# Patent

## Title
.beta.-Carboline anticonvulsants

## Abstract

Some compounds of formula III are novel and are also claimed.

## Background
The invention relates to a new process for preparing fused carbocyclic ring derivatives of pyridine.

In our United Kingdom Patent Specification No. 1463666 we described a process for preparing tetrahydroquinoline-8-thiocarboxamides, nitriles and carboxamides and related compounds by treating a corresponding sodio, lithio, potassio or magnesium halide derivative with a silyl compound of formula R.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x wherein R is alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, Y is oxygen or sulphur and x has a value from 0 to 3 and subjecting the product to hydrolysis or alcoholysis. The reaction is conducted under anhydrous conditions preferably in an inert solvent for example a hydrocarbon solvent such as benzene, toluene or n-hexane. It is also stated in that patent specification that ethers, including cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran should be avoided.

We have now surprisingly found that ethers can be used as solvents if the silyl reagent is modified to contain an alkoxy group or other electron donating substituent. Our new process can also be used to prepare compounds related to those described in Patent Specification No. 1463666. The new reagents can also be used in the same solvents described in UK Specification No. 1463666.

Accordingly this invention provides in one aspect, a process for preparing compounds of formula I ##STR2## or acid addition salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and represent hydrogen or alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl radicals, any of which radicals may be substituted, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together form a 5, 6, or 7 membered ring which may be saturated or unsaturated and substituted or unsubstituted, and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form a ring, the ring has the same number of carbon atoms as the ring carrying X, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 may also represent alkoxy, n is 1, 2 or 3 and X is CN, CONH.sub.2, or CSNH.sub.2 which process comprises treating a compound of formula II ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined in connection with formula I, and M is sodium, potassium, lithium, or MgHal, where Hal is chlorine, bromine or iodine, with a silyl compound of formula III, R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x wherein R.sup.a is selected from electron donating substituents including alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, aralkoxy, aryloxy, the group R.sup.b R.sup.c N wherein R.sup.b and R.sup.c are selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl or R.sup.b and R.sup.c may be joined to form a hetercyclic ring with the nitrogen atom (eg., a piperidinyl or pyrrolidinyl ring, which may be substituted eg., by alkyl), alkylthio, cycloalkylthio, aralkylthio, arylthio and hydrocarbon substituents selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl, at least one group R.sup.a being an electron donating substituent, Y is oxygen or sulphur, x has a value from 1 to 3, then subjecting the product to hydrolysis or alcoholysis, with the proviso that when a compound of formula I in which X is CN is desired the molar ratio of compound R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x to compound II is at least 2:1 and x is 3 and Y is S and if desired isolating the product as an acid addition salt.

The compounds of formula I and II are, in general, known compounds which are described in UK Patent Specification Nos. 1463666, 1432378, 1463668, 1465651 and 1495993 or are analogous to compounds described therein. Compounds of formula II in which M is MgHal are also described in UK Pat. No. 1463665 or are analogous to compounds described therein. The compounds of formula I in which X is CSNH.sub.2 are anti-ulcer agents which display anti-ulcer and/or anti-secretory activity in standard test procedures. The nitriles of formula I where X is CN are intermediates for the corresponding thioamides and usually also display anti-ulcer and/or anti-secretory activity. The amides of formula I in which X is CONH.sub.2 are intermediates for the corresponding nitriles and thioamides.

In general the preferred reaction medium for the process of the present invention comprises an ether solvent eg., a dialkyl ether, wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, eg., diethyl ether or a cyclic ether such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxan. Other reaction media which may be used are hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene, toluene or n-hexane, or mixtures of two or more of the above mentioned solvents.

Preferably at least one electron donating group R.sup.a is alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy of 4-8 carbon atoms, aryloxy, aralkoxy of 7-12 carbon atoms or di(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl)amino. Good results have been obtained with a silyl compound of formula R.sup.a.sub.3 SiNCY wherein one group R.sup.a is lower alkoxy or aryloxy and the other two are lower alkyl eg., methoxy dimethylsilyl isothiocyanate isopropoxy dimethylsilyl isothiocyanate 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxy dimethylsilyl isothiocyanate.

However two or all three of the R.sup.a groups may be alkoxy eg., trimethoxy or triethoxy, or dialkylamino eg dimethylamino. Branched chain alkoxy or aryloxy groups are preferred. A particularly useful compound III is tri(dimethylamino)silyl isothiocyanate. R.sup.a may have from 1-10 carbon atoms when alkyl or alkylthio.

When any of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, R.sup.b or R.sup.c is an alkyl radical it is preferred that this is a lower alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have a straight or branched chain eg., methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl and n-, and t-butyl. When R.sup.4, R.sup.5, or R.sup.a is an alkoxy radical it is preferred that the radical is lower alkoxy in which the alkyl portion has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is as defined above, for an alkyl radical. Similarly when R.sup.a is an alkylthio group the alkyl portion is as defined for an alkyl group.

When any of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, or R.sup.c is a cycloalkyl radical such radicals having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms are preferred ie., cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. If R.sup.a is cycloalkoxy or cycloalkylthio the cycloalkyl portion of this group preferably has from 4 to 8 carbon atoms but may be as just described for a cycloalkyl group.

An aralkyl group may be an arylalkyl group in which the alkyl portion is as described herein for an alkyl group. Preferred aralkyl groups are those having from 7-12 carbon atoms.

An aralkyloxy group may be such a group in which the aralkyl portion is as just described for an aralkyl group. The aryl portion is preferably phenyl.

When any of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, R.sup.b or R.sup.c is an aryl group it is preferably phenyl or substituted phenyl (substituted by eg., alkyl, alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl). Similarly an aryloxy or arylthio group may be such a group in which the aryl portion is as defined for an aryl group, 2,6-disubstituted phenyl being a preferred group.

Apart from the question of solvent, already discussed above, the reaction may be carried out as described generally in UK Patent Specification No. 1463666. Conveniently the starting material of formula II is prepared in situ by reaction of a compound of formula II, wherein M is hydrogen with a suitable organometallic compound such as an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl lithium, sodium or potassium compound as described in UK Patent Specification No. 1432378 or using the improvement described in UK Patent Specification No. 1463666, wherein a metal amide is reacted with a compound of formula II wherein M is hydrogen. The metal amide may be formed in situ and may be any of those described in UK Patent Specification No. 1463666 viz. an amide derived from a secondary amine such as a dialkylamine eg., diethylamine, di-isopropylamine, ditertiary butylamine, di-n-decylamine, dicyclohexylamine, N-t-amyl N-t-butylamine, N-isopropyl-N-cyclohexylamine, or N(1-ethylcyclohexyl)-1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutylamine or a cyclic compound eg., piperidine, or 2,2,6,6,tetramethylpiperidine. Alternatively any of the metal amides described in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 472,787 filed Mar. 7th 1983 may be used. These metal amides have the formula IV ##STR4## wherein R.sup.14 is a straight or branched chain alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group, R.sup.11 is hydrogen, aryl or a tertiary alkyl group of 4-6 carbon atoms, R.sup.12 is aryl or a tertiary alkyl group of 4-6 carbon atoms, R.sup.13 is a branched chain alkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms; X.sup.1 is lithium, sodium or potassium. These metal amides are conveniently prepared by a novel process described in U.S. Ser. No. 472,787, namely reacting a compound of formula V ##STR5## wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are as defined above with a metal alkyl MR.sup.14 where R.sup.14 is as defined above and M is lithium, sodium or potassium, in an inert non-polar solvent to obtain a compound of formula IV.

A particularly preferred compound of formula IV is lithium N-t-butyl-N-(1-phenylpentyl)amide.

The starting compounds of formula II, wherein X is MgHal may be prepared by the general method described in UK Patent Specification No. 1463665. However, in our UK Patent Specification No. 1463666 it is said that the ether solvent has to be removed and the reaction with the silyl compound conducted in a different solvent. Since the process of the present invention can be conducted in ethers it is not usually necessary to remove the ether when the MgHal compound II has been prepared in an ether solvent.

The silyl compounds of formula III which are used in the process of the present invention may be prepared by reacting a thiocyanate, such an ammonium thiocyanate, or a cyanate, with a silyl halide, R.sup.a.sub.x SiHal.sub.4-x eg., R.sup.a.sub.3 SiHal where R.sup.a is as defined above and Hal is chlorine or bromine.

Some of the silyl isothiocyanates or isocyanates of formula III are novel compounds and the novel compounds are included in the invention. They have formula IIIa.

wherein R.sup.a, x and y are as defined in connection with formula III with the provisos that alkoxy group has at least 3 carbon atoms; alkyl then the alkylthio group has at least 2 carbon atoms; other than aryloxy.

Novel compounds of the invention include compounds of formula IIIa, wherein one or two groups R.sup.a are alkoxy or aryloxy and another group R.sup.a is alkyl and x is 3 eg.,

and where one or more groups R.sup.a are dialkylamino eg., (Me.sub.2 N).sub.3 SiNCS.

The compounds of formula III (including the novel compounds of formula IIIa) may be prepared by reacting a silylhalide R.sup.a.sub.x Si(Hal).sub.4-x, wherein Hal is chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably chlorine, [R.sup.a and x being as defined above] with a thiocyanate eg., ammonium thiocyanate, or a cyanate. Methods of preparing the novel compounds of formula III are included in the invention.

When it is desired to prepare nitriles of formula I by the above reaction instead of using 2 or more moles of compound R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x to compound II the reaction may be carried out by reacting 1 mol of compound R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x with compound II wherein M is Na, K or Li followed by addition of 1 or more mols of R.sup.a.sub.x SiHal.sub.4-x wherein R.sup.a and x are as defined previously and Hal is chlorine or bromine, R.sup.a and x in this reagent need not be the same as in the reagent R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x. This process for preparing nitriles is also included in the invention.

The silylhalides are known or may be prepared by methods known for analogous compounds.

The invention also includes further novel compounds of formula VI. ##STR6## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, n, x, Y and M are as defined above. These novel compounds are the products of the first stage of reaction between the compound of formula II and the compound of formula III. This compound of formula VI is converted into the desired compound of formula I via an intermediate of formula VII, which may be transient, ##STR7## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, n, x and Y are as defined above.

The intermediates of formula VII are also included in the invention.

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

General Method

Ammonium thiocyanate (1.1 molar equivalents) in cyclohexane (100 ml) was refluxed with stirring under a Dean-Stark apparatus until water had been removed. The suspension was cooled and treated with a silyl chloride (50 g) and the mixture was heated at reflux with stirring until the reaction was complete (usually 24 hour). Precipitated ammonium chloride was removed by filtration and the product purified by distillation. In this manner were prepared the following: Silyl chloride Silylisothiocyanate bp/mm     Yield ______________________________________ (a) Me.sub.2 (OMe)SiCl Me.sub.2 (OMe)SiNCS 148.degree. C./760 68% (b) Me.sub.2 (OiPr)SiCl Me.sub.2 (OiPr)SiNCS 68.degree. C./15 79% (c) Me(OMe).sub.2 SiCl Me(OMe).sub.2 SiNCS 58.degree. C./15 66% (d) (OEt).sub.3 SiCl (OEt).sub.3 SiNCS 98.degree. C./15 95% (e) (Me.sub.2 N).sub.3 SiCl (Me.sub.2 N).sub.3 SiNCS 140.degree. C./15 15% ______________________________________

General Method

A 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline (0.01 mole) in the solvent indicated (approx. 15 ml) at 0.degree. C. under nitrogen was treated with an alkyl lithium or a lithium amide (0.01 mole). To this solution of the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-lithioquinoline was added, at around 0.degree. C. under nitrogen, the silyl isothiocyanate (0.01 mole) and the mixture was stirred 15 minutes. H.sub.2 O (10 ml) and 2N HCl (15 ml) were added and the acid layer was separated and washed with ethyl acetate. The aqueous solution was basified (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3) and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extracts were dried (MgSO.sub.4) and evaporated to give the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-8-thiocarboxamide. In this manner the thioamides in the table were prepared. ##STR8## Silyl          Sol-         Yield Expt. R.sup.15 Derivatives    vent Base    (n.m.r) ______________________________________ (a)   3-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OMe)NCS THF  n-BuLi   5% (b)   3-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS THF  N-Buli  30- 35% (c)   3-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS tol- n-BuLi  15% uene (d)   4-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS tol- n-BuLi   5% uene (e)   4-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS THF  n-BuLi  10% (f)   4-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS tol- uene ##STR9## 20% (g)   4-Me   Me.sub.2 Si(OiPr)NCS THF  "       25% (h)   3-Me   (EtO).sub.3 SiNCS THF  n-BuLi  10% (i)   3-Me   Me(OMe).sub.2 SiNCS THF  n-BuLi  10% (j)   3-Me   (Me.sub.2 N).sub.3 SiNCS THF  n-BuLi  40% (k)   3-Me ##STR10##     THF  n-BuLi  50% ______________________________________

No product was obtained when the above reactions were carried out using Me.sub.3 SiNCS in tetrahydrofuran (THF) instead of the named silyl derivative.

A mixture of 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol (110 g, 0.5M), acetonitrile (500 ml), triethylamine (70 ml, 0.5M) and dichlorodimethylsilane (61 ml, 0.5M) was refluxed for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue extracted with toluene (500 ml). The toluene extract was evaporated and the residue recrystallised from acetonitrile to give the title compound (90 g, 57%) m.p. 119.degree.-121.degree. (Found: C,65 65; H,9.4%. C.sub.17 H.sub.29 ClOSi requires C,65.2; H,9.3%).

A mixture of the silyl chloride (78 g, 0.25M), ammonium thiocyanate (26 g, 0.28M) and toluene was refluxed for 48 hours. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate evaporated; recrystallisation of the residue from acetonitrile gave the title compound (40 g, 48%) m.p.83.degree.-4.degree.. (Found: C,64.8; H,9.0; N,4.05. C.sub.18 H.sub.29 NOSSi requires: C,64.4; H,8.7; 4.2.).

## Claims

1. A process for preparing compounds of formula I ##STR11## or acid addition salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and represent hydrogen or alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 4-6 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7-12 carbon atoms, or phenyl groups, any of which groups may be substituted by alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together, form a 5, 6 or 7 membered carbocyclic ring which may be saturated or unsaturated and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form a ring, the ring has the same number of carbon atoms as the ring carrying X; R.sup.4  and R.sup.5 may also represent alkoxy of 1-6 carbon atoms; n is 1, 2 or 3; and X is CN, CONH.sub.2, or CSNH.sub.2 ; which process comprises treating a compound of formula II ##STR12## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined in connection with formula I, and M is sodium, potassium, lithium, or MgHal, where Hal is chlorine, bromine or iodine; with a silyl compound of formula III, R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x wherein R.sup.a is selected from electron donating substituents consisting of alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy of 4-8 carbon atoms, aralkoxy of 7-12 carbon atoms, phenoxy which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl, the group R.sup.b R.sup.c N- wherein R.sup.b and R.sup.c are selected from alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 4-6 carbon atoms, phenyl which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl, and aralkyl of 7-12 carbon atoms or R.sup.b and R.sup.c may be joined to form a pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl ring with the nitrogen atom which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1-10 carbon atoms, cycloalkylthio of 4-8 carbon atoms, aralkylthio of 7-12 carbon atoms, phenylthio which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl, and hydrocarbon substituents selected from alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 4-8 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7-12 carbon atoms, or phenyl which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl, at least one group R.sup.a being an electron donating substituent, Y is oxygen or sulphur, x has a value from 1 to 3, then subjecting the product to hydrolysis or alcoholysis, with the proviso that when a compound of formula I in which X is CN is desired the molar ratio of compound R.sup.a.sub.x Si(NCY).sub.4-x to compound II is at least 2:1 and x is 3 and y is S and, if desired, isolating the product as an acid addition salt.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, when carried out in an ether solvent.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ether solvent is a cyclic ether.

4. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ether solvent is tetrahydrofuran or dioxan.

5. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silyl compound III is R.sup.a.sub.x SiNCY, wherein one group R.sup.a is alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms or phenoxy which may be substituted by alkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1-10 carbon atoms, or trifluoromethyl, and the other two are alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms.

6. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the silyl compound III is isopropoxydimethylsilyl isothiocyanate.

7. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the silyl compound III is 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxy-dimethylsilyl isothiocyanate.

8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silyl compound III is tri(dimethylamino)silyl isothiocyanate.

9. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starting compound of formula II is prepared in situ by reaction of a compound of formula II, where M is hydrogen with a metal amide of formula IV ##STR13## wherein R.sup.14 is a straight or branched chain alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group which may be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, R.sup.11 is hydrogen, phenyl which may be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, or a tertiary alkyl group of 4 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.12 is a phenyl group which may be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, or a tertiary alkyl group of 4 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.13 is a branched chain alkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms; X.sup.1 is lithium, sodium or potassium.

10. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metal amide is lithium N-t-butyl-N-(1-phenylpentyl)amide.

11. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound of formula I is a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline derivative.

12. A compound of formula VI ##STR14## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, n, x, Y and M are as defined in claim 1.

13. A compound of formula VII ##STR15## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.a, n, x and Y are as defined in claim 1.