butter, waxes, oils, such as groundnut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil, glycols, such as propylene glycol, polyols, such as glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol, esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate, agar agar, buffers, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide, alginic acid, water, isotonic solutions, ethanol, buffer solutions, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyanhydrides, and the like.</p>
<p id="p0062" num="0062">Examples of suitable dosage forms are tablets, capsules, coated tablets, granules, solutions and syrups for oral administration; antiseptic plasters, solutions, pastes, creams and ointments for transdermal administration; suppositories for rectal administration and sterile solutions for injection or aerosol administration.</p>
<p id="p0063" num="0063">Other suitable dosage forms are sustained-release forms or liposome-based forms, for either the oral or injection route.<!-- EPO <DP n="18"> --></p>
<p id="p0064" num="0064">When required for particular therapies, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may contain other pharmacologically active ingredients whose simultaneous administration is useful.</p>
<p id="p0065" num="0065">The amount of compound of formula (I) or of acid-addition salt or base-addition salt thereof in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may vary within a wide range as a function of known factors, for instance the type of pathology with which the neuropathic pain to be treated is associated, the severity of the affliction, the weight of the patient, the dosage form, the selected route of administration, the number of daily administrations and the efficacy of the selected compound of formula (I). However, the optimum amount may be readily and routinely determined by a person skilled in the art.</p>
<p id="p0066" num="0066">Typically, the amount of compound of formula (I) or of acid-addition salt or base-addition salt thereof in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will be such that it ensures a level of administration of between 0.001 and 100 mg/kg/day of compound of formula (I), expressed as non-salified free compound. Preferably, the level of administration will be between 0.05 and 50 mg/kg/day and even more preferably between 0.1 and 10 mg/kg/day.</p>
<p id="p0067" num="0067">The dosage forms of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be prepared according to techniques well known to pharmaceutical chemists, including mixing, granulation, compression, dissolution, sterilization and the like.</p>
<p id="p0068" num="0068">The activity in the treatment of chronic pain of the compounds of formula (I) was demonstrated by means of an experimental model in rats represented by the allodynia induced by ligature of the sciatic nerve.</p>
<p id="p0069" num="0069">As is known to those skilled in the art, the abovementioned experimental model may be considered as predictive of activity in man.</p>
<p id="p0070" num="0070">The experimental model of ligature of the sciatic nerve in rats<!-- EPO <DP n="19"> --> represents a neuropathy that reproduces a series of responses similar to those observed in man in numerous traumatic and pathological conditions associated with neuropathic pain. The reason for this is that ligature of the sciatic nerve is capable of inducing a syndrome associated with the activation of specific circuits dedicated to controlling the perception of pain and characterized by the appearance of allodynia, hyperalgia and spontaneous pain. This model is well known to constitute a valid instrument for studying drugs to be used in the treatment of neuropathic pain in man, and in particular in controlling conditions such as allodynia and hyperalgia.</p>
<p id="p0071" num="0071">Typical examples of human pathologies characterized by the dysfunctions described in the abovementioned experimental model and characterized by the presence of neuropathic pain are diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, trauma, ischemia, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia and post-herpetic syndrome.</p>
<p id="p0072" num="0072">Confirmation of the binding to the serotoninergic receptors was performed by means of a biochemical test on purified membranes from recombinant human cells that stably express the specific receptors or from selected animal tissues as described in particular in <nplcit id="ncit0008" npl-type="s"><text>Grossman C.J. et al. (1993), Br. J. Pharmacol. 109: 618-524</text></nplcit>, <nplcit id="ncit0009" npl-type="s"><text>Bonhaus D.W. et al. (1995), Br. J. Pharmacol. 115(4): 622-628</text></nplcit>; and <nplcit id="ncit0010" npl-type="s"><text>Saucier C. et al. (1997), J. Neurochem. 68(5): 1998-2011</text></nplcit>.</p>
<p id="p0073" num="0073">As is known to those skilled in the art, this test constitutes a predictive model of molecular interaction and of selectivity with the selected receptors.</p>
<heading id="h0004"><b><u>TESTS</u></b></heading>
<heading id="h0005">1. <u>Allodynia induced by ligature of the sciatic nerve in rats</u></heading>
<p id="p0074" num="0074">Male CD rats weighing 200-250 g on arrival were used.</p>
<p id="p0075" num="0075">The allodynia was induced by ligature under anaesthesia of the sciatic nerve of the left hindleg [<nplcit id="ncit0011" npl-type="s"><text>Seltzer Z, Dubner R, Shir Y. A novel<!-- EPO <DP n="20"> --> behavioral model of neuropathic pain disorders produced in rats by partial sciatic nerve injury. Pain 1990; 43: 205-218</text></nplcit>; <nplcit id="ncit0012" npl-type="s"><text>Bennet GJ, Xie YK. A peripheral mononeuropathy in rat that produces disorders of pain sensation like those seen in man. Pain 1988; 33: 87-107</text></nplcit>]. At least two weeks after ligature of the sciatic nerve, rats that showed a reduction of at least 50% in the response threshold recorded before the intervention were selected. The pain threshold was measured with a von Frey machine, which makes it possible, by applying a gradual increase in pressure to the paw of the left hindleg of the rat, to record the nociceptive response, expressed in grams, corresponding to the moment at which the animal withdraws the leg.</p>
<p id="p0076" num="0076">At 30 minutes, 1, 2 and 4 hours of treatment, the pain threshold measured in control animals was compared with that measured in animals treated with the test product (compound 12a of Table 1).</p>
<p id="p0077" num="0077">The control animals were treated with the same vehicle (methylcellulose) used to administer the test product. The results are illustrated in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.</p>
<heading id="h0006">2. <u>Binding to the serotoninergic receptors</u></heading>
<p id="p0078" num="0078">Confirmation of the binding to the serotoninergic receptors was made using purified membranes from selected animal tissues or from recombinant human cells that stably express the specific receptors.</p>
<p id="p0079" num="0079">Binding to the 5-HT<sub>4</sub> serotonin receptor was performed using standard methods described in: <nplcit id="ncit0013" npl-type="s"><text>Grossman C.J., Kilpatrick G.J. and Bunce K.T. (1993) "Development of a radioligand binding assay for 5-HT4 receptors in guinea-pig and rat brain." Br. J. Pharmacol. 109: 618-624</text></nplcit>. The starting materials used were an homogenate of guinea pig striatum and RS-23597190 as reference compound. The test compounds were tested at six concentrations to obtain the pKi values of the individual compounds.</p>
<p id="p0080" num="0080">Binding to the human 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> serotonin receptor was performed via<!-- EPO <DP n="21"> --> the standard method described in <nplcit id="ncit0014" npl-type="s"><text>Bonhaus, D.W., Bach C., De Souza A., Salazar F.H., Matsuoka B.D., Zuppan P., Chan H.W., Eglen R.M. (1995): "The pharmacology and distribution of human 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B (5-HT2B) receptor gene products: comparison with 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors." Br. J. Pharmacol. 115(4): 622-628</text></nplcit>; and <nplcit id="ncit0015" npl-type="s"><text>Saucier C., Albert P.R. (1997): "Identification of an endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor in NIH-3T3 cells: agonist-induced down-regulation involves decreases in receptor RNA and number." J. Neurochem. 68(5): 1998-2011</text></nplcit>. The test compounds were tested at six concentrations to obtain the pKi values of the individual compounds.</p>
<p id="p0081" num="0081">The values of affinity for the 5-HT<sub>4</sub> and 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor of a number of compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention are given, respectively, in Tables 2 and 3, and expressed as pKi, the value of which is proportionately greater the greater the affinity of the compound for the receptor.
<tables id="tabl0002" num="0002">
<table frame="all">
<title>Table 2</title>
<tgroup cols="2">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry align="center">Compound</entry>
<entry align="center">5-HT<sub>4</sub> (pKi)</entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">3</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">7.83</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">4</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.73</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">5</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">6.86</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">6</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">6.88</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">9a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.64</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">11a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.34</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">12a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.65</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">13</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.73</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">15</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">8.00</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">16</entry>
<entry valign="bottom" align="char" char="." charoff="9">7.72</entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables><!-- EPO <DP n="22"> -->
<tables id="tabl0003" num="0003">
<table frame="all">
<title>Table 3</title>
<tgroup cols="2">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry align="center">Compound</entry>
<entry align="center">5-HT<sub>2</sub> (pKi)</entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">3</entry>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">&lt;6</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">9a</entry>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">&lt;5</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">11a</entry>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">6.6</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">12a</entry>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">&lt;5</entry></row>
<row>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">13</entry>
<entry align="center" valign="bottom">&lt;6</entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></p>
<p id="p0082" num="0082">The data of Tables 2 and 3 demonstrate that the indicated compounds of formula (I) show high affinity for the 5-HT<sub>4</sub> receptor, but little or no affinity for the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor.</p>
<heading id="h0007"><b><u>Synthetic examples</u></b></heading>
<heading id="h0008"><b>1a) Ethyl 3-(2-nitrophenyl)propanoate</b></heading>
<p id="p0083" num="0083">A solution of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (132 mmol; 20.0 g) in absolute ethanol (220 ml) was added to a mixture of triethylphosphonium acetate (159 mmol; 35.7 g; 31.9 ml) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (397 mmol; 54.9 g). The mixture was refluxed with vigorous stirring for 1 hour 30 minutes. After cooling, the ethanol was removed under reduced pressure, water (500 ml) was added and the resulting solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 300 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 300 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with chloroform) to give 27.6 g (94%) of final product:
<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow oil, <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.37 (t, 3H); 4.31 (q, 2H); 6.38 (d, 1H); 7.55-7.59 (m, 1H); 7.68 (m, 2H); 8.04-8.14 (m, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0009"><b>1b) Ethyl 4-(2-nitrophenyl)-1<i>H</i>-pyrrole-3-carboxylate</b></heading><!-- EPO <DP n="23"> -->
<p id="p0084" num="0084">A solution of ethyl 3-(2-nitrophenyl)propanoate (120 mmol; 26.6 g) and 4-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanate (TosMIC) (130 mmol; 25.4 g) in a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and anhydrous ethyl ether (150 and 300 ml) was added dropwise to a suspension of 60% sodium hydride in paraffin (260 mmol; 10.4 g) in anhydrous ethyl ether (300 ml), under a stream of argon. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 25 minutes, water (500 ml) was then added and the resulting solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 600 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 300 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with a 1/1 chloroform/ethyl acetate mixture) to give 12.8 g (41%) of final product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 159-161°C (crystallization solvent: ethanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 2.51 (m, 3H); 4.01 (q, 2H); 6.51 (m, 1H); 7.31-7.33 (m, 2H); 7.39-7.41 (m, 2H); 7.49-7.53 (m, 1H); 7.92-7.94 (m, 1H); 12.0 (s, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0010"><b>1c) 2<i>H</i>-Pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4(5<i>H</i>)-one</b></heading>
<p id="p0085" num="0085">To a solution of the compound prepared in Example <b>1b</b> (7.7 mmol; 2.0 g) in glacial acetic acid (100 ml) thermostatically maintained at 85°C was added over 15 minutes iron powder (120 mmol; 6.7 g). The mixture was left stirring at this temperature for 45 minutes. After cooling, the iron was removed by filtration and washed several times with tetrahydrofuran, and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with ethyl acetate) to give 1.05 g (74%) of final product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>red solid, which sublimes at 280°C (ethanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 7.05-7.28 (m, 3H); 7.57-7.63 (m, 2H);<!-- EPO <DP n="24"> --> 7.84-7.88 (m, 1H); 10.7 (s, 1H); 12.1 (s, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0011"><b>1d) 2.Methyl.2<i>H</i>.pyrrolo[3,4.c]quinolin-4(5<i>H</i>)-one</b></heading>
<p id="p0086" num="0086">To a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1c</b> (11.0 mmol, 2.0 g) in anhydrous <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide (10 ml) were added anhydrous potassium carbonate (11.0 mmol; 1.5 g) and methyl iodide (11.0 mmol; 1.54 g; 0.68 ml). The mixture was maintained thermostatically at 90°C and stirred overnight. After cooling, the reaction mixture was treated with water (30 ml) and filtered. The solid was dried under an infrared lamp and chromatographed on a column of silica (eluting with a 10/1 chloroform/methanol mixture) to give 0.96 g (45%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>red solid which sublimes at 225°C (toluene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 3.91 (s, 3H); 7.09-7.25 (m, 3H); 7.58-7.81 (m, 3H); 10.73 (s, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0012"><b>1e) 4-Chloro-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0013">(Compound of formula IV: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H)</heading>
<p id="p0087" num="0087">A mixture of the product prepared in Example <b>1d</b> (5.0 mmol; 1.0 g), phosphorus oxychloride (16.2 ml) and triethylamine (1.2 ml) was maintained at 120°C for 6 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured cautiously onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (1 × 50 ml), with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (3 × 50 ml) and then again with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 50 ml). The organic solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified on a column of silica (eluting with a 1/1 <i>n</i>-hexane/ethyl acetate mixture) to give 1.0 g (92%) of final product having the following characteristics:<!-- EPO <DP n="25"> -->
<ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 123-124°C (benzene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 4.09 (s, 3H); 7.51-7.58 (m, 2H); 7.76 (m, 1H); 7.82-7.85 (m, 1H); 7.97 (m, 1H); 8.15-8.17 (m, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0014"><b>1f) 2-lsopropyl-2<i>H-</i>pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4(5<i>H</i>)-one</b></heading>
<p id="p0088" num="0088">To a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1c</b> (16.3 mmol; 3.0 g) in dioxane (150 ml) brought to reflux was added potassium metal (14.8 mmol; 580 mg) and the mixture was stirred at reflux until total disappearance of the metal was observed (about 2 hours). After cooling, 2-iodopropanol (16.3 mmol; 2.77 g) and 18-crown-6 ether (14.8 mmol; 3.92 g) were added and the mixture was refluxed for 5 hours 30 minutes. A further portion of 2-iodopropanol (8.1 mmol; 1.38 g) was then added and the reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for a further 15 hours. After cooling, the dioxane was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 50 ml). The organic solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to obtain a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with ethyl acetate). 0.9 g (24%) of a product having the following characteristics was obtained:
<ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>white solid, m.p. 189-190°C (toluene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.48 (d, 6H); 4.52 (m, 1H); 7.02-7.20 (m, 3H); 7.63-7.70 (m, 2H); 7.77 (m, 1H); 10.62 (s, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0015"><b>1g) 4-Chloro-2-isopropyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0016">(Compound of formula IV: R1 = CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>; R2 = H)</heading>
<p id="p0089" num="0089">A mixture of the product prepared in Example <b>1f</b> (4.4 mmol; 1.0 g), phosphorus oxychloride (14.3 ml) and triethylamine (1.1 ml) was maintained at 120°C for 25 minutes. After cooling, the reaction mixture<!-- EPO <DP n="26"> --> was poured cautiously onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The organic phases were combined and washed with saturated NaCl solution (1 × 50 ml), with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (3 × 50 ml) and then again with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 50 ml). The organic solution was then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified on a column of silica (eluting with chloroform) to give 0.9 g (91%) of final product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0008" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 70-72°C (cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.64 (d, 6H); 4.59 (m, 1H); 7.46-7.49 (m, 3H); 7.55 (m, 1H); 7.93-7.98 (m, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0017"><b>2a) 1-Butyl-4-piperidinemethanol</b></heading>
<heading id="h0018">(Compound of formula V: R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</heading>
<p id="p0090" num="0090">A mixture of ethyl isonipecotate (31.8 mmol; 5.0 g), anhydrous potassium carbonate (63.6 mmol; 8.8 g) and 1-bromobutane (31.8 mmol; 4.36 g) in absolute ethanol (63 ml) was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. After cooling, the carbonate was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure. 7.68 g of ethyl 4-butylisonipecotate were obtained in the form of an oil, which was used for the following reaction without further purification. This product was dissolved in anhydrous ethyl ether (32 ml) and added dropwise to a suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (41.3 mmol; 1.57 g) in the same solvent (20 ml) cooled to 0°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. After cooling to 0°C, ice was added cautiously and the hydroxides thus formed were removed by filtration. After separating the two phases, the ether phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 5.1 g (94%) of final compound as a clear oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 0.89 (t, 3H); 1.26-1.32 (m, 4H); 1.44-1.51<!-- EPO <DP n="27"> --> (m, 3H); 1.72 (d, 2H); 1.89-1.95 (m, 2H); 2.29-2.33 (m, 3H); 2.94-2.97 (m, 2H); 3.46 (d, 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0019"><b>2b) Ethyl 4-(2-phenylethyl)isonipecotate</b></heading>
<p id="p0091" num="0091">A mixture of ethyl isonipecotate (64 mmol; 10.0 g), anhydrous potassium carbonate (192 mmol; 26.5 g) and phenylethyl bromide (77 mmol, 14.25 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N-</i>dimethylformamide (100 ml) was stirred at 70°C for 5 hours 30 minutes. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (300 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 200 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. A crude product was obtained, which was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with 2/1 <i>n-</i>hexane/ethyl acetate) to give 14.0 g (84%) of pure product as a yellow oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.22-1.27 (t, 3H); 1.75-1.85 (m, 2H); 1.92-1.96 (m, 1H); 2.09-2.14 (t, 2H); 2.26-2.33 (m, 1H); 2.57-2.61 (m, 2H); 2.79-2.83 (m, 2H); 2.95-2.98 (m, 2H); 4.10-4.16 (q, 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0020"><b>2c) 1-(2-Phenylethyl)-4-piperidinemethanol</b></heading>
<heading id="h0021">(Compound of formula V: R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>Ph)</heading>
<p id="p0092" num="0092">To a suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (70 mmol; 2.66 g) in anhydrous THF (40 ml) at 0°C was added dropwise a solution of ethyl 4-(2-phenylethyl)isonipecotate (54 mmol; 14.0 g) in the same solvent (130 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. After cooling to 0°C, ice was added cautiously and the hydroxides thus formed were removed by filtration. After removing the THF under reduced pressure, the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and<!-- EPO <DP n="28"> --> evaporated under reduced pressure. A crude product was obtained, which was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with ethyl acetate) to give 7.9 g (67%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0009" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 89-90°C (cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.25-1.43 (m, 2H); 1.50-1.58 (m, 2H); 1.76-1.79 (m, 2H); 2.03-2.09 (m, 2H); 2.59-2.64 (m, 2H); 2.82-2.87 (m, 2H); 3.05-3.08 (m, 2H); 3.52 (m, 2H); 7.18-7.31 (m, 5H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0022"><b>2d) 4-Piperidinemethanol</b></heading>
<p id="p0093" num="0093">To a suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (8.3 mmol; 310 mg) in anhydrous THF (5 ml) at 0°C was added dropwise a solution of ethyl isonipecotate (6.4 mmol; 1.0 g) in anhydrous THF (5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 35 minutes. After cooling to 0°C, aqueous ethanol (95%) was added cautiously and the hydroxides thus formed were removed by filtration. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 1.34 g (100%) of pure product as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.09-1.18 (m, 2H); 1.50 (m, 1H); 1.66-1.69 (m, 2H); 2.53-2.61 (m, 3H); 3.05-3.08 (m, 2H); 3.25 (d, 2H); 4.60 (s, 1H).</p>
<heading id="h0023"><b>2e) <i>N</i>-Phenyl-2-(4-hydroxymethylpiperid-1-yl)acetamide</b></heading>
<heading id="h0024">(Compound of formula V: R3 = CONHPh)</heading>
<p id="p0094" num="0094">To a solution of 4-piperidinemethanol (9.65 mmol; 1.15 g) in <i>N,N-</i>dimethylformamide (15 ml) were added 2-chloro-<i>N</i>-phenylacetamide (11.6 mmol; 1.97 g) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (29 mmol; 4.0 g). The mixture was stirred at 70°C for 2 hours 30 minutes. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (15 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried over anhydrous<!-- EPO <DP n="29"> --> sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of silica (eluting with a 1/1 chloroform/ethyl acetate mixture) to give 420 mg (27%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0010" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>white solid, m.p. 93-95°C (benzene)</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.34-1.38 (m, 2H); 1.58 (m, 1H); 1.81 (m, 2H); 2.10 (m, 1H); 2.24-2.28 (m, 2H); 2.93-2.96 (m, 2H); 3.12 (s, 2H); 3.54 (d, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0025"><b>2f) Ethyl 4-benzylisonipecotate</b></heading>
<p id="p0095" num="0095">A mixture of ethyl isonipecotate (65 mmol; 10.2 g), anhydrous potassium carbonate (195 mmol; 26.9 g) and benzyl bromide (78 mmol; 13.36 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N-</i>dimethylformamide (100 ml) was stirred at 70°C for 18 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (300 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 200 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. A crude product was obtained, which was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with chloroform) to give 13.84 g (86%) of pure product as a yellow oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.28-1.32 (t, 3H); 1.81 (m, 4H); 2.07-2.12 (m, 2H); 2.34 (m, 1H); 2.91 (m, 2H); 3.55 (m, 2H); 4.15-4.21 (m, 2H); 7.31-7.38 (m, 5H).</p>
<heading id="h0026"><b>2g) (1-Benzyl-4-piperidyl)methanol</b></heading>
<heading id="h0027">(Compound VI)</heading>
<p id="p0096" num="0096">To a solution of lithium aluminium hydride (72 mmol; 2.7 g) in anhydrous THF (40 ml) at 0°C was added dropwise a solution of ethyl 4-benzylisonipecotate (55 mmol; 13.7 g) in the same solvent (130 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes.<!-- EPO <DP n="30"> --> After cooling to 0°C, ice was added cautiously and the hydroxides thus formed were removed by filtration. After removing the tetrahydrofuran under reduced pressure, the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. A crude product was obtained, which was purified on a column of alumina (eluting with ethyl acetate) to give 10.25 g (90.5%) of pure product as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.29-1.39 (m, 2H); 1.53-1.56 (m, 1H); 1.74-1.78 (m, 2H); 1.86 (s, 1H); 1.99-2.05 (m, 2H); 2.94-2.98 (m, 2H); 3.52-3.56 (m, 4H); 7.30-7.38 (m, 5H).</p>
<heading id="h0028"><b>3) 4-[(1-Butylpiperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0029">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</heading>
<p id="p0097" num="0097">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (6.72 mmol; 270 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (14 ml) was added dropwise a solution of (1-butyl-4-piperidyl)methanol (6.72 mmol; 1.14 g) dissolved in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (14 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. The alkoxide thus formed was added dropwise to a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1e</b> (1.92 mmol; 470 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (14 ml) preheated to 146°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 146°C for 1 hour 10 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 20 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina (using chloroform as eluent) to give 520 mg (71 %) of pure product having the following characteristics:<!-- EPO <DP n="31"> -->
<ul id="ul0011" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 83-85°C (benzene/cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 0.97 (t, 3H); 1.35-1.59 (m, 6H); 1.90-2.07 (m, 5H); 2.37 (m, 2H); 3.03 (m, 2H); 3.99 (s, 3H); 4.49 (d, 2H); 7.28-7.49 (m, 4H); 7.75 (m, 1H); 7.88 (m, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0030"><b>4) 4-{[1-(2-Phenyl)ethylpiperidine-4-yl]methoxy}-2-methyl-2<i>H-</i>pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0031">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>Ph)</heading>
<p id="p0098" num="0098">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (8.05 mmol; 320 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (16 ml) was added dropwise a solution of 1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinemethanol (8.05 mmol; 1.77 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (16 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. The alkoxide thus formed was added dropwise to a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1e</b> (2.3 mmol; 500 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (16 ml) preheated to 146°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 146°C for 7 hours 30 minutes. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 20 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with 4/1 <i>n</i>-hexane/ethyl acetate) to give 620 mg (68%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0012" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 90-92°C (benzene/cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.67 (m, 2H); 1.94-1.97 (m, 3H); 2.17 (m, 2H); 2.69 (m, 2H); 2.90 (m, 2H); 3.15 (m, 2H); 3.98 (s, 3H); 4.49 (d, 2H); 7.20-7.42 (m, 9H); 7.74 (m, 1H); 7.88 (m, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0032"><b>5) 4-{[1-(2-Phenyl)ethylpiperid-4-yl]methoxy}-2-isopropyl-2<i>H-</i>pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading><!-- EPO <DP n="32"> -->
<heading id="h0033">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>Ph)</heading>
<p id="p0099" num="0099">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (7.7 mmol; 310 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (15 ml) was added dropwise a solution of 1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinemethanol (7.7 mmol; 1.69 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (15 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. The alkoxide thus formed was added dropwise to a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1g</b> (2.2 mmol; 540 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (15 ml) preheated to 146°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 146°C for 1 hour. After cooling, the mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 20 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with a 4/1 n-hexane/ethyl acetate mixture) to give 680 mg (73%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0013" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 90-93°C (<i>n</i>-hexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.61-1.66 (m, 8H); 1.94 (m, 3H); 2.12 (m, 2H); 2.65 (m, 2H); 2.86 (m, 2H); 3.12 (m, 2H); 4.49 (d, 2H); 4.54 (m, 1H); 7.21-7.45 (m, 9H); 7.74 (m, 1H); 7.90 (m, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0034"><b>5a) 4-{[1-(2-Phenyl)ethylpiperid-4-yl]methoxy}-2-isopropyl-2<i>H-</i>pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline hydrochloride</b></heading>
<p id="p0100" num="0100">A solution of hydrochloric methanol was prepared by dropwise addition of acetyl chloride (2.67 mmol; 200 mg) to 10 ml of methanol cooled in an ice bath. The solution was stirred gently for a few minutes, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>5</b> (2.34 mmol; 1.0 g) in methanol (5.0 ml). Once the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, followed by addition of anhydrous ethyl ether (about 200 ml) until precipitation of<!-- EPO <DP n="33"> --> the salt was observed. The salt obtained was filtered off, washed with anhydrous ethyl ether (3 × 2 ml) and dried under vacuum at 45°C for 6 hours. 630 mg (58%) of pure product having the following characteristics were obtained:
<ul id="ul0014" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 138-140°C (isopropyl ether/isopropanol)</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.57 (d, J = 6.59 Hz, 6H); 1.79-2.29 (m, 5H); 2.86-3.47 (m, 6H); 3.63 (d, J = 11.71 Hz, 2H); 4.55 (d, J = 4.03 Hz; 2H); 4.68 (septet, J = 6.59 Hz; 1H); 7.20-7.48 (m, 7H); 7.80 (bs, 1H); 7.95-8.16 (m, 3H); 10.93 (bs, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0035"><b>6) <i>N</i>-Phenyl-2-{4-[2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yloxy-methyl]piperid-1-yl}acetamide</b></heading>
<heading id="h0036">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CONHPh)</heading>
<p id="p0101" num="0101">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (30.8 mmol; 1.23 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (60 ml) was added dropwise a solution of <i>N</i>-phenyl-2-(4-hydroxymethylpiperid-1-yl)acetamide (30.8 mmol; 7.65 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (60 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. The alkoxide thus formed was added dropwise to a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1e</b> (8.8 mmol; 1.9 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (60 ml) preheated to 146°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 146°C for 3 hours 30 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 150 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with a 2/1 <i>n</i>-hexane/ethyl acetate mixture) to give 2.9 g (77%) of pure product as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.65 (m, 2H); 2.04 (m, 3H); 2.45 (m, 2H); 3.10 (m, 2H); 3.26 (s, 2H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.56 (d, 2H); 7.17 (t, J = 7.6 Hz;<!-- EPO <DP n="34"> --> 1H); 7.33-7.48 (m, 6H); 7.66 (d, J = 7.6 Hz; 2H); 7.80 (m, 1H); 7.95 (m, <b>1H).</b></p>
<heading id="h0037"><b>6a) <i>N</i>-Phenyl-2-{4-[2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yloxy-methyl]piperid-1-yl}acetamide hydrochloride</b></heading>
<p id="p0102" num="0102">A solution of hydrochloric methanol was prepared by dropwise addition of acetyl chloride (1.32 mmol; 100 mg) to 5 ml of methanol cooled in an ice bath. The reaction mixture was stirred gently for a few minutes, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of the amine prepared in Example <b>6</b> (1.2 mmol; 500 mg) in methanol (3.5 ml). Once the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, followed by addition of anhydrous ethyl ether (about 100 ml) until precipitation of the salt was observed. After triturating at room temperature overnight, the salt obtained was filtered off, washed with anhydrous ethyl ether (3 × 2 ml) and dried under vacuum at 45°C for 2 days. 420 mg (75%) of pure product having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0015" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 163-165°C (methanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.66-2.41 (m, 5H); 3.10-3.32 (m, 2H); 3.63 (d, J = 11.39 Hz; 2H); 4.01 (s, 3H); 4.19 (d, J = 3.80 Hz; 2H); 4.53 (d, J = 5.61 Hz; 2H); 7.12 (t, J = 7.35 Hz; 1H); 7.28-7.50 (m, 4H); 7.59-7.93 (m, 5H); 8.03 (dd, J = 7.43; 1.65 Hz; 1H); 10.14 (bs, 1H); 11.02 (s, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0038"><b>7) 4-[(1-Benzylpiperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0039">(Compound of formula VII: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H)</heading>
<heading id="h0040">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>, R2 = H, R3 = Ph)</heading>
<p id="p0103" num="0103">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (16.1 mmol; 650 mg) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (32 ml) was added dropwise a<!-- EPO <DP n="35"> --> solution of (1-benzyl-4-piperidyl)methanol (16.1 mmol; 3.32 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N-</i>dimethylformamide (32 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. The alkoxide thus formed was added dropwise to a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>1e</b> (4.6 mmol; 1.0 g) in anhydrous <i>N,N</i>-dimethylformamide (32 ml) heated to 146°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 1 hour 30 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 50 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with a 1/1 chloroform/petroleum ether mixture) to give 1.45 g (81.5%) of pure product as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.58-1.59 (m, 2H); 1.91-2.11 (m, 5H); 2.94-3.02 (m, 2H); 3.59 (s, 2H); 4.02 (s, 3H); 4.50 (d, 2H); 7.31-7.39 (m, 4H); 7.77 (m, 1H); 7.92 (2m, 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0041"><b>8) 4-[(1-Piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]-quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0042">(Compound of formula II: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H)</heading>
<p id="p0104" num="0104">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 7 (.35 mmol; 1.34 g) in methanol (150 ml) was added 10% palladium-on-charcoal (200 mg). The mixture was stirred under an H<sub>2</sub> atmosphere at room temperature and pressure for 4 days, a stream of H<sub>2</sub> being passed through every 3 hours and 10% palladium-on-charcoal (200 mg) being added every 24 hours. After filtering off the palladium on filter paper, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to obtain a residue, which was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with a 2/1 chloroform/methanol mixture). 410 mg (40%) of pure product were thus obtained as an oil.<br/>
<!-- EPO <DP n="36"> --><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.47-1.57 (m, 2H); 1.91-2.29 (m, 5H); 3.11-3.28 (m, 2H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.46-4.51 (d, 2H); 7.30-7.47 (m, 4H); 7.78 (m, 1H); 7.94 (m, 1H).</p>
<heading id="h0043"><b>8a) Ethyl 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzenecarboxylate</b></heading>
<p id="p0105" num="0105">To a suspension of 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzenecarboxylic acid (52.5 mmol; 9.7 g) in anhydrous ethanol (57 ml) was added concentrated sulfuric acid (3.0 ml). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 2 hours 30 minutes. After cooling, the ethanol was removed under reduced pressure and the crude product obtained was dissolved in chloroform (200 ml). The organic phase was washed first with 1N NaOH (100 ml) and then with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 100 ml). After drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate and removing the solvent under reduced pressure, 12.0 g (100%) of pure product were thus obtained as a pale yellow oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.42 (t, 3H); 2.74 (t, 2H); 3.34 (t, 2H); 4.39 (q, 2H); 7.55 (m, 2H); 8.04 (m, 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0044"><b>8b) 4-(2-Bromoethyl)benzeneamine</b></heading>
<p id="p0106" num="0106">To a solution of 4-nitro-1-(2-bromoethyl)benzene (13 mmol; 3.0 g) in ethyl acetate (200 ml) was added 10% palladium-on-charcoal (500 mg). The resulting suspension was placed under an H<sub>2</sub> atmosphere in a Parr hydrogenator at 70 psi at room temperature for 4 hours. At the end of this period, the suspension was filtered through a filter paper and the solvent was evaporated off under reduced pressure to give 2.81 g of amine (46.8%) as an oil, which was used for the following reaction without further purification.</p>
<heading id="h0045"><b>8c) <i>N</i>-[4-(2-Bromoethyl)phenyl]acetamide</b></heading>
<p id="p0107" num="0107">To a suspension of 4-(2-bromoethyl)benzeneamine prepared in<!-- EPO <DP n="37"> --> Example 8b (1.0 g; 5 mmol) in pyridine (1.2 ml) and acetic anhydride (1.27 g; 12.4 mmol), placed in an ice bath for 30 minutes, was added 1 N HCI. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 200 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 300 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified on a column of silica (eluting with ethyl acetate) to give 620 mg (51%) of product:
<ul id="ul0016" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 135-136°C (benzene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 2.25 (s, 3H); 3.19 (t, 2H); 3.59 (t, 2H); 7.22 (d, 2H); 7.50 (d, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0046"><b>8d) 4'-(2-Bromoethyl)methanesulfonanilide</b></heading>
<p id="p0108" num="0108">To a solution of 4-aminophenylethyl bromide (5 mmol; 1.0 g) in anhydrous THF (25 ml) was added triethylamine (6.6 mmol; 0.744 g; 0.81 ml). To the mixture placed in an ice bath was added methanesulfonyl chloride (6 mmol, 0.687 g; 0.46 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes and then diluted with water, acidified with 1 N HCl to acidic pH, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give 1.18 g of crude product as a yellow oil. The crude product was chromatographed on a column of alumina (eluting with a 1/1 ethyl acetate/chloroform mixture) to give 580 mg (41%) of product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0017" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 115-116°C (toluene/hexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 3.07 (s, 3H); 3.21 (t, 2H); 3.61 (t, 2H); 6.40 (s, 1H); 7.25-7.29 (m, 4H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0047"><b>8e) 4-(2-Bromoethyl)benzyl alcohol</b></heading><!-- EPO <DP n="38"> -->
<p id="p0109" num="0109">To a suspension of LiAlH<sub>4</sub> (4.5 mmol; 0.172 g) in anhydrous THF (5.0 ml) cooled to 0°C was added dropwise a solution of methyl 4-(2-bromoethyl)benzenecarboxylate (1.0 g; 4.1 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10.0 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature and, after adding ice, was filtered through a Büchner filter. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. 800 mg (82.6%) of pure product were thus obtained as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 3.22 (t, 2H); 3.62 (t, 2H); 4.72 (s, 2H); 7.25-7.39 (m, 4H).</p>
<heading id="h0048"><b>8f) 4-(Methoxymethyl)phenylethyl bromide</b></heading>
<p id="p0110" num="0110">To a suspension of 60% NaH in paraffin (13.9 mmol; 0.56 g) in THF (20 ml) cooled to 0°C was first added, dropwise, a solution of 4-(2-bromoethyl)benzyl alcohol (9.25 mmol; 1.99 g) in THF (20 ml) in an ice bath, followed by iodomethane (13.9 mmol; 1.972 g; 0.86 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour 30 minutes, after which it was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 20 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on a column of alumina, eluting with ethyl acetate, to give 1.38 g of product as an oil (65%).<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 3.24 (t, 2H); 3.44 (s, 2H); 3.64 (t, 2H); 4.50 (s, 3H); 7.25-7.47 (m, 4H).</p>
<heading id="h0049"><b>8g) Isochroman-1-one</b></heading>
<p id="p0111" num="0111">To a solution of isochroman (5.0 g; 37.3 mmol) in dichloromethane<!-- EPO <DP n="39"> --> (465 ml) stirred at room temperature was added, over 15 minutes, a homogeneous mixture of potassium permanganate and manganese dioxide (74.60 g) in a 1:3 ratio. The suspension obtained was left for 18 hours at room temperature. The suspension was filtered through a Büchner filter. The solvent was evaporated off under reduced pressure to give 4.42 g of crude product (80%), which was used for the following reaction without further purification.</p>
<heading id="h0050"><b>8h) Methyl 2-(2-chloroethyl)benzenecarboxylate</b></heading>
<p id="p0112" num="0112">A mixture of isochroman-1-one prepared in Example 8g (3.0 g; 20.2 mmol) and PCl<sub>5</sub> (20.4 mmol) was thermostatically maintained at 150°C for 30 minutes. The POCl<sub>3</sub> thus formed was evaporated off, and methanol (15 ml) was then added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated off to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of silica, eluting with a 1/3 ethyl acetate/<i>n</i>-hexane mixture. 2.16 g (54%) of pure product were thus obtained as an oil.<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 3.23 (t, 2H); 3.71 (t, 2H); 3.95 (s, 3H); 7.32-7.35 (m, 2H); 8.04-8.06 (m, 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0051"><b>8i) 4-(2-Bromoethyl)benzenesulfonyl chloride</b></heading>
<p id="p0113" num="0113">To a solution of 2-bromoethylbenzene (10.0 g; 54 mmol) in 16 ml of chloroform placed at a temperature of 0°C was added dropwise a solution of chlorosulfonic acid (162 mmol, 18.87 g; 10.82 ml) in 11 ml of chloroform. After 15 minutes at 0°C, the reaction was maintained at room temperature for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was poured onto ice, and the aqueous phase was extracted with chloroform. The combined organic phases were washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated off to give 12.34 g of crude product, which was purified by<!-- EPO <DP n="40"> --> chromatography on a column of silica, eluting with chloroform (76% yield). The product obtained was used for the following reaction without further purification.</p>
<heading id="h0052"><b>8j) 4-(2-Bromoethyl)benzenesulfonamide</b></heading>
<p id="p0114" num="0114">To a solution of 4-chlorosulfonyl-1-(2-bromoethyl)benzene prepared in Example 8i (4.0 g; 15.2 mmol) in THF (1.76 ml; 15.2 mmol), cooled to 0°C, was added a solution of ammonium hydroxide (1.51 g; 30.4 mmol, 1.71 ml). The reaction took place immediately. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and filtered through a Gooch filter, to give 7.0 g of crude product, which was purified by chromatography on a column of silica, using chloroform as eluent. 570 mg (18% yield) of a product having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0018" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>white solid, m.p. 115-116°C (ethanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 3.24 (t, 2H); 3.58 (t, 2H); 7.37 (d, 2H); 7.91 (d, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0053"><b>9) 4-{[1-(2-(4-Morpholinyl)ethyl)piperid-4-yl]methyloxy}-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0054">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-morpholine)</heading>
<p id="p0115" num="0115">To a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>8</b> (1.3 mmol; 380 mg) in absolute ethanol (1-2 ml) were added 4-(2-chloroethyl)morpholine hydrochloride (1.3 mmol; 240 mg) and sodium bicarbonate (3.64 mmol; 310 mg). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 3 hours 15 minutes. After cooling, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in water (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 480 mg (90%) of product as an oil.<br/>
<!-- EPO <DP n="41"> --><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.61 (m, 2H); 1.89-1.97 (m, 3H); 2.13 (m, 2H); 2.56 (m, 4H); 2.63 (m, 4H); 3.09 (m, 2H); 3.78 (m, 4H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.49 (d, 2H); 7.32-7.46 (m, 4H); 7.78 (m, 1H); 7.93 (m, 1H).</p>
<heading id="h0055"><b>9a) 4-{[1-(2-(4-Morpholinyl)ethyl)piperid-4-yl]methyloxy}-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline hydrochloride</b></heading>
<p id="p0116" num="0116">A solution of hydrochloric methanol was prepared by dropwise addition of acetyl chloride (1.68 mmol; 120 mg) to 3.2 ml of methanol cooled in an ice bath. The mixture was stirred gently for a few minutes, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of the amine prepared in Example 9 (0.76 mmol; 310 mg) in methanol (4.2 ml). Once the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, followed by addition of anhydrous ethyl ether (about 65 ml) until precipitation of the solvent was observed. After triturating for 2 days, the salt obtained was filtered off, washed with petroleum ether (3 × 2 ml) and dried under vacuum at 45°C for 1 day. 150 mg (41%) of pure product having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0019" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 190-192°C (isopropyl ether/isopropanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.71-2.01 (m, 2H); 2.16-2.48 (m, 3H); 2.94-3.14 (m, 4H); 3.19-3.39 (m, 4H); 3.57 (t, J = 7.31 Hz; 2H); 3.81 (d, J = 12.57 Hz; 2H); 3.97 (t, J = 4.38 Hz; 3H); 4.01 (s, 3H); 4.42 (d, J = 5.70 Hz; 2H); 7.42 (d, J = 1.75 Hz, 1H); 7.45-7.58 (m, 4H); 7.61 (s, 1H); 7.78 (d, J = 7.75 Hz; 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0056"><b>10) 4-[(1-(4-Nitrophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0057">(Compound I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NO<sub>2</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0117" num="0117">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 8 (2.2 mmol; 0.65 g) in DMF (5 ml) was added 4-nitrophenylethyl bromide (2.6 mmol; 0.61 g) and K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> (6.6 mmol; 0.91 g). The mixture was stirred at 70°C<!-- EPO <DP n="42"> --> for 2 hours 45 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water (20 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 30 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl solution (3 × 50 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of silica (eluting with a 10/1 chloroform/methanol mixture) to give 0.62 g (62%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0020" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 157-159°C (toluene/cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.65 (m, 2H); 2.00 (m, 3H); 2.19 (m, 2H); 2.72 (t, J = 8.2 Hz; 2H); 3.02 (t, J = 8.2 Hz; 2H); 3.12 (m, 2H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.53 (d, 2H); 7.32-7.47 (m, 6H); 7.78 (m, 1H); 7.93 (2dd, J = 8.1 Hz; J = 1.1 Hz; 2H); 8.20 (d, J = 8.7 Hz; 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0058"><b>11) 4-[(1-(4-Aminophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyffolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0059">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0118" num="0118">To a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>10</b> (1.4 mmol; 0.61 g) in ethyl acetate (100 ml) was added 10% palladium-on-charcoal (200 mg). The mixture was stirred under an H<sub>2</sub> atmosphere at room temperature and pressure for 4 hours. A further portion of 10% palladium-on-charcoal (100 mg) was then added, and the mixture was left under an H<sub>2</sub> atmosphere at room temperature and pressure for 19 hours, a stream of H<sub>2</sub> being passed through every 3 hours. The mixture was then filtered under vacuum on a Merck RP18 cartridge to remove the palladium, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, to give 0.57 g (99%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0021" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 150-152°C (toluene/cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.69 (m, 2H); 1.98 (m, 3H); 2.21 (m, 2H); 2.69 (m, 2H); 2.87 (m, 2H); 3.20 (m, 2H); 3.64 (bs, 2H); 4.04 (s, 3H);<!-- EPO <DP n="43"> --> 4.53 (d, 2H); 6.69 (d, J = 8.4 Hz; 2H); 7.07 (d, J = 8.4 Hz; 2H); 7.32-7.47 (m, 4H); 7.79 (dd, J = 7.7 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz; 2 H); 7.93 (2dd, J = 7.7 Hz; J = 1.2 Hz; 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0060"><b>11a) 4-[(1-(4-Aminophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline hydrochloride</b></heading>
<p id="p0119" num="0119">A solution of hydrochloric methanol was prepared by dropwise addition of acetyl chloride (1.86 mmol; 140 mg) to 7.0 ml of methanol cooled in an ice bath. The mixture was stirred gently for a few minutes, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of the amine prepared in Example 11 (0.84 mmol; 350 mg) in methanol (5.6 ml). Once the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes, followed by addition of anhydrous ethyl ether (about 70 ml) until precipitation of the salt was observed. After triturating for 3 hours, the salt was filtered off, washed with ethyl ether (3 × 2 ml) and dried under vacuum at 45°C for 2 days. 390 mg (95%) of pure product having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0022" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow solid, m.p. 165-167°C (isopropyl ether/isopropanol),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.66-1.94 (m, 2H); 1.96-2.29 (m, 3H); 2.86-3.89 (m, 8H); 4.00 (s, 3H); 4.49 (d, J = 6.04 Hz; 2H); 7.22-7.46 (m, 6H); 7.63-7.76 (m, 2H); 7.80 (d, J = 1.83 Hz; 1H); 8.01 (dd, J = 7.50; 1.65 Hz; 1H); 10.00 (bs, 3H); 10.68 (bs, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0061"><b>12) Ethyl 4-[2-[4-[O-(2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yl]-methoxypiperid-1-yl]ethyl]benzoate</b></heading>
<heading id="h0062">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CO<sub>2</sub>Et))</heading>
<p id="p0120" num="0120">A mixture of the product prepared in Example 8 (1.79 mmol; 0.53 g), ethyl 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzenecarboxylate prepared in Example 8a (8.97 mmol; 1.91 g), Nal (8.97 mmol; 1.34 g) and triethylamine<!-- EPO <DP n="44"> --> (8.97 mmol; 0.91 g; 125 ml) in 2-butanone (22 ml) was stirred at reflux for 12 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into water (200 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were extracted with 1 N HCl (3 × 50 ml) to extract the final amine, in the form of the solid hydrochloride. The solid thus formed and the acidic phases were combined and treated with sodium carbonate to alkaline pH, and extracted again with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 ml). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product thus obtained was chromatographed on a column of alumina (using chloroform as eluent) to give 430 mg (51%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0023" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>brown oil,</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.44 (t, 3H); 1.65 (m, 2H); 1.98 (m, 3H); 2.18 (m, 2H); 2.70 (t, 2H); 2.97 (t, 2H); 3.14 (m, 2H); 4.01 (s, 3H); 4.42 (q, 2H); 4.52 (d, 2H); 7.32-7.46 (m, 6H); 7.78 (dd, J = 8.1 Hz; J = 1.1 Hz; 2H); 7.92 (dd, J = 8.1 Hz; J = 1.1 Hz; 2H); 8.02 (d, J = 8.4 Hz; 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0063"><b>12a) 4-[2-[4-[O-(2-Methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yl]methoxy-piperid-1-yl]ethyl]benzoic acid</b></heading>
<heading id="h0064">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CO<sub>2</sub>H))</heading>
<p id="p0121" num="0121">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 12 (0.42 mmol; 0.2 g) in 2.4 ml of 1/1 THF/EtOH was added 1 N NaOH (1.02 mmol, 1.0 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours. 1 N HCl was then added to pH 7 and the solid thus formed was filtered off. 50 mg (27%) of pure final product were thus obtained.<br/>
Solid, m.p. 155-166°C (ethanol),<br/>
<sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMF-d7, δ ppm): 1.53 (m, 2H); 1.93(m, 3H); 2.23 (m, 2H); 2.74 (m, 2H); 2.97 (m, 2H); 3.17 (m, 2H); 4.13 (s, 3H); 4.48 (d, 2H); 7.36<!-- EPO <DP n="45"> --> (m, 1H); 7.43 (m, 1H); 7.49 (d, J = 8.1 Hz; 2H); 7.62 (d, J = 1.9 Hz; 2H); 7.83 (d, J = 1.9 Hz; 2H); 7.70 (m, 1H); 8.08 (m, 1H); 8.01 (d, J = 8.1 Hz; 2H).</p>
<heading id="h0065"><b>13) 4-[(1-(4-Acetamidophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0066">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHCOCH<sub>3</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0122" num="0122">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 8 (1.5 mmol; 440 mg) in 2-butanone (20 ml) was added 4'-acetamido-2-bromoethylbenzene prepared in Example 8c (380 mg; 1.6 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 1.5 hours. Triethylamine (161 mg; 1.6 mmol; 0.2 ml) was then added and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours, and then cooled to room temperature, diluted with water and extracted with 2-butanone. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. Finally, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, eluting with ethyl acetate, to give 250 mg (40%) of product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0024" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 145-146°C (ethanol/hexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.64-1.76 (m, 4H); 1.99-2.02 (m, 2H); 2.23-2.24 (s, 3H); 2.93-2.95 (m, 2H); 2.97 (m, 2H); 3.26 (m, 2H); 4.04 (s, 3H); 4.53-4.54 (d, 2H); 7.18 (m, 1H); 7.22-7.24 (m, 2H); 7.35 (m, 1H); 7.39 (m, 3H); 7.77-7.79 (m, 1H); 7.93 (dd, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0067"><b>14) 4-[(1-(4-Methanesulfonylamidophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)-methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0068">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0123" num="0123">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 8 (1.17 mmol;<!-- EPO <DP n="46"> --> 345 mg) in 2-butanone (14 mg) was added 4-(methanesulfonyl-amido)phenylethyl bromide prepared in Example 8d (360 mg, 1.29 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes, triethylamine (130 mg; 1.29 mmol; 0.2 ml) was then added and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. The mixture was then brought to room temperature, diluted with water and extracted with 2-butanone. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. The solvent was evaporated off under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, eluting with ethyl acetate. 330 mg of product (38%) having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0025" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 110-111°C (toluene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.31 (s, 1H); 1.70 (m, 2H); 1.86 (m, 3H); 2.23-2.24 (m, 4H); 2.67-2.69 (m, 2H); 2.87-2.89 (m, 2H); 3.04 (s, 3H); 3.13-3.16 (d, 2H); 4.04 (s, 3H); 4.52-4.53 (d, 2H); 7.34-7.35 (m, 1H); 7.39 (m, 1H); 7.44 (m, 1H); 7.77-7.80 (dd, 1H); 7.93 (dd, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0069"><b>15) 4-[(1-(4-Hydroxymethylphenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl.2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4.c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0070">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OH))</heading>
<p id="p0124" num="0124">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 8 (3.3 mmol; 990 mg) in 2-butanone (33.5 ml) was added 4'-hydroxymethyl-2-bromoethylbenzene prepared in Example <b>8e</b> (800 mg; 3.7 mmol). The solution was refluxed for 30 minutes, triethylamine (130 mg; 1.29 mmol; 0.2 ml) was then added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. A further portion of ethylamine (3.3 mmol; 0.33 g) was then added and, after a further two hours, the reaction mixture was brought to room temperature, diluted with water and extracted with 2-butanone. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. The solvent was<!-- EPO <DP n="47"> --> evaporated off under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, eluting with ethyl acetate. 0.67 g of product (48.5%) having the following characteristics was thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0026" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 145-146°C (benzene/cyclohexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.31 (s, 1H); 1.64 (m, 2H); 1.84 (m, 3H); 1.99 (m, 3H); 2.10-2.15 (m, 3H); 2.64-2.68 (m, 2H); 2.87-2.92 (m, 2H); 3.14 (d, 2H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.53 (d, 2H); 4.72 (d, 2H); 7.26-7.28 (m, 2H); 7.32-7.38 (m, 5H); 7.44 (m, 1H); 7.78-7.80 (dd, 1H); 7.93 (dd, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0071"><b>16) 4-[(1-(4-Methoxymethylphenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0072">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0125" num="0125">To a solution of the product prepared in Example <b>8</b> (3.3 mmol; 990 mg) in 2-butanone (33.5 ml) was added 4'-methoxymethyl-2-bromoethylbenzene prepared in Example <b>8f</b> (800 mg; 3.7 mmol). The solution was refluxed for 30 minutes, triethylamine (130 mg; 1.29 mmol; 0.2 ml) was then added and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours. A further portion of ethylamine (3.3 mmol; 0.33 g) was then added and, after a further two hours, the reaction mixture was brought to room temperature, diluted with water and extracted with 2-butanone. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. The solvent was evaporated off under reduced pressure to give a crude product, which was chromatographed on a column of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, eluting with ethyl acetate. 0.67 g of product (48.5%) having the following characteristics was thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0027" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 102-105°C (isopropanol/hexane),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.61-1.68 (m, 2H); 1.96-1.99 (m, 3H); 1.84 (m, 3H); 1.99 (m, 3H); 2.10-2.15 (m, 3H); 2.64-2.68 (m, 2H); 2.11-2.14<!-- EPO <DP n="48"> --> (m, 2H); 2.64-2.68 (m, 2H); 2.87-2.92 (m, 2H); 3.12-3.14 (d, 2H); 3.44 (s, 3H); 4.03 (s, 3H); 4.48 (s, 2H); 4.51-4.54 (d, 2H); 7.25 (m, 2H); 7.32-7.34 (m, 4H); 7.36-7.39 (m, 2H); 7.42-7.45 (dd, 1H); 7.78-7.80 (dd, 1H); 7.92-7.94 (dd, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0073"><b>17) Methyl 2-[2-[4-[O-(2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yl]-methoxypiperid-1-yl]ethyl]benzoate</b></heading>
<heading id="h0074">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOCH<sub>3</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0126" num="0126">A mixture of the product prepared in Example 8 (3.31 mmol; 1.0 g) and methyl 2-(2-bromoethyl)benzenecarboxylate prepared in Example <b>8h</b> (3.64 mmol; 0.74 g) in 2-butanone (35 ml) was refluxed for 30 minutes. After adding triethylamine (4.0 mmol; 0.4 g; 0.56 ml), the reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 72 hours. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water (50 ml) and then extracted with 2-butanone (2 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product thus obtained was purified by chromatography on a column of silica, eluting with ethyl acetate, to give 450 mg (30%) of pure product having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0028" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>yellow oil,</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, δ ppm): 1.28 (m, 1H); 1.65-1:68 (m, 2H); 1.96-1.98 (m, 3H); 2.26 (m, 2H); 2.70-2.74 (m, 2H); 3.17-3.29 (m, 4H); 3.92 (s, 3H); 3.99 (s, 3H); 4.50 (dd, 2H); 7.27-7.36 (m, 5H); 7.39-7.48 (m, 2H); 7.75 (dd, 1H); 7.88-7.92 (m, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0075"><b>17a) 2-[2-[4-[O-(2-Methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-yl]methoxy-piperid-1-yl]ethyl]benzoic acid</b></heading>
<heading id="h0076">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOH))</heading><!-- EPO <DP n="49"> -->
<p id="p0127" num="0127">To a solution of the product prepared in Example 17 (0.74 mmol; 0.34 g) in 3.4 ml of 1/1 THF/EtOH was added 1 N NaOH (1.4 ml). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, and glacial acetic acid was then added to pH 6. The solid obtained was filtered off to give a product (50% yield) having the following characteristics:
<ul id="ul0029" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>solid, m.p. 165°C (ethyl acetate),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMF-d7, δ ppm): 1.30 (m, 2H); 1.51 (m, 2H); 1.79-1.82 (m, 1H); 2.51 (m, 5H); 2.87-2.92 (m, 2H); 3.07-3.10 (m, 2H); 3.98 (s, 3H); 4.35 (d, 2H); 7.23-7.37 (m, 5H); 7.57-7.62 {m, 3H); 7.72 (d, 1H); 7.96 (dd, 1H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0077"><b>18) 4-[(1-(4-Sulfonamidophenylethyl)piperid-4-yl)methyloxy]-2-methyl-2<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline</b></heading>
<heading id="h0078">(Compound of formula I: R1 = CH<sub>3</sub>; R2 = H; R3 = CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>))</heading>
<p id="p0128" num="0128">A mixture of the product prepared in Example 8 (3.37 mmol; 0.99 g) and 4-sulfonamido-1-(2-bromoethyl)benzene prepared in Example 8j (3.78 mmol; 1.00 g) in 2-butanone (34 ml) was refluxed for 10 minutes. After adding triethylamine (3.64 mmol; 0.188 g; 0.52 ml), the reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 35 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with water (50 ml) and extracted with 2-butanone (2 × 50 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. A crude product was obtained, which was chromatographed on a column of alumina, eluting with ethyl acetate, and then on a column of silica, eluting with a 10/1 ethyl acetate/methanol mixture. 140 mg (11%) of product having the following characteristics were thus obtained:
<ul id="ul0030" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li>orange-coloured solid; m.p. 169°C with decomposition (toluene),</li>
<li><sup>1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 1.18-1.36 (m, 2H); 1.85 (m, 3H); 2.01-2.26 (m, 2H); 3.07 (m, 2H); 3.71-3.92 (m, 2H); 3.98 (s, 3H); 4.43 (m,<!-- EPO <DP n="50"> --> 2H); 7.27-7.36 (m, 2H); 7.55-7.60 (m, 3H); 7.73 (m, 2H); 7.97 (m, 2H).</li>
</ul></p>
<heading id="h0079"><b><u>Formulation examples</u></b></heading>
<heading id="h0080">Example 1</heading>
<p id="p0129" num="0129">A tablet containing, as active principle, Compound 12a of the present invention, has the following composition:
<tables id="tabl0004" num="0004">
<table frame="none">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="57mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="16mm"/>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry>Active principle</entry>
<entry align="right">50 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Lactose monohydrate</entry>
<entry align="right">161 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate</entry>
<entry align="right">161 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Microcrystalline cellulose</entry>
<entry align="right">95 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Corn starch</entry>
<entry align="right">30 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Sodium carboxymethylstarch</entry>
<entry align="right">24 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Povidone</entry>
<entry align="right">11 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Magnesium stearate</entry>
<entry align="right">3 mg</entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></p>
<heading id="h0081">Example 2</heading>
<p id="p0130" num="0130">An ampule containing, as active principle, Compound 12a of the present invention, has the following composition:
<tables id="tabl0005" num="0005">
<table frame="none">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="27mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="37mm"/>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry>Active principle</entry>
<entry align="right">25 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Sorbitol</entry>
<entry align="right">qs iso-osmotic solution</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Water</entry>
<entry align="right">qs 100 ml</entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></p>
<heading id="h0082">Example 3</heading>
<p id="p0131" num="0131">A pharmaceutical composition in the form of granules containing, as active principle, Compound 12a of the present invention, has the following composition:
<tables id="tabl0006" num="0006">
<table frame="none">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="26mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="18mm"/>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry>Active principle</entry>
<entry align="right">50 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Maltitol</entry>
<entry align="right">1300 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Mannitol</entry>
<entry align="right">2700 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Sucrose</entry>
<entry align="right">1000 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Citric acid</entry>
<entry align="right">20 mg</entry></row><!-- EPO <DP n="51"> -->
<row>
<entry>Aspartame</entry>
<entry align="right">20 mg</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>Flavourings</entry>
<entry align="right">200 mg</entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></p>
</description>
<claims id="claims01" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="52"> --><!-- EPO <DP n="53"> -->
<claim id="c-en-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Compound of formula (I):
<chemistry id="chem0016" num="0016"><img id="ib0016" file="imgb0016.tif" wi="71" he="46" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which:
<claim-text>R1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, or an alkylalkoxy group;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R3 is (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a linear or branched alkyl group ; (iii) an alkylalkoxy group ; (iv) an arylalkyl group or a heteroarylalkyl group, in which the alkyl group preferably contains 1-3 carbon atoms, and the aryl or heteroaryl group maybe substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (v) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup> which may be identical or different,<!-- EPO <DP n="54"> --> are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, optionally substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -OH, -NO<sub>2</sub>, -NH<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>H, -CO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>alkyl, -SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub> and -NHSO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>alkyl; and (vi) C-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub><sup>-</sup>, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>y</sub> is an alicyclic group of 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group comprising at least one heteroatom chosen from N and O, optionally N-substituted with an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms,</claim-text>
<claim-text>the acid-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral acid, and the base-addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or mineral base.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Compound according to Claim 1, in which R1 is a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms, R2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, and R3 is (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1-6. carbon atoms; (iii) an arylalkyl group or a heteroarylalkyl group, in which the aryl or heteroaryl group may be substituted with one or two substituents, which may be identical or different, chosen from a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (iv) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup>, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; and<!-- EPO <DP n="55"> --> (v) C<sub>γ</sub>-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>-, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>γ</sub> is a saturated heterocyclic group chosen from the group comprising morpholine, piperidine, N-methylpiperazine and pyrrolidine.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Compound according to Claim 1, in which R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms, R2 is a hydrogen atom, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> or -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> and R3 is (i) a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms; (ii) an arylalkyl group, in which the aryl group may be substituted with a substituent chosen from an alkoxy group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms, -NR'R", -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- and R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in which R' and R", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; (iii) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH2)<sub>n</sub>-, in which n is an integer from 0 to 2, and R<sup>iv</sup> and R<sup>v</sup>, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an aryl group; and (iv) C<sub>γ</sub>-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>-, in which m is an integer from 0 to 2, and C<sub>γ</sub> is a morpholine or piperidine residue.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Compound according to Claim 1, in which R1, R2 and R3 are represented in the following table:
<tables id="tabl0007" num="0007">
<table frame="all">
<tgroup cols="4">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm"/>
<colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="43mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Compound</entry>
<entry>R1</entry>
<entry>R2</entry>
<entry>R<sub>3</sub></entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">1</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">2</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">3</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">4</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">5</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">6</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">7</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">9</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-morpholine</entry></row><!-- EPO <DP n="56"> -->
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">10</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NO<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">11</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">13</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHCOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">14</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">15</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">16</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>)COCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">18</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">19</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">20</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Br</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-pyrrolo-(3-OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">21</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">22</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-piperidine</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">23</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>11</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">24</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>9</sub></entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula (1) or an acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof according to any one of the preceding claims, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Pharmaceutical formulation according to Claim 5, in which the said pharmaceutical formulation comprises an amount of compound of formula (I) or an acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof so as to ensure a level of administration of between 0.001 and 100 mg/kg/day of compound of formula (I), expressed in free form.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Process for preparing a compound of formula (I)<!-- EPO <DP n="57"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0017" num="0017"><img id="ib0017" file="imgb0017.tif" wi="72" he="45" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof, in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4, <b>characterized in that</b> it comprises the reaction between the compound of formula (II):
<chemistry id="chem0018" num="0018"><img id="ib0018" file="imgb0018.tif" wi="68" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
and the compound of formula (III):
<chemistry id="chem0019" num="0019"><img id="ib0019" file="imgb0019.tif" wi="37" he="19" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning described above, and X represents a halogen atom.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Preparation process according to Claim 7, in which the said reaction is performed in an organic solvent in the presence of an organic or mineral base compound.<!-- EPO <DP n="58"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Preparation process according to either of Claims 7 and 8, in which the said reaction is performed in the presence of an activating agent chosen from the group comprising potassium iodide, sodium iodide, caesium iodide, tetrabutylammonium iodide and trimethylphenylammonium iodide.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Process for preparing a compound of formula (I)
<chemistry id="chem0020" num="0020"><img id="ib0020" file="imgb0020.tif" wi="77" he="49" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof, in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4, <b>characterized in that</b> it comprises the reaction between the compound of formula (IV):
<chemistry id="chem0021" num="0021"><img id="ib0021" file="imgb0021.tif" wi="62" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
and the compound of formula (V):<!-- EPO <DP n="59"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0022" num="0022"><img id="ib0022" file="imgb0022.tif" wi="54" he="40" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning described above.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Preparation process according to Claim 10, in which the said reaction is performed in a dipolar aprotic organic solvent in the presence of a basic compound.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Process for preparing a compound of formula (II):
<chemistry id="chem0023" num="0023"><img id="ib0023" file="imgb0023.tif" wi="70" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4, <b>characterized in that</b> it comprises:
<claim-text>(1) the reaction between the compound of formula (IV):<!-- EPO <DP n="60"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0024" num="0024"><img id="ib0024" file="imgb0024.tif" wi="65" he="52" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
and the compound of formula (VI):
<chemistry id="chem0025" num="0025"><img id="ib0025" file="imgb0025.tif" wi="52" he="46" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which R1 and R2 have the meaning described above, to give the compound of formula (VII):
<chemistry id="chem0026" num="0026"><img id="ib0026" file="imgb0026.tif" wi="98" he="52" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
and<!-- EPO <DP n="61"> --></claim-text>
<claim-text>(2) the debenzylation reaction of the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of formula (VII) to give the compound of formula (II), the said reaction being performed by hydrogenation.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Preparation process according to Claim 12, in which the said reaction (1) is performed in a dipolar aprotic organic solvent chosen from the group comprising ketones, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane and acetonitrile, in the presence of a basic compound chosen from the group comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium hydride, and the said reaction (2) is performed in an alcoholic solvent under a hydrogen atmosphere in the presence of a palladium-on-charcoal catalyst.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Compound of formula (II):
<chemistry id="chem0027" num="0027"><img id="ib0027" file="imgb0027.tif" wi="73" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in which:
<claim-text>R1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, or an alkylalkoxy group; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group.</claim-text><!-- EPO <DP n="62"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Compound of formula (I):
<chemistry id="chem0028" num="0028"><img id="ib0028" file="imgb0028.tif" wi="77" he="49" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof, in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4, for pharmaceutical use.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Use of a compound of formula (I):
<chemistry id="chem0029" num="0029"><img id="ib0029" file="imgb0029.tif" wi="88" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof, in which R1. R2 and R3 have the meaning defined above in any one of Claims 1 to 4, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating intestinal motility disorders, and disorders of the<!-- EPO <DP n="63"> --> central nervous system, of urinary incontinence and of cardiac arrhythmia.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Use of a compound of formula (I):
<chemistry id="chem0030" num="0030"><img id="ib0030" file="imgb0030.tif" wi="76" he="47" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salt thereof, in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meaning defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating chronic pain.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Use of a compound according to Claim. 17, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating neuropathic pain caused by diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, traumas, ischaemia, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia and post-herpetic syndrome.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims02" lang="de"><!-- EPO <DP n="64"> --><!-- EPO <DP n="65"> -->
<claim id="c-de-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Verbindung der Formel (I):
<chemistry id="chem0031" num="0031"><img id="ib0031" file="imgb0031.tif" wi="81" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
worin:
<claim-text>R1 für ein Wasserstoffatom, eine lineare oder verzweigte Alkylgruppe oder eine Alkylalkoxygruppe steht;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 für ein Wasserstoffatom, ein Halogenatom oder eine lineare oder verzweigte Alkylgruppe, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> oder -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> steht;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R3 für (i) ein Wasserstoffatom steht; für (ii) eine lineare oder verzweigte Alkylgruppe steht; für (iii) eine Alkylalkoxygruppe steht; für (iv) eine Arylalkylgruppe oder eine Heteroarylalkylgruppe steht, in der die Alkylgruppe bevorzugt 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthält und die Aryl- oder Heteroarylgruppe durch einen oder zwei Substituenten substituiert sein kann, die gleich oder verschieden sein können und ausgewählt sind unter einem Halogenatom, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkylgruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkoxygruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Hydroxyalkylgruppe, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- und R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in denen R' und R", die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom oder eine 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe stehen; für (v) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- steht, wobei n für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und R<sup>iv</sup> und R<sup>v</sup>, die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom, eine 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe, eine Arylgruppe oder eine Heteroarylgruppe stehen, die gegebenenfalls durch einen oder zwei Substituenten substituiert sind, die gleich oder verschieden sein können und ausgewählt sind unter einem Halogenatom, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkylgruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkoxygruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Hydroxyalkylgruppe, -OH, -NO<sub>2</sub>, -NH<sub>2,</sub> -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>H, -CO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>-Alkyl, -SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub><!-- EPO <DP n="66"> --> und -NHSO<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>1-3</sub>-Alkyl; und für (vi) Cγ-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- steht, wobei m für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und Cγ für eine alicyclische Gruppe mit 3 bis 7 Kohlenstoffatomen oder für eine gesättigte 5- oder 6-gliedrige heterozyklische Gruppe steht, die mindestens ein unter N und O ausgewähltes Heteroatom enthält, die gegebenenfalls durch eine 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe N-substituiert ist,</claim-text>
<claim-text>die Säureadditionssalze davon mit einer pharmazeutisch annehmbaren organischen oder mineralischen Säure, und Basenadditionssalze davon mit einer pharmazeutisch annehmbaren organischen oder mineralischen Base.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Verbindung nach Anspruch 1, worin R1 für ein Wasserstoffatom oder eine lineare oder verzweigte 1 - 6 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe steht; R2 für ein Wasserstoffatom, ein Halogenatom, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> oder -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> steht, und R3 für (i) ein Wasserstoffatom steht; für (ii) eine lineare oder verzweigte 1 - 6 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe steht; für (iii) eine Arylalkylgruppe oder eine Heteroarylalkylgruppe steht, in der die Aryl- oder Heteroarylgruppe durch einen oder zwei Substituenten substituiert sein kann, die gleich oder verschieden sein können und ausgewählt sind unter einem Halogenatom, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkylgruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkoxygruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Hydroxyalkylgruppe, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R") und R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in denen R' und R", die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom oder eine 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe stehen; für (iv) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- steht, wobei n für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und R<sup>iv</sup> und R<sup>v</sup>, die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom, eine Arylgruppe oder eine Heteroarylgruppe stehen; und für (v) Cγ-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- steht, wobei m für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und Cγ für eine gesättigte heterozyklische Gruppe steht, die unter Morpholin, Piperidin, N-Methylpiperazin und Pyrrolidin ausgewählt ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Verbindung nach Anspruch 1, worin R1 für eine lineare oder verzweigte 1 - 6 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe steht; R2 für ein Wasserstoffatom, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> oder -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> steht und R3 für (i) eine lineare oder verzweigte 1 - 6 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe steht; für (ii) eine Arylalkylgruppe steht, in der die Arylgruppe durch einen Substituenten substituiert sein kann, der ausgewählt ist unter einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Alkoxygruppe, einer 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltenden Hydroxyalkylgruppe, -NR'R", -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- und R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, in denen R' und<!-- EPO <DP n="67"> --> R", die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom oder eine 1 - 3 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe stehen; für (iii) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- steht, wobei n für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und R<sup>iv</sup> und R<sup>v</sup>, die gleich oder verschieden sein können, für ein Wasserstoffatom oder eine Arylgruppe stehen; und für (iv) Cγ-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- steht, wobei m für eine ganze Zahl von 0 bis 2 steht und Cγ für einen Morpholin- oder Piperidinrest steht.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Verbindung nach Anspruch 1, worin R1, R2 und R3 in folgender Tabelle wiedergegeben sind
<tables id="tabl0008" num="0008">
<table frame="all">
<tgroup cols="4">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="21mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm"/>
<colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="42mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Verbindung</entry>
<entry>R1</entry>
<entry>R2</entry>
<entry>R<sub>3</sub></entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">1</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">2</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">3</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">4</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">5</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">6</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">7</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">9</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-Morpholin</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">10</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NO<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">11</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">12a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">13</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHCOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">14</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">15</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">16</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>COCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">17a</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">18</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">19</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">20</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Br</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-pyrrolo-(3-OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">21</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">Cl</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">22</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>OC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-<i>N</i>-Piperidin</entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">23</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>11</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry valign="bottom">24</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry valign="bottom">H</entry>
<entry valign="bottom">CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>9</sub></entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Pharmazeutische Formulierung, umfassend eine wirksame Menge einer Verbindung der Formel (I) oder eines Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche und zumindest einen pharmazeutisch annehmbaren Hilfsstoff.<!-- EPO <DP n="68"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Pharmazeutische Formulierung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die pharmazeutische Formulierung eine Menge der Verbindung der Formel (I) oder eines Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon umfasst, die eine Verabreichungsdosis von 0,001 bis 100 mg/kg/Tag, berechnet als freie Form, der Verbindung der Formel (I) gewährleistet.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Verbindung der Formel (I)
<chemistry id="chem0032" num="0032"><img id="ib0032" file="imgb0032.tif" wi="81" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
oder eines pharmazeutisch annehmbaren Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon, worin R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass</b> es die Umsetzung zwischen der Verbindung der Formel (II):
<chemistry id="chem0033" num="0033"><img id="ib0033" file="imgb0033.tif" wi="72" he="57" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
und der Verbindung der Formel (III):
<chemistry id="chem0034" num="0034"><img id="ib0034" file="imgb0034.tif" wi="35" he="19" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry><!-- EPO <DP n="69"> -->
umfasst, worin R1, R2 und R3 die oben beschriebene Bedeutung haben und X für ein Halogenatom steht.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 7, bei dem die Umsetzung in einem organischen Lösungsmittel in Gegenwart einer organischen oder mineralischen basischen Verbindung durchgeführt wird.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, wobei die Umsetzung in Gegenwart eines Aktivierungmittels durchgeführt wird, das unter Kaliumiodid, Natriumiodid, Caesiumiodid, Tetrabutylammoniumiodid und Trimethylphenylammoniumiodid ausgewählt ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Verbindung der Formel (I)
<chemistry id="chem0035" num="0035"><img id="ib0035" file="imgb0035.tif" wi="81" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
oder eines pharmazeutisch annehmbaren Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon, wobei R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass</b> es die Umsetzung zwischen der Verbindung der Formel (IV):
<chemistry id="chem0036" num="0036"><img id="ib0036" file="imgb0036.tif" wi="65" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
und der Verbindung der Formel (V):<!-- EPO <DP n="70"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0037" num="0037"><img id="ib0037" file="imgb0037.tif" wi="45" he="35" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
umfasst, wobei R1, R2 und R3 die oben definierte Bedeutung haben.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 10, bei dem die Umsetzung in einem dipolar-aprotischen organischen Lösungsmittel in Gegenwart einer basischen Verbindung durchgeführt wird.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Verbindung der Formel (II):
<chemistry id="chem0038" num="0038"><img id="ib0038" file="imgb0038.tif" wi="72" he="57" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
in der R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass</b> es umfasst:
<claim-text>(1) die Umsetzung der Verbindung der Formel (IV):
<chemistry id="chem0039" num="0039"><img id="ib0039" file="imgb0039.tif" wi="65" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
und der Verbindung der Formel (VI):<!-- EPO <DP n="71"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0040" num="0040"><img id="ib0040" file="imgb0040.tif" wi="55" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
worin R1 und R2 die oben definierte Bedeutung haben, zur Verbindung der Formel (VII):
<chemistry id="chem0041" num="0041"><img id="ib0041" file="imgb0041.tif" wi="79" he="46" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
und</claim-text>
<claim-text>(2) die Debenzylierungsreaktion des Piperidin-Stickstoffs der Verbindung der Formel (VII) zur Verbindung der Formel (II), wobei diese Reaktion durch Hydrierung durchgeführt wird.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Umsetzung (1) in einem unter Ketonen, Tetrahydrofuran, Dimethylformamid, Dimethylsulfoxid, Dioxan und Acetonitril ausgewählten dipolar-aprotischen organischen Lösungsmittel in Gegenwart einer unter Natriumhydroxid und Natriumhydrid ausgewählten basischen Verbindung durchgeführt wird und die Reaktion (2) in einem alkoholischen Lösungsmittel unter einer Wasserstoffatmosphäre in Gegenwart eines Palladiumauf-Aktivkohle-Katalysators durchgeführt wird.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Verbindung der Formel(II):<!-- EPO <DP n="72"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0042" num="0042"><img id="ib0042" file="imgb0042.tif" wi="72" he="57" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
worin:
<claim-text>R1 für ein Wasserstoffatom, eine lineare oder verzweigte Alkylgruppe oder eine Alkylalkoxygruppe steht; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 für ein Wasserstoffatom, ein Halogenatom oder eine lineare oder verzweigte Alkylgruppe steht.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Verbindung der Formel (I):
<chemistry id="chem0043" num="0043"><img id="ib0043" file="imgb0043.tif" wi="81" he="55" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
oder ein pharmazeutisch annehmbares Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalz davon, worin R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, zur pharmazeutischen Verwendung.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Verwendung einer Verbindung der Formel (I):<!-- EPO <DP n="73"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0044" num="0044"><img id="ib0044" file="imgb0044.tif" wi="81" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
oder eines pharmazeutisch annehmbaren Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon, worin R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, zur Herstellung einer pharmazeutischen Zusammensetzung zur Behandlung von Störungen der Darmmotilität und Störungen des zentralen Nervensystems, von Harninkontinenz und von Herzarrhythmie.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Verwendung einer Verbindung der Formel (I):
<chemistry id="chem0045" num="0045"><img id="ib0045" file="imgb0045.tif" wi="81" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
oder eines pharmazeutisch annehmbaren Säureadditions- oder Basenadditionssalzes davon, worin R1, R2 und R3 die in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 definierte Bedeutung haben, zur Herstellung einer pharmazeutischen Zusammensetzung zur Behandlung von chronischen Schmerzen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Verwendung einer Verbindung nach Anspruch 17 zur Herstellung einer pharmazeutischen Zusammensetzung zur Behandlung von neuropathischen Schmerzen, die durch Diabetes, Krebs, Immunschwäche, Verletzungen, Ischämie, Multiple Sklerose, Ischialgie, Trigeminusneuralgie und Post-Zoster-Neuralgie verursacht sind.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims03" lang="fr"><!-- EPO <DP n="74"> --><!-- EPO <DP n="75"> -->
<claim id="c-fr-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Composé de formule (I) :
<chemistry id="chem0046" num="0046"><img id="ib0046" file="imgb0046.tif" wi="78" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
dans laquelle :
<claim-text>R1 est un atome d'hydrogène, un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié, ou un groupe alkylalcoxy ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 est un atome d'hydrogène, un atome d'halogène ou un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> ou -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>R3 est (i) un atome d'hydrogène ; (ii) un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié ; (iii) un groupe alkylalcoxy ; (iv) un groupe arylalkyle ou un groupe hétéroarylalkyle, où le groupe alkyle contient de préférence 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, et le groupe aryle ou hétéroaryle peut être substitué par un ou deux substituants, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, choisis parmi un atome d'halogène, un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe alcoxy contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe hydroxyalkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- et R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, où R' et R", qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène ou un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de Carbone ; (v) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- où n est un entier de 0 à 2 et R<sup>iv</sup> et R<sup>v</sup>, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène, un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe aryle ou un groupe hétéroaryle,<!-- EPO <DP n="76"> --> éventuellement substitué par un ou deux substituants, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, choisis parmi un atome d'halogène, un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe alcoxy contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe hydroxyalkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, -OH, -NO<sub>2</sub>, -NH<sub>2</sub>, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>H, -CO<sub>2</sub>-alkyle en C<sub>1</sub> à C<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub> et -NHSO<sub>2</sub>-alkyle en C<sub>1</sub> à C<sub>3</sub> ; et (vi) Cγ- (CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- où m est un entier de 0 à 2 et Cγ est un groupe alicyclique ayant 3 à 7 atomes de carbone ou un groupe hétérocyclique saturé à 5 ou 6 chaînons comprenant au moins un hétéroatome choisi parmi N et O, éventuellement N-substitué par un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone,</claim-text>
<claim-text>ses sels d'addition d'acide avec un acide organique ou minéral pharmaceutiquement acceptable, et ses sels d'addition de base avec une base organique ou minérale pharmaceutiquement acceptable.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Composé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel R1 est un atome d'hydrogène ou un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié contenant 1 à 6 atomes de carbone, R2 est un atome d'hydrogène, un atome d' halogène, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> ou -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> et R3 est (i) un atome d'hydrogène ; (ii) un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié contenant 1 à 6 atomes de carbone ; (iii) un groupe arylalkyle ou un groupe hétéroarylalkyle, où le groupe aryle ou hétéroaryle peut être substitué par un ou deux substituants, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, choisis parmi un atome d'halogène, un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe alcoxy contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe hydroxyalkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, -OH, -NR'R", -NO<sub>2</sub>, -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- et R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, où R' et R", qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène ou un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone ; (iv) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO (CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- où n est un entier de 0 à 2 et R<sup>iv</sup> et R<sup>v</sup>, qui peuvent être identiques<!-- EPO <DP n="77"> --> ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène, un groupe aryle ou un groupe hétéroaryle ; et (v) Cγ-(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- où m est un entier de 0 à 2 et Cγ est un groupe hétérocyclique saturé choisi dans l'ensemble comprenant la morpholine, la pipéridine, la N-méthylpipérazine et la pyrrolidine.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Composé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel R1 est un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié contenant 1 à 6 atomes de carbone, R2 est un atome d'hydrogène, -CF<sub>3</sub>, -OSO<sub>2</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>, -SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub> ou -NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub> et R3 est (i) un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié contenant 1 à 6 atomes de carbone ; (ii) un groupe arylalkyle où le groupe aryle peut être substitué par un substituant choisi parmi un groupe alcoxy contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, un groupe hydroxyalkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone, -NR'R", -CO<sub>2</sub>R', R'CON(R")-, R'SO<sub>2</sub>N(R")- et R'R"NSO<sub>2</sub>-, où R' et R", qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène ou un groupe alkyle contenant 1 à 3 atomes de carbone ; (iii) R<sup>iv</sup>R<sup>v</sup>NCO(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>n</sub>- où n est un entier de 0 à 2 et R<sup>iv</sup> et R<sup>v</sup>, qui peuvent être identiques ou différents, sont un atome d'hydrogène ou un groupe aryle ; et (iv) Cγ- (CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>m</sub>- où m est un entier de 0 à 2 et Cγ est un résidu morpholine ou pipéridine.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Composé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel R1, R2 et R3 sont représentés dans le tableau suivant :
<tables id="tabl0009" num="0009">
<table frame="all">
<tgroup cols="4">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="18mm"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm"/>
<colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm"/>
<colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="42mm"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry valign="top">Composé</entry>
<entry valign="top">R1</entry>
<entry valign="top">R2</entry>
<entry valign="top">R3</entry></row></thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry>1</entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>Cl</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>2</entry>
<entry>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>3</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>4</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>5</entry>
<entry>(CH(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>6</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row><!-- EPO <DP n="78"> -->
<row>
<entry>7</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>9</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-N-morpholine</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>10</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NO<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>11</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>12</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>12a</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>13</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHCOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>14</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NHSO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>15</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>16</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-CH<sub>2</sub>COCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>17</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>17a</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(2-COOH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>18</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>19</entry>
<entry>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-SO<sub>2</sub>NHCH<sub>3</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>20</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>OCH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>Br</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-N-pyrrolo-(3-OH)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>21</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>Cl</entry>
<entry>CONH-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-(4-NH<sub>2</sub>)</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>22</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>OC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub></entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-N-pipéridine</entry></row>
<row>
<entry>23</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>11</sub></entry></row>
<row>
<entry>24</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>3</sub></entry>
<entry>H</entry>
<entry>CH<sub>2</sub>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>9</sub></entry></row></tbody></tgroup>
</table>
</tables></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Formulation pharmaceutique comprenant une quantité efficace d'un composé de formule (I) ou d'un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base de celui-ci selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, et au moins un excipient pharmaceutiquement acceptable.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Formulation pharmaceutique selon la revendication 5, laquelle formulation pharmaceutique comprend une quantité d'un composé de formule (I) ou d'un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base de celui-ci telle que soit assuré un niveau d'administration compris entre 0,001 et 100 mg/kg/jour de composé de formule (I), exprimé sous forme libre.<!-- EPO <DP n="79"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Procédé pour préparer un composé de formule (I)
<chemistry id="chem0047" num="0047"><img id="ib0047" file="imgb0047.tif" wi="79" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
ou un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base pharmaceutiquement acceptable de celui-ci, où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, <b>caractérisé en ce qu'</b>il comprend la réaction entre le composé de formule (II) :
<chemistry id="chem0048" num="0048"><img id="ib0048" file="imgb0048.tif" wi="77" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
et du composé de formule (III)
<chemistry id="chem0049" num="0049"><img id="ib0049" file="imgb0049.tif" wi="24" he="15" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations décrites ci-dessus, et X représente un atome d'halogène.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Procédé de préparation selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite réaction se déroule dans un solvant organique en présence d'un composé basique organique ou minéral.<!-- EPO <DP n="80"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Procédé de préparation selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 7 et 8, dans lequel ladite réaction se déroule en présence d'un agent d'activation choisi dans le groupe comprenant l'iodure de potassium, l'iodure de sodium, l'iodure de césium, l'iodure de tétrabutylammonium et l'iodure de triméthylphénylammonium.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Procédé pour préparer un composé de formule (I)
<chemistry id="chem0050" num="0050"><img id="ib0050" file="imgb0050.tif" wi="79" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
ou un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base pharmaceutiquement acceptable de celui-ci, où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, <b>caractérisé en ce qu'</b>il comprend la réaction entre le composé de formule (IV) :
<chemistry id="chem0051" num="0051"><img id="ib0051" file="imgb0051.tif" wi="56" he="49" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
et le composé de formule (V) :<!-- EPO <DP n="81"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0052" num="0052"><img id="ib0052" file="imgb0052.tif" wi="39" he="46" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations décrites ci-dessus.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Procédé de préparation selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite réaction se déroule dans un solvant organique aprotique dipolaire en présence d'un composé basique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Procédé pour préparer un composé de formule (II) :
<chemistry id="chem0053" num="0053"><img id="ib0053" file="imgb0053.tif" wi="77" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, <b>caractérisé en ce qu'</b>il comprend
<claim-text>(1) la réaction entre le composé de formule (IV) :
<chemistry id="chem0054" num="0054"><img id="ib0054" file="imgb0054.tif" wi="56" he="49" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry><!-- EPO <DP n="82"> -->
et le composé de formule (VI) :
<chemistry id="chem0055" num="0055"><img id="ib0055" file="imgb0055.tif" wi="40" he="58" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
où R1 et R2 ont les significations décrites ci-dessus, pour donner le composé de formule (VII) :
<chemistry id="chem0056" num="0056"><img id="ib0056" file="imgb0056.tif" wi="92" he="67" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
et</claim-text>
<claim-text>(2) la réaction de débenzylation de l'azote de pipéridine du composé de formule (VII), pour donner le composé de formule (II), ladite réaction étant effectuée par hydrogénation.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Procédé de préparation selon la revendication 12, dans lequel ladite réaction (1) se déroule dans un solvant organique aprotique dipolaire choisi dans le groupe comprenant les cétones, le tétrahydrofurane, le diméthylformamide, le diméthylsulfoxyde, le dioxane et l'acétonitrile, en présence d'un composé basique choisi dans le groupe comprenant l'hydroxyde de sodium et l'hydrure de sodium, et ladite<!-- EPO <DP n="83"> --> réaction (2) se déroule dans un solvant alcoolique dans une atmosphère d'hydrogène en présence d'un catalyseur au charbon palladié.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Composé de formule (II) :
<chemistry id="chem0057" num="0057"><img id="ib0057" file="imgb0057.tif" wi="77" he="56" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
dans laquelle :
<claim-text>R1 est un atome d'hydrogène, un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié, ou un groupe alkylalcoxy ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>R2 est un atome d'hydrogène, un atome d'halogène ou un groupe alkyle linéaire ou ramifié.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Composé de formule (I) :
<chemistry id="chem0058" num="0058"><img id="ib0058" file="imgb0058.tif" wi="78" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
ou un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base pharmaceutiquement acceptable de celui-ci, où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, pour un usage pharmaceutique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Utilisation d'un composé de formule (I) :<!-- EPO <DP n="84"> -->
<chemistry id="chem0059" num="0059"><img id="ib0059" file="imgb0059.tif" wi="78" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
ou d'un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base pharmaceutiquement acceptable de celui-ci, où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, pour la préparation d'une composition pharmaceutique destinée au traitement de troubles de la motilité intestinale, et de troubles du système nerveux central, de l'incontinence urinaire, et de l'arythmie cardiaque.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Utilisation d'un composé de formule (I) :
<chemistry id="chem0060" num="0060"><img id="ib0060" file="imgb0060.tif" wi="78" he="51" img-content="chem" img-format="tif"/></chemistry>
ou d'un sel d'addition d'acide ou d'addition de base pharmaceutiquement acceptable de celui-ci, où R1, R2 et R3 ont les significations définies dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, pour la préparation d'une composition pharmaceutique destinée au traitement d'une douleur chronique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Utilisation d'un composé selon la revendication 17, pour la préparation d'une composition pharmaceutique destinée<!-- EPO <DP n="85"> --> au traitement d'une douleur neuropathique provoquée par le diabète, un cancer, une immunodéficience, un traumatisme, une ischémie, la sclérose en plaques, une sciatique, une névralgie du trijumeau et un syndrome post-herpétique.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<drawings id="draw" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="86"> -->
<figure id="f0001" num="1"><img id="if0001" file="imgf0001.tif" wi="135" he="157" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure>
</drawings>
<ep-reference-list id="ref-list">
<heading id="ref-h0001"><b>REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0001" num=""><i>This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.</i></p>
<heading id="ref-h0002"><b>Patent documents cited in the description</b></heading>
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</ep-patent-document>
