CONDENSED PYRAZOLE 3-OXO-PROPANENITRILE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PREPARATION

Abstract: Condensed pyrazole 3-oxo-propanenitrile derivatives of formula (I) wherein X represents a - CH(R₄)-group, an oxygen atom or a - S(O) n - group where n is 0, 1 or 2; R₁ represents C₁-C₆ alkyl, pyridyl or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined herein; and Q represents hydrogen, carboxy, C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl or a - CON(R a )R b group, R a and R b being as defined herein; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts have immunomodulating activity and can be used in particular as immunostimulating agents, e.g. in the treatment of acute and chronic infections of both bacterial and viral origin, alone or in association with antibiotic agents, and in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, alone or in association with antitumoral agents, in mammals.

Description: The present invention relates to condensed pyrazole 3-oxo-propanenitrile derivatives, to a process for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. EP-A-286346 relates to substituted indazole derivatives which contain a pyrazole moiety within a fused tricyclic system but which exhibit insecticidal activity. The compounds are therefore used for plant protection. No pharmaceutical utility is mentioned. EP-A-5357 and its counterpart US-A-4140785 disclose N-(benzothienopyrazol)-amides which have antiviral activity, but these compounds bear at the 3-position of the pyrazole ring an amide substituent which is structurally quite different from a 3-oxo-propanenitrile grouping. US-A-4420476 discloses benzofuro [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-amine derivatives which posses a tricyclic pyrazole-containing ring system. The utility of these compounds is in producing analgesia in mammals. The same utility is described for the tricyclic 2H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-amine derivatives of US-A-4431657. US-A-2989538 relates to 3-tertiary alkyl pyrazolindenones which also possess a tricyclic pyrazole-containing ring system. These compounds act as central nervous system depressants, anti-Parkinson agents, hypotensive agents, tranquilisers and ataracts. US-A-3004983 describes 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-a]indene derivatives having hypotensive and central nervous system depressant activity. Finally, EP-A-0015156 discloses tricyclic pyazoles which are substituted at the 3-position of the pyrazole ring by a substituted phenyl group and which are useful as anti-inflammatory agents. The compounds of the invention have the general formula (I) wherein X represents: a) a -CH₂- group; or b) a sulphur atom. R₁ represents a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents; R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen, or C₁-C₆ alkyl; b') wherein R' and R", taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked, form a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₁-C₆ alkyl or c') C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl; m is zero or 1; A is a C₁-C₆ alkylene chain, and R₅ is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents. The invention includes within its scope the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention includes within its scope all possible isomers, stereoisomers and optical isomers and their mixtures, and the metabolites and the metabolic precursors or bioprecursors of the compounds of formula (I). It has be to be noticed that the compounds of formula (I) may be represented also by a tautomeric structure, namely the enol structure of formula (Ia) wherein X, R₁, R₂, R₃, A and m are as defined above. However, the compounds of formula (Ia), which fall within the scope of the present invention too, are described in the present specification as compounds of formula (I). A halogen atom is preferably chlorine or fluorine. The alkyl and alkylene groups may be branched or straight chain groups. A C₁-C₆ alkyl group is, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl or tert.butyl, more preferably methyl, ethyl or tert.butyl. A C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl group is preferably a C₂-C₅ alkoxycarbonyl group, in particular a C₂ or C₃ alkoxycarbonyl one. A C₁-C₆ alkylene chain is preferably a C₁-C₃ alkylene chain, such as a -CH₂-, -(CH₂)₂-, -(CH₂)₃-, chain. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are either those with inorganic bases such as sodium, potassium, calcium and aluminium hydroxides, or with organic bases such as lysine, arginine, N-methyl-glutamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, dibenzylamine, methylbenzylamine, di-(2-ethyl-hexyl)-amine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, N,N-diethylaminoethylamine, N-ethylmorpholine, β-phenethylamine, N-benzyl-β-phenethylamine, N-benzyl-N,N-dimethylamine and the other acceptable organic amines, as well as the salts with inorganic acids, e.g. hydrochloric, nitric, hydrobromic and sulphuric acids and with organic acids, e.g. citric, tartaric, maleic, malic, fumaric, methanesulphonic and ethanesulphonic acids. Preferred salts of the compounds of formula (I) are the sodium and the potassium salts thereof. As stated above, the present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutically acceptable bioprecursors (otherwise known as pro-drugs) of the compounds of formula (I), i.e. compounds which have a different formula to formula (I) above, but which nevertheless upon administration to a human being are converted directly or indirectly in vivo into a compound of formula (I). Preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen, or, C₁-C₄ alkyl, (b') a group wherein signifies a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, from thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by methyl; or (c') a C₂-C₁₇ alkoxycarbonyl group. Preferably, A is a C₁-C₃ alkylene chain. Examples of particularly preferred compounds of the invention are: 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl -1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl) -propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1H-benzothieno [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(7-tert.butyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propanamide; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in particular the sodium and the potassium salts. The compounds of formula (I) and the salts thereof can be prepared by a process comprising: a) reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above and Y is carboxy or a reactive derivative of a carboxy group, with a compound of formula (III) wherein A,m and R₅ are as defined above so obtaining a compound of formula (I), wherein A,m and R₅ are as defined above; or b) reacting a compound of formula (IV) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above, with a compound formula (V) R₅-(A) m -N=C=O (V) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined above, so obtaining a compound of formula (I) as defined above or c) reacting a compound of formula (VI) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above and Z is a reactive derivative of a carboxy group, with a compound of formula (VII) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined above, so obtaining a compound of formula (I) as defined above, and, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) and/or, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or, if desired, converting a salt into a free compound, and/or, if desired, separating a mixture of isomers of a compound of formula (I), into the single isomers. When Y is a reactive derivative of a carboxy group, it is, for example, a halocarbonyl group, preferably a chlorocarbonyl group, or a C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl group, preferably a C₂-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl group. The reaction between a compound of formula (II) wherein Y is carboxy and a compound of formula (III) may be carried out, for example, in the presence of a condensing agent such as diethyl cyanophosphonate, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature varying between 0°C and 50°C. The reaction between a compound of formula (II) wherein Y is a reactive derivative of a carboxy group and a compound of formula (III) may be carried out, for example, in the presence of a strong base such as sodium hydride, potassium t.butoxide, thallous ethoxide, in an inert solvent such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dioxane, dimethylformamide, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 100°C. The reaction between a compound of formula (IV) and a compound of formula (V) may be carried out, for example, in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride or triethylamine, in an inert solvent such as toluene, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 100°C. In the compounds of formula (VI), Z is, for example, a halocarbonyl group, preferably a chlorocarbonyl group, or a C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl group, preferably a C₂-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl group. The reaction between a compound of formula (VI), wherein Z is a halocarbonyl group, and a compound of formula (VII) may be carried out, for example, in an inert solvent such as dichloroethane,dioxane, dimethylformamide, in the presence of pyridine or triethylamine as acid acceptor, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 100°C. The reaction between compound of formula (VI), wherein Z is C₁-C₆ alkyl ester, and a compound of formula (VII) may be carried out, for example, by heating at the reflux temperature in an aromatic hydrocarbon such as toluene or xylene, preferably distilling off slowly together with the diluent the free C₁-C₆ alkyl alcohol generated during the reaction. A compound of formula (I) may be converted, as stated above, into another compound of formula (I) by known methods; for example, in a compound of formula (I) a nitro group may be converted into an amino group by treatment, for example, with stannous chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid, using, if necessary, an organic cosolvent such as acetic acid, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran at a temperature varying between room temperature and about 100°C. Furthermore, for example, an alkoxycarbonyl group, may be converted into the corresponding -COOH group, by treatment with aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as dioxane, methanol, ethanol or dimethylformamide, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 80°C. The optional esterification of a free carboxy group as well as the optional conversion of a carboxylic ester into the free carboxy derivative may be carried out according to known methods in organic chemistry. Process-variants b) and c) described above may be considered as examples of conversion of a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) too. Also the optional salification of a compound of formula (I) as well as the conversion of a salt into the free compound and the separation of a mixture of isomers into the single isomers may be carried out by conventional methods. For example, the separation of optical isomers may be carried out by salification with an optically active base or acid and by subsequent fractional crystallization of the diastereoisomeric salts, followed by recovering of the optically active isomeric acids or, respectively, bases. The compounds of formula (II), in which Y is a C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl group may be prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (VIII) wherein R₂ is as defined above, E is as X defined above and R₆ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, preferably C₁-C₂ alkyl, with a compound of formula (IX) R₁-NHNH₂ (IX) wherein R₁ is as defined above. The reaction between a compound of formula (VIII) and a compound of formula (IX) may be carried out, for example, in a solvent such as C₁-C₆ alkyl alcohol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, acetic acid, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 150°C. The compounds of formula (II), wherein Y is carboxy may be prepared, for example, by hydrolysis of the corresponding compounds of formula (II) wherein Y is C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl, according to standard methods well known in the art, for example, by basic hydrolysis, carried out e.g. by treatment with sodium or potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as water, C₁-C₆ alkyl alcohol, dioxane, dimethylformamide and their mixtures, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 80°C. The compounds of formula (II), wherein Y is halocarbonyl, preferably chlorocarbonyl, may be prepared, for example, by reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (II), wherein Y is carboxy, with the suitable acid halide, for example oxalyl chloride, thionyl chloride, PCl₃, PBr₃, in an inert solvent such as ether, benzene, dichloroethane, dioxane or without any solvent, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 100°C. The compounds of formula (III) are, in some cases, commercially available products, or may be prepared by methods well known in the art. For example a compound of formula (III), may be prepared by reacting cyanoacetic acid with a compound of formula (VII) in the presence of a condensing agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole, in an inert organic solvent such as benzene, dioxane, acetonitrile, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 50°C. The compounds of formula (IV) may be obtained by process a) above, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (II), wherein Y is C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl, with acetonitrile, in the presence of a strong base e.g. sodium hydride, potassium tert.butoxide, in an inert organic solvent such as benzene, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature varying between 0°C and 100°C. The compounds of formula (VI),wherein Z is C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl may be obtained by process a) above, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (X) wherein R₇ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, using the same experimental conditions as described above for the reaction between a compound of formula (II) and a compound of formula (III). The compounds of formula (VI), wherein Z is halocarbonyl, may be prepared, for example, by basic hydrolysis of a compound of formula (VI), wherein Z is C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl, using, for example, the same experimental conditions described above for the hydrolysis of the compounds of formula (II), wherein Y is C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl, in order to obtain the corresponding carboxy derivative, which in turn may be transformed into a compound of formula (VI), wherein Z is halocarbonyl, preferably chlorocarbonyl, using, for example, the same experimental conditions described above for the preparation of the compounds of formula (II), wherein Y is halocarbonyl. The compounds of formula (VIII) may be prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of formula (XI) wherein E and R₂ are as defined above, with a compound of formula (XII) wherein each of R₈ and R'₈, being the same or different, is C₁-C₆ alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl. The reaction between a compound of formula (XI) and a compound of formula (XII) may be carried out, for example, according to the methods described in J.C.S., 101 , 1731 (1912) and Ann., 405 , 391 (1914). The compounds of formula (XI) may be prepared by synthetic methods well known in the art, for example according to the methods described in J.A.C.S., 75 , 1891 (1953) and Advances in Heterocyclic chemistry, 11 , 225 (1970); ibidem 18 , 432 (1975). The compounds of formula (V), (VII), (IX), (X), and (XII) are known products and may be prepared by conventional methods: in some cases they are commercially available products. When in the compounds of the present invention and in the intermediate products thereof, groups are present, such as CHO, COOH, NH₂ and/or OH, which need to be protected before submitting them to the hereabove illustrated reactions, they may be protected before the reactions take place and then deprotected, according to well known methods in organic chemistry. The compounds of formula (I) possess immunomodulating activity and can be used for example as immunostimulant agents e.g. in the treatment of acute and chronic infections of both bacterial and viral origin, alone or in association with antibiotic agents, and in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, alone or in association with antitumoral agents, in mammals. The immunomodulating activity of the compounds of the invention is proved, for example, by the fact that they are effective in potentiating the cytotoxic activity of the macrophages towards tumor cells in vitro . The experimental procedure to evaluate this activity is as follows: groups of 4 mice are treated i.p. with the tested compounds and then, seven days later, peritoneal cells are collected and plated for 2 hours at 37°C. After this period the walls are washed to eliminate the non adherent cells, tumor target cells are then added and the incubation prolonged for 48 hours. At the end of this period the target cells viability is evaluated by the MTT colorimetric method (Abstracts of VIII European Immunology Meeting, Zagreb, 1987, pag 94 n o 2105) based on the optical density (OD) evaluation at 570 nm. Percent specific cytotoxicity (%C) is calculated as % inhibition of TU-5 tumor cells (Immunology, 1984, 166 , 251) growth using the following formula: The following Table I summarizes the immunostimulating activity data of some representative compounds of the invention, obtained according to hereabove experimental procedure, towards TU-5 tumor cells. EFFECT OF FCE 25276, FCE 25648, FCE 25651 and FCE 26047 ON THE CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES TOWARDS TU-5 TUMOR CELLS. Compound Effector:Target Macrophage cyctotoxic activity (% inhibition of TU-5 growth) 10 mg/kg/i.p. FCE 25276 5 : 1 93 FCE 25648 5 : 1 77 FCE 25651 5 : 1 79 FCE 26047 5 : 1 82 Vehicle 5 : 1 24 4 animals were used for each dose. FCE 25276 means 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; FCE 25648 means 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propanamide; FCE 25651 means N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; FCE 26047 means 2-cyano-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-phenyl- propanamide. By virtue of their immunomodulatory activity the compounds of the invention proved to be active also in models of infection in mice. For example, the compounds FCE 25276, FCE 25648, FCE 25651 and FCE 26047 are strongly effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, performed in Cyclophosphamide immunosuppressed mice according to Cryz S.J. et al., Infect. Imm., 1983, 39 , 1067. The experimental procedure to evaluate this activity is as follows: mice are immunosuppressed 4 days before the bacterial challenge by a single dose of 200 mg/kg of Cyclophosphamide given intraperitoneally. Tested compounds are administered i.p. on days + 1 and + 3 relative to Cyclophosphamide administration. Clinically isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa is administered intravenously in amount of 8 LD₅₀. Host resistance to infection is estimated by the number of mice surviving 10 days after the bacterial challenge. The following Table 2 summarizes the obtained results. EFFECT OF FCE 25276, FCE 25648, FCE 25651 AND FCE 26047 ON PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA INFECTION IN CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IMMUNO-DEPRESSED MICE Compound treatment % survival 8 LD₅₀ FCE 25276 10 mg/kg/i.p. 90 FCE 25648 10 mg/kg/i.p. 90 FCE 25651 10 mg/kg/i.p. 90 FCE 26047 10 mg/kg/i.p. 70 Vehicle --------- 0 10 animals were used for each dose. The compounds of the invention can be safely used in medicine by virtue of their negligible toxicity. The therapeutic regimen for the different clinical syndromes must be adapted to the type of pathology taking into account, as usual, also the route of administration, the form in which the compound is administered and the age, weight and conditions of the subject involved. The oral route is employed, in general, for all conditions requiring such compounds. Preference is given to intravenous injection or infusion for the treatment of acute infections. For maintenance regimens the oral or parenteral, e.g. intramuscular or subcutaneous, route is preferred. For these purposes the compounds of the invention e.g. 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, can be administered orally at doses ranging e.g. from 0.5 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day in adult humans. Doses of active compounds ranging e.g. from 0.2 to 5 mg/kg of body weight can be used for the parenteral administration in adult humans. Of course, these dosage regimens may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. The nature of the pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of this invention in association with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents will, of course, depend upon the desired route of administration. The compositions may be formulated in the conventional manner with the usual ingredients. For example, the compounds of the invention may be administered in the form of aqueous or oily solutions or suspension, tablets, pills, gelatine capsules, syrups, drops or suppositories. Thus, for oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of this invention, are preferably tablets, pills or gelatine capsules which contain the active substance together with diluents, such as lactose, dextrose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, cellulose; lubricants, for instance silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycols; or they may also contain binders, such as starches, gelatine, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, gum-arabic, tragacanth, polyvinylpyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, such as starches, alginic acid, alginates, sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non-toxic and pharmacologically inactive substances used in pharmaceutical formulations. Said pharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, for example by means of mixing, granulating, tabletting, sugar-coating, or film-coating processes. The liquid dispersions for oral administration may be e.g. syrups, emulsions and suspensions. The syrups may contain as carrier, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol. The suspensions and the emulsions may contain as carrier, for example, a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspensions or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain together with the active compound a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride. The solutions for intravenous injections or infusions may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile aqueous isotonic saline solutions. The suppositories may contain together with the active compound a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. cocoa-butter, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactant or lecithin. The following examples illustrate the invention: Example 1 2-Ethoxalyl-indan-1-one(6 g) is reacted with phenylhydrazine (3.1 g) in acetic acid (45 ml) at 50°C for 3 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and then neutralized with 35% NaOH. Extraction with ethyl acetate and evaporation of the solvent in vacuo to dryness gives a residue, which is purified over a SiO₂ column using hexane/chloroform 6:4 as eluent. Main fractions are crystallized from isopropyl ether to yield 1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester, m.p. 110-112°C (5.7 g), which is reacted with acetonitrile (14 ml) in dioxane (14 ml) in the presence of 50% sodium hydride (0.9 g) under stirring at 60°C for 15 minutes. After cooling the reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and acidified to pH 4 with citric acid. The precipitate is filtered and purified over a SiO₂ column using ethyl acetate as eluent. Crystallization from dichloromethane/isopropyl alcohol gives 3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanenitrile, m.p. 189-190°C (2.8 g), which is reacted with phenyl isocyanate (1.17 g) in dimethylformamide (22 ml) in the presence of triethylamine (1.06 g) at 25-30°C for 25 minutes. The reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and acidified with 2N HCl to pH 3. The precipitate is filtered and washed with water. Crystallization from dichloromethane/methanol gives 3.5 g of 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro 1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide,m.p. 273-277°C, NMR (CDCl₃) δ ppm:3.91(s) (2H,C-4 protons), 7.1-8.0(m) (15H, phenyl protons and -CONH-),16.2 (bs) (1H, -OH). By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-[1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-[1-(2-chloro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno-[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-[1-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; Example 2 By proceeding according to Example 1, using the suitable isocyanates, the following compounds can be prepared: N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide, m.p. 269-271°C; N-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide, m.p. 295-297°C; 2-cyano-N-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(3-bromo-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-benzyl-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide, m.p. 289-290°C; N-benzyl-2-cyano-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide, m.p. 281-286°C de N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide, m.p. 288-291°C; Example 3 By proceeding according to Examples 1 and 2, starting from suitable indan-1-ones, the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-6-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 249-251°C; 3-(5-chloro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(6-chloro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(7-chloro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2 cyano-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 259-263°C; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 3-(7-tert.butyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(7-tert.butyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-morpholinomethyl-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-6-morpholinomethyl-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-5-morpholinomethyl-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide and 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl-3-oxo-propanamide. Example 4 1,4-Dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester (7.35 g), prepared according to Example 1, is dissolved in carbon tetrachloride (100 ml) and reacted with N-bromo-succinimide (4.75 g) under stirring at the reflux temperature for 2 hours, in the presence of benzoyl peroxide (150 mg). After cooling the reaction mixture is filtered and the solution is evaporated in vacuo to a small volume. The precipitated product is purified with hot isopropyl ether to give 4-bromo-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid,ethyl ester, m.p. 181 - 182°C (9.2g) which is reacted with morpholine (2.5 g) in dimethylformamide (175 ml), in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate, under stirring at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and the precipitate is filtered and washed with water until neutral. Crystallization from dichloromethane/ isopropyl ether gives 1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester, m.p. 150-151°C (5.4 g), which is hydrolized by treatment with 1% KOH in 95% ethanol solution (93 ml) at the reflux temperature for 20 minutes. After cooling the reaction mixture is diluted in ice water and acidified with citric acid to pH 4. The precipitate is filtered, washed with water until neutral and crystallized from dichloromethane/ethanol to yield 1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid,m.p. 244-245°C (4.15 g), which is reacted with thionyl chloride (1.65 ml) in dioxane (200 ml) at the reflux temperature for 1 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3- carbonyl chloride as crystalline residue. The crude product is dissolved in anhydrous dioxane (300 ml) and reacted for 2 hours under stirring at room temperature with the carbanion obtained by treatment of 2-cyano-acetanilide (1.87 g) with 50% sodium hydride (1.2 g) in anhydrous dioxane (100 ml) at room temperature. The reaction mixture is neutralized by treatment with N HCl (7 ml) and then concentrated in vacuo to a small volume. The residue is diluted with ice water and acidified with N HCl to pH 4. The precipitate is filtered, washed with water and then crystallized from dimethylformamide to give 2.2 g of 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 272-277°C dec. By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-4-piperidino-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-[1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-[1,4-dihydro-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide;and N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-4-morpholino-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide. Example 5 1,4-Dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester (3 g), prepared according to Example 1, is heated with 1% KOH solution in ethanol (100 ml) at reflux temperature for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and acidified to pH 3 with 37% HCl. The precipitate is filtered, washed with water until neutral and dried in vacuo to give 1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (2.5 g) which is reacted with thionyl chloride (1.2 ml) in dioxane (60 ml) at the reflux temperature for 2 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride as crystalline residue. The crude product is dissolved in anhydrous dioxane (30 ml) and reacted for 2 hours under stirring at room temperature with the carbanion obtained by treatment of 2-cyano-acetanilide (1.6 g) with 50% sodium hydride (0.5 g) in anhydrous dimethylformamide/dioxane 1:1 (10 ml) at room temperature. The reaction mixture is then diluted with ice water and acidified to pH 2 with HCl. The precipitate is filtered and washed with water until neutral. Crystallization from dichloromethane/methanol gives 1.6 g of 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 273-277°C. By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 288-291°C; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno [3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide. Example 6 Ethyl cyanoacetate(1.4 g) is treated with 50% sodium hydride (0.58 g) in anhydrous dioxane (20 ml) under stirring at room temperature until the effervescence subsides. To this solution 1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride (3 g), prepared according to Example 5, dissolved in anhydrous dioxane (50 ml) is added under stirring at room temperature. The reaction mixture is allowed to react for 20 hours, then it is diluted with ice water and acidified to pH 3 with 37% HCl. The precipitate is extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic solution washed with water and then evaporated to dryness in vacuo . The residue is purified over a SiO₂ column, using hexane-ethyl acetate 80:20 as eluent, to give 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanoic acid, ethyl ester (2.2 g), which is reacted with aniline (3.4 g) in xylene (100 ml) at the reflux temperature for 48 hours. After cooling the precipitate is filtered and washed with xylene, then crystallized from dichloro-methane/methanol to give 1.2 g of 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 273-277°C. Example 7 2-Cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide is dissolved by treatment with the stoichiometric amount of sodium ethoxide in ethanol. The solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo and the product is crumbled with acetone. Filtration and washing with acetone gives the pure sodium salt of 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. > 300°C. By proceeding analogously the sodium salts of the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide. Example 8 By proceeding according to Example 5, starting from suitable tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters, the following compound can be prepared: 3-(5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 253-255 °C; 3-(7-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide. Example 9 3-(5-Carboxy-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide (2.3 g) dissolved in dimethylformamide (25 ml) is reacted with ethyl iodide (1.55 g) in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate (1.4 g) under stirring at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with ice water and the precipitate is filtered, dissolved in chloroform and washed with 1N HCl and then with water. Evaporation of the solvent in vacuo gives a residue which is crystallized from CH₂Cl₂/methanol to yield 1.9 g of 2-cyano-3-(5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, m.p. 233-236°C dec. By proceeding analogously the following compounds can be prepared: 2-cyano-3-(7-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(7-hexyloxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(7-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propanamide; and N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(7-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide. Example 10 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide (1,1 g) is reacted with succinic anhydride (0.8 g) in anhydrous pyridine (40 ml) under stirring at 45°C for 20 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture is diluted in ice water and the precipitate is filtered and washed with water. Crystallization from CH₂Cl₂/isopropanol yields 0.85 g of 3-[5-(3-carboxy-propanoyloxymethyl)-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide. By proceeding analogously the following compound can be prepared: 3-[7-(3-carboxy-propancyloxymethyl)-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide. Example 11 Tablets, each weighing 150 mg and containing 50 mg of active substance, can be manufactured as follows: Composition (for 10,000 tablets) 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide 500 g Lactose 710 g Corn starch 238 g Talc powder 36 g Magnesium stearate 16 g 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno|1,2-c|pyrazol-3-yl) -3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide, lactose and half of the corn starch are mixed; the mixture is then forced through a sieve of 0.5 mm openings. Corn starch (18 g) is suspended in warm water (180 ml). The resulting paste is used to granulate the powder. The granules are dried, comminuted on a sieve of sieve size 1.4 mm, then the remaining quantity of starch, talc and magnesium stearate is added, carefully mixed and processed into tablets using punches of 8 mm diameter. By proceeding analogously, tablets can be prepared having the same composition, but containing, for example, as active substance one of the following compounds: 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; and 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, NL, SE A compound of formula (I) wherein X represents: a) a -CH₂- group; or b) a sulphur atom. R₁ represents a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents; R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen, or C₁-C₆ alkyl; b') wherein R' and R", taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked, form a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₁-C₆ alkyl or c') C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl; m is zero or 1; A is a C₁-C₆ alkylene chain, and R₅ is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; b') wherein signifies a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by methyl; or c') C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein A is a C₁-C₃ alkylene chain; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A compound according to claim 1 selected from 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c] pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1,(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-[1,(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide;2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c-]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; N-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno [1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-5-morpholinomethyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(7-tert.butyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(1,4-dihydro-7-methyl-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; 3-(7-tert.butyl-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propanamide; 2-cyano-3-(7-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propanamide; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A compound according to claim 1 selected from 2-cyano-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-N-phenyl-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl-3-oxo-3-(1-phenyl-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-propanamide; 2-cyano-N-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1H-benzothieno[3,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl]-3-oxo propanamide; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, according to claim 1, the process comprising; a) reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein X,R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1 and Y is carboxy or a reactive derivative of carboxy group, with a compound of formula (III) wherein A,m and R₅ are as defined in claim 1; or b) reacting a compound of formula (IV) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (V) R₅-(A) m -N=C=O (V) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined in claim 1; or c) reacting a compound of formula (VI) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1 and Z is a reactive derivative of a carboxy group, with a compound of formula (VII) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined in claim 1; and, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) and/or, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or, if desired, converting a salt into a free compound, and/or, if desired, separating a mixture of isomers of a compound of formula (I) into the single isomers. A pharmaceutical composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent and, as an active principle, a compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, according to claim 1, for use as an immunostimulant agent. A compound of formula (I) or salt thereof according to claim 8, for use in the treatment of an acute or chronic infection of bacterial or viral origin. A compound of formula (I) or salt thereof according to claim 8, for use in treatment of a neoplastic disease. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) wherein X represents: a) a -CH₂- group; or b) a sulphur atom. R₁ represents a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents; R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen, or C₁-C₆ alkyl; b') wherein R' and R", taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked, form a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₁-C₆ alkyl or c') C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl; m is zero or 1; A is a C₁-C₆ alkylene chain, and R₅ is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen substituents, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; the process comprising (a) reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein X,R₁ and R₂ are as defined above and Y is carboxy or a reactive derivative of carboxy group, with a compound of formula (III) wherein A, m and R₅ are as defined above, so obtaining a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1; or b) reacting a compound of formula (IV) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above, with a compound of formula (V) R₅-(A) m -N=C=O (V) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined above; or c) reacting a compound of formula (VI) wherein X, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above and Z is a reactive derivative of a carboxy group, with a compound of formula (VII) wherein R₅, A and m are as defined above; and, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) and/or, if desired, converting a compound of formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or, if desired, converting a salt into a free compound, and/or, if desired, separating a mixture of isomers of a compound of formula (I) into the single isomers. A process according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is a') hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₄1 alkyl; b') wherein signifies a heterocyclic ring which is selected from N-pyrrolidinyl, N-piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, morpholino and piperidino and which is unsubstituted or substituted by methyl; or c') C₂-C₇ alkoxycarbonyl. A process according to claim 1 wherein A is a C₁-C₃ alkylene chain. A process according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising preparing a pharmaceutical composition by formulating the compound of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Inventors: DORIA, GIANFEDERICO, FERRARI, MARIO, ISETTA, ANNA MARIA, TRIZIO, DOMENICO
Applicants: FARMITALIA CARLO ERBA S.R.L.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: C07D231
IPC codes: C07D491, C07D231, A61P37, C07D401, A61K31, C07D495, A61P35