IMIDAZOLIDINONE COMPOUNDS, PROCESSES FOR PREPARATION THEREOF, COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING SUCH COMPOUNDS, AND THE USE OF SUCH COMPOUNDS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MEDICAMENTS HAVING THERAPEUTIC VALUE

Abstract: Disclosed are imidazolidinone compounds of general formula: wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic monocyclic group; the ring A represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; Y represents vinylene group or ethynylene group; m represents 1 to 6; n represents 0, 1 or 2; and Q represents methylene group or a single bond, or a salt thereof, a process for preparing the same, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient, and the use of the same for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of de­ pression or peptic ulcers, as an activator of cerebral metabolism, as an agent having a nootropic effect, or for use as a brain activator.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a imidazolidinone compound and processes for preparing the same. In the prior art, 1-pyrrolidinoethyl-3-pyridyl-2-imidazolidinone compounds have been known to have gastric motion promoting action, and also 1-alkyl-3-pyridyl-2-imidazolidinone compounds to have herbicidal activity (Chemical Abstracts, 104, 207273c (1968) and US-A-4,600,430). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a imidazolidinone compound of the following formula or a salt thereof. wherein R represents pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group, each of which may optionally have a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a halogen atom; the ring A represents phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group, a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group and nitro group. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The imidazolidinone compounds (I) and a salt thereof show potent activating effect on cerebral metabolism, nootropic effect and/or antidepressive effect, and are useful as brain activators. Examples of the imidazolidinone compound (I) of the present invention include those wherein, in the formula (I), R is a pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group (said heterocyclic monocyclic groups may optionally have a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group such as a methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group, butoxy group, and a halogen atom such as chlorine atom, fluorine atom, bromine atom, iodine atom,); the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group such as a methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group, butoxy group, a halogen atom such as chlorine atom, bromine atom, fluorine atom, iodine atom, a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group such as methylthio group, ethylthio group, propylthio group, butylthio group, a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group such as trifluoromethyl group, and nitro group; Y is vinylene group or ethynylene group; m is 1 to 6; n is 0, 1 or 2; and Q is a methylene group or a single bond. Preferred examples include those wherein, in the formula (I), R is a pyridyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy-pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group; the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group, a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group and nitro group; Y is vinylene group; m is 1 to 6; n is 0, 1 or 2; and Q is methylene group or a single bond. Another preferred examples include those wherein, in the formula (I), R is pyridyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy-pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group; the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom and a trihalogeno-methyl group: Y is vinylene group; m is 1 to 4; n is 0, 1 or 2; and Q is methylene group or a single bond. Still other preferred examples include those wherein, in the formula (I), R is pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group; the ring A is phenyl group, methylphenyl group or chlorophenyl group; Y is vinylene group; m is 1 to 3; n is 1; and Q is a single bond. Most preferred examples include those wherein, in the formula (I), R is 3-pyridyl group, 4-pyridyl group or 2-pyrimidinyl group; the ring A is phenyl group, 3-methylphenyl group, 2-chlorophenyl group, 3-chlorophenyl group or 4-chlorophenyl group; Y is vinylene group; m is 1 to 3; n is 1; and Q is a single bond. In the present invention, unless otherwise defined, the vinylene group of the formula: -CH=CH- may exsist in either the cis-form (namely (Z)-configuration) and trans-form (namely (E)-configuration) of the formulae: or a mixture thereof. The compound (I) of the present invention can be prepared by, for example, (Process A): condensing a compound (II) of the formula: wherein the ring A, Y, m and n have the same meanings as defined above and X¹ represents a reactive residue, with a compound (III) of the formula: wherein R and Q have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof, or by (Process B): reacting a compound (IV) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof with a carbonylating agent. The compound (I) can be also prepared by (Process C): reacting a compound (V) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof with an oxidizing agent, or (Process D): condensing a compound (VI) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof with a compound (VII) of the formula: X²CH₂CH₂X³ (VII) wherein X² and X³ represent reactive residues. As the salts of the starting compounds (III), (IV), (V) and (VI), for example, there may be suitably employed any of mineral acid addition salts such as hydrochloride and sulfate, organic acid addition salts such as oxalate and tartrate, or alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt. (Process A) and (Process D) These reactions can be carried out in the presence or absence of an acid acceptor in an appropriate solvent. Examples of the compounds (II) and (VII) may include compounds wherein the reactive residues, X¹, X² and X³ are, for example, halogen atoms (e.g. chlorine atom, bromine atom or iodine atom), lower alkylsulfonyloxy groups (e.g. methylsulfonyloxy group, ethylsulfonyloxy group,), and substituted or unsubstituted phenylsulfonyloxy groups (e.g. a phenylsulfonyloxy group or a p-toluenesulfonyloxy group). Suitable examples of the acid acceptor include either inorganic or organic bases such as an alkali metal alkoxide, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal hydrogen carbonate, an alkyl alkali metal, an alkali metal amide, an alkali metal hydride, triethylamine, trimethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, tetrabutylammonium salt. Further, KF-alumina, KF-cerite, KF-silica gel may be also used for this purpose. As the appropriate solvent, conventional solvents can be widely used, such as acetone, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, chloroform, water or a mixture of these. These reactions can proceed suitably at -70 °C to 100 °C, particularly -30 to 25 °C. (Process B) This reaction can be carried out either in the presence or absence of a base in a solvent. As the carbonylating agent, for example, di-lower alkyl carbonate such as diethyl carbonate, phosgene, carbonyl diimidazole, disuccinimide carbonate can be suitably used. When phosgene is used as the carbonylating agent, it is preferably carried out in the presence of a base, and preferred examples of such base may include organic amines such as triethylamine, trimethylamine, pyridine and imidazole. As the solvent, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, benzene, dimethylformamide may be preferably used. This reaction can proceed preferably at -30 °C to 60 °C, particularly -10 to 10 °C. (Process C) The reaction of the compound (V) or a salt thereof with the oxidizing agent can be carried out in an appropriate solvent. As the oxidizing agent, nitrous acid or dimethyl sulfoxide-trifluoroacetic acid can be suitably used. For example, when nitrous acid is used as the oxidizing agent, the reaction can preferably be carried out by dissolving the compound (V) or a salt thereof and a mineral acid (e.g. hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrobromic acid) in a solvent and subsequently adding a solution of an alkali metal nitrite such as of sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite. As the solvent in this case, water, lower alkanols such as methanol and ethanol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or mixtures thereof can be suitably used. This reaction can proceed suitably at -20 °C to 50 °C, particularly -10 to 25 °C. The compound (I) of the present invention and a salt thereof are useful as a cerebral activator. More particularly, the compound (I) and a salt thereof can effectively prolong the survival time of mice suffering from KCN-induced cerebral anoxia or hypobaric hypoxia, and show potent protective action against brain ischemia. The compound (I) and a salt thereof can also improve KCN-induced cerebral energy metabolism disorders. Further, the compound (I) and a salt thereof improve scopolamine-induced amnesia, and show potent anticonvulsive, AChE (acetylcholine esterase) inhibitory and GABA-mimetic or GABA-potentiative actions. For example, the compound (I) of the present invention shows not only the protective effects against maximum electroshock-induced convulsion and KCN-induced cerebral anoxia as shown in the following Experiments 1 and 2, (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone of the present invention at a dose of 30 mg/kg (p.o.) can also significantly prolong the survival time of mice which suffered from hypobaric hypoxia by keeping said mice in a closed container under reduced pressure (pressure: 165 mmHg). Moreover, while KCN is known to induce various disorders of cerebral energy metabolisms such as the significant decrease in ATP, creatine-P, glucose or glycogen in brain, (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone could inhibit the decrease in such energy metabolism-relating substances and improve the KCN-induced cerebral metabolism disorders. Based on these therapeutic effects, the compound (I) and a salt thereof can be used as a cerebral metabolism activator and/or a nootropic drug. The compound (I) of the present invention and a salt thereof can also be used as antidepressants because it can effectively shorten the immobility time of mice during forced swimming thereof and also increase spontaneous locomotor activity. For example, (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone of the invention at a dose of 45 mg/kg showed significant increase of the spontaneous locomotion in mice which received apomorphine (dose: 0.03 or 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) after oral administration thereof. The compound (I) and a salt thereof may have also the inhibitory effect on gastric juice secretion and may be used for therapy and prophylaxy of peptic ulcer. For example, when the amount of gastric juice was measured 5 hours after intraperitoneal administration of a test compound to pylorus ligated rats, (2E,4E)-1-[5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadienyl]-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone and (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone hydrochloride of the invention at a dose of 30 mg/kg showed not less than 42 % decrease in gastric juice secretion. Futher, the compound of the present invention is low in toxicity and has high safety as pharmaceuticals. For example, the acute toxicity (LD₅₀) of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone which was estimated 7 days after oral administration thereof to male Std/ddY mice was more than 1500 mg/kg. The compound (I) can be used either as a free base or as a salt thereof. Pharmacologically acceptable salts may include, for example, salts with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrobromic acid; salts with organic acids such as oxalic acid, methanesulfonic acid and tartaric acid; addition salts with amino acids such as glycine, lysine, arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. These salts can be prepared by, for example, treating the free compound (I) with corresponding acids. The compound (I) or a salt thereof can be administered either orally or parenterally (e.g. intravenously, intramuscularly, intracutaneously). The dose of the compound (I) or a salt thereof may vary depending on the age, body weight, condition of the patient and the kind or severity of diseases, but may be usually about 1 to about 100 mg, preferably 5 to 50 mg, per 1 kg of body weight per day. The compound (I) or a salt thereof may be used as a pharmaceutical preparation in association or admixture with a pharmaceutical excipient suitable for oral or parenteral administration. The pharmaceutical preparation may be a solid preparation such as tablet, granule, capsule, or a liquid preparation such as solution, suspension and emulsion. The pharmaceutical preparations are sterilized and/or may also contain auxiliary agents such as stabilizers, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The starting compound (II) of the present invention can be prepared according to, for example, the method described in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 8 , 326 (1965). Alternatively, it may be prepared by the steps of (1)-a) treating a compound of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, with an acid (e.g. p-toluenesulfonic acid); or (1)-b) reducing said compound (VIII) with lithium aluminum hydride, followed by acid treatment, and (2) subsequently converting the hydroxy group of the resultant product of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, to a reactive residue in a conventional manner. Further, the starting compound (II) can be also obtained by converting the hydroxy group of a compound of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, to a reactive residue in a conventional manner, and subsequently, if desired, applying the malonic ester synthetic method ("Organic Chemistry", by Hammond, 3rd edition, p. 428, published by Hirokawa Shoten) repeatedly. In preparation of the above starting material, the compound (IX) wherein Y is vinylene group and m=3 can be prepared by, for example, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein X⁴ represents a halogen atom, the ring A has the same meaning as defined above, with 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran in the presence of a base (e.g. n-butyl lithium) at room temperature. On the other hand, the starting compound (III) can be prepared according to, for example, the following reaction shcemes. wherein X⁵ represents a halogen atom, R and Q have the same meanings as defined above. The starting compound (IV) can be obtained by reacting the compound (II) with (XIV) under the same conditions as described in (Process A), the starting compound (V) by treating the starting compound (IV) with a thiocarbonylating agent (e.g. diethyl thiocarbonate, thiophosgene, thiocarbonyl diimidazole, disuccinimide thiocarbonate) under the same conditions as described in (Process B), and further the starting compound (VI) by treating the above compound (XI) and an amine compound of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, with a carbonylating agent under the same conditions as described in (Process B). Throughout the specification and claims, the term "lower alkyl" and "lower alkoxy" denote an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and an alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, respectively. Experiment 1 (Preventive effect on maximum electroshock-induced convulsion) (Method) One hour after oral administration of a test compound to male Std/ddY mice, maximum electroshock (AC 900 V, 25 mA, 0.15 second) was delivered to said mice through corneal electrodes from an electrical stimulator. The number of mice which showed the protection against the tonic extensive convulsion were counted. (Results) The compounds of the present invention listed below completely inhibited the tonic extensive convulsion induced by maximum electroshock at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Test compound Nos. Chemical name 1. (E)-1-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 2. (E)-1-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 3. (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone hydrochloride 4. (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 5. (E)-1-(3-chlorocinnamyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 6. (E)-1-(2-chlorocinnamyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 7. (E)-1-(3-methylcinnamyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 8. (E)-1-(5-phenyl-4-pentenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone 9. (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone Experiment 2 (Preventive effect on KCN induced cerebral anoxia) (Method) One hour after oral administration of a test compound to male Std/ddY mice (one group: 5 mice), KCN was intravenously administered (dose: 2.4 mg/kg) to said mice, and then survival time was measured. (Results) In this experiment, Compound Nos. 1 to 9 mentioned in Experiment 1 showed excellent prolongation of the survival times of mice suffered from KCN induced cerebral anoxia. Namely, no death was observed in all of the mice tested when Compound Nos.1 to 9 were administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg, respectively. On the contrary, 5 mice of the control group which were not administered the test compound died soon after the injection of KCN. Example 1 (1) To a solution of 150 g of 3-aminopyridine dissolved in 1000 ml of toluene, 176 g of 2-chloroethylisocyanate was added dropwise over 30 minutes under cooling. After stirring at room temperature for 5 hours, the precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to give 318 g of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N′-(3-pyridyl)urea. M.P. : 136 - 138 °C (2) To a mixture of 150 g of N-(2-choroethyl)-N′-(3-pyridyl)urea dissolved in 500 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 500 ml of dimethylformamide, 31.6 g of sodium hydride (60% oily suspension) was added under ice-cooling over 20 minutes. After stirring under ice-cooling for 10 minutes and at room temperature for 2 hours, 10 ml of acetic acid was added and the solvent was distilled off. Saturated saline water and chloroform were added to the residue and insolubles were separated by filtration. The chloroform layer was washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was recrystallized from a mixture of chloroform and hexane to give 108.5 g of 1-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone. M.P.: 161 - 163 °C. (3) To a solution of 150 g of 1-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone dissolved in 1500 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was added 40 g of sodium hydride (60% oily dispersion). After the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes, 154 g of cinnamyl chloride (trans-form) was added dropwise under ice-cooling and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. After addition of 10 ml of acetic acid, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure and to the residue was added water, followed by extraction with chloroform. After washing with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and saturated saline water, the extract was dried. Chloroform was distilled off, and isopyropyl ether was added to the residue. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration and recrystallized from ethanol to give 238.1 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone as colorless prisms. Yield: 92.7% M.P.: 114.5 - 116 °C Hydrochloride (Polymorphism): M.P. 188 - 190 °C (recrystallized from methanol-isopropanol) 206 - 209 °C (recrystallized from methanol-isopropanol) Hydrobromide: M.P. 180 - 199 °C (recrystallized from isopropanol) Sulfate: M.P. 195 - 198 °C (recrystallized from ethanol-methanol) Methanesulfonate: M.P. 155 - 156 °C (recrystallized from isopropanol) Examples 2 to 41 By treating 1-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone obtained in Example 1-(2) and a cinnamyl compound (II) in the same manner as in Example 1-(3), the compounds shown below in Tables 1-1 to 1-4 were obtained. Examples 42 to 52 (1) By treating an aminopyridine compound (XI) and 2-chloroethylisocyanate compound (XII) in the same manner as in Example 1-(1), the compounds shown below in Table 2 were obtained. (2) By treating the compounds obtained above in the same manner as in Example 1-(2), the compounds shown below in Table 3 were obtained. (3) By treating the imidazolidinone compound (III) obtained above and a cinnamyl compound (II) in the same manner as in Example 1-(3), the compounds shown below in Table 4 were obtained. Examples 53 to 95 By treating the imidazolidinone compounds (III) obtained in Examples 42-(2) to 52-(2) and a cynnamyl compound (II) in the same manner as in Example 1-(3), the compounds shown below in Tables 5-1 to 5-4 were obtained. Example 96 (1) To a solution of 1.6 g of N-(3-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine dissolved in 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 1.49 g of carbonyldiimidazole was added at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 minutes, then at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:chloroform-methanol=15:1) and recrystallized from a mixture of isopropanol and hexane to give 1.43 g of 1-(3-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone. M.P.: 58 - 86 °C (2) By treating 1-(3-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone obtained above and cinnamyl chloride (trans-form) in the same manner as in Example 1-(3), (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone was obtained. Yield : 65.0 % M.P.: (oxalate) 105 -115 °C (decompd) (recrystallized from isopropanol-isopropyl ether) Example 97 (1) By treating N-(4-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine in the same manner as in Example 96-(1), 1-(4-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone was obtained. M.P. :153 - 155 °C (recrystallized from isopropanol-isopropyl ether). (2) By treating 1-(4-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone and cinnamyl chloride (trans-form) in the same manner as in Example 1-(3), (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(4-pyridylmethyl)-2-imidazolidinone was obtained. Yield : 69.8 % M.P. : (hydrochloride) 150 - 152°C (recrystallized from isopropanol-isopropyl ether) Example 98 To a solution of 20 g of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N′-(3-pyridyl)urea dissolved in 200 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide, 13 g of KOH powder was added under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours. Further, 3.4 g of KOH powder was added and then 16.8 g of cinnamyl chloride (trans-form) was added under ice-cooling and the mixture was stirred for 20 minutes, followed by stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was diluted with 300 ml of water, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, saturated saline water and dried, and ethyl acetate was distilled off. To the residue was added 100 ml of 70 % acetic acid, and the mixture was heated at 90 °C for 10 minutes and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed twice with saturated saline water and twice with water, and dried. After distilling ethyl acetate off, the residue was recrystallized from ethanol to give 21.96 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone. Yield: 78.6%. The physico-chemical properties of this product were identical with those of the sample obtained in Example 1. Examples 99 to 105 (1) By treating an amine compound (XI) and 2-chloroethylisocyanate (XII) in the same manner as in Example 1-(1), the compounds shown below in Table 6 were obtained. (2) By treating the compounds obtained above in the same manner as in Example 98, the compounds shown in Table 7 were obtained. Example 106 (1) A solution of 11 g of N-(4-pyridyl)ethylenediamine and 5.3 g of 2-nitrocinnamyl chloride (trans-form) dissolved in 60 ml of ethanol was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes and then stirred at 50 °C for 90 minutes. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide was added to the residue and the mixture was extracted with chloroform. After drying of the extract, chloroform was distilled off and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent: chloroform-methanol-triethylamine=20:1:0.1) to give 2.33 g of (E)-N-(2-nitrocinnamyl)-N′-(4-pyridyl)ethylenediamine as a yellow oily substance. MS (m/e): 298 (M⁺) (2) To a solution of 2.33 g of (E)-N-(2-nitrocinnamyl)-N′-(4-pyridyl)ethylenediamine dissolved in a mixture of 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 50 ml of chloroform was added 1.52 g of carbonyldiimidazole at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 40 hours. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer was washed with water, dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent: chloroform-methanol=3:1) and recrystallized from a mixture of isopropanol and methanol to give 1.44 g of (E)-1-(2-nitrocinnamyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone. Yield: 56.8% M.P.: 205 - 206 °C (decompd.). Example 107 (1) By treating 10 g of N-(3-pyridyl)ethylenediamine and 4.5 g of cinnamyl chloride (trans-form) in the same manner as in Example 106-(1), 2.91 g of (E)-N-cinnamyl-N′-(3-pyridyl)ethylenediamine was obtained as an oily substance. MS (m/e): 253 (M⁺). (2) By treating 2.53 g of (E)-N-cinnamyl-N′-(3-pyridyl)ethylenediamine and 1.63 g of carbonyldiimidazole in the same manner as in Example 106-(2), 1.96 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone was obtained. Yield: 70%. The physico-chemical properties of this product were identical with those of the sample obtained in Example 1. Example 108 (1) To a solution of 5.37 g of (E)-N-cinnamyl-N′-(3-pyridyl)ethylenediamine dissolved in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 4.5 g of triethylamine was added and the mixture was ice-cooled. To the mixture was added dropwise 20 ml of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 5.12 g of thiophosgene over 5 minutes, and subsequently the mixture was stirred under ice-cooling for 30 minutes and then at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off, and the residues was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and dried, followed by distillation of the solvent. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent: chloroform-methanol=20:1) to give 2.86 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)imidazolidin-2-thione as caramel. MS (m/e): 295 (M⁺). (2) To a solution of 3.02 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)imidazolidin-2-thione dissolved in 40 ml of 4N hydrochloric acid, 10 ml of an aqueous solution of 1.03 g of NaNO₂ was added dropwise. After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, the mixture was made alkaline by addition of a sodium hydroxide solution, and the precipitated crystals were collected by filtration. The crystals obtained were washed with water, dried and then purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:chloroform-methanol =30:1), followed by recrystallization from ethanol, to give 1.74 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone. Yield: 61%. The physico-chemical properties of this product were identical with those of the sample obtained in Example 1. Example 109 (1) To 50 ml of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 16.2 g of carbonyldiimidazole, a solution of 9.4 g of 3-aminopyridine dissolved in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise under ice-cooling over 5 minutes. After stirring under ice-cooling for 30 minutes and at room temperature for 1 hour, the mixture was again ice-cooled, and 1.33 g of (E)-cinnamylamine was added, followed by stirring at room temperature for 18 hours. After distillating the solvent off, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with water and dried, followed by distillation of the solvent. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent: chloroform-methanol=20:1) to give 5.9 g of (E)-N-cinnamyl-N′-(3-pyridyl)urea as colorless caramel. MS (m/e): 253 (M⁺). (2) To a solution of 2.51 g of (E)-N-cinnamyl-N′-(3-pyridyl)urea dissolved in 30 ml of dimethylformamide, 990 mg of sodium hydride (60 % oily dispersion) was added under ice-cooling and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. To the mixture was added 2.8 g of 1-chloro-2-p-toluenesulfonyloxyethane and the mixture was stirred under ice-cooling for 6 hours. After distilling dimethylformamide off under reduced pressure, the residue was diluted with water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer was washed with water, dried and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:chloroform-methanol=30:1) and recrystallized from ethanol to give 1.65 g of (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone. Yield: 60%. The physico-chemical properties of this product were identical with those of the sample obtained in Example 1. Example 110 (1) To a solution of 100 g of methyl crotonate dissolved in 340 ml of carbon tetrachloride, 178 g of N-bromo-succinimide and 800 mg of benzoyl peroxide were added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature, insolubles were filtered off, and the mother liquor was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to give 111 g of methyl 4-bromocrotonate as an oily substance. B.P.: 85 - 92 °C/13 mmHg. (2) A mixture of 111 g of methyl 4-bromocrotonate and 103 g of triethyl phosphite was introduced into a flask heated to 120 °C filled with argon gas stream over 30 minutes. After the mixture was heated under reflux for 4 hours, the product was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to give 123 g of methyl 4-diethylphosphonocrotonate as an oily substance. B.P.: 120 - 125 °C/0.4 mm Hg. (3) To a solution of 500 mg of o-chlorobenzaldehyde and 840 mg of methyl 4-diethylphosphonocrotonate dissolved in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 142 mg of sodium hydride (60% oily dispersion) was added under ice-cooling. Immediately, 2 ml of dimethylformamide was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The mixture was poured into water and extracted twice with ether. The organic layer was washed twice with water, dried and the solvent was removed by distillation. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:hexane-ethyl acetate=20:1) to give 650 mg of methyl (2E, 4E)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadienoate as an oily substance. (4) To a solution of 20 g of methyl (2E, 4E)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadienoate dissolved in 150 ml of toluene, 215 ml of diisobutylaluminum hydride (1.5 M toluene solution) was added dropwise under ice-cooling over 1 hour. After stirring at the same temperature for 5 minutes, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was slowly added, and the insolubles were filtered off. The filtrate was washed twice with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride, dried and then the solvent was distilled off to give 16.4 g of (2E, 4E)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-ol as an oily substance. (5) To a solution of 1.43 g of (2E, 4E)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-ol dissolved in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 4.83 ml of n-butyl lithium (1.6 M hexane solution) was added under cooling to - 70 °C. After stirring for 5 minutes, a solution of 1.4 g of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride dissolved in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran was promptly added dropwise, and the temperature was elevated to room temperature within 10 minutes (this solution is referred to as Solution A). On the other hand, 1.08 g of N-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone was dissolved in 10 ml of dimethylformamide and 265 mg of sodium hydride (60% oily dispersion) was added at room temperature thereto. After stirring at the same temperature for 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was added to the Solution A obtained above at - 70 °C, and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 10 minutes and at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed three times with water, dried and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:chloroform:acetone=2:1) and recrystallized from methanol to give 1.1 g of (2E, 4E)-1-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentadienyl)-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone as needles. M.P.: 130 - 133 °C. Referential example 1 (1) To a solution of 11.2 g of phenylacetylene dissolved in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 78.8 ml of 1.6 M-hexane solution of n-butyl lithium was added dropwise at 5 - 8 °C. Then, 150 ml of a hexamethylphosphoramide solution containing 29.4 g of 1-bromo-6-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-hexane was added dropwise at 10 - 20 °C. After stirring at 20 °C for 30 minutes, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with hexane. The organic layer was washed with water, dried and then the organic solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:hexane-ethyl acetate=10:1), to give 18.3 g of 1-phenyl-8-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-octyne as an oily substance. MS (m/e): 286 (M⁺). This product and the products obtained in the following Referential examples were used as such without isolation or purification in the subsequent steps or as the starting materials for Examples. (2) To 150 ml of a mixture of tetrahydrofuran-diglyme (2:15) were added 12 g of 1-phenyl-8-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-octyne and 3.35 g of lithium aluminum hydride. The mixture was heated and tetrahydrofuran was distilled off until the inner temperature became 120 °C. After heating under reflux at the same temperature for 1 hour, the mixture was ice-cooled. Ice was added to the mixture and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 10% hydrochloric acid, water, sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, saline water in the order mentioned, dried, and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in 250 ml of methanol and 1.1 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid was added thereto. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and 2 ml of triethylamine was added to the mixture. Methanol was distilled off and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:hexane-ethyl acetate=3:1) to give 7.5 g of (E)-8-phenyl-7-octen-1-ol as an oily substance. Yield: 87.6% MS (m/e): 186 (M-H₂⁰) 204 (M⁺). (3) To a solution of 7.5 g of (E)-8-phenyl-7-octen-1-ol dissolved in 60 ml of pyridine, 9.1 g of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride was added at 0 °C. After stirring at 10 °C for 5 hours, 10 ml of water was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, followed by addition of 200 ml of ether. The mixture was washed with 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid, water and saturated saline water. The organic layer was dried, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The pale yellow oily product obtained was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent: hexane-ethyl acetate=5:1) to give 12 g of (E)-1-phenyl-8-p-toluenesulfonyloxy-2-octene as an oily product. MS (m/e): 358 (M⁺), 186 (M-TsOH) Referential examples 2 and 3 (1) Phenylacetylene and a tetrahydropyranyloxy compound were treated in the same manner as in Referential example 1-(1) to give the compounds shown below in Table 8. (2) The compounds obtained above were treated in the same manner as in Referential example 1-(2) to give the compounds shown below in Table 9. (3) The compounds obtained above were treated in the same manner as in Referential example 1-(3) to give the compounds shown below in Table 10. Referential example 4 (1) To a suspension of 4 g of benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 7.07 ml of 1.6 M hexane solution of n-butyl lithium under cooling at 0 °C. After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, 1 g of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran was added, followed by stirring at room temperature for 16 hours. Subsequently, after refluxed for 2 hours, insolubles were filtered off and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent:hexane-ethyl acetate=2:1) to give 2 g of (E)-5-phenyl-4-penten-1-ol as a colorless oily substance. MS (m/e): 162 (M⁺), 144 (M-H₂⁰) (2) By treating the compound obtained above in the same manner as in Referential example 1-(3), (E)-1-phenyl-5-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)-1-pentene was obtained as an oily substance. Referential examples 5 to 12 (1) A triphenylphosphonium compound was treated in the same manner as in Referential example 4-(1) to give the compounds shown below in Table 11. (2) The compounds obtained above were treated in the same manner as in Referential example 1-(3) to give the compounds shown below in Table 12.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE An imidazolidinone compound of the formula: wherein R represents pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group, each of which may optionally have a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a halogen atom; the ring A represents phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group, a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group and nitro group; Y represents vinylene group or ethynylene group; m represents 1 to 6; n represents 0, 1 or 2; and Q represents methylene group or a single bond, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound claimed in claim 1, in which R is pyridyl group, a pyridyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a halogen atom or pyrimidinyl group. The compound claimed in claim 2, in which Y is vinylene group. The compound claimed in claim 3, in which R is pyridyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy-pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group. The compound claimed in claim 4, in which the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom and a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group. The compound claimed in claim 5, in which the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a trihalogeno-methyl group; and m is 1 to 4. The compound claimed in claim 6, in which R is pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group; and the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group and a halogen atom; m is 1 to 3; n is 1; and Q is a single bond. The compound claimed in claim 7, in which the ring A is phenyl group, methylphenyl group or chlorophenyl group. The compound claimed in claim 8, in which R is 3-pyridyl group, 4-pyridyl group or 2-pyrimidinyl group; and the ring A is phenyl group, 3-methylphenyl group, 2-chlorophenyl group, 3-chlorophenyl group or 4-chlorophenyl group. The compound claimed in claim 9, which is 1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound claimed in claim 9, which is (E)-1-cinnamyl-3-(3-pyridyl)-2-imidazolidinone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which comprises: (A) condensing a compound (II) of the formula: wherein the ring A, Y, m and n have the same meanings as defined in claim 1 and X¹ represents a reactive residue, with a compound (III) of the formula: wherein R and Q have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof, or (B) reacting a compound (IV) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof with a carbonylating agent, or (C) reacting a compound (V) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof with an oxidizing agent, or (D) condensing a compound (VI) of the formula: or a salt thereof with a compound (VII) of the formula: X²CH₂CH₂X³ (VII) wherein X² and X³ represent reactive residues, and (E) if necessary, converting the thus obtained product to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises as an active ingredient a pharmaceutically effective amount of an imidazolidinone compound of the formula (I) of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. The pharmaceutical composition claimed in claim 13, comprising the imidazolidinone compound claimed in claim 2 as the active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition claimed in claim 13, comprising the imidazolidinone compound claimed in claim 5 as the active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition claimed in claim 13, comprising the imidazolidinone compound claimed in claim 7 as the active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition claimed in claim 13, comprising the imidazolidinone compound claimed in claim 8 as the active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition claimed in claim 13, comprising the imidazolidinone compound claimed in claim 9 as the active ingredient. The use of a compound of general formula (I) of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of depression or peptic ulcers, as an activator of cerebral metabolism, as an agent having a nootropic effect, or for use as a brain activator. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process for preparing a compound of the formula: wherein R represents pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group, each of which may optionally have a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a halogen atom; the ring A represents phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group, a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group and nitro group; Y represents vinylene group or ethynylene group; m represents 1 to 6; n represents 0, 1 or 2; and Q represents methylene group or a single bond, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which comprises: (A) condensing a compound (II) of the formula: wherein the ring A, Y, m and n have the same meanings as defined in claim 1 and X₁ represents a reactive residue, with a compound (III) of the formula: wherein R and Q have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof, or (B) reacting a compound (IV) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof with a carbonylating agent, or (C) reacting a compound (V) of the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, or a salt thereof with an oxidizing agent, or (D) condensing a compound (VI) of the formula: or a salt thereof with a compound (VII) of the formula: X²CH₂CH₂X³ (VII) wherein X² and X³ represent reactive residues, and (E) if necessary, converting the thus obtained product to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which R is pyridyl group, a pyridyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group and a halogen atom or pyrimidinyl group. A process as claimed in claim 2, in which Y is vinylene group. A process as claimed in claim 3, in which R is pyridyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy-pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group. A process as claimed in claim 4, in which the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 2 substituent(s) selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom and a trihalogeno-C₁₋₄ alkyl group. A process as claimed in claim 5, in which the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a trihalogeno-methyl group; and m is 1 to 4. A process as claimed in claim 6, in which R is pyridyl group or pyrimidinyl group; and the ring A is phenyl group or a phenyl group having a substituent selected from a C₁₋₄ alkyl group and a halogen atom; m is 1 to 3; n is 1; and Q is a single bond. A process as claimed in claim 7, in which the ring A is phenyl group, methylphenyl group or chlorophenyl group. A process as claimed in claim 8, in which R is 3-pyridyl group, 4-pyridyl group or 2-pyrimidinyl group; and the ring A is phenyl group, 3-methylphenyl group, 2-chlorophenyl group, 3-chlorophenyl group or 4-chlorophenyl group. The use of a compound of general formula (I) of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of depression or peptic ulcers, as an activator of cerebral metabolism, as an agent having a nootropic effect, or for use as a brain activator.

Inventors: INAGE, MASARU, OCHIAI, TAKASHI, TAKEDA, MIKIO, TAMAKI, HAJIME, WADA, HIROSHI
Applicants: TANABE SEIYAKU CO., LTD.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C07D401
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P25, C07D417, C07D401, C07D403