[0001] This invention relates to imidazole-2-carbamates which are useful as centrally acting
skeletal muscle relaxants. More specifically, the invention relates to 4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxy-carbonylamino-4-(substituted)-imidazoles.
The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing
such compounds, the compositions being useful for inducing skeletal muscle relaxation
in mammals. The invention also relates to a process for making the compounds of the
invention.
[0002] The first aspect of this invention is a compound chosen from those represented by
the formula
wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 through 4 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of 1 through
6 carbon atoms, the naphthyl group is attached through the 1 or 2 position of the
naphthyl ring structure; and the hydrogen-anion addition salts, preferably the pharmaceutically
acceptable salts, thereof.
[0003] Another aspect of the invention is a composition useful for producing a muscle relaxant
effect in mammals, which composition comprises an effective amount of at least one
compound chosen from those represented by the Formula I above and a pharmaceutically
suitable excipient.
[0004] Still another aspect of the invention is a process for producing a compound of Formula
I above which comprises reacting a diamine, or suitable acid salt thereof, of the
formula
where R is previously defined with a suitable reagent resulting in ring closure to
afford the compounds of Formula I.
[0005] Preferred compounds of the invention are those in which R is hydrogen or alkyl of
1 or 2 carbon atoms and R
1 is alkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Especially preferred of these compounds are those of the 1-naphthyl series.
[0006] The term "alkyl" refers to an aliphatic, acyclic radical containing the number of
carbon atoms indicated. An alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms would include methyl, ethyl,
isopropyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl and t-butyl. The term "alkyl of 1-6 carbons"
includes alkyls of 1-4 carbon atoms as well as n-amyl, isoamyl, t-pentyl, n-hexyl,
isohexyl and the like.
[0007] The compounds of Formula I have an asymmetric carbon atom (i.e. the imidazole ring
carbon atom to which the naphthyl group is attached) and exist as optically active
isomers. Thus, the above Formula I is intended to represent the respective individual
(+) and (-) optical isomers as well as mixtures thereof, and accordingly the individual
isomers as well as the mixtures of isomers (e.g. racemic mixtures) are encompassed
within the invention. Also, although the compounds of the invention wherein R is hydrogen
will be named and described herein, for purposes of convenience, as 4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxycarbonylamino-4(1-naphthyl)imidazoles
or 4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxycarbonylamino-4-(2-naphthyl) imidazoles, the compounds of the
invention can exist in principle in any of the ring-tautomeric forms, below (A, B
or C: 1-naphthyl shown), or in the protonated form as the hybrid structure D.
[0008] Of course, the equivalent four forms exist also for the compounds of the 2-naphthyl
series. Hence, while the compounds of the invention are depicted as 4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxycarbonylamino-4-(1-naphthyl)imidazoles
for purposes of brevity and convenience, it should be understood that all of the above
forms of the compounds are encompassed within the structural and word formula designations
and are encompassed within the invention. The same is true for 2-naphthyl compounds
of Formula I. Typical illustrations of 1-naphthyl compounds of Formula I wherein R
is hydrogen and R is alkyl of 1-6 carbons are found in Example 1 while typical illustrations
of corresponding 2-naphthyl compounds are found in Example 3.
[0009] The compounds of the invention where R is alkyl of 1-4 carbons and R is alkyl of
1-6 carbons have also an asymmetric carbon atom at the imidazole ring carbon to which
the naphthyl group is attached. This carbon is designated in this series as the 5-carbon
and thus these compounds also exist as optically active isomers. The above Formula
I is intended to represent the respective (+) and (-) optical isomers as well as mixtures
thereof (e.g. racemic mixtures) and accordingly the individual isomers as well as
the mixtures of the isomers are encompassed within the invention. Typical illustrations
of 1-naphthyl compounds of Formula I where R is alkyl of 1-4 carbons and R is alkyl
of 1-6 carbons are found in Example 2 while illustrations of 2-naphthyl compounds
are found in Example 4.
[0010] Also included in the invention are the hydrogen-anion addition salts of the compound
represented by Formula I, that is, those salts of the parent compound made by reacting
an organic or inorganic acid with a compound represented by Formula I.
[0011] Preferably, the hydrogen-anion addition salts are pharmaceutically acceptable, i.e.
those salts of the parent compound which do not significantly adversely affect the
pharmaceutical properties (e.g. toxicity, effectiveness, etc.) of the parent compound
and are conventionally used in the pharmaceutical art. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable
hydrogen-anion addition salts include (expressed with respect to the anion), for example,
inorganic salts such as, for example, chloride, bromide, iodide, bisulfate, sulfate,
phosphate, nitrate, and the like, or organic salts such as, for example, acetate,
benzoate, lactate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, tartrate, maleate, fumarate, citrate,
succinate, tosylate, ascorbate, palmitate, glyconate, adipate, and the like. Preferred
pharmaceutically acceptable salts are the hydrochloride, bisulfate, hydrobromide,
nitrate, maleate and citrate. The particularly preferred salts are the salts corresponding
to the preferred group of compounds set forth above.
Administration and Formulation
[0012] The compounds of this invention are useful for treating, palliating or preventing
undesirable conditions, in mammals, involving the central nervous system, particularly
as centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants. Initial determination of activity in
mammals for a given compound can be obtained by applying routine experimental procedures
such as those described by King and Unna in "The Action of Mephenesin and Other Interneuron
Depressants on the Brain Stem", J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 111, 293 (1954); or Barnett
and Fiori in "Acute Tolerance to Diazepam in Cats and its Possible Relationship to
Diazepam Metabolism". A more complete explanation of a modified procedure is given
in Example 5, hereafter.
[0013] The compounds may be administered to mammals (especially humans) orally, rectally
or parenterally (for example, by intraveneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection).
Where the compounds are administerally parenterally, they will, of course, be administered
in liquid dosage forms, whereas when administered orally or rectally, they can be
administered in either solid or liquid forms.
[0014] The amount administered is an effective amount i.e. that amount which is sufficient
to produce the desired muscle relaxant effect. The exact amount required depends upon
the particular subject and the intensity of the disorder being treated and can vary
within wide limits such as, for example, between 0.01 and 300 mg. per kg. of body
weight per day. Preferably, the amount will be about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg/day. The administration
of the compounds of the invention may lead to drowsiness which may result in impaired
mental and/or physical abilities. Consequently, patients receiving the compounds should
be cautioned against engaging in hazardous tasks requiring complete mental alertness
such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. If the new compounds are to
be combined with other psychotropic agents, careful consideration should be given
to the pharmacology of the agents to be employed. In particular, the new compounds
should not be co-administered with depressant agents.
[0015] The pharmaceutical composition of this invention generally will include an effective
amount of at least one compound of this invention in combination with a pharmaceutically
suitable excipient, i.e. an inert vehicle. An effective amount is that amount which
is effective to give the desired skeletal muscle relaxant effect in the mammal that
is being treated using the recommended dosage. Thus the level of the drug in the formulation
can vary from 0.1 percent weight (%w) to 99%w or more of the drug based on the total
formulation and about l%w to 99.9% excipient. Preferably the drug is present at a
level of 1%-95%w. The active ingredients of this invention can be formulated for oral,
rectal or parenteral administration and may be liquid or solid. Preferably the pharmaceutical
composition is formulated in unit dosage form to facilitate the simple administration
of precise dosages. The pharmaceutically sui·table excipient in the dosage form may
comprise a carrier along with preservatives, emulsifying agents, wetting agents, buffering
agents, and the like. Other compatible medicaments may also be included. Liquid dosage
forms include, for example, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, elixirs, etc.
Liquid carriers include for example, water, saline solution, ethanol, ethylene glycols
such as propylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, and the like. Solid dosage forms
include tablets, powders, capsules, pills, and the like. Suitable solid carriers which
are useful in solid carriers as well as liquid carriers include for example, pharmaceutical
grades of starch, lactose, sodium saccharin, sodium bisulfate and the like. Conventional
suppository carriers include polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, stearic acid, diglycol
stearate, and the like.
Process of the Invention
[0016] The compounds of this invention.represented by formula I are prepared by reactively
contacting a diamine of the formula
optionally in the form of an optically active isomer thereof,-or a salt of compound
II, wherein the naphthyl is attached at the 1 or 2 positions of the naphthyl ring
and R is alkyl of 1-4 carbons with a suitable reagent resulting in ring closure leading
to the compounds of Formula I. Suitable reagents include
(i) a 1-mono or 1,3-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methyl- isothiourea of the formula
or mixtures thereof;
(ii) a 1-mono or,. 1,3-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-alkoxycarbonyl isothiourea of the formula
or mixtures thereof;
(iii) a mono- or bis(alkoxycarbonyl)cyanamide of the formula
or mixtures thereof; or
(iv) a compound represented by the formula
or mixtures thereof;
wherein R1 is hereinbefore defined, P is hydrogen or -COOR1, and M and L are independently chloro, alkoxy of 1-6 carbons or alkylthio of 1-6
carbons.
[0017] Generally, the reaction takes place in a suitable solvent at temperatures of about
15°C to reflux temperature for about 1 hour to 5 days. Suitable solvents include protic
solvents such as oxygenated hydrocarbon solvents e.g. alcohols, like methanol, ethanol,
isopropanol and the like, water; and mixtures thereof. Preferably an aqueous alcoholic
solution is employed.
[0018] The preferred reagent, 1-mono or 1,3-bis-(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methyl isothiourea, is
prepared by reacting thiourea with about equimolar amounts of dimethyl sulfate or
methyl sulfate or methylchloroformate at elevated temperatures, e.g. about 20° to
100°C to form S-methyl isothiourea (or the H
2S0
4 or HC1 salt thereof) which is then reacted with a molar excess of methyl chloroformate
(more than 1 mole of the methylchloroformate per mole of the S-methyl isothiourea
and preferably about 1.9-2.5 moles of the former per mole of the latter) in the presence
of a suitable aqueous base, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the
like, at low temperatures of about 0° to 50° for about 3 hours. The resulting reagent
is substantially insoluble in water and so may be filtered off and used in the process
of this invention. Alternatively the desired reagent may be extracted with a suitable
organic solvent such as a chlorinated hydrocarbon such as methylene chloride and the
like, benzene, toluene, or other hydrocarbon solvents and isolated by evaporating
the solvent. In still another alternative, the reagent is utilized in situ to carry
out the process of this invention. The preparation of the other ring closure reagents
is described in German OLS 2438120.
[0019] The diamines represented by the formulae II', and II" and II"'are prepared according
to the
wherein R
A is benzyl or R wherein R has the above indicated meanings.
[0020] For example, 1-naphthaldehyde is reactively contacted with a suitable amine having
the formula R
ANH
2 (R
A is a substituent other than hydrogen), ammonia (R
A is hydrogen) or a suitable salt thereof and an alkaline metal cyanide to form a cyano
compound chosen from those represented by the formula III. In the second step, the
cyano compound represented by formula III is then reactively contacted with a suitable
reducing agent to form a diamine of the Formula II' wherein R is as previously defined.
The same method is applied to prepare the diamines of the Formula II' of the 2-naphthyl
series.
[0021] In the preferred preparation of the 1,2-diaminoethane of Formula II"' benzylamine
(R
A=b
enzy
l) is reacted with 1- or 2-naphthaldehyde and an alkaline metal cyanide to form compound
III which is hydrogenated with hydrogen to form the diamine
II' (
RA being benzyl), and the protecting benzyl group is removed to form compound II"'.
[0022] Suitable amines include methyl amine, ethyl amine, n-propyl amine, isopropyl amine,
t-butyl amine and the like. Methyl amine, ethyl amine or ammonia and their hydrochloride
salts are preferred. An alkaline methyl cyanide includes lithium cyanide, potassium
cyanide and, preferably, sodium cyanide. The reaction generally takes place in a suitable
solvent such as water, methanol, ethanol or any other aliphatic alcohol, acetonitrile,
diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or a mixture of any of these. Particularly
valuable as a solvent is aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide, that is dimethyl sulfoxide containing
from 5 to 50%w water. The reaction readily takes place at temperatures from 5 to 50°C
preferably about 20-25°C with constant stirring. The reaction is generally completed
in about 5 to 30 hours. The desired cyanide intermediate represented by Formula III
is readily isolated by first diluting with water and then extracting with benzene,
drying, filtering and removing the solvent. Other suitable solvents for extraction
are hexane, ether, chloroform or mixtures thereof.
[0023] In the second step, the cyanide compound represented by Formula III is reacted with
a suitable reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride, bis-(methoxyethoxy) aluminum
hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, diborane, and the like. Lithium aluminum hydride
has been found to be particularly valuable in this reaction. The reduction is carried
out in a suitable solvent such as diethyl ether, tetrahydro- furane, benzene, hexane
or mixtures of these, preferably diethyl ether. Generally the lithium aluminum hydride
is first refluxed in diethyl ether for several hours before adding the cyanide compound.
The reduction reaction takes place at temperatures of about -20 to 25°C. Preferably
the cyanide is slowly added to the reducing agent, e.g. over a period of from one
to five hours, depending, i,a., on the size of the batch being reacted.
[0024] The compounds of Formula I are also prepared by reacting a salt of the compounds
of Formula I with a suitable base which liberates a compound df Formula I as the free
base.
[0025] Likewise, the salts of the compounds of Formula I are prepared by contacting a compound
of Formula I as the free base with a suitable acid leading to a hydrogen-anion addition
salt of the compound of Formula I.
[0026] Optically active compounds of Formula I are prepared by using optically active starting
materials of Formula II.
Preparation
[0027] This sets forth a process for preparing 1,3-bis-(methoxy-carbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea
according to the following reaction sequence.
[0028] In a 4 liter erlenmeyer flask, 218.6 grams 2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea sulfate salt
is stirred in 620 ml. H
20 and cooled in an ice bath. Two hundred thirty-five (235) milliliters (ml) of methylchloroformate
is added at once and the resulting mixture kept between 10-15°C. Thereafter, 310.5
grams of potassium hydroxide in 930 ml H
20 is added over 2 hours keeping the pH basic. After the addition is completed, the
product is extracted with methylene chloride; washed with brine, dried over sodium
sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed on a rotary evaporator. The product is recrystallized
from 350 ml methanol to yield 126.7 g., m.p. 94-98°C., l,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea.
[0029] The following representative examples are given to further enable one to prepare
specific representative compounds of this invention, but are not intended to limit
the scope of the claims appended hereto.
Example 1
[0030] This example sets forth the process for making 4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxycarbonylamino-4-(l-naphthyl)-imidazoles.
[0031] A. This part sets forth a process for preparing 1-(1-naphthyl)-1,2-diaminoethane.
[0032] Eleven grams (g) of benzylamine in 90 milliliters (ml) of 1 N. hydrochloric acid
and 16 g of 1-naphthaldehyde along with 50 ml of methanol are placed in a reaction
vessel and cooled in an icewater bath. Five g of sodium cyanide is added and stirred
overnight. A white solid forms and the next day the mixture is diluted in the water,
extracted with benzene and the extract washed with saturated sodium chloride solution
then dried over potassium carbonate. The solvent is removed by rotary evapor= ator
and the resulting substance is dried using an oil pump to give 28.5 g. of crystallized
a-naphthyl-a-benzyl-aminoacetonitrile, melting point (m.p.) 62-66°C.
[0033] Eight g of lithium aluminum hydride is refluxed in approximately 250 ml of ether
for 4 hours and then is cooled to -10°C using an ice-methanol bath. Thereafter the
a-naphthyl-a-benzylaminoacetonitrile prepared in the previous step is dissolved in
about 200 ml of ether and the mixture is added over about 20 minutes keeping the reaction
temperature at -10°C. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight while the bath is
allowed to reach room temperature slowly. The next day the reaction mixture is cooled
in an ice bath, then cautiously treated first with 8 ml of water, then with 8 ml of
15% sodium hydroxide and finally with 15 ml of water. The reaction mixture is then
stirred until the solid precipitate had turned from dark to nearly white. The precipitate
is filtered and a mixture of 30 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 120 ml of
isopropanol is added to the filtrate whereupon a white solid is formed. The solid
is filtered, collected, washed with ether then dried to give 26 g of the dihydrochloride
salt of 1-(l-naphtbyl)-1-benzylamino-2-aminoethane, m.p. 241-244°.
[0034] The resulting product is then placed in 500 ml. of ethanol and 80 ml of water along
with 2 g of a 5% palladium on carbon catalyst and hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure
with hydrogen (uptake 1.9/1) to give 15.5 g of crude 1-(1-naphthyl)-1,2- diaminoethane
dihydrochloride having a melting point of about 330°C (with decomposition).
[0035] B. In this step a 1-naphthyl compound of Formula I is prepared wherein R is hydrogen
and R is methyl.
[0036] The diamine, 1-(1-naphthyl)-1,2-diaminoethane dihydrochloride, as prepared in part
A of this example (4.75 g) is dissolved in about 50 ml of water and 15 ml of saturated
sodium bicarbonate solution is added followed by 3,5 g of 1,3-bis-(methoxycarbonyl)-methylisothiourea
in 80 ml of chloroform, 5-10 ml of isopropanol and 300 mg of benzyltriethylammonium
chloride. The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 days, then evaporated to dryness using
a rotary evaporator. The solid residue is suspended in water, collected on a Buchner
funnel, washed with water, suspended in fresh water and stirred for 2 hours. The solids
are recollected, dried at room temperature in a vacuum desiccator overnight to give
3.1 g of final product which is recrystallized from about-180 ml of toluene. The material
is filtered, stored overnight, collected, and dried at 55°C overnight to give 2.1
g of 4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-
4-(1-naphthyl)imidazole having a m.p. of 208-209°C.
[0037] To prepare the bisulfate salt, the product is dissolved in 25 ml of ethanol that
contains 850 mg of sulfuric acid. This solution is added in portions to 300 ml of
rapidly stirred ether to give 2.47 of the bisulfate salt having a m.p. of about 140°C
(with foaming).
[0038] C. Similarly, the following in principle the procedure of part B but substituting
other 1,3-bis-(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothioureas such as 1,3- bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(isopropoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; 1,3-bis(n-propoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(isobutoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; 1,3-bis(n-pentyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
or 1,3-bis(n-hexyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea for 1,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea
other corresponding compounds of Formula I are prepared, namely
4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-4-(1-naphthyl)-imidazole m.p. 212-213°;
4,5-dihydro-2-(isopropoxycarbonylamino)-4-(l-naphthyl)-imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-propoxycarbonylamino)-4-(1-naphthyl)-imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(isobutyloxycarbonylamino)-4-(l-naphthyl) imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-pentyloxycarbonylamino)-4-(1-naphthyl) imidazole; and
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-hexyloxycarbonylamino)-4-(l-naphthyl) imidazole.
Example 2
[0039] This example sets forth a process for making 1-alkyl-4,5-dihydro-2-alkoxycarbonylamino-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazoles.
[0040] A. This part sets forth a process for preparing 1-(1-naphthyl)-1-methylamino-2-aminoethane.
[0041] A mixture of 20 g of 1-naphthaldehyde, 75 ml of dimethylsulfoxide and 15 ml. of water
is placed in an appropriate reaction flask and cooled momentarily with an ice bath.
To this reaction mixture is then added 11 g of methylammonium hydrochloride followed
by 8 g of sodium cyanide. The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature under
nitrogen for about 24 hours then partitioned between benzene and water. The aqueous
layer is washed with additional benzene then the benzene layers combined, washed with
water three times and once with a saturated brine solution. The resulting organic
mixture is dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent evaporated off by a
rotary evaporator to yield 24.3 of a-(l-naphthyl)-a-methylaminoacetonitrile as an
oil.
[0042] Nine and six tenths g of lithium aluminum hydride are added to 300 ml. of ether and
refluxed for about 3 hours. The resulting mixture is cooled in an ice/methanol bath
to about -15°C then 23 g of the oily a-(l-naphthyl)-a-methylaminoacetonitrile in 150
ml of ether is slowly added to the mixture over an hour and a half while the temperature
is kept between -10 and -15°C. The resulting mixture-is stirred overnight while the
ice bath is allowed to melt. In the morning the reaction mixture is cooled in an ice
water bath then'10 ml of water followed by 10 ml of 15% of sodium hydroxide and 15
ml of water is slowly added to the reaction mixture to decompose any unreacted lithium
aluminum hydride. The reaction mixture is then removed from the ice bath, stirred
for an hour and filtered. The filtrate is swirled and 33 ml. of 1 N HC1 and 133 ml
of isopropanol is slowly added. The resulting mixture is stirred, allowed to stand
overnight and filtered. The precipitate is dried under vacuum to yield 23.6 g. of
1-(1-naphthyl)-1-methylamino-2-aminoethane, dihydrochloride.
[0043] B. This part sets forth a method for preparing preparing the 1-substituted compounds
of the 1-naphthyl series.
[0044] Six grams of 1-(1-naphthyl)-1-methylamino-2-aminoethane, dihydrochloride, prepared
in Part A, are stirred into 25 ml of water. Thereafter 35 ml of saturated sodium bicarbonate
are added and stirred for several minutes. Then 160 ml of isopropanol followed by
4.16 g of 1,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methyl-isothiourea dissolved in 120 ml of chloroform
are added to the mixture. The resulting mixture is stirred under nitrogen for 7 days.
The organic solvents'are removed in a rotary evaporator and 10% aqueous HC1 is added
until the pH of the mixture is just acidic: The resulting mixture is extracted with
ether and the aqueous mixture is neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate, filtered,
and pumped dry to give 5.3 g of crude l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(l-naphthyl)-imidazole,
m.p. 187-190°C. One gram of the crude material is recrystallized from ethanol to give
0.77 g of more pure material, m.p. 194-197°C.
[0045] The bisulfate salt of l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole
is prepared by treating .5 g of the recrystallized material with 8 ml of ethanol then
adding 0.1 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid. The mixture is then added to 250 ml of
ether while stirring. The resulting salt is filtered and dried to give .62 g of the
bisulfate salt of l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole,
m.p.
[0046] 157-158°C. This is recrystallized from ethanol to give .33 g. of more pure material,
m.p. 153-165°.
[0047] C. Similarly, by substituting other
1,3-his(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothioureas such as
1,3- bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(isopropoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(n-propoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(isobutoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(n-pentyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; or
l,3-bis(n-hexyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea for
l,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl-S-methylisothiourea the corresponding compounds of Formula
I are prepared, namely
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(isoproxycarbonylamino)-5-(l-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-propoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(t-butylcarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-pentylcarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole; and
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-hexylcarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole.
[0048] D. By following in principle the procedure of Part A-C but substituting other alkylammonium
hydrochlorides having 2-4 carbons in the alkyl group such as ethylammonium hydrochloride,
isopropylammonium hydrochloride, n-propylammoniumhydrochloride, n-butylammonium hydrochloride,
or t-butylammonium hydrochloride for methylammonium hydrochloride, other corresponding
compounds of Formula I are prepared, namely
l-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(l-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-n-propyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-n-butyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(l-naphthyl)-imidazole; and
l-t-butyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole.
[0049] E. Similarly, by substituting other 1,3-bis-(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methyl-isothioureas
such as those set forth in Part C of this example in combination with the alkylammonium
chlorides in Part D, other
1-alkyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(alkoxycarbonylamino) -5-(l-naphthyl)imidazoles are prepared
such as
1-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(isoproxycarbonylamino)-5-(1-naphthyl)imidazole;
1-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(1- napthyl)imidazole.
Example 3
[0050] This example sets forth a process for preparing 4,5-dihydro-2-(alkoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazoles.
[0051] A. This part presents a process for preparing 1-(2-naphthyl)-1,2-diaminoethane, dihydrochloride.
One hundred sixty-nine ml. of 10% hydrochloric acid is placed in a 3-neck reaction
flask and cooled in an ice bath. To the cooled, stirred acid is added, in order, 21
ml benzylamine, 30 g 2-naphthaldehyde, 94 ml methanol and 9.4 g sodium cyanide. The
mixture is removed from the ice bath and stirred under nitrogen for about 18 hours.
The mixture is diluted with water, and extracted with benzene. The benzene solution
is washed with a brine solution, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent
removed by rotary evaporator to give 34 g of crude a-(2-naphthyl)-a-benzylaminoacetonitrile.
The crude product is added to 350 ml of a mixture of ether in tetrahydrofuran (3:1).
[0052] Five hundred ml of ether is added to a-1000 ml 3-neck reaction flask and stirred
under nitrogen for several minutes after which time
'11 g of lithium aluminum hydride is added and the mixture refluxed for 2 1/2 hours
then cooled in an ice/methanol bath. A mixture of the 34 g of the crude acetonitrile
in 350 ml ether/tetrahydrofuran is added over a period of about 55 minutes while the
reactants are stirred and cooled using the methanol/ice bath. The resulting mixture
is stirred for about 17 hours while allowing it to gradually warm to room temperature.
To decompose any remaining lithium aluminum hydride, 11 ml water, 11 ml 15% aqueous
sodium hydroxide, and 16.5 ml water are slowly and consecutively added to the reaction
mixture. The resulting mixture is filtered and the filtrate is slowly mixed with 57
ml hydrochloric acid in 225 ml of isopropanol while stirring. The resulting precipitate
is filtered and dried to give 21.03 g of crude 1-(2-naphthyl)-1-benzylamino-2-aminoethane.
Eleven g of this product is recrystallized from ethanol after filtering in a hot ethanol
solution to give 9.37 g of more pure 1-(2-naphthyl)-I-benzylamino-2-aminoethane m.p.
245-251°C.
[0053] The product is hydrogenated to remove the benzyl group by placing 253.5 ml ethanol,
12.7 ml water, 9.3 g 1-(2-naphthyl)-1-benzylamino-2-aminoethane (m.p. 245-251°C) and
3.38 g 10% palladium on carbon catalyst in a suitable hydrogenation vessel and 625
ml hydrogen is added thereto over a 75 minute period. The reaction mixture is filtered
through diatomaceous earth and the solvent removed on a rotary evaporator to give
8.2 g of crude 1-(2-naphthyl)-1,2-diaminoethane, dihydrochloride. The crude product
is recrystallized from ethanol to give 2.6 g of a product which decomposes at about
270°C.
[0054] B. This part sets forth a process for preparing 4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole.
[0055] One g of the recrystallized product from part A and 7.5 ml of aqueous saturated sodium
bicarbonate solution are added to a reaction flask and stirred under nitrogen for
several minutes. Thirty-two ml isopropanol are added followed by 1.2 g of 1,3-bis-(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea
in 24 ml chloroform and the resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature (about
20°C) for about 5 days. Thereafter, the solvent is removed by a rotary evaporator,
the residue dissolved in 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid, washed with ether, and saturated
sodium bicarbonate solution added to the aqueous layer. The resulting precipitate
is stirred, filtered and dried to give .70 g of crude 4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbon-
ylamino)- 4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole m.p. 140-180°C. The crude product is further purified
using column chromatography by placing 500 mg on a column containing 75 g silica gel
and eluting with 1700 ml 5% methanol in benzene made basic with ammonium hydroxide
followed by 1700 ml 10% methanol in benzene made basic, with ammonium hydroxide. The
eluant is collected in 20 ml fractions. Fractions 15-28 are combined and the solvent
is removed by a rotary evaporator. This gives 94.1 mg of a white solid m.p. 215-218°C.
This white solid is recrystallized from methanol to give 45.5 mg of 4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxy-
carbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)imidazole white solid, m.p. 227-228°C.
[0056] C.' Similarly, by following in principle the procedure of part B but substituting
other 1,3-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothioureas such as 1,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(isopropoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; 1,3-bis(n-propoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(t-butoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; 1,3-bis(n-pentyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
or 1,3-bis(n-hexyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea for 1,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea
other corresponding compounds of Formula I are prepared, namely
4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(isopropoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl) imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-propoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole;
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-pentyloxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl) imidazole; and
4,5-dihydro-2-(n-hexyloxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole.
Example 4
[0057] This example sets forth a process for making 1-alkyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(alkoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazoles.
[0058] A. By following in principle the procedure of part A of Example 2, 1-(2-naphthyl)-1-methylamino-2-aminoethane
is prepared.
[0059] B. By following in principle the procedure of part B of Example 2, l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxy-
carbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole, and its bisulfate are prepared.
[0060] C. Similarly, by substituting other l,3-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothioureas
such as l,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; 1,3-bis(isopropoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(n-propoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; l,3-bis(isobutoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea;
1,3-bis(n-pentyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea; or 1,3-bis(n-hexyloxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea
for 1,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea the corresponding compounds of Formula
I are obtained, namely
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(isopropoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-propoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(isobutoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-pentyloxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole; and
1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-hexyloxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole.
[0061] D. By following in principle the procedure of Part A but substituting other alkylammonium
hydrochlorides having 2-4 carbons in the alkyl group such as ethylammonium hydrochloride,
isopropyl ammonium hydrochloride, n-propylammonium hydrochloride, n-butylammonium
hydrochloride, or t-butylammonium hydrochloride for methylammonium hydrochloride,
other corresponding compounds of formula I are prepared, namely
l-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-n-propyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl) imidazole;
1-n-butyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole; and
l-t-butyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole.
[0062] E. Similarly, by substituting other 1,3-bis-(alkoxycarbonyl)-S-methyl-isothioureas
such as those set forth in Part C of this example in combination with the alkylammonium
hydrochlorides in Part D, other 1-alkyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(alkoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)-imidazoles
may be prepared such as
l-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(ethoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazoles;
l-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(isopropoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole;
l-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-2-(n-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(2-naphthyl)imidazole; and the like.
Example 5
CENTRALLY ACTING SKELETAL MUSCLE RELAXANT ASSAY-CAT LINGUOMANDIBULAR REFLEX PREPARATION
[0063] This assay is used to assess the centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant properties
of compounds of this invention.
[0064] Mongrel cats weighing 2-5 kg are anesthetized with phenobarbital sodium, 180 mg/kg,
i.p. The anesthetized cat is placed in a sterotaxic heaaholder, shaved, and the femoral
artery and vein are cannulated. The cannula from the femoral artery is connected to
a Statham Model P-23 AC Transducer in order to monitor blood pressure. The femoral
vein is utilized for the administration of drugs.
[0065] The cat is placed in a prone position and two electrodes, consisting of wound clips
soldered to wires, are attached bilaterally to the base of the tongue. These leads
are then connected to a Grass S8 stimulator. A Grass FT-03 Transducer is placed beneath
the jaw. A round platfrom approximately 4 cm in diameter rests against the lower jaw
and conducts the movement of the jaw to the transducer. Signals from the transducers
are recorded on a Beckman Polygraph.
[0066] The stimulator is set to deliver single pulses of 2.5 millisecond duration. A determination
is made of the voltage necessary to produce a maximal response. The stimulator is
then set at 1 volt higher than this maximal voltage. Upon determination of the supramaximal
threshold, the tongue is stimulated every 10 seconds. Once the response is determined
to be stable, drug solution is administered i.v. in logarithmically spaced doses.
Each cat receives several doses of only one test.compound. The doses are always administered
in an ascending order. Recovery from the individual dose is allowed prior to the next
dose administration.
[0067] The percent reduction of the jaw opening reflex is utilized for determining the activity
of the drug, the greater the percent reduction the more active the compound.
Linguomandibular Reflex Summary
[0068] (Mean Percent Inhibition of Reflex)