Labile ketone derivatives of 3-substituted-1-alkylamino-2-propanols and their use as beta-adrenergic blockers

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the formula: Ar - X - CH₂ - - CH₂ - NHR Wherein: X is -O-, -CH₂- or ―――; Y is =O or a derivatized keto group, each of which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a ketonic group; R is alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, Ar is the 3-position cyclic residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol β-adrenergic blocker having a cyclic substituent at the 3-position thereof. The present invention also covers an acid-addition salt of the above compound with a pharmaceut­ ically acceptable acid. The compounds and salts thereof of the present invention have a β-adrenergic blocking effect and can be used for treating intraocular pressure.

Description: The present invention relates to 3-substituted-1-alkylamino-2-propanol derivatives having β-adrenergic blocking properties. Prior Art β-adrenergic blockers were first reported to be useful for the therapeutic treatment of glaucoma in 1967 [Phillips et al, Brit. J. Ophthal ., 1967, 51 , 222]. In 1978 timolol was approved for market use and since that time the drug has become very popular with ophthalmologists as an effective antiglaucoma agent. Recently, however, a vast number of serious cardiovascular, respiratory, CNS, and ocular side effects secondary to topical ocular timolol administration has been reported [Ahmad, The Lancet , 1979, 2 , 1028; Buskirk, Ophthalmology , 1980, 87 , 447; Mishra et al, J. Anaesth ., 1983, 55 , 897; and Linkewich et al, Am. J. Hosp. Pharm ., 1981, 38 , 699]. Currently, timolol is no longer the sole β-blocker used to treat glaucoma. Befanolol, carteolol and metipranolol were introduced recently and a number of other newer β-adrenergic antagonists (e.g., L-bunolol, betaxolol, celiprolol, cetamolol, etc.) are currently under investigation as antiglaucoma agents. It became desirable to design an antiglaucoma drug which could be delivered to the eye compartments in a sustained and controlled manner with minimal systemic absorption and/or no systemic side effects. It was previously found that after topical application to the eye, esters of adrenalone but not adrenalone itself can be converted via a reduction-hydrolysis sequence to deliver adrenaline (epinephrine) at the iris-ciliary body, the desired site of action [Bodor et al, Exp. Eye. Res. , 1984, 38 , 621]. Research was conducted to ascertain whether lipophilic ketones could also be reduced in the iris-ciliary body. It was hypothesized that ketone precursors of β-blockers which are also β-hydroxylamines like adrenaline could then possibly be converted to the active β-blockers in the iris-ciliary body by a reductive process. Various attempts, however, to synthesize the ketones corresponding to a number of β-blockers (i.e., propranolol, timolol, carteolol, etc.) failed, due to the chemical instability of these β-amino-ketone esters. It is an object of the present invention to provide novel hydrolytically sensitive precursors of the ketone precursors of the β-adrenergic blocking β-hydroxylamines which are readily converted to the active β-blockers in the iris-ciliary body by combined hydrolytic and reductive processes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This and other objects are realized by the present invention which provides novel compounds having the formula: Wherein: -X- is -O-, -CH₂- or ― ; =Y is a derivatized keto group which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a keto group; R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms,said substituents not adversely affecting the β-adrenergic blocking and other pharmaceutical properties of the compound and Ar is the residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol having a cyclic substituent at the 3-position thereof, said substituted propanol having β-adrenergic blocking properties; and acid-addition salts thereof with pharmaceutically acceptable acids; the invention also provides the compounds as defined for use in therapy. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form comprising a β-adrenergic blocking effective amount of one of the above described compounds or salts and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. A further embodiment of the invention comprises use of one of the above described compounds or salts in the preparation of a medicament having a β-adrenergic blocking effect. Another embodiment of the invention comprises an ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective interocular pressure reducing amount of one of the above described compounds or salts, or a corresponding compound or salt wherein =Y is =O, and a non-toxic ophthalmically acceptable carrier therefor. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises use of a compound or salt of formula (I), or a corresponding compound or salt wherein =Y is =O, in the preparation of a medicament for treating glaucoma or for lowering intraocular pressure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is predicated on the discovery that the hydrolytically sensitive oxime-type and other labile ketone groups of the compounds of the invention would enable the delivery to and hydrolysis and reduction of the derivative at the iris-ciliary site of action to the active β-adrenergic blocking amino-alcohol. The preferred compounds of the invention are those of the formula (I) above wherein Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, Wherein: R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H, alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or aryl or aralkyl having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms; R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂, and Ar and R have the meanings set forth above. It will be understood, however, that Y may be any group or substituent which is readily hydrolyzed or enzymatically converted to a hydroxyl group at the intended site of action, preferably at the cornea or iris-ciliary body after administration of the parent compound to the animal undergoing treatment. In addition, in the ophthalmic composition and uses of the invention, =Y in the compounds of formula (I) and their salts can be =O, i.e. the ketones corresponding to formula (I) can be utilized. It is further preferred to employ those compounds of the above formula wherein R is a sterically hindered group such as the secondary or tertiary alkyls e.g., isopropyl, t-butyl, etc. Suitable aralkyl groups include benzyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl, 1-phenethylethyl, etc.; it being understood that by the term, "aralkyl", is intended any hydrocarbyl group. Ar may be any aromatic or heterocyclic residue of the known 3-aromatic or 3-heterocyclic substituted 1-alkylamino-2-propanol β-blockers, e.g., those residues having the formulae: Any pharmaceutically acceptable acid may be used to form the acid-addition salts of the invention, e.g., HCl, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, maleic, succinic, methanesulfonic, citric acid , etc. The preferred compounds according to the present invention are those having the formulae in Table A. Particularly preferred are compounds 1e, 1h, 1l, 1cc, 1k, 1p, 1t, 1v, 1bb, 1i and 1s. The following overall reaction scheme may be employed to prepare the products of the invention: The conventional reaction of Ar-OH and epichlorohydrin with a small amount of morpholine as catalyst affords a mixture of the chlorohydrin 1 and the epoxide 2; the latter being converted to 1 by treatment with conc. HCl. Oxidation of 1 by the Pfitzner-Moffat method [Pfitzner et al, 1965, J . Am . Chem . Soc. , 87, 5661 and 5670] yields the ketone 3. Subsequent reaction of 3 with hydroxylamine HCl gives the oxime 4, which is a mixture of the Z- and E-isomers. In the usual case the ratio is about 1:2 , as determined by NMR [Silverstein, "Spectrometric identification of organic compounds", 1974, 3rd ed.: G. Clayton Bassler and Terence C. Morril, New York, Wiley]. The major product, 4 (E-), can be isolated by recrystallization from benzene. Treatment of 4 with isopropylamine in THF gives the oxime 5 essentially as the pure Z-isomer, which can be converted to the HCl salt 6. Alternately, the oxidation of the racemic β-blocker with DCC/(COCl)₂ at -20° to -78° will result in the ketone which can be converted to 6 without isolation by adding H₂NOH HCl. The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples wherein melting points were determined with a Fisher-Johns melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. The 90-MHz NMR spectra were taken on a Varian EM390 NMR spectrometer. TLC was performed on 0.25/mm Merck silica gel 60 F-254 glass plates. EXAMPLE 1 The synthesis of the propanolone oxime (6a) is a typical example. 3-Chloro-1-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanol (1a) A mixture of 1-naphthol (20g, 0.14 mole), ephichlorohydrin (51.3g, 0.55 mole), and morpholine (0.7 ml) was heated at 100-120°C for 7.5 h. Excess epichlorohydrin and morpholine were removed under reduced pressure, the residue was dissolved in chloroform and shaken with 10 ml of conc. HCl to convert (2a) to the chlorohydrin (1a). The organic layer was separated and washed with water, then with dil. NaHCO₃ and finally with water. It was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated to yield 29.8g (98%) of the crude product. This was used in the next step (oxidation) without purification. Purification of a sample of the crude (1a) was carried out by column chromatography (silica gel: Aldrich 100-200 mesh, 60 Å x4W, eluent CHCl₃). NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.15 (m, 1H), δ 7.75 (m, 1H) δ 7.5-7.2 (m, 4H), δ 6.7 (d, d, J=7 Hz, J=1 Hz, 1H), δ 4.35-3.50 (m, 5H), δ 2.9 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H). 3-Chloro-1-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanone (3a) To a solution of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (47.1g, 0.228 mole DMSO (36 ml), and pyridine (3.6 ml) in diethyl ether (300 ml) was added a solution of (1a) (18.0g, 76 mmole) in diethyl ether (36 ml). To this solution was then added dropwise a solution of trifluoroacetic acid (1.8 ml) in diethyl ether under ice-water cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and allowed to stand overnight. A solution of oxalic acid (18g) in MeOH was added to the reaction mixture in small portions, and the stirring was continued for 0.5 h. The dicyclohexylurea was filtered and washed with ether. The filtrate was washed with a 5% NaHCO₃ solution, then with water and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. From the filtrate 6.3g of the desired compound was recovered. The mother liquor was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was recrystallized from 2-propanol to yield an additional 3.3g. The total yield was 9.6g (Y=56%). This product was used in the next step without further purification. A pure sample was obtained by column chromatography (silica gel: Aldrich 100-200 mesh, 60 Å x 7W, eluent CHCl₃: hexane = 3.1). NMR(CDCl₃) δ 8.25 (m, 1H), δ 7.80 (m, 1H), δ 7.65 7.20 (m, 4H), δ 6.75 (d, J=7 Hz, 1H), δ 4.83 (s, 2H), δ 4,43 (s, 2H). 3-Chloro-1-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanone oxime (4a) A mixture of (3a) (1.0g, 4.26 mmole), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.36g, 5.1 mmole), and DMSO (10 ml) was heated at 40-60°C for half an hour. Water (40 ml) was introduced and the solution was extracted with CHCl₃. The organic layer was washed with water several times, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude yield was 1.1g (Y=100%). Further purification was carried out by column chromatography (silica gel: Aldrich 100-200 mesh, 60 Å x 30W, eluent: benzene:AcOEt=4:1). The product was a mixture of Z- and E- isomer (E:Z=2:1). This isomer mixture could be used in the next step. NMR (CDCl₃ + DMSO-d6 (1 drop) δ 10.85 (s, 0.33H, -NOH of z-isomer), δ 10.75 (s, 0.67H, -NOH of E-isomer), δ 8.4-8.1 (m, 1H), δ 7.9-7.65 (m, 1H), δ 7.6-7.2 (m, 4H), δ 6.95-6.7 (m, 1H), δ 5.2 (s, 1.33H, OCH₂ of E-isomer), δ 4.9 (s, 0.67H, OCH₂ of Z-isomer), δ 4.45 (s, 0.67H, -CH₂Cl of Z-isomer) δ 4.3 (s, 1.33H, -CH₂Cl of E-isomer). The E-isomer was isolated from the crude product by recrystallization from benzene. M.p. 162-163°C. 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanone oxime, Propranolone oxime (5a) A mixture of (4a) (2.5g, 10 mmole), isopropylamine (6.0g, 8.7 ml, 100 mmole), and THF (50 ml) was heated at 50°C for 1.5 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. To the residue was added dil. NaHCO₃ and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic extract was shaken with dil. HCl solution, the separated aqueous layer was made basic with dil. HCl solution, extracted with AcOEt, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude yield was 2.6g (Y=95%). The crude product was purified from a mixed solvent of isopropyl ether and hexane. The pure yield was 0.98g (Y=36%). M.p. 131.5-132.5°C. This product was the Z-isomer only. NMR(CDCl₃) δ 8.30-8.20 (m, 1H, one of H of naphthalene), δ 6.90-6.80 (m, 1H, one of H of naphthalene), δ 5.16 (2, 2H, -OCH2-), δ 3.70 (s, 2H, -CH2N-), δ 3.05-2.70 (m, 1H, N-CH<), δ 1.10. 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanone oxime hydrochloride, Propranolone oxime Hydrochloride (6a) To diethyl ether saturated with HCl gas was added a solution of propranolone oxime (5a) (0.30g) in diethyl ether. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h. The precipitated white crystals were filtered and dried in vacuo overnight. The yield was 0.32g (Y=94%). This product was essentially pure Z-isomer. NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.00 (s, 1H, -NOH), δ 8.30-8.15 (m, 1H, of naphthalene), δ 7.95-7.80 (m, 1H, of naphthalene), δ 7.65-7.30 (m, 4H, part of naphthalene), δ 7.05-6.95) (m, 1H, one of H of naphthalene), δ 5.15 (s, 2H, -OCH₂), δ 3.96 (s, 2H, -CH₂N), δ 3.55-3.20 (m, 2H, NCH, -NH), δ 1.27 (d, J=6 Hz, 6H, -(CH₃)2). Anal. (C₁₆H 2O O₂N₂·HCl) C,H,N. EXAMPLE 2 3-Chloro-1-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanol, was synthesized according to the method given for (1a). Yield 83%; the crude compound was used in the next step. NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.5 (d, J=5 Hz, 2H), δ 4.2 (pentet, J=5 Hz, 1H), δ 3.8- δ 3.65 (m, 6H), δ 3.55-3.40 (m, 4H). The peak of C-OH could not be identified. 3-Chloro-1-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone (3b) was synthesized according to the method given for (3a). Yield: 65%. The crude product was used in the next step. Purification of the crude product (recrystallization from 2-propanol) yielded the pure sample. NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.22 (s, 2H), δ 4.13 (s, 2H), δ 3.75 (m, 4H, δ 3.50 (m, 4H). 3-Chloro-1-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime (4b) In a 500 ml round-bottomed flask were placed (3b) (13.69, 49 mmole) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (5.1g, 73.4 mmole), in an ethanol-DMF mixed solvent (266 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water (2L) and was extracted with ether. The organic extract was washed well with water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and was concentrated in vacuo at 30°C. The crude yield was 11.8g (Y=83%). The product was a mixture of Z- and E- isomers (E: Z=1.1: 1.0). This crude mixture can be used in the next step. NMR (CDCl₃) δ 9.30 (broad s, 0.5H, -NOH of Z-isomer), δ 9.10 (broad s, 0.5H -NOH of E-isomer), δ 5.35 (s, 1H, O-CH₂ of E-isomer) δ 5.10 (s, 1H, Z-isomer), δ 4.30 (s, 1H, -CH₂-N of Z-isomer), δ 4.17 (s, 1H, -CH₂-N of E-isomer), δ 4.8-4.7 (m, 4H) δ 3.6-3.4 (m, 4H). 1-(tert-Butylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime, timolone oxime (5b) In a 250 ml round-bottomed flask fitted with a dropping funnel was placed (4b) (9.89, 33.5 mmol) in THF (147 ml). The solution was cooled in an ice bath, and a solution of tert-butylamine (12.2g, 168 mmol) in THF (20 ml) was added through the dropping funnel during 10 minutes keeping the reaction temperature at -5 to 0°C (pH 6-7). The stirring was continued for 1 hour at the same temperature. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure at 25°C. To the residue was added diluted HCl (2.8 ml conc. HCl) and it was extracted with ethyl acetate. To the aqueous layer separated was added a dil. NaHCO₃ solution (NaHCO₃ 3.1g) at -5°C (pH ∼ 6-7). It was extracted with ether to remove some impurities. Small amounts of NaHCO₃ (0.1-0.3g) were added to the aqueous layer to make it slightly basic, and the mixture was extracted with ether. This procedure was repeated 4 times (pH was about 8) and another 3 times after raising the pH to about 9 with dil. NaOH solution. The organic extracts were combined, washed with water, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo . Yield 3.1g (Y=28%). The crude product was triturated with isopropyl ether to yield 2.8g. This was recrystallized from isopropyl ether to yield 1.8g (Y=16%) of pure compound. 1-(tert-Butylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thidiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime oxalate, timolone oxime oxalate (6b) In a 50 ml round bottomed flask was placed a solution of oxalic acid (0.20g, 2.22 mmole) in ether (10 ml). To this solution was added a solution of (5b) (0.43g, 1.3 mmole) in ether. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The white non-hygroscopic crystals were filtered and dried in vacuo . Yield 0.53g (Y=97%). M.p. 165-166° (dec:). NMR (CDCL₃) δ 5.3 (s, 2H), δ 3.9-3.7 (m, 4H), δ 3.6-3.4 (m, 6H), δ 1.1 (s, 9H). Anal. (C₁₈H₂₅O₇N₅), C,H,N. EXAMPLE 3 5-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril (1c) In a 250 ml round-bottomed flask fitted with a reflux condenser were placed 5-hydroxycarbostyril (15.0g, 92 mmole), epichlorohydrin (34.2g, 0.37 mole), morpholine (1.5 ml), and dioxane (90 ml). The mixture was refluxed for 16 hours, then it was concentrated in vacuo (20 mm/Hg) at 80-90°C. To the residue was added 300 ml of 2N HCl, stirred for 15 minutes, then 0.8-1.0 L of ethyl acetate was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously for 0.5 hour. The organic layer was separated, washed well with water, then with dil. NaHCO₃ and was concentrated in vacuo . Yield: 19.9g (85%). NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 10.3 (s, 1H -NH-), δ 7.25-6.50 (m, 3H, Ph), δ 4.20-3.60 (m, 5H, OCH₂CHCH₂Cl), δ 3.00-2.30 (m, 4H, -CH₂CH₂CO-). 5-(3-Chloro-2-oxo)propoxy)-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril (3c) was synthesized according to the method described for (3a). NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 10.10 (s, 1H, -NH-), δ 7.20-7.00 (m, 1H, Ph), δ 6.65-6.50 (m, 2H, Ph), δ 4.95 (s, 2H, OCH₂), δ 4.70 (s, 2H, CH₂Cl), δ 3.0-2.8 (m, 2H, -C-CH₂CO-), δ 2.5-2.3 (m, 2H, -CH₂-C-CO-). 5-[3-Chloro-2-(hydroxyimino)propoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril (4c) was synthesized similarly to the method given for (4b). NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 11.88 (s, 0.3H), z- of NOH), δ 11.80 (s, 0.7H, E- of NOH) δ 10.08 (s, 1H, -NH-), δ 7.30-6.50 (m, 3H, Ph), δ 4.93 (s, 1.4H, E- of OCH₂) δ 4.73 (s, 0.6H, Z- of OCH₂), δ 4.38 (s, 2H, Z & E- of CH₂Cl), δ 3.00- δ 2.80 (m, 2H, C-CH₂-CO-), δ 2.65-2.40 (m, 2H, CH₂-C-CO). 5-[3-(tert-Butylamino)-2-(hydroxylimino)propoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril, carteolone oxime (5c) In a 100 ml round-bottomed flask fitted with a dropping funnel were placed (4c) (2.0g, 7.45 mmole) and THF (70 ml). The solution was cooled to 0°C and a solution of tert-butylamine (0.82g, 1.17 ml, 11.2 mmole) in THF was introduced through the dropping funnel. The mixture was stirred under cooling for 2 hours. To the reactive mixture was added a solution of oxalic acid (1.48g, 16.4 mmole) in THF. The precipitate was filtered, triturated with water (600-700 ml) by stirring well for 15 minutes, and it was filtered again. The filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate several times. The aqueous layer was cooled to 0°C, basified with a dil. NaHCO₃ solution (NaHCO₃ 0.81g), and was immediately extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was evaporated in vacuo (20 mHg) at 30°C. Yield: 0.63g (28%). Recrystallized from i-propanol, the product was Z-isomer. M.p. 177-180°C (dec.) NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.0PPM(s, 1H), δ 10.1 (s, 1H), δ 7.3-7.1 (m, 1H), δ 6.7-6.5 (m, 2H), δ 4.9 (s, 2H), δ 3.3 (s, 3H contain NH), δ 3.0-2.8 (m, 2H), δ 2.6-2.3 (m, 2H), δ 1.05 (s, 9H). 5-[3-(tert-Butylamino)-2-(hydroxylimino)propoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril Hydrochloride, carteolone oxime hydrochloride (6c) The free base (5c) was converted to the hydrochloride salt (6c) in ether with HCl gas. M.p. 167-169°C (dec.). Anal. (C₁₆H₂₄O₃N₃Cl) C,H,N. EXAMPLE 4 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime (5d) In a 200 ml round-bottomed flask were placed 3-chloro-1-[3-(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazyloxy)]-2-propanone oxime (4b) (3.53g, 12.1 mmole), isopropylamine (3.56g, 60.3 mmole), and THF (71 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperture for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo at room temperature. The residue was triturated with isopropyl ether and precipitated crystals were filtered with suction. The crystals were dissolved in dil. HCl solution. To the solution was added ether and NaHCO₃ in small portions under vigorous stirring conditions. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo . Yield: 0.42g (Y=11.6%) from isopropyl ether. 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime Hydrochloride (6d) The oxime (4b) (0.25g) was dissolved in ether and ether saturated with HCl was introduced dropwise into the solution. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, filtered and dried in vacuo overnight. Yield: 89%. Anal. (C₁₂H₂₂N₅O₃S Cl) C,H,N. Elemental Analyses 1 - 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanone oxime hydrochloride, propranolone oxime hydrochloride (6a), C₁₆H₂₁O₂N₂Cl . Calc.: C, 62.23; H, 6.85; N, 9.07 Found: C, 62.32; H, 6.89; N, 9.05. 2 - 1-(tert-Butylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-triadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime oxalate, timolone oxime oxalate (6b), C₁₅H₂₅O₇N₅S C₁₃H₂₃O₃N₅S. (COOH)₂. Calc.: C, 42.95; H, 6.01; N, 16.70 Found: C, 43.00; H, 6.04; N, 16.67. 3 - 5-[3-(tert-Butylamino)-2-(hydroxyimino)propoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril hydrochloride, carteolone oxime HCl (6c), C₁₆H₂₄O₃N₃Cl. Calc.: C, 56.22; H, 7.08; N, 12.30 Found: C, 56.10; H, 7.13; N, 12.21 4 - 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanone oxime hydrochloride (6d), C₁₂H₂₂N₅O₃S Cl · 1/3 H₂O. Calc.: C, 40.27; H, 6.38; N, 19.57 Found: C, 40.54; H, 6.42; N, 19.46 The following non-limiting examples illustrate the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the invention. EXAMPLE 5 Effect on the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of Rabbits: Adult male New Zealand albino rabbits weighing 2.5 - 3.5 kg were used. The animals were kept in individual cages with free access to food and water. Intraocular pressure was measured using a Digilab model 30R pneumatonometer. The pneumatonometer readings were checked at least twice a day using the Digilab calibration verifier. All measurements were obtained from unrestrained, unanesthetized rabbits. One drop of 0.5% propacaine (Ophthetic-Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) diluted 1:2 with saline was instilled in each eye immediately prior to IOP measurement. Drugs were administered as 1 or 2.5% solution in buffer pH 7.4 or in saline in both eyes of a group of at least four rabbits. Another group of at least three rabbits served as control and was administered the carrier only. IOP was recorded after 30 and 60 minutes and then after 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hours following the drug or carrier administration. Values are given as means ± standard error (S.E.) of the mean. The significance of the change was determined using the student's t-test. The animals were also observed for local action of the drugs on the eyes, e.g., irritation, congestion, redness, lacrimation, etc. The results are set forth in Tables 1 - 3. These results reveal that the ketoxime analogs of both propranolol and timolol display a certain degree of ocular hypotensive activity. Propranolone ketoxime (6a) has shown the highest activity at both tested concentration levels, 1 and 2.5%. This activity was much more pronounced and prolonged than that of propranolol itself administered at the same dose levels (Tables 1 and 2). In addition, the ketoxime (6a) was completely devoid of the ocular irritation which always accompanied propranolol administration at both dose levels. This irritant activity might have contributed to the reduced action of propranolol on the IOP at the 1% dose level and, also, might have completely masked its ocular hypotensive activity at the 2.5% dose level. Timolone ketoxime (6b) has also shown a significant ocular hypotensive activity which was faster in its onset and shorter in its duration than timolol (1b) itself (Table 3). On the other hand, the other ketoxime precursors, the ones for the N-isopropyl analog (6d) of (6b) and (6c) for carteolol, showed low activity at the dose levels used but showed some β-antagonist activity. EXAMPLE 6 Effect on resting heart rate and on isoprenaline-induced tachycardia in rats: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-250 g were used. Each animal was anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg) and the jugular vein was cannulated with PE50 tubing. This cannula was subcutaneously threaded around the neck and exteriorized dorsally. The cannula was filled with heparin solution (1000/µl) and sealed with a solid 22-gauge stylet. Animals were housed in individual stainless steel cages and at least 24 hours were allowed for recovery from the surgery. Food and water were provided ad libitum . On the day of the experiment, the heart rate of each rat was monitored with a plethsmograph and the data recorded on a Physioscribe II recorder. One hour was allowed as an equilibration period before any drugs were administered. Drugs were dissolved in normal saline as 0.3% solution and were administered intravenously at a dose of 6 mg/kg. The resting heart rate was then recorded after 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 minutes following i.v. injection. Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol bitartarate), was then administered subcutaneously at a dose of 50 µg/kg and the heart rate was recorded for 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after administration. A control group of seven animals was intravenously administered saline solution and was treated exactly in the same manner as the drug-treated groups. The significance of the difference between the effect of saline solution and the drugs under investigation on the resting heart rate and on isoprenaline tachycardia was analyzed using the student's "t" test. Values are given as mean ± S.E. of the mean. The results are depicted in Figure 1 which depicts the mean change in heart rate over time for (□) propranolol HCl (1a), (▴) timolol maleate (1b), (·) carteolol HCl (1c), ( ○) propranolone ketoxime HC1 (6a), (▿) timolone ketoxime oxalate (6b), (▵) N-isopropyl timolone ketoxime HCl (6d), (▪) carteolone oxime HCl (6c) and (- - -) saline solution. In another set of experiments the effect of the oral administration of propranolol Hcl (1a) and propranolone oxime HC1 (6a) in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg on the resting heart rate and isoprenalinetachycardia was evaluated in rats. Drugs were administered to groups of 5 rats using a stomach tube and the heart rate was recorded for 1 hour. Then isoprenaline (50 µg/kg, s.c.) was administered and the heart rate was recorded after 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes following administration. A control group of 5 rats was treated exactly in the same manner after the oral administration of the appropriate volume of saline solution. The resting heart rate portions of these studies revealed that most of the tested ketoximes exhibit a negative chronotropic action in rats. Again, the ketoximes of propranol (6a) and timolol (6b) have shown the highest activity in this test, whereas carteolone ketoxime (6c) and the oxime (6d) were less active. It should be also noted that in this test carteolol (1c) itself has shown the lowest activity on the heart rate of rats. When the potential β-adrenergic antagonist activity of the ketoxime precursors of propranolol, timolol and carteolol was assessed against isoprenaline-tachycardia using the parent compounds as obvious reference drugs as described above, results were in agreement with the findings of the studies on the effect on the IOP and resting heart rate. Thus, the ketoxime precursors of propranolol (6a) and timolol (6b) were the most effective whereas (6c) and (6d) were the least active. See Figure 1. These results indicate that at least two of the investigated ketoxime precursors (6a and 6b) have an antiglaucoma activity which is probably linked to their β-adrenergic antagonistic properties. Yet, whether these properties are due to an inherent intrinsic activity of the ketoximes themselves or are the result of their active biological conversion to their parent drugs needed to be verified. For this reason the in vivo disposition of the different ketoximes and their parent β-blockers in the different ocular tissues was studied in rabbits. EXAMPLE 7 In vivo distribution - metabolism studies: A. In ocular tissues of rabbits: Adult male New Zealand albino rabbits weighing 2.5-3.5 kg were used. Standard doses of 100 µl of 1% solution of the drugs in saline solution were administered topically to both eyes of each rabbit. After appropriate time intervals (30, 60 and 120 minutes), the animals were sacrificed. Aqueous humor was obtained by making a single puncture at the limbus using a 25 g x 5/8" needle attached to 1 c.c. syringe. Then the cornea and the iris-ciliary body were isolated. The tissues were pooled and homogenized using a Tekmar SDT tissuemizer in ice cold perchloric acid (0.05 M) which contained 0.05% sodium metabisulfite as antioxidant. Samples were then rehomogenized in CH₃OH to prepare 10% homogenates, transferred to micro-filters and centrifuged for 20 minutes at 10000 r/minute to precipitate proteins. Aqueous humor was analyzed as such without any further dilution. Aliquots of 5-20 µl of the 10% tissue homogenate samples were analyzed by HPLC. Quantitation was done by using a calibration curve obtained by the addition of known amounts of the compound to aqueous humor, iris-ciliary body or cornea obtained from a control rabbit after topical administration of saline solution. B. In rat's blood: A group of seven adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-250 g was used. Animals were intrajugularly injected with propranolone oxime (6a) at a dose of 6 mg/kg. After 1, 3, 5, 20, 40 and 60 minutes, one ml of blood was withdrawn from the jugular vein and dropped immediately into a tared tube containing 1 ml of ice-cold acetonitrile. The tubes were vigorously shaken, centrifuged, decanted and analyzed for propranolol (1a) and propranolone oxime (5a) by HPLC. Quantitation was done by using a calibration curve obtained by addition of known amounts of propranolol oxime HCl (6a) to blood obtained from a control rat pretreated with saline solution. The results of the ocular tissue tests are set forth in Tables 4 and 5. Tissue Concentration of propranolol at various timeintervals following topical administration of propranolol.HCl (1a)(1% solution). Concentration of propranolol (mcg/g tissue) Tissue/Time 30 min. 60 min. 120 min. Cornea 47.10±5.57 14.54±2.97 0.00±0.00 Iris-ciliary body 8.05±1.47 0.00±0.00 0.00±0.00 Aqueous humor 1.28±0.19 0.26±0.08 0.00±0.00 The results of the ocular tissue studies show that propranolol (1a) could be detected in measurable concentrations in the different eye compartments for the first two hours following the topical administration of its ketoxime precursor (6a) at its effective ocular hypotensive dose level (1%) (Table 4). On the other hand, propranolol could not be detected in any of the tested eye tissues two hours after its ocular application (Table 5), and it had completely disappeared from the iris-ciliary body which is supposed to be the site of its ocular hypotensive action, one hour after administration. These results might explain the shorter duration of propranolol action on the IOP relative to that of its ketoxime precursor. In addition, these results might also suggest that the ocular hypotensive activity of the oxime is most probably due to its active conversion to propranolol in situ in the ocular tissues of rabbits. This is also supported by the finding that following the ophthalmic administration of the other ketoxime precursors (6b and 6c) of timolol and carteolol, respectively, at the low dose level used, the parent β-adrenergic antagonists in any of the eye compartments could not be found. This would suggest that either the ketone formed or the reduced form, the active β-blocker, is disposed of so fast that it cannot be detected, or that the ketones are not such good substrates for the reductase enzyme as the propanolone ketoxime. The studies in ocular tissue and blood revealed that the metabolic pathway of the oxime in the blood is quite different from that in ocular tissues. Thus, propranolol was not detected in rat's blood following the i.v. administration of the oxime and, instead, another more polar compound was detected. However, 5 minutes after injection even this compound had totally disappeared. The oxime itself appeared to have a very fast metabolism in blood (Fig. 2). The t1 /2 in blood was equivalent to 7.64 ± 0.55 minutes and one hour after i.v. administration the oxime had completely disappeared from the blood. While these results would suggest that the propranolol formed in situ in the iris-ciliary body is responsible for the IOP reduction observed, the ketoxime itself might have intrinsic activity. Based on the previous observation of the necessity to convert adrenalone to lipophilic esters to be reduced, one could expect that the lipophilic propranolone is easily reduced, while the ketones derived from timolol and carteolol, being less lipophilic (heterocyclic substitution of naphthalene), are not reduced that extensively. The N-isopropyl analog (6d) of timolol was synthesized and tested in order to assess the importance of the N-alkyl function. Propranolol contains an i-propyl group, like 6d, but 6d was still found inactive. The difference in the behavior of the 6a vs. 6b-d thus might be due to the difference in the Ar-group which appears to determine the substrate properties necessary to bind to the reductase enzyme. This hypothesis is supported by the relative HPLC retention times of the free bases 5a-5d which were 12.86, 7.22, 3.10, 6.10 for 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, respectively, indicating that 5a is by far the most lipophilic. The following example illustrates the HPLC analytical method used to obtain these results. EXAMPLE 8 ANALYTICAL METHOD A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the assay of the β-blockers and their ketoxime analogs in biological fluids. The chromatographic analysis was performed on a system consisting of Beckman Model 112 solvent delivery system, Model 340 Injector, and Waters Model 481 variable wave length LC spectrophotometer. An ASI reverse phase chrompack C₁₈ column, operated at ambient temperature, was used for all separations. The mobile phase used for separation of propranolol (1a) and propranolone oxime (5a) consisted of water, 1-heptane sulfonic acid, 0.1M acetic acid, 0.1M triethanolamine and methanol (90, 1g, 100, 799). With a flow rate of 1.5 ml/minute, the two compounds showed retention times of 2.44 and 3.21 minutes for propranolone oxime and propranolol, respectively. The mobile phase used for separation of carteolol (1c), carteolone oxime (5c), timolol (1b), timolone oxime (5b) and timolone ispropyl oxime (5d) consisted of water, 1-heptane sulfonic acid, 0.1M acetic acid, tetrahydrofuran, 0.1M triethanolamine and methanol (430, 2, 40, 30, 100 and 398). With a flow rate of 1.5 ml/minute, the retention times for these compounds were 3.10, 3.54, 6.10, 7.22 and 9.15 minutes for carteolone oxime (5c), carteolol (1c), timolone isopropyl oxime (5d), timolone oxime (5b) and timolol (1b), respectively. The results are depicted in Figure 2 which is a plot of blood levels (µg/ml) vs. time of 5a after administration of 6a at a dose level of 6 mg/kg to rats. It is believed that the compounds of the invention are converted to their parent β-blockers according to the following scheme A which shows the conversion of 5a to 1a. Similar conversions would follow scheme B. The hydrolytically sensitive precursors of the present invention comprise effective chemical delivery systems (CDS) for the β-blockers and intraocular pressure reducing agents. The compounds of the invention may be administered to animals in need thereof by instilling solutions thereof into the eye or via oral tablets, capsules, etc., or any other convenient route of administration at dosages of from about 0.001 to about 20 mg/kg. The compounds may be formulated with any conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as those utilized for the parent amino-alcohol β-blockers.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE A compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein -X- is -O-, -CH₂- or -; =Y is a derivatized keto group which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a keto group; R is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, the aralkyl group optionally bearing methoxy substituents on the aryl portion thereof; and Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol having an optionally substituted aromatic or heterocyclic substituent at the 3-position and having β-adrenergic blocking properties. A compound or salt according to Claim 1, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. A compound or salt according to Claim 2, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A compound or salt according to claim 3, wherein =Y is =NOH. A compound or salt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein -X- is -O-. A compound or salt according to any one of Claims 1-5, wherein R is isopropyl or t-butyl. A compound or salt according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propanolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol , celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. A compound or salt according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein Ar is The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compound of Claim 1 having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. Use of the compound of any one of claims 1 to 19 or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof in the preparation of a medicament having a β-adrenergic blocking effect. A pharmaceutical composition of matter, in unit dosage form, for use in eliciting a β-adrenergic blocking response in a warm-blooded animal, said composition comprising an effective β-adrenergic blocking amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof and a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. Use of a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein -X- is -O-, -CH₂- or -; =Y is =O or a derivatized keto group which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a keto group; R is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, the aralkyl group optionally bearing methoxy substituents on the aryl portion thereof; and Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol having an optionally substituted aromatic or heterocyclic substituent at the 3-position and having β-adrenergic blocking properties; in the preparation of a medicament having an intraocular pressure lowering effect, especially for use in the treatment of glaucoma. Use according to Claim 22, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. Use according to Claim 23, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Use according to any one of Claims 22-24, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propranolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol, celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. Use according to Claim 22, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. An ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition of matter, in unit dosage form, for use in the lowering of intraocular pressure in a warm-blooded animal, especially in the treatment of glaucoma, said composition comprising an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof as defined in claim 22 and a non-toxic ophthalmically acceptable carrier therefor. A composition according to Claim 27, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. A composition according to Claim 28, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A composition according to any one of Claims 27-29, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propranolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol, celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. A composition according to Claim 27, comprising an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compounds of claims 1 to 19 for use in therapy. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process of preparing a pharmaceutical composition of matter for use in eliciting a β-adrenergic blocking response in a warm-blooded animal, said process comprising mixing a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein -X- is -O-, -CH₂- or -; =Y is a derivatized keto group which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a keto group; R is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, the aralkyl group optionally bearing methoxy substituents on the aryl portion thereof; and Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol having an optionally substituted aromatic or heterocyclic substituent at the 3-position and having β-adrenergic blocking properties with a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor and dividing the resulting mixture into unit dosage forms, each containing an effective β-adrenergic blocking amount of the compound of the formula I or a salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. A process according to claim 2, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A process according to claim 3, wherein =Y is =NOH. A process according to any one the preceding claims, wherein -X- is -O-. A process according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein R is isopropyl or t-butyl. A process according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propanolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol , celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. A process according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein Ar is A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula I is: or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. Use of a compound having the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19 in the preparation of a medicament having a β-adrenergic blocking effect. A process of preparing an ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition of matter for use in the lowering of intraocular pressure in a warm-blooded animal, especially in the treatment of glaucoma, said process comprising mixing a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein -X- is -O-, -CH₂- or -; =Y is =O or a derivatized keto group which is hydrolyzable or enzymatically convertible to a keto group; R is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, the aralkyl group optionally bearing methoxy substituents on the aryl portion thereof; and Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of a 1-alkylamino-2-propanol having an optionally substituted aromatic or heterocyclic substituent at the 3-position and having β-adrenergic blocking properties with a non-toxic ophthalmically acceptable carrier therefor and dividing the resulting mixture into unit dosage forms, each containing an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of the compound of the formula I or a salt thereof. A process according to claim 21, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. A process according to Claim 22, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A process according to any one of Claims 21-23, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propranolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol, celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. A process according to Claim 21 comprising an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. Use of a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof as defined in claim 21 in the preparation of a medicament having an intraocular pressure lowering effect, especially for use in the treatment of glaucoma. Use according to Claim 26, wherein =Y is =N-OR₁, =N-NH₂, =N-NR₁R₂, R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and are H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R₃ is R₁, -COOR₁ or -CON(R₁)₂ wherein R₁ is defined as above. Use according to Claim 27, wherein =Y is =NOR₁ wherein R₁ is H or alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Use according to any one of Claims 26-28, wherein Ar is the 3-aromatic or heterocyclic residue of propranolol, timolol, carteolol, alprenolol, atenolol, befunolol, betaxolol, bevantolol, bufuralol, bunitrolol, bupranolol, celiprolol, cetamolol, labetolol, levobunolol, mepindolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, moprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol or toliprolol. Use according to Claim 26, wherein the compound 5 is selected from the group consisting of and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

Inventors: BODOR NICHOLAS S, BODOR, NICHOLAS S.
Applicants: UNIV FLORIDA, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C07C251
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P43, C07D209, C07D277, C07D307, C07C251, C07D521, C07C239, C07C255, A61P25, A61P27, C07D215, C07D285, C07C241, C07C225, C07C213, C07D417, C07C275, C07C67