Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, their production and use

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I): wherein Y is N or CH; R¹, which may be optionally bound through a hetero atom, is a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R² and R³ which may be same or different, are each independently hydrogen, cyano, nitro, optionally substituted lower alkyl, or -COD wherein D is alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, or optionally substituted amino; or R² and R³ are taken together to form a benzene ring which may be substituted; the dotted line is a chemical bond; Z is bound to a hetero nitrogen atom and is a group having the formula: wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or nitro, and R⁵ is a residue capable of forming an anion or a residue convertible into an anion; A is a direct bond or a spacer having atomic length of two or less between the phenylene group and the phenyl group; and n is an integer of 1 or 2; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, have potent angiotensin II antagonist activity and antihypertensive activity, thus being useful as therapeutic agents for treating circulatory system diseases such as hypertensive diseases, heart diseases, strokes, etc.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to novel nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds having potent pharmacological activity and intermediates for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds having potent anti-hypertensive activity and angiotensin II antagonist activity, which are useful as therapeutic agents for treating circulatory diseases such as hypertensive diseases, heart diseases, strokes, etc. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The renin-angiotensin system is involved in the homeostatic function to control systemic blood pressure, the volume of body fluid, balance among the electrolytes, etc., associated with the aldosterone system. Development of angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitor) (this converting enzyme produces angiotensin II which possesses strong vasoconstrictive activity) has clarified the relation between the renin-angiotensin system and hypertension. Since angiotensin II elevates blood pressure via the angiotensin II receptors on cell membranes, angiotensin II antagonists as well as the ACE inhibitor would be useful in treating hypertension. It has been reported that various angiotensin II analogues such as saralasin, [Sar¹, Ile⁸]A II, and the like, possess potent angiotensin II antagonist activity. It has, however, been reported that, when peptide antagonists are administered parenterally, their actions are not prolonged and, when administered orally, they are ineffective (M. A. Ondetti and D. W. Cushman, Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, 13 , 82-91 (1978)). Non-peptide angiotensin II antagonists are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 71073/1981; No. 71074/1981; No. 92270/1982; No. 157768/1983; No. 240683/1987; No. 23868/1988; and No. 117876/1989, and European Patent Laid Open No. 0323841, etc. Imidazole derivatives having angiotensin II antagonist activity are disclosed in A. T. Chiu et al., Eur. J. Pharm., 157 , 13 (1981), P. C. Wong et al., J. Pharmcol. Exp. Ther., 247 , 1 (1988), P. C. Wong et al., Hypertension, 13 , 489 (1989), etc. The intermediate application (i.e. falling under the terms of Art. 54(3) EPC) EP-A-0 407 342 discloses the use of pyrimidine derivatives for pharmaceutical products. The use as angiotensin II antagonists is disclosed for substituted pyrimidinones in EP-A-0 419 048 (intermediate application) and for substituted quinazolinones in EP-A-0 411 766 (intermediate application) as well as in EP-A-0 323 841 for substituted pyrroles, pyrazoles and triazoles. These four applications have the use of derivatives of six or five membered hetrocycles containing at least two nitrogens in common. It has not yet been known that heterocyclic compounds having a nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring such as pyridone possess potent angiotensin II antagonist activity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors made extensive investigations to prepare useful compounds which have angiotensin II antagonist activity. As a result of this research, the present inventors have succeeded in synthesizing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds possessing highly potent angiotensin II antagonist activity and developed the present invention. The present invention provides nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds having the formula I: wherein R¹, optionally bound through a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom, is alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alicyclic hydrocarbon residue of 3 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic hydrocarbon residue of 6 to 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, (C₁₋₄) alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, phenylamino, naphthylamino, benzylamino, naphthylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino, N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino, N-(m-methoxyphenyl)piperazino, (C₁₋₄) alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or naphthyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or R¹ is 5-methyl-2-thienyl; R² is -COD wherein D is (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, anilino, N-methylanilino, benzylamino, phenethylamino, naphthylmethylamino, pyridylamino, pyridylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino or N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino; R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or nitro; R⁵ is carboxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, tetrazolyl, trifluoromethanesulfonic amide, phosphoric acid or sulfonic acid; A is a direct bond, (C₁₋₄) alkylene, -(CO)-, -O-, -S-, -(NH)-, -(CO)-(NH)-, -O-CH₂-, -S-CH₂- or -CH=CH-; n is an integer of 1 or 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are potent angiotensin II antagonists which are of value in the treatment of circulatory system diseases such as hypertensive diseases, heart diseases, strokes, etc. Another aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having the formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier useful in treating circulatory system diseases such as hypertensive diseases, heart diseases, strokes, etc., and processes for preparing such compounds and compositions. Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating said circulatory system diseases of patients, which comprises administering an effective amount of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having the formula I or the pharmaceutical composition thereof to the patient. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds having the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which possess potent angiotensin II antagonist activity and are of value in the treatment of circulatory diseases such as hypertensive disease, heart diseases, strokes, etc., pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having the formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier useful in treating said circulatory diseases and processes for preparing such compounds and compositions. The present invention further provides a method for treating said circulatory system diseases of patients, which comprises administering an effective amount of the nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound having the formula I or the pharmaceutical composition thereof to the patient. An important group of compounds according to the present invention are the compounds of the formula I: wherein R¹, optionally bound through a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom, is alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alicyclic hydrocarbon residue of 3 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic hydrocarbon residue of 6 to 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, (C₁₋₄) alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, N- (C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, phenylamino, naphthylamino, benzylamino, naphthylmethylamino morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino, N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino, N-(m-methoxyphenyl)piperazino, (C₁₋₄) alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or naphthyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or R¹ is 5-methyl-2-thienyl; R² is -COD wherein D is (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, anilino, N-methylanilino, benzylamino, phenethylamino, naphthylmethylamino, pyridylamino, pyridylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino or N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino; R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or nitro; R⁵ is carboxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, tetrazolyl, trifluoromethanesulfonic amide, phosphoric acid or sulfonic acid; A is a direct bond, (C₁₋₄) alkylene, -(CO)-, -O-, -S-, -(NH)-, -(CO)-(NH)-, -O-CH₂, -S-CH₂- or -CH=CH-; n is an integer of 1 or 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. With regard to the foregoing formula (I), hydrocarbon residues for R¹, which may be optionally bound through a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, are alkyls of 1 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, i-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, and the like), alkenyls of 2 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g. vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, 2-butenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 2-octenyl, and the like), and alkynyls of 2 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g. ethynyl, 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 2-pentynyl, 2-octynyl, and the like); alicyclic hydrocarbon residues of 3 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g. cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 2-cyclohexen-1-yl, cyclooctyl and the like), aromatic hydrocarbon residues of 6 to 12 carbon atoms (e.g. phenyl, naphthyl and the like); etc. Said hydrocarbon residues for R¹ may be substituted with hydroxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, and the like), (C₁₋₄) alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, and the like), halogen (e.g. F, Cl, Br and the like), nitro, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino (e.g. methylamino, ethylamino, etc.), N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino, diethylamino, etc.), phenylamino, naphthylamino, benzylamino, naphthylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino, N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino, N-(m-methoxyphenyl)piperazino, (C₁₋₄) alkanoyloxy (e.g. acetyloxy, etc.) and benzoyloxy, phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl or naphthyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or R¹ is 5-methyl-2-thienyl. Where R² is a group having the formula: -COD, D is (C₁₋₄) alkoxy (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, and the like) and hydroxy. For D, examples of halogen include Cl, Br and the like, and D is amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino (e.g. methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, and the like), N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino, diethylamino, and the like), anilino, N-methylanilino, benzylamino, phenethylamino, naphthylmethylamino, pyridylamino, pyridylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino or N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino. The compounds wherein D is halogen are useful as synthetic intermediates for the preparation of those wherein D is alkoxy or optionally substituted amino. R⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen (e.g. chlorine, bromine, and the like) or nitro, and may be in the ortho or meta position to the -A- group. Among them, hydrogen is most preferable. Examples of residues capable of forming an an ion and residues convertible into the anion for R⁵ include carboxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, tetrazolyl, trifluoromethanesulfonic amide (-NHSO₂CF₃), phosphoric acid, sulfonic acid, and the like. Such residues may include those which are capable of forming anions or convertible into anions either chemically or under biological and/or physiological conditions. R⁵ is in any positions on the phenyl group. Among them, carboxyl and tetrazolyl are preferred. R⁵ is preferably in the ortho position. The compounds wherein R⁵ is a residue capable of forming an anion or convertible thereinto chemically (e.g. by oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis) (e.g. cyano and the like), are useful as synthetic intermediates. A shows that the adjacent phenylene group is bonded to the phenyl group directly or through a spacer whose atomic chain is 2 or less. As the spacer, any one can be exemplified, so long as it is a divalent chain in which the number of atoms constituting the straight chain is 1 or 2, and it may have a side chain. Examples of such spacers include (C₁₋₄) alkylene, A preferred embodiment of the invention is a compound of the formula (I): wherein R¹ is (C₁₋₈) alkyl; R² is -COD wherein D is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxy, or optionally substituted amino ( inter alia (C₁₋₄) alkyl); and R⁵ is carboxyl or tetrazolyl ( inter alia tetrazolyl); and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds (I) of the present invention may be prepared by several reaction schemes, as illustrated below for a preferred compound. wherein R¹, R², R⁴, R⁵, A and n have the above-defined meanings. wherein R¹, R², R⁴, A, n are as defined above. wherein R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, n are as defined above and R⁷ is (C₁₋₄) alkyl. wherein R¹, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, A, n are as defined above and R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue (e.g. (C₁₋₄) alkyl and optionally substituted aryl). wherein R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, n are as defined above and X is halogen. wherein R¹, R⁴, R⁵, R⁸, R⁹, X, A, n are as defined above. In Scheme A, the compound (II) is reacted with an oxidizing agent to form the compound (I). One molar portion of the compound (II) is employed with approximately 1 to 3 moles of the oxidizing agent. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane. Examples of such oxidizing agents include 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), chloranil, and the like. Advantageously, the reaction is carried out at room temperature - 100°C for 5 minutes - 3 hours. The cyano substituent on the benzene of the compounds (III) is reacted with various azides to form the tetrazole compounds (IV) as illustrated in Scheme B. One molar portion of the compound (III) is employed with 1 - 10 moles of the azide. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, toluene, benzene, and the like. Examples of such azides include trialkyl-tin azide, triphenyl-tin azide, hydrogen azide, and the like. In the case where the organo-tin azide compound is employed, the reaction is carried out in toluene or benzene by heating under reflux for a period of from 10 - 30 hours. When the hydrogen azide is used, 5 moles of sodium azide and ammonium chloride per compound (III) are employed and the reaction is conducted in dimethylformamide at 100°C - 130°C for 1 - 10 days. During this reaction, it is preferable to facilitate working by adding an appropriate amount of sodium azide and ammonium chloride. The reaction as illustrated in Scheme C is hydrolysis of the ester (V) into the carboxylic acid (VI) in the presence of an alkali. One molar portion of the compound (V) is employed with 1 to 3 moles of the alkali. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as alcohols containing water (e.g. methanol, ethanol, methylcellosolve, and the like). Examples of such alkalis include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and the like. The reaction is preferably conducted at room temperature - 100°C for 1 - 10 hours. The compounds (V) are reacted with various amines to form the amide compounds (VII) as illustrated in Scheme D. One molar portion of the compound (V) is employed with about 2 to 50 moles of the amine. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, and the like) or without a solvent. The reaction is preferably conducted at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 200°C. Examples of such amines include ammonia, alkylamines (e.g. methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, butylamine, hydroxyethylamine, etc.), aralkylamines (e.g. benzylamine, phenetylamine, N-benzyl-N-methylamine, o-methoxy-benzylamine, etc.), arylamines (e.g. aniline, N-methylaniline, etc.), heteroaralkylamines (e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethylamine, etc.), alicyclic amines (e.g. morpholine, piperidine, piperazine, N-phenylpiperazine, 2-piperidylmethylamine, 3-(p-fluorophenylpiperazino)propylamine, etc.), and the like. The compounds (VI) are treated with various halogenating agents to form the acid halides (VIII) as illustrated in Scheme E. One molar portion of the compound (VI) is employed with about 1 to 5 moles of the halogenating agent. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, ClCH₂CH₂Cl, and the like), ethers (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like) and aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, and the like). Examples of such halogenating agents include oxalyl chloride, thionyl chloride, phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorous trichloride, phosphorous pentachloride, etc. The reaction is preferably conducted at room temperature - 100°C for 1 - 10 hours. The acid halides (VIII) are reacted with various amines to form the amide compounds (VII) as illustrated in Scheme F. One molar portion of the compound (VIII) is employed with about 2 to 50 moles of the amine. The reaction is conventionally conducted in solvents such as alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, and the like) and ethers (e.g. ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like). Examples of such amines include ammonia, alkylamines (e.g. methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, butylamine, hydroxyethylamine, etc.), aralkylamines (e.g. benzylamine, phenethylamine, N-benzyl-N-methylamine, o-methoxybenzylamine, etc.), arylamines (e.g. aniline, N-methylaniline, etc.), heteroaralkylamines (e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethylamine, etc.), alicyclic amines (e.g. morpholine, piperidine, piperazine, N-phenylpiperazine, 2-piperidylmethylamine, 3-(p-fluorophenylpiperazino)propylamine, etc.), and the like. The compounds (I) thus produced via the reaction processes as depicted in Schemes A to F can be isolated and purified from the reaction mixture according to conventional methods such as, for example, evaporation of solvents, extraction by water or organic solvents, concentration, neutralization, recrystallization, distillation, column chromatography and the like, to obtain a crystalline or oily product. The compounds (I) of the present invention can be used in the form of salts derived from pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable acids or bases. These salts include but are not limited to the following: salts with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and, as the case may be, such organic acids as acetic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, and maleic acid. Other salts include salts with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium or with organic bases. The starting materials (II) can be easily prepared by or according to the known techniques, for example, as disclosed in: (1) H. Narita, Y. Konishi, J. Nitta, H. Nagaki, I. Kitayama, Y. Watanabe, and I. Saikawa, Yakugaku Zasshi, 106 , 775 (1986), (2) H. Narita, Y. Konishi, J. Nitta, Y. Kobayashi, Y Watanabe, S. Minami, and I. Saikawa, Yakugaku Zasshi, 106 , 787 (1986), (3) Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 100382/1979, (4) Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 157567/1979, (5) E. E. Kilbourn, and M. C. Seidel, J. Org. Chem., 37 , 1145 (1972), etc. For example, the starting materials (II) are prepared according to the methods as illustrated in Scheme G. wherein each group is as defined above. As illustrated in Scheme H, the compounds (XI) can also be easily prepared by halogenomethylation of the compounds (XIII) commercially available or easily prepared according to methods described in known references such as, for example, A. A. Vansheidt et al., Khim. Nauka i Prom., 2 , 799 (1957). wherein each group has the above-defined meaning. The compound (XII) wherein n is 2 (the compounds (XIb)) can be prepared from the compounds (XIa) according to the methods as illustrated in Scheme I. wherein each group is as defined above and X is halogen. The compounds (I) and salts thereof according to the present invention strongly inhibit vasoconstriction and hypertension derived by angiotensin II and therefore possess potent anti-hypertensive activity in animals, more specifically mammal animals (e.g. humans, dogs, rabbits, rats, etc.). Further, the compounds (I) and salts thereof according to the present invention are of quite low toxicity and useful in treating not only hypertension but also circulatory system diseases such as heart diseases, strokes and the like. For therapeutic use, the compounds (I) and salts thereof can be administered as pharmaceutical compositions (e,g, powders, granules, tablets, pills, capsules, injections, solutions and the like) comprising at least one such compound alone or in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients and/or diluents. The pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated in accordance with conventional methods. Specific dose levels for any particular patient will be employed depending upon a variety of factors including the activity of specific compounds employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy. When used for treating adult essential hypertension, the active ingredient will preferably be administered in an appropriate amount, for example, about 10 mg to 100 mg a day orally and about 5 mg to 50 mg a day intravenously. The active ingredient will preferably be administered in equal doses two or three times a day. Examples The invention is further illustrated but in no way limited by the following reference examples, working examples, pharmaceutical examples and experimental examples. In the specification of the present application, examples of the abbreviations used are given below. Me: Methyl, Et: Ethyl, Pr: Propyl, Bu: Butyl, iBu: Isobutyl, tBu: Tert-butyl, Ac: Acetyl, Bzo: Benzoyl, Trityl: Triphenylmethyl, Ph: Phenyl, DMF: Dimethylformamide, THF: Tetrahydrofran. Reference Example 1 A: Ethyl 3-oxo-4-nonenate To a solution of (3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxopropylidene)triphenylphosphorane (5.0 g, 12.8 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (THF, 50 ml) were added sodium hydride (60 % dispersion in oil, 1.03 g, 25.6 mmol) and then pentanal (1.10 g, 12.8 mmol) followed by stirring. After addition of water (three drops), the mixture was heated at 45°C for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The organic layer was washed with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate and aqueous saturated sodium chloride, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated to dryness. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with dichloromethane-hexane (1:1 to 3:2) to give 1.02 g (40.0 %) of the title compound as an oil. The ¹H-NMR spectrum indicates that the product is a mixture of keto/enol isomers. IR (neat): 2960, 1742, 1695, 1655, 1590 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.87-0.94(3H, m, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.25-1.46(7H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2.53-2.69(2H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 3.49(2H×7/13, s, CH₂ CO₂Et), 4.20(2H, q, J=7.2Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.00(1H×6/13, s, C(OH)= CH CO₂Et), 5.62-5.97, 6.14-6.23(2H, m, olefin-H), 12.1(1H×6/13, d, J=1.6Hz, C( OH )=CHCO₂Et). B: Ethyl 2-[(2'-t-butoxycarbonylbiphenyl-4-yl)methylaminomethylene]-3-oxo-4-nonenate A solution of ethyl 3-oxo-4-nonenate (1.00 g, 5.04 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (0.94 ml, 7.08 mmol) in benzene (10 ml) was stirred at 70°C for 1.5 hours under nitrogen stream. After cooling, a solution of 4-aminomethyl-2'-t-butoxycarbonylbiphenyl (2.86 g, ca. 10.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) was added to the reaction solution and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and then concentrated to dryness. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with dichloromethane-ethyl acetate (1% to 5%) to give 1.65 g (66.6 %) of the title compound as an oil. IR (neat): 2980, 2940, 1709, 1608 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.87-0.94(3H, m, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.27(9H, s, CO₂ C(CH₃)₃ ), 1.27-1.51(7H, m, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ , CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 2.18-2.30, 2.49-2.61(2H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 4.17-4.28(2H, m, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 4.57-4.61(2H, m, CH₂ Ph), 6.83-6.98, 7.27-7.54, 7.78-7.82(10H, m, olefin-H, ArH), 8.12-8.21 (1H, m, C= CH NH), 11.63(1H, br, NH). C: Ethyl 1-[(2'-t-butoxycarbonylbiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-6-n-butyl-4-oxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinate A solution of ethyl 2-[(2'-t-butoxycarbonylbiphenyl-4-yl)methylaminomethylene]-3-oxo-4-nonenate (1.59 g, 3.23 mmol) in DMF (20 ml) and was heated under reflux for 4 hours. After cooling, the reaction solution was concentrated in vacuo . The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (7:3 to 8:2) to give 1.21 g (76.2 %) of the title compound as an oil. IR (neat): 2960, 2930, 1730, 1659, 1592 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.89(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.17-1.40 (4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.28(9H, s, CO₂ C(CH₃)₃ ), 1.34 (3H, t, J=7.2Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 1.60-1.79(2H, m, CH₂(CH₂)₂CH₃), 2.38(1H, d-d, J=2.2Hz, 16.0Hz, C₅-H), 2.66(1H, d-d, J=6.6Hz, 16.0Hz, C₅-H), 3.45-3.55(1H, m, C₆-H), 4.27(2H, d-q, J=1.2Hz, 7.2Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 4.53, 4.69(2H, 2d, J=15.2Hz, CH₂ Ph), 7.27-7.56, 7.79-7.83(8H, m, ArH), 8.28(1H, s, C₂-H). Reference Example 2 A: Ethyl 2-[[2'-(N-methoxymethyltetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methylaminomethylene-3-oxo-nonenate A solution of ethyl 3-oxo-4-nonenate (1.40 g, 7.06 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (1.32 ml, 9.94 mmol) in benzene (15 ml) was stirred at 70°C for 1.5 hours under nitrogen stream. After cooling, a solution of 5-(4'-aminomethylbiphenyl-2-yl)-N-methoxymethyltetrazole (2.72 g, ca. 9.21 mmol) in benzene (15 ml) was added to the reaction solution and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. After evaporation, the resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with dichloromethane-ethyl acetate (1% to 5%) to give 1.07 g (30.1 %) of the title compound as an oil. IR (neat): 2970, 2935, 1738, 1680, 1640, 1600, 1557 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.91(3H, t, J=7.2Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.23-1.50 (4H,m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.32(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2. 19-2.30(2H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 3.32(3H, s, CH₂O CH₃ ), 4.23(2H, q, J=7.0Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 4.54(2H, d, J=6.2Hz, CH₂Ar), 5.74(2H, s, CH₂ OCH₃), 6.79-6.95(1H, m, olefin-H), 7.20(4H, s, Ar), 7.29-7.60, 7.88-7.93(5H, m, olefin-H, ArH), 8.15(1H, d, J=13.4Hz, C= CH NH), 11.58 (1H, br, NH). B: Ethyl 6-n-butyl-1-[[2'-(N-methoxymethyltetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-4-oxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinate A solution of ethyl 2-[[2'-(N-methoxymethyltetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methylaminomethylene-3-oxo-nonenate (1.06 g, 2.10 mmol) in DMF (20 ml) was heated under reflux for 4 hours. After cooling, the reaction solution was concentrated in vacuo . The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (8:2 to 9:1) to give 0.7 g (66.2 %) of the title compound as a pale orange oil. IR (neat): 2960, 2935, 1720, 1655, 1590 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.88(3H, t, J=6.8Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.21-1.37 (4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.34(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 1.58-1.78(2H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 2.39(1H, d-d, J=1.8Hz, 16.0Hz, C₅-H), 2.67(1H, d-d, J=6.4Hz, 16.0Hz, C₅-H), 3.37(3H, s, CH₂O CH₃ ), 3.43-3.54(1H, m, C₆-H), 4.26 (2H, d-q, J=1.2Hz, 7.0Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 4.49, 4.63(2H, 2d, J=15.0Hz, CH₂ Ar), 5.75(2H, s, CH₂ OCH₃), 7.24-7.29, 7.44-7.63, 7.90-7.94(8H, m, ArH), 8.23 (1H, s C₂-H). The following compounds as listed in Tables 1a and 1b were prepared according to the procedure for Reference Example 2. Reference Example No. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 3 0.87(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,(CH₂)₄ CH₃ ),1.20-1.40(6H,m, CH₂ (CH₂)₃ CH₃),1.33(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),1.59-1.79 (2H,m, CH₂ (CH₂)₃CH₃),2.39(1H,d-d,J=2.0Hz,16.0Hz,C₅-H), 2.66(1H,d-d,J=7.0Hz,16.0Hz,C₅-H),3.21(3H,s,CH₂O CH₃ ), 3.39-3.46(1H,m,C₆-H),4.26(2H,d-q,J=1.2Hz,7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂CH₃),4.45,4.59(2H,2d,J=15.0Hz, CH₂ Ar),5.17(2H,s, CH₂ OCH₃),7.21 (4H,s,ArH),7.55-7.61,7.66-7.75(4H,m,ArH), 8.18(1H,s,C₂-H). 4 0.90(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,(CH₂)₂ CH₃ ),1.23-1.44(2H,m,CH₂ CH₂ CH₃), 1.33(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),1.52-1.75(2H,m, CH₂ CH₂CH₃), 2.39(1H,d-d,J=2.0Hz,16.2Hz,C₅-H),2.66(1H,d-d,J=7.0Hz, 16.2Hz,C₅-H),3.21(3H,s,CH₂O CH₃ ),3.37-3.47(1H,m,C₆-H), 4.26(2H,d-q,J=1.0Hz,7.0Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃),4.46,4.59(2H,2d, J=15.4Hz, CH₂ Ar),5.17(2H,s, CH₂ OCH₃),7.21(4H,s,ArH), 7.55-7.61,7.66-7.73(4H,m,ArH),8.18(1H,s,C₂-H). 5 0.86(6H,d-d,J=1.2Hz,6.6Hz,(CH₂)₂CH (CH₃)₂ ),1.05-1.36, 1.43-1.75(5H,m, (CH₂)₂CH (CH₃)₂),1.34(3H,t,J=7.2Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),2.39(1H,d-d,J=2.2Hz,15.8Hz,C₅-H),2.67(1H, d-d,J=6.8Hz,15.8Hz,C₅-H),3.37(3H,s,CH₂O CH₃ ),3.41-3.52 (1H,m,C₆-H),4.27(2H,d-q,J=1.8Hz,7.2Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 4.49,4.64(2H,2d,J=15.2Hz, CH₂ Ar),5.75(2H,s, CH₂ OCH₃), 7.20-7.29,7.44-7.63,7.90-7.94(8H,m,ArH),8.24(1H,s,C₂-H). 6 1.34(3H,t,J=7.2Hz,CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),2.44(3H,d,J=1.2Hz,Ar CH₃ ), 2.69(1H,d-d,J=4.0Hz,16.0Hz,C₅-H),2.94(1H,d-d,J=7.2Hz, 16.0Hz,C₅-H),3.37(3H,s,CH₂O CH₃ ),4.28(2H,d-q,J=2.2Hz, 7.2Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃),4.48,4.59(2H,2d,J=15.0Hz, CH₂ Ar), 4.74(1H,d-d,J=4.0Hz,7.2Hz,C₆-H),5.74(2H,s, CH₂ OCH₃), 6.58(1H,d-d,J=1.2Hz,3.4Hz,thienyl-H),6.71(1H,d,J=3.4Hz, thienyl-H),7.19(2H,d,J=8.6Hz,ArH),7.26(2H,d,J=8.6Hz,ArH), 7.44-7.62,7.90-7.94(4H,m,ArH),8.29((1H,s,C₂-H). Working Example 1 A: Ethyl 1-[(2'-t-butoxycarbonylbiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-6-n-butyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydronicotinate A solution of the compound (1.39 g, 2.83 mmol) obtained in Reference Example 1C in benzene (15 ml) was heated to 80°C under stirring and a solution of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ, 0.65 g, 2.86 mmol) in benzene (36 ml) was added dropwise to the solution over 20 minutes. After heating at 80°C for further 30 minutes, insoluble materials were removed by filtration. The filtrate was washed with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous saturated sodium chloride, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo . The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with chloroform-methanol (1% to 5%) to give 0.92 g (76.0 %) of the title compound as a white crystal (recrystallization from ether-hexane). mp: 80-81°C. IR (KBr): 2980, 1729, 1713, 1639, 1579 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.91(3H, t, J=7.2Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.28(9H, s, CO₂ C(CH₃)₃ ), 1.27-1.43, 1.52-1.65(4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.37(3H, t, J=7.2Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2.48(2H, t, J=8.0Hz, CH₂(CH₂)₂CH₃), 4.37(2H, q, J=7.2Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.14 (2H, s, CH₂ Ar), 6.46(1H, s, C₅-H), 7.07-7.11, 7.27-7.56, 7.79-7.84(8H, m, ArH), 8.24(1H, s, C₂-H). EI-MS m/e: 489 (M⁺). Elemental Analysis for C₃₀H₃₅NO₅ C (%) H (%) N (%) Calcd: C, 73.60; H, 7.21; N, 2.86 Found: C, 73.63; H, 7.12; N, 2.97 B: Ethyl 6-n-butyl-1-[(2'-carboxybiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-4-oxo-1,4-dihydronicotinate A solution of the compound (0.686 g, 1.40 mmol) obtained in Working Example 1A in a mixture of anisole (0.76 ml, 7.0 mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid (15 ml) was stirred at 0°C for 6 hours. After evaporation in vacuo , the resulting residue was recrystallized from ether to give 0.552 g (91.0 %) of the title compound as a colorless crystal. mp: 202-203°C. IR (KBr): 2960, 1729, 1702, 1635, 1544 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.85(3H, t, J=7.2Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.23-1.59 (4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.30(3H, t, J=7.2Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2.45(2H, t, J=7.8Hz, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 3.50(1H, br, CO₂H), 4.22(2H, q, J=7.2Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.19(2H, s, CH₂ AR), 6.58(1H, s, C₅-H), 7.01-7.05, 7.27-7.57, 7.92-7.96(8H, m, ArH), 8.38(1H, s, C₂-H). Elemental Analysis for C₂₆H₂₇NO₅ C (%) H (%) N (%) Calcd: C, 72. 04; H, 6.28; N, 3.23 Found: C, 71.88; H, 6.28; N, 3.33 Working Example 2 A: Ethyl 6-n-butyl-1-[[2'-(N-methoxymethyltetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-4-oxo-1,4-dihydronicotinate A solution of the compound (0.70 g, 1.39 mmol) obtained in Reference Example 2B in benzene (10 ml) was heated to 80°C under stirring and a solution of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ, 0.316 g, 1.39 mmol) in benzene (15 ml) was added dropwise to the solution over 20 minutes. After further heating at 80°C for 30 minutes, insoluble materials were removed by filtration. The filtrate was washed with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous saturated sodium chloride, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with chloroform-methanol (1% to 5%) to give 0.60 g (86.0 %) of the title compound as a pale yellow powder. IR (neat): 3430, 2960, 2940, 1725, 1690, 1631, 1575 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.90(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.25-1.63 (4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.37(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2.44(2H, t, J=7.0Hz, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 3.36(3H, s, CH₂O CH₃ ), 4.37(2H, q, J=7.0Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.09(2H, s, CH₂ Ar), 5.75(2H, s, CH₂ OCH₃), 6.44(1H, s C₅-H).6.99(2H, d, J=8.4Hz, ArH), 7.24(2H, d, J=8.4Hz, ArH), 7.41-7.59, 7.88-7.93(4H, m, ArH), 8.20(1H, s, C₂-H). B: Ethyl 6-n-butyl-4-oxo-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]-methyl]-1,4-dihydronicotinate A solution of the compound (0.47 g, 0.937 mmol) obtained in Working Example 2A in trifluoroacetic acid (10 ml) was stirred at 50°C for 2.5 hours. After evaporation in vacuo, the resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel. The column was eluted with chloroform-methanol (1% to 5%) to give 0.193 g (45.0 %) of the title compound as a colorless crystal (recrystallization from ethyl acetate-ether). mp: 119-120°C. IR (KBr) : 2960, 1728, 1638, 1568 cm ⁻¹. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ : 0.81(3H, t, J=7.4Hz, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ), 1.17-1.55 (4H, m, CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃), 1.30(3H, t, J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ), 2.29(2H, t, J=7.4Hz, CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃), 4.15(2H, q, J=7.0Hz, CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.26(2H, s, CH₂ Ar), 6.29(1H, s, C₅-H), 6.68(2H, d, J=8.0Hz, ArH), 7.01 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz, ArH), 7.35-7.39, 7.53-7.56, 7.87-7.89(4H, m, ArH), 9.04(1H, s, C₂-H). Elemental Analysis for C₂₆H₂₇N₅O₃ · 0.1H₂O C (%) H (%) N (%) Calcd: C, 67.99; H, 5.97; N, 15.25 Found: C, 67.83; H, 5.93; N, 15.11 The following compounds as listed in Tables 2a and 2b were prepared from the compounds obtained in Reference Examples 3-6 in the same manner as in Working Example 2. Working Example No. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 3 0.80(3H,t,J=6.6Hz,(CH₂)₄ CH₃ ),1.15-1.24(4H,m, CH₂CH₂ (CH₂)₂ CH₃),1.30(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),1.45-1.52 (2H,m,CH₂ CH₂ (CH₂)₂CH₃),2.28(2H,t,J=7.6Hz, CH₂ (CH₂)₃CH₃), 4,15(2H,q,J=7.0Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃),5.26(2H,s, CH₂ Ar),6.28(1H,s, C₅-H),6.67(2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH),7.00(2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH), 7.34-7.38,7.53-7.57,7.86-7.88(4H,m,ArH),9.04(1H,s,C₂-H). 4 0.87(3H,t,J=7.6Hz,(CH₂)₂ CH₃ ),1.30(3H,t,J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),1.44-1.68(2H,m,CH₂ CH₂ CH₃),2.27(2H,t,J=7.6Hz, CH₂ CH₂CH₃),4.15(2H,q,J=7.0Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃),5.26(2H,s, CH₂ Ar),6.28(1H,s,C₅-H),6.68(2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH),7.01 (2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH),7.35-7.39,7.53-7.58,7.86-7.90(4H,m,ArH), 9.03(1H,s,C₂-H). 5 0.78(6H,d,J=6.2Hz,(CH₂)₂CH(CH₃)₂),1.30(3H,t,J=7.0Hz, CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),1.33-1.58(3H,m,CH₂ CH₂CH (CH₃)₂),2.27(2H,t, J=7.6Hz, CH₂ CH₂CH(CH₃)₂),4.15(2H,q,J=7.0Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃), 5.26(2H,s, CH₂ Ar),6.28(1H,s,C₅-H),6.68(2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH), 7.01(2H,d,J=8.4Hz,ArH),7.34-7.38,7.50-7.56,7.86-7.91(4H, m,ArH),9.04(1H,s,C₂-H). 6 1.28(3H,t,J=7.0Hz,CO₂CH₂ CH₃ ),2.43(3H,s,Ar CH₃ ),4.14(2H,q, J=7.0Hz,CO₂ CH₂ CH₃),5.23(2H,s, CH₂ Ar),6.47(1H,s,C₅-H), 6.52(1H,d,J=3.6Hz,thienyl-H),6.61(1H,d-d,J=1.0Hz,3.6Hz, thienyl-H),6.74(2H,d,J=8.2Hz,ArH),7.06(2H,d,J=8.2Hz,ArH), 7.40-7.62,7.84-7.88(4H,m,ArH),8.98((1H,s,C₂-H). Experimental Example 1 Inhibition of binding of angiotensin-II to angiotensin receptor [Method] An experiment of inhibition on the binding of angiotensin-II (A-II) to A-II-receptor was conducted by modifying the method of Douglas et al. [Endocrinology, 102, 685-696 (1978)]. An A-II-receptor was prepared from the membrane fraction of bovine adrenal cortex. The compound of the present invention (10⁻⁹M to 3 × 10⁻⁵M ) and ¹²⁵I-A-II (1.85 kBq/50 µl) were added to the receptor membrane fraction, and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for one hour. The receptor-bound and free ¹²⁵I-A-II were separated through a filter (Whatman GF/B filter), and the radioactivity of ¹²⁵I-A-II bound to the receptor was measured. [Results] The results relating to the compounds of the present invention are shown in Table 3. Experimental Example 2 Inhibitory effect of the compound of the present invention on pressor action of A-II [Method] Jcl : SD rats (9 week old, male) were used. On the day previous to the experiment, these animals were applied with cannulation into the femoral artery and vein under anesthesia with pentobarbital Na. The animals were fasted but allowed free access to drinking water until the experiment was started. Just on the day of conducting the experiment, the artery cannula was connected with a blood-pressure transducer, and the average blood pressure was recorded by means of polygraph. Before administration of the drug, the pressor action due to intravenous administration of A-II (100 ng/kg) as the control was measured. The drugs were orally administered, and then, at each point of the measurement, A-II was administered intravenously, and the pressor action was similarly measured. By comparing the pressor action before and after administration of the drug, the percent inhibition by the drug on A-II-induced pressor action was evaluated. [Results] The results relating to the compounds of the present invention are shown in Table 3. Working Example Radio Receptor 10⁻⁷(M) Assay(% Inhibition) 10⁻⁶(M) Pressor Response (30 mg/Kg, p.o.) 1 24 67 NT 2 25 67 NT 3 28 71 NT 4 31 72 NT

Claims: A compound of the formula (I): wherein R¹, optionally bound through a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom, is alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alicyclic hydrocarbon residue of 3 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic hydrocarbon residue of 6 to 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, (C₁₋₄) alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, phenylamino, naphthylamino, benzylamino, naphthylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino, N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino, N-(m-methoxyphenyl)piperazino, (C₁₋₄) alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or naphthyl optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, (C₁-₄) alkoxy or (C₁₋₄) alkyl, or R¹ is 5-methyl-2-thienyl; R² is -COD wherein D is (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, anilino, N-methylanilino, benzylamino, phenethylamino, naphthylmethylamino, pyridylamino, pyridylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenylpiperazino or N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino; R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen or nitro; R⁵ is carboxyl, (C₁₋₄) alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, tetrazolyl, trifluoromethanesulfonic amide, phosphoric acid or sulfonic acid; A is a direct bond, (C₁₋₄) alkylene, -(CO)-, -O-, -S-, -(NH)-, -(CO)-(NH)-, -O-CH₂-, -S-CH₂- or -CH=CH-; n is an integer of 1 or 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is carboxyl or tetrazolyl. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is tetrazolyl. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is in the ortho position. A compound according to claim 1, which is a compound of the formula (Ia'): wherein R¹ is (C₁₋₈) alkyl; R² is -COD wherein D is hydrogen, (C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, N-(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, N,N-di(C₁₋₄) alkylamino, anilino, N-methylanilino, benzylamino, phenethylamino, naphthylmethylamino, pyridylamino, pyridylmethylamino, morpholino, piperidino, piperazino, piperidylmethyl, N-phenyl-piperazino or N-(p-fluorophenyl)piperazino; and R⁵ is carboxyl or tetrazolyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is ethyl 6-n-butyl-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-4-oxo-1,4-dihydronicotinate. A pharmaceutical composition for antagonizing angiotensin II which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to one of claims 1-7 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in admixture with a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. Use of a compound according to one of claims 1-7 of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for antagonizing angiotensin II. A method for producing a compound according to claim 1 which comprises oxidizing a compound of the formula (II): wherein R¹, R², R⁴, R⁵, A and n have the above-defined meanings, and, (i) if desired, converting a compound of the formula (I) wherein R⁵ is cyano or protected tetrazolyl, and R¹, R², R⁴, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, into a compound of the formula (I) wherein R⁵ is tetrazolyl and R¹, R², R⁴, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, (ii) if desired, converting a compound of the formula (I) wherein -R² is (C₁₋₄) alkoxycarbonyl or halogenocarbonyl, and R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, into a compound of the formula (I) wherein -R² is carboxyl, or optionally substituted carbamoyl and R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, (iii) if desired, converting a compound of the formula (I) wherein -R² is carboxyl, and R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, into a compound of the formula (I) wherein -R² is halogenocarbonyl and R¹, R⁴, R⁵, A, Y, n have the above-defined meanings, or (iv) if desired, converting a hydroxy derivative of the formula (I) into an optionally substituted alkoxy derivative of the formula (I), and, if desired, converting a compound of the formula (I) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Inventors: MORIMOTO AKIRA, NISHIKAWA KOHEI, MORIMOTO, AKIRA, NISHIKAWA, KOHEI
Applicants: TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD, TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D213
IPC codes: C07D239, C07D401, C07D213, C07D403