THIAZOLIDIN DERIVATIVES

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) wherein the substituents and symbols have the meanings as given in the specification, are new compounds with marked cardiovascular activity.

Description: T H I A Z O L I D I N D E R I V AT I V E S The invention relates to novel thiazolidine derivatives having the formula 1, and their salts, in which formula Rl represents H or l-4C-alkyl, represents H, l-6C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-l-3C-alkyl or a group of the general formula 2, wherein R Q , R no and R simultaneously or seperately represent H, l-6C-alkyl, y lo li l-6C-alkoxy, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkoxy, F, Cl, Br, NO , nitroxy-2-6C-alkoxy, nitroxy-4-8C-cycloalkoxy, nitroxγ-l-2C-alkyl- 4-8C-cycloalkyl-l-2C-alkoxy or a group 0 II -W-C-Y-R 12 , wherein represents a bond or a group -0CH_-, Y represents an oxygen atom or an i ino group and R represents H, l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-2-6C- alkyl or nitroxy-4-8C-cycloalkyl, R and R represent H or l-4C-alkyl, R-. represents H or a group O II -C-Z-R 7 , wherein Z represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R represents H, l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, nitroxy-4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-l-2C-alkyl-4-8C-cycloalkyl- l-2C-alkγl or 4-nitroxy-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-8-yl, and R represents H or a group -X- g, wherein X represents carbonyl or sulfonyl and R 0 represents l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, 8 nitroxγ-4-8C-cycloalkyl, phenyl or l-4C-alkylphenyl. -I , It has been found that these novel thiazolidine derivatives have outstanding properties as medicaments. The novel thiazolidine derivatives may be used, optionally symptomatically, in the treatment of pathological processes in mam¬ mals, especially man, where it is necessary, for example, a. to increase the availability of oxygen to the tissues, b. to protect the mucosa, for example the gastrointestinal mucous membrane, or c. to intervene in the reproduction mechanisms of viruses. By virtue of their pharmacological characteristics, the novel thiazolidine derivatives can be used in the case of a. ischemic heart diseases (such as angina pectoris and latent ischemia), b. cardiac decompensation, myocardial infarction or raised blood pressure (especially portal hypertension), c. cerebral thrombosis and atherosclerosis, d. vessel spasms and arrhythmia etc., e. disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as achalasia and irritabl bowel syndrome, or f. tardive dyskinesia. The invention thus also relates to a medicament for the treatment of the above- mentioned disorders which contains, as active substance, a thiazolidine deriva¬ tive having the formula 1 described above, or a salt thereof. The novel thiazo¬ lidine derivatives all contain one or more organic nitrate ester groups. Orga¬ nic nitrate esters such as glyceryl trinitrate and isosorbide dinitrate have already been used medicinally for more than 100 years and 50 years respective¬ ly as vasodilators in, inter alia, angina pectoris. With regard to the manner in which vasodilation is effected by nitrate esters it is postulated, inter alia, that this is caused, inter alia, by nitric oxide NO. It is known that endogenous NO can be liberated from endothelium cells of an intact vessel wall by specific mediators such as acetylcholine, bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and the like. This endogenous NO, which is also termed endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF), is alleged, in turn, to stimulate the enzyme guanylate cyclase in the adjacent smooth muscle cells. As a result, inter alia, of the increased concentrations of cyclic GMP, the existing balance in the vessel wall tension is disturbed, which, via a cascade of reactions, ultimately leads to relaxation of the smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall. Organic nitrate esters are able to give rise to vasodilation even if the endo- thelial cell layer has been damaged or removed, which effect could be ex¬ plained by direct formation of NO from these nitrate esters. It is alleged that sulphhydryl-containing endogenous compounds such as the amino acid cyste- ine play a role in this process, which presumably proceeds enzymatically. It is postulated that the pharmacodynamic effects of nitrate esters decrease in the course of time as a result of depletion of the said sulphhydryl compounds if treatment with nitrate esters is continued without a break. This phenome¬ non, which incidentally is reversible by temporarily stopping therapy, is termed nitrate tolerance. Moreover, in the literature reference is made to the possibility that -SNO compounds instead of NO lead to relaxation. NO is then converted to RSNO by means of endogenous sulphhydryl compounds RSH. In this case also it is alleged that depletion of RSH can lead to nitrate tolerance. Various approaches are described in the literature in order to prevent nitrate tolerance. Thus, it is alleged that the addition of high dosages (1-3 grams) of N-acetylcysteine to a glyceryl trinitrate therapy does not lead to tole¬ rance, but scientific opinions are divided in this regard. Moreover, in a US Patent Application 89/02611 (WO 89/12627), hybrid compounds of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (agents which lower the blood pressure, such as captopril, which contains a -SH group) and NO are described. The S-ni- trosocaptopril described in this literature reference does indeed have an ACE- -9 inhibiting effect comparable to that of captopril (IC 5Q = about 10 M) , but the relaxing effect via the NO portion in a rat aorta contracted using phenyl- ephrine lies at a concentration which is about 100 times higher (IC = about 10 M) . Therefore, in this example the desired combination of effects cannot be achieved in a single molecule. Moreover, the relaxing effects in this lite¬ rature reference are a factor of 100-1000 times lower than those of the above- mentioned NO, glyceryl nitrate or sodium nitroprusside (NO-containing, that is to say Na [Fe(CN)_-N0] ) in a comparable experimental set-up. Even if the relax¬ ing effect were not subject to nitrate tolerance in the case of these com¬ pounds, the ACE-inhibiting effect would lead to a therapeutically inadmissible fall in the blood pressure at the dosages which are needed for nitrate-me¬ diated relaxation. Yet another approach is described in EP 0,362,575. In this patent use is made of the hypothesis that endogenous S-containing amino acids, such as cysteine or methionine, play a role in the process which leads to vaso- dilation. The examples described in this literature reference are to be regard¬ ed as hybrids of nitrate esters of low alkanolcarboxylic acids and previously mentioned endogenous unsubstituted or substituted amino acids, coupled to one another via a peptide compound. It is alleged that a nitrate activity can be - -44 aacchhiieevveedd wwiitthh hhiigghh ccoonncceennttrraattiioonnss ((1100 HM) of these compounds without the accom- panying phenomenon of nitrate tolerance. Hybrid compounds of nitrate esters are also described in, for example, EP 0,207,674, EP 0,114,270, DE 3,427,241, EP 0,083,256 and DE 3,433,383, wherein, in addition to the nitrate activity, another principle of action, such as blockade of β-adrenergic receptors or calcium ingress antagonism, is the aim of the compounds described. Compounds which have ACE-inhibiting activity, such as captopril, are hybri¬ dised with NO as indicated above. ACE-inhibiting compounds usually consist of, for example, a dipeptide or tripeptide, one of the amino acids optionally be¬ ing a L-proline derivative. In place of L-proline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid has also been used in ACE-inhibitors. Preferred compounds according to the invention are those of the general formula 1, wherein represents H, R represents H, l-4C-alkyl, phenyl-l-2C-alkyl or a group of formula 2 according to claim 1, wherein R q , R and R simultaneously or seperately represent H, l-6C-alkoxy, Cl, Br, NO , nitroxy-2-6C-alkoxy, nitroxy-l-2C-alkyl-4-8C-cycloalkyl- l-2C-alkoxγ or a group 0 (/ _ w _ c _ γ _ Ri2 , wherein ≤ W represents a bond or a group -OCH -, Y represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R represents H or nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, R and R represent H or methyl, R represents H or a group 0 11 -C-Z-R 7 , wherein Z represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R represents H, l-4C-alkyl, nitroxγ-2-4C-alkyl nitroxγmethyl-4-8C- cycloalkylmethyl or 4-nitroxγ-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-8-yl, and R represents H or a group -X-R D , 6 o wherein X represents carbonyl or sulfonyl and R 0 represents l-4C-alkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkγl, phenyl or l-3C-alkγl- o phenyl, and their salts. Particularly preferred compounds according to the invention are those of the general formula 1, wherein R represents H, R represents phenylethyl or a group of formula 2 according to claim 1, wherein R , R and R simultaneously or seperately represent H, methoxy or nitroxyethoxy, R and R represent H, R represents H or a group 0 II -C-0-R 7 , wherein R represents H or 4-nitroxymethylcyclohexylmethyl, and R represents H, 6 and their salts. Alkyl groups are straight-chain or branched. 4-Carboxγ-2-[5-methoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine, 4-carboxy-2-[2- (2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine, 4-carboxy-2-[5-nitro-2-(2-nitroxyeth- oxy)phenγl]thiazolidine, N-acetγl-2-(2-phenylethyl)-4-[(4-nitroxγmethylcyclo- hexyl)methoxycarbonγl]thiazolidine and 2-[(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine oxalate hydrate and their salts are considered as of outstanding value. Suitable salts include all salts with acids, particularly the pharmacological¬ ly-acceptable salts of inorganic and organic acids custumarily used in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacologically-unacceptable salts, which are, e.g., initially obtained as process products in preparing the compounds according to the invention on an industrial scale, are readily converted into pharmacologically-acceptable salts by conventional process known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable salts are water-suluble and water-in¬ soluble acid-addition salts, such as the hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydro- iodide, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate, acetate, citrate, gluconate, benzoate, hibenzate, fendizoate, butyrate, sulfosalicylate, maleate, laurate, malate, fumarate, succinate, oxalate, tartrate, amsonate, metembonate, stearate, tosylate, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate or mesylate. The present invention describes completely novel organic nitrate esters which contain, as core, a thiazolidine structure and which are able, either by simple hydrolysis or by enzymatic conversion, to supply a -SH group, so that possible nitrate tolerance can be prevented. If the thiazolidine ring remains intact, ACE-inhibiting activity is possible. Both in vitro and in vivo the novel compounds described display a distinct effect which indicates lasting vasodilation. The synthesis of the novel compounds takes place by methods known per se. A number of these syntheses are shown in the appended reaction schemes A-D. In these reaction schemes, the symbols have the same meaning as in formula 1, while HZ is an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen -Y iodide, acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, methanesulphonic acid and the like. Reaction scheme A Reaction 1 Reaction 1 is preferably carried out in water or in a mixture of water and a water-miscible organic solvent which is inert under these conditions, such as methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, propan-1-ol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and the like. The reactants can be mixed with one another in a molar ratio of one to one or using an excess of the mercaptoalkylamino compound. The product from Reaction 1 can generally be obtained in high yield and in solid form, possibly as a mixture of dia(iso)stereomers as a result of the asymmetric C2 atom formed. Preferably, the solvents required for the reaction are freed from atmospheric oxygen by bubbling an inert gas such as nitrogen through the solvent. Reaction 2 The acylation reaction (2) of the thiazolidine can be carried out in a solvent suitable for this purpose, such as water, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl ace¬ tate, pyridine and the like, in the presence of a suitable base, such as so¬ dium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopγridine and the like. The acylating reagent used can be an acid chloride or acid anhydride or a carb- oxylic acid, which can then be activated using a chloroformate, a carbodiimide and the like. Reaction 3 If R is a carboxylic acid group, this can be converted with the aid of known methods into an ester or an amide. The most suitable methods for this reaction are an acid-catalysed esterification or via activation of the carboxylic acid group with the aid of a chloroformate or a carbodiimide. Reaction scheme B Reaction 4 If R-. is a carboxylic acid group, this can be converted with the aid of known 5 methods into an ester or an amide. The most suitable methods for this reaction are an acid-catalysed esterification or via activation of the carboxylic acid group with the aid of a chloroformate or a carbodiimide. Reaction 5 The acylation reaction (5) of the thiazolidine can be carried out in a solvent suitable for this purpose, such as water, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl ace¬ tate, pyridine and the like, in the presence of a suitable base, such as so¬ dium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopγridine and the like. The acylating reagent used can be an acid chloride or acid anhydride or a carb¬ oxylic acid which can then be activated using a chloroformate, a carbodiimide and the like. Reaction scheme Cl Reaction 6 There are various methods for the synthesis of hydroxyalkoxybenzaldehydes. Method A: reaction of, for example, a hydroxyalkylsulphonate or halogenoalkyl with a hydroxybenzaldehyde, or Method B: reaction of a hydroxybenzaldehyde with ethylene carbonate with the aid of catalysis by a quaternary ammonium compound. Reaction 7 Formation of the nitrate ester of the reaction product from Reaction 6 can be carried out as described in the literature, but preferably using the acetic anhydride/nitric acid method. Reaction scheme C2 Reaction 8 For reaction 8 the hydroalkoxybenzaldehyde is added slowly and at low tempera¬ ture (preferably between -20°C and +5°C) to absolute nitric acid. Under these conditions, one or more nitrate esters are formed, n being zero, one or two. The various reaction products can be separated from one another with the aid of crystallisation and/or chromatographic techniques. Reaction scheme D Reaction 9 Reaction 9 is identical to Reaction 3 and W can be a bond or a group having the formula -0-CH 2 - The following examples illustrate the preparation of the compounds of the invention. Example la 2-butyl-4-carboxythiazolidine 10 g of pentan-1-al were added to a vigorously stirred solution of 20 g of L-cysteine in 200 ml of H O. After 30 minutes, the solid substance was fil- tered off, washed with water and dried. Yield: 80%. Melting point: 169-170°C. NMR (DMSO~d_): 0.86 ppm, t, J=5.9Hz, 3.0 H, (CH_); 1.04-2.06 ppm m, 6.0 H, (propylene); 2.58-3.32 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH -thiazolidine); 3.29-4.17 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CH -thiazolidine); 7.10 ppm, broad signal, 2.2H (CO H + NH). Example lb N-methylbenzenesulphonyl-2-butyl-4-carboxy-N-(4-methylbenzenesulphonyl)- thiazolidine 1 equivalent of 4-methylbenzenesulphonγl chloride in tetrahydrof ran (100 ml) was added at 0°C to a solution of 10 g of the compound from Example la and 10 g of K CO in 200 ml of H_0. After everything had been added, the solution was stirred- for a further 60 minutes at room temperature and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The solution, which was still basic, was extracted twice with 200 ml of ethyl acetate, which was discarded. The aqueous solution was acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The organic fractions were dried over MgSO. and evapo¬ rated. Yield 65%. Melting point: oil. NMR (CDC1 3 ): 0.86 ppm, t, J=5.9 Hz, 3.0 H (-C-CH 3 ); 1.08-2.24 ppm, m, 6.0 H [(CH ) ]; 2.43 ppm, s, 3.0 H (tosyl/CH 3 ); 2.70-3.50 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH thia¬ zolidine); 5.58-6.10 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x CH thiazolidine); 7.14-7.90 ppm, 4.0 H (arom. H), 10.10 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CO H). Example I 2-Butyl-N-(4-methylbenzenesulphonyl)-4-[(5-nitroxyisosorbide)carbonyllthia¬ zolidine 1 g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added at 0°C to a solution of 2.2 g of the compound from Example lb and 1.19 g of isosorbide 5-mononitrate in 100 ml of ethyl acetate. After everything had been added, the solution was stirred for a further 30 minutes at 0°C and then for 2 hours at room temperature. After fil¬ tration, the solution was washed successively with dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium carbonate. After drying over MgSO , the solution was evapo- rated and the residue purified by column chromatography. it Yield 60% . Empirical formula C_-H- o N_0 n S . zx z z y z Molecular weight 516.64. Melting point 114-115°C (dichloromethane/petroleum ether 60/80). TLC system: diethy1 ether. 0.27. Mass spectrum, calculated 516.64, found 516.64. NMR data (CDCl ): 0.86 ppm, t, J=5.9 Hz, 3.0 H (aliphatic CH ); 2.76-3.58 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH thiazolidine); 3.76-4.18 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH of isosorbide); 4.44-4.68 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x CH of isosorbide); 4.78-5.06 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH or isosorbide + CH thiazolidine); 5.22-5.50 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH of isosorbide + CH of thiazolidine); 7.18-7.80 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H). Example Ila N-benzoyl-2-butyl-4-carboxythiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example lb from 10 g of the compound from Example la and 1 equivalent of benzoyl chloride. Purification by column chromatography (silica gel) . Yield 78%. NMR (CDCl ): 0.48-2.30 ppm, m, 9.0 H (butyl group); 3.00-3.70 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH thiazolidine); 4.45-5.60 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x CH thiazolidine); 7.20-8.13 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H); 10.30 ppm, s, 1.2 H (CO H). Example II N-benzoyl-4-[ (5-nitroxyisosorbide)carbonyll-2-butylthiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example I from 2.2 g of the compound from Example Ila and 1.0 g of isosorbide 5-mononitrate. Purified by column chromatography (silica gel, ether:petroleum ether/4:1). Yield 45%. Empirical formula C_-H„N_0 o S. Z ZO Z O Molecular weight 466. Melting point: oil. TLC system: diethyl ether. R f 0.74. NMR data (CDCl ): 0.68-2.50 ppm, m, 9.0 H (butyl group); 3.10-3.54 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH thiazolidine); 3.80-4.20 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH isosorbide); 4.42-4.61 ppm, m, 2.0 H, (CH thiazolidine and CH isosorbide); 5.18-5.30 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH thiazolidine and CH isosorbide); 7.44 ppm, s, 5.0 H (arom. H). Example Ilia 4-carboxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-pentylthiazolidine 4 g of hexanal were added to a vigorously stirred solution of 9 g of D-peni- cillamine in 100 ml of H O. After stirring for 30 minutes, the solid substance was filtered off, washed successively with water and diethyl ether and dried. Yield 60%. NMR (DMSO-d,,): 0.84 ppm, t, J=6.5Hz, 3.0 H (CH_) 1.06-2.04 ppm, m, 12.6 H ((CH ) + C(CH 3 ) ; 3.40 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH-C0 2 ); 4.46 ppm, t, J=7.0 H, 1.0 H (CH). Example Illb N-benzoyl-4-carboxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-pentylthiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example lb from 4 g of the compound from Example Ilia and 1 equivalent of benzoyl chloride. Purified by column chromatography (silica gel) . Yield 63%. Melting point: oil. TLC system: diethyl ether. R f 0.62. NMR (CDCl ): 0.64-2.66 ppm, m, 15.0 H (butyl + 2 x CH ) ; 4.20 ppm, broad signal, 0.9 H (CH); 5.50 ppm, broad signal, 1.0 H (CH); 7.30-8.20 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H); 9.24 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CO H). Example III N-benzoyl-2-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-f (5-nitroxyisosorbide)carbonyl1thiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example I from 1 g of the compound from Example Illb and 1 equivalent of isosorbide 5-nitrate and purified by preparative TLC (silica gel, CHC1 ) . Empirical formula C_ H__N_O g S. Molecular weight 508.19. Melting point: oil. TLC system: ether/petroleum ether 60-80/1:1. R f 0.23. Mass spectro etry, calculated 508,1848, found 508,1879. NMR data (CDCl ): 0.60-2.65 ppm, m, 15.0 H (butyl + 2 x CH ) ; 3.62-4.30 ppm, m, 5.0 H (2 x CH isosorbide + CH thiazolidine) 4.37-4.70 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CH isosorbide); 4.79-5.04 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CH isosorbide); 5.16-5.60 ppm, m, 3.0 H (2 x CH isosorbide + CH thiazolidine); 7.38 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H) . Example IVa 2-Butyl-4-carboxy-5,5-dimethyl-N-(4-methylbenzenesulphonyl)thiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example lb from 4 g of the compound from Example Ilia and 1 equivalent of p-toluenesulphonγl chloride. Purified by column chroma¬ tography (silica gel, ethyl acetate). Yield 67%. Melting point: oil. TLC: ethyl acetate. R : 0.75. Example IV 2-Butyl-5,5-dimethyl-N-(4-methylbenzenesulphonyl)-4-f (5-nitroxyisosorbide)car¬ bonyl1thiazolidine Synthesized analogously to Example I from 3 g of the compound from Example IVa and 1 equivalent of isosorbide 5-nitrate. Purified by column chromatography (silica gel, diethyl ether). Yield 54%. Empirical formula C H N_0 S . Molecular weight 558.07. Melting point 89-91°C. TLC system: ether. R 0.82. Mass spectrometry, calculated: minus NO :M=512,1777, found M=512,1756. NMR data (CDCl,): 0.85 ppm, t, J=6.0 Hz, 3.0 H (CH ) 1.06-2.36 ppm, m, 12.0 H (C(CH 3 ) 2 + (CH 2 ) 3 ); 2.43 ppm, s, 3.0 H (tosyl CH 3 ); 3.73-4.14 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH isosorbide); 4.24-4.48 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x CH isosorbide); 4.80-5.08 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH isosorbide) + CH thiazolidine); 5.14-5.47 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH isosorbide + CH thiazolidine) 7.18-7.79 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H) . Example Va 4-[ (2-Nitroxyethyl)aminocarbony1 benzaldehyde 0.1 mol of ethyl chloroformate was added at 0°C to a solution of 0.1 mol of 4-carboxybenzaldehγde and 0.12 mol of triethylamine in CH Cl . After stirring I " for 30 minutes, a solution of 0.1 mol of aminoethyl nitrate x HN0_ and 0.12 mol of triethylamine in CH Cl was added. After stirring for 30 minutes, the solution was washed successively with dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium carbonate. The solution was dried over MgSO. and evaporated. The addition of diethyl ether to the residue caused crystallisation. Yield 71%. Melting point 77-79°C. " " " H NMR (CDCl ): 3.88 ppm, q, J=5.0 Hz, 2.0 H (CH N); 4.71 ppm, t, J=5.0 Hz, 2.0 H (CH 0); 7.00 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (NH); 7.95 ppm, s, 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.80 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). Example V 4-Carboxy-2-{4-f(2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonyl]phenyl}thiazolidine Water was added to a stirred mixture of 3 g of cysteine and 5 g of the com¬ pound from Example Va in 100 ml of THF until everything had dissolved. The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure in order to remove THF. The solid substance which formed was washed with water and dried. Yield 82%. Empirical formula C,_H,-.N.O ^ S. 13 15 3 6 Molecular weight 341. Melting point: 128-130°C. NMR data (DMSO): 2.96-4.30 ppm, m, 5.0 H (CH 2 N + SCH 2 CHN); 4.68 ppm, t, J=5.0 Hz, 2.0 H (CH 0); 5.68 ppm, d, J=19.8 Hz, 1.0 H (phenγl-CH); 7.43-7.97 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 8.75 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CO H). Example Via N-acetyl-4-carboxy-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)thiazolidine A solution of 6 g of 2-carboxybenzaldehγde and 4.8 g of cysteine in 100 ml of water was stirred for 15 minutes. After adding 10 g of K_C0 , the solution was cooled to 0°C and a solution of 8 g of acetic anhydride in THF was added. Af¬ ter everything had been added, the solution was stirred for a further 15 mi¬ nutes at 0°C and then for 1 hour at room temperature. The solution was concen¬ trated under reduced pressure in order to evaporate THF, acidified to pH 1-2 with sulphuric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. After drying over MgSO. b and evaporation of the solvent, the residue was crystallised from ethyl ace- tate/diethyl ether. Yield 22%. ■ " " H NMR (CDC1 3 /DMS0): 1.92 ppm, d, J=5.4 Hz, 3.0 H (CH ); 2.31 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH); 2.80-3.62 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ); 4.37-4.96 ppm, m, 1.0 H (SCHN); 7.02-8.50 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H). Example VI N-acetyl-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-f (2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonyl1thiazolidine The compound was synthesized from 1.5 g of the compound from Example Via and 1.73 g of aminoethyl nitrate. HNO as described in Example Va. The product was crystallised from ethyl acetate/petroleum ether 60/80. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C, C H._N_,0_S. lb 1/ J / Molecular weight 383. Melting point 148-150°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate. R f 0.65. NMR data (CDCl /DMSO): 1.84-2.07 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.00-3.26 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH + CHCO); 3.44-3.82 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH N); 4.46-4.80 ppm, m, 3.1 H (CH 0 + SCH); 7.20-7.60 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H) 8.26-8.80 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H) Example VII 4-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-{4-f (2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonyl1phenyl}thiazolidine x HCl 5 g of thionyl chloride were added at -15°C to 200 ml of ethanol, followed by the addition of 5 g of the compound from Example V and the mixture was allowed to stand overnight. After removal of the solvent, the residue was dissolved in water with excess sodium carbonate, the aqueous phase was extracted with ether and the ether phase was dried over sodium sulphate. Hydrochloric acid was add¬ ed to the ether phase and the precipitate was filtered off and recrystallised from ethanol/ether. Yield: 40%. Empirical formula C H C1N 0 S. Molecular weight 405.5. Melting point 107-110°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate. R f 0.66. NMR data (DMSO): 1.24 ppm, t, J=7.0 Hz, 3.0 H (CH,); 3.22-4.80 ppm, m, 4.9 H (NCH 2 + CHCH 2 ); 4.21 ppm, q, J=7.0 Hz, 2.0 H (CH 2 ethyl) 4.55-4.88 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 5.88 ppm, s, 0.9 H (SCH); 7.50-8.10 ppm, m, 6.0 H (arom. H + NH ); 8.83 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (CONH). Example Villa N-acetyl-4-carboxy-2-phenylthiazolidine 10 g of acetic anhydride were added slowly at 0°C to a solution of 15 g of 4-carboxy-2-phenylthiazolidine in H O while the pH was kept at 9-10. After everything had been added, the solution was stirred for a further 60 mi¬ nutes. H2S0 was added to pH=l. The precipitate was filtered off, dried and crystallised from ethyl acetate/petroleum ether 60/80. Yield 74%. Melting point 129-132°C. " " " H NMR (CDCl ): 1.97 ppm, s, 2.9 H (CH 3 ); 3.25-3.56 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ); 5.06 ppm, t, J=6.9 Hz, 1.0 H (CHCO ); 6.04 ppm, s, 0.9 H (SCH); 7.14-7.34 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H); 8.60 ppm, bs, 1.3 H (CO H). Example VIII N-acetyl-2-phenyl-4-f (2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonyl1thiazolidine Synthesized from 5 g of the compound from Example Villa as described in Example Va. Yield 49%. Empirical formula C. H-_N_0_S. Molecular weight 339. Melting point 103-105°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate. R f 0.61. NMR data (CDCl -DMSO): 1.98 ppm, s, 2.9 H (CH 3 ); 2.96-3.92 ppm, m, 4.2 H (CHCH + NCH); 4.57 ppm, t, J=5.3 Hz, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 5.06 ppm, t, J=5.5 Hz, 1.0 H (NH); 5.98 ppm, s, 0.9 H (SCH); 7.18-7.55 ppm, m, 5.1 H (arom. H). Example IXa 2-(2-Formylphenoxy)-N-(2-nitroxyethyl)acetamide Prepared from 10 g of 2-formylphenoxyacetic acid as described in Example Va. Yield 70% i? Melting point 99-101°C. Example IX 4-Carboxy-2-{2-f(2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonylmethoxy1phenyl}thiazolidine THF was added to a mixture of 5 g of the compound from Example IXa and 3 g of cysteine in water until a clear solution resulted. The solution was then concen¬ trated under reduced pressure until a precipitate formed. This precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield 11%. Empirical formula C, „H,,,N_0_,S. 14 17 3 7 Molecular weight 371. Melting point 99-103°C. TLC system: methanol. R 0.72. NMR data (DMSO): 2.82-4.30 ppm, m, 5.0 H (CONCH + CHCH ); 4.45-4.80 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH 0); 5.80 ppm, 6.01 ppm, two singlets, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.80-7.80 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H + NH); 8.30 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (HN); 11.00 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (C0 2 H). Example Xa 4-Formyl-2-methoxyphenoxyacetic acid A solution of 30.4 g of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehγde, 31.2 g of chloroace- tic acid and 34 g of potassium hydroxide in 300 ml of water was refluxed for 7 hours. After cooling, hydrochloric acid was added and the precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield 57%. 1 H NMR (DMSO): 3.86 ppm, s, 3.0 H (0CH 3 ); 4.83 ppm, s, 1.9 H (OCH ); 7.06 ppm, d, J=8.0 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 7.36-7.66 ppm, m, 2.1 H (arom. H); 9.84 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH). Example Xb 4-Formyl-2-methoxyphenoxy-N-(2-nitroxyethyl)acetamide Prepared from 10 g of the compound from Example Xa and 8.1 g of aminoethyl nitrate x HNO as described for the compound of Example IXa. Yield 73%. Melting point 117-120°C. 13 1 H NMR ( CDCl ) : 3.71 ppm, q, J=5.3 Hz , 2.0 H (NCH 2 ) ; 3.96 ppm, s , 3.0 H (OCH ) ; 4.47-4.70 ppm, m, 4.0 H ( 2 x OCH 2 ) ; 6.86-7 .54 ppm, m, 4.0 H ( arom. H + NH) ; 9.84 ppm, s, 1.0 H ( CH) . Example X 4-Carboxy-2-{3-methoxy-4- f ( 2 -nitroxyethyl )aminocarbonylmethoxy 1phenyl}thia- zolidine Prepared from 9 g of the compound from Example Xb and 4.9 g of cysteine as described in Example IX. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C.,H J O S, Molecular weight 401. Melting point 151-152°C. TLC system: methanol. R f 0.51. NMR data (CDCl ): 2.96-3.34 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.48 ppm, q, J=7.0 Hz, 2.0 H (NCH ); 3.70-4.70 ppm, m, 8.0 H (CHC0 2 + 0CH 3 + 2 x OCH ); 5.42 ppm, 5.58 ppm, two singlets, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.71-7.28 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H + NH); 8.18 ppm, 1.0 H (NH). Example XI 4-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-{f3-methoxy-4-(2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonylmethoxylphenyl}- thiazolidine hydrochloride Thionyl chloride (5 g) and the compound from Example X (3 g) were added succes¬ sively at -15°C to 200 ml of ethanol. After standing overnight, the solution was evaporated and the residue dissolved in water, sodium carbonate was added to pH = 10 and the resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. After drying over magnesium sulphate, hydrochloric acid was added and the precipi¬ tate was filtered off and crystallised from ethanol/ether. Yield 45%. Empirical formula C-_H„ .ClN_0 o S. 1 1 J O Molecular weight 465.5. Melting point 127-130°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate. R f 0.58. NMR data (DMSO): 1.29 ppm, t, J=7.0 Hz, 3.0 H (CCH ); 2.60-2.96 ppm, , 1.0 H (CHCO ); 3.34-3.68 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH ); 4.88 ppm, s, 3.0 H (OCH ) ; 4.28 ppm, q, J=7.0 Hz, 2.0 H (ester CH ) ; 4.49-5.05 ppm, m, 5.0 H (2 x CH , CH); 5.85 ppm, s, 1.0 H (phenyl-CH); 6.88-7.30 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H); 7.45-7.67 ppm, m, 1.0 H (arom. H) ; 8.40 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (CONH); 14.00 ppm, bs, 2.0 H (NHHCl). Example Xlla 3-Ethoxy-2-(hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde A mixture of 40 g of 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde, 22 g of ethylene carbonate and 40 g of tetraethylammonium bromide was heated at 140°C for 4 hours. After cool¬ ing to room temperature, ethyl acetate was added to the reaction mixture, the solid substance was filtered off, the filtrate was washed with water and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was distilled under reduced pressure. Yield 70%. Boiling point 0.1 140-145°C. ■ " " H NMR (CDC1 3 ): 1.50 ppm, t, J=7.0 Hz, 3.0 H ( H 3 ); 3.77-4.40 ppm, m, 7.0 H (3 x CH , OH); 6.90-7.53 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H) ; 10.32 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example Xllb 3-Ethoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde A mixture of 2 ml of nitric acid and 5 ml of acetic anhydride was added at 0°C to a solution of 5 g of the compound from Example Xlla in ethyl acetate. After stirring for 5 minutes, 100 ml of water were added to the reaction mixture and the resulting mixture was stirred for a further 30 minutes. The organic phase was washed with aqueous sodium carbonate, dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. Yield 70%. λ E NMR (CDC1 3 ): 1.46 ppm, t, J=7.0 Hz, 3.0 H (CH 3 ); 4.13 ppm, q, J=7.0 Hz, 2.0 H (ethyl-CH ); 4.38-4.63 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH C00 2 ); 4.82-5.00 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 7.04-7.54 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.44 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XII 4-Carboxy-2-f3-ethoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy) henyl1thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example Xllb and cysteine as described in Example V. si Yield 40%. Empirical formula C- .H-,_.N„0_S. 14 182 7 Molecular weight 358. Melting point 124-125°C. TLC system: methanol:ethyl acetate:acetic acid/5:5:l. R f 0.72. NMR data (DMSO): 1.33 ppm, t, J=7.0 Hz, 3.0 H (CH 3 ); 2.82-3.53 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 3.70-4.44 ppm, m, 5.0 H (2 x phenyl-OCH 2 , CHCO ); 4.71-4.96 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH O-NO ); 5.80 ppm, d, J=19.8 Hz, 1.0 H (phenyl-CH); 6.80-7.23 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 14.00 ppm, bs, 1.8 H (CO H, NH). Example Xllla 4-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Synthesized from 30 g of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 21 g of ethylene carbonate and 62 g of tetraethylammonium bromide as described in Example Xlla. Purified by distillation (boiling point 0.1 140-150°C). Yield 66%. 1 H NMR (CDC1 3 ): 2.73 ppm, bs, 0.9 H (OH); 3.87-4.29 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH CH ); 6.99 ppm, d, J=8.6 Hz, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H); 7.81 ppm, d, J=8.6 Hz, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H); 9.84 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example Xlllb 4-(2-Nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared from 25 g of the compound from Example Xllla, 19 ml of nitric acid and 50 ml of acetic anhydride in ethyl acetate as described for the compound of Example Xllb. Purified by chromatography (silica, CH Cl ) . Yield 50%. 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 4.35 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (phenyl-OCH ) ; 4.86 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 7.01 ppm, d, J=8, 6 Hz, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H); 7.85 ppm, d, J=8.6 Hz, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H); 9.89 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XIII 4-Carboxy-2- \A- (2-nitroxyethoxy) henyl1thiazolidine A solution of 15 g of cysteine in water was added to a solution of 15 g of the compound from Example Xlllb in THF. Additional THF was added until the solu¬ tion became virtually clear. The solution was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The solid substance was filtered off and dried. The dried precipitate was refluxed in THF for 20 minutes and, after cooling, the solid substance was filtered off and dried. Yield 15%. Empirical formula C-_H-.N_0 ^ S. 12 14 2 6 Molecular weight 314. Melting point 139-141°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate:methanol:acetic acid/20:4:l. R 0.55. NMR data (DMSO): 2.94-3.53 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.76-4.01 ppm, m, 0.5 H (0.5 x CHCO ); 4.17-4.42 ppm, m, 2.5 H (0.5 x CHCO + phenyl-OCH ); 4.77-5.02 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 5.52 ppm, d, J=12.9 Hz, 1.0 H (phenyl-CH); 6.82-7.07 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H); 7.27-7.58 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x arom. H). Example XlVa 2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde Prepared as described in example Xlla. Yield 70%. Boiling point 0.1 140°C. 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 3.21 ppm, t, J=5.8 Hz, 0.9 H (OH); 3.79-4.38 ppm, , 7 x OH (CH CH , CH ); 7.07-7.58 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.34 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XlVb 3-Methoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared as described in Example Xllb. Purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate:petroleum ether 60-80/2:3). Crystallised from ethyl acetate/pe¬ troleum ether 60-80. Yield 50%. Melting point 70-71°C. " Si NMR (CDCl ): 3.90 ppm, s, 3.0 H (CH 3 ); 4.37-4.56 ppm, m, 2.0 H (OCH ) ; 4.74-4.95 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 7.14-7.56 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.44 ppm, s, 1.0 H. Example XIV 4-Carboxyl-2-f3-methoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine A solution of 1.0 g of the compound from Example XlVb in ethanol was added to a solution of 1.5 g of cysteine in H_0. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, after which it was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting mixture was stirred for a further 30 minutes and decanted. The preci¬ pitate was treated with methanol and stirred for 30 minutes, after which the previously decanted solution was added again. The resulting solution was stir¬ red for 1 hour. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water and ether. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C-_H- N_0_S. 13 16 2 7 Molecular weight 344. Melting point 113-115°C. TLC system: ethyl acetate:methanol:acetic acid/20:4:l. R f 0.58. NMR data (DMSO): 2.92-3.56 ppm, m, 1.9 H (SCH ); 3.76-4.02 ppm, m, 3.4 H (OCH + 0.4 X CHCO ); 4.12-4.44 ppm, m, 2.5 H (CH CONO + 0.5 x CHCO ) ; 4.74-5.01 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 5.85 ppm, d, J=19 Hz, 1.0 H (SCHN); 6.97-7.30 ppm, m, 3.4 H (arom. H + 0.4 x NH); 13.40 ppm, bs, 0.5 H (0.5 x NH). Example XVa 2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde Prepared as described in Example Xlla from 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde. Purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate). Yield 70%. Melting point 68-72°C. λ E NMR (CDCl ): 2.50 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (OH); 3.80 ppm, s, 3.0 H (CH ); 3.90-4.34 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH CH ); 6.87-7.40 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.50 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CHO). Example XVb 5-Methoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared from the compound from Example XVa as described in example Xllb. Purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate:petroleum ether 60-80/1:1). Yield 81%. X H NMR (CDC1 3 ): 3.80 ppm, s, 3.0 H (CH 3 ); 4.24-4.45 ppm, m, 1.9 H (CH CONO ); 4.79-4.99 ppm, , 1.9 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 6.84-7.40 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.41 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). If Example XV 4-Carboxy-2- 5-methoxy-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XVb as described in Example XIV. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C13H16N207S. Molecular weight 344. Melting point 110-112°C. TLC system:ethyl acetate:methanol:acetic acid/8:4:l. R 0.45. NMR data (DMSO): 2.80-3.60 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.64-4.40 ppm, , 6.0 H (CH 3 , CH 2 CON0 2 , CHC0 2 ); 4.77-5.00 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 5.74 ppm, d, J=16.0 Hz, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.68-7.28 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 9.00 ppm, bs, 2.0 H (NH, OH) . Example XVIa 2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Synthesized as described in Example Xlla from salicylaldehyde. Yield 70%. Boiling point 141-144°C (0.1 mm Hg) . "" Η NMR (CDC1 3 ): 2.90 ppm, t, J=5.0 Hz, 1.0 H (OH); 3.96-4.23 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH ); 6.90-7.90 ppm, , 4.0 H (arom. H); 9.94 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XVIb 2-(2-Nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared as described in Example Xllb from the compound from Example XVIa. Yield 80%. " "Ή NMR (CDCl ): 4.39 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (0CH 2 ); 4.90 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 6.90-7.92 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.42 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH). Example XVI 4-Carboxy-2- \ 2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine A solution of 5 g of the compound from Example XVIb in tetrahydrofuran was added to a solution of 5 g of cysteine in water. Tetrahydrofuran was added to the mixture until a clear solution resulted. This solution was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting mixture was cooled in ice and stirred for 30 minutes. The solid substance was filtered off and washed thoroughly with water and ether. The compound was recrystallised from water/THF. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C H N O S. Molecular weight 314. Melting point 118-120°C (decomposition). TLC system: methanol. R f 0.53. NMR data (DMSO): 2.79-3.53 ppm, , 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 3.71-4.52 ppm, m, 3.0 H (CH CONO , CHCO ); 4.73-5.06 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 O 0 2 ); 5.80 ppm, d, J=17.8 Hz, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.80-9.00 ppm, m, 5.8 H (arom. H, NH, OH). Example XVII N-acetyl-4-carboxy-2-f2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine A solution of 0.9 ml of acetic anhydride in THF was added slowly at 0°C to a solution of 2 g of the compound from Example XVI and 2.1 g of potassium carbo¬ nate in H_0. The resulting solution was stirred for 1 hour, after which 1.0 g of potassium carbonate was added to the reaction mixture, followed by the addi¬ tion of 1 ml of acetic anhydride. The reaction mixture was stirred for one and a half hours, after which a further 1.0 g of potassium carbonate and 1 ml of acetic anhydride were added. After finally stirring for a further 30 minutes, the solution was concentrated under vacuum and cooled in ice. The addition of dilute sulphuric acid gave a precipitate. This precipitate was filtered off, dried and recrystallised from methanol/ether. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C .H fi N_0„S. Molecular weight 356. Melting point 159-162°C. TLC system:ethyl acetate:methanol/l:1. R f 0.50. NMR data (DMSO): 1.80 ppm, s, 2.0 H (2/3 x CH 3 ); 2.08 ppm, s, 1.0 H (1/3 x CH ); 2.83-3.60 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 4.18-5.25 ppm, m, 5.0 H (CH 9 CH , C CHHCCOO )) ;; 66..3388 ppjpm, s, 1.0 H (CH); 6.80-8.20 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 9.70 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (OH) lb Example XVIIIa 3-(2-Nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde 1.42 g of sodium were dissolved in 200 ml of ethanol. 7.5 g of 3-hydroxybenz- aldehyde and 10.5 g of bromoethyl nitrate were added and the resulting solu¬ tion was refluxed for 5 hours. The compound was purified by column chromato¬ graphy (silica, CH Cl ) . Yield 19%. Melting point: oil. λ E NMR (CDCl ): 4.30 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (OCH ) ; 4.84 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (CH 0N0 ); 7.06-7.80 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H) ; 9.93 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XVIII 4-Carboxy-2-f3-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XVIIIa as described in Example XVI. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C-_H, Λ N_0 ^ S. 12 14 2 6 Molecular weight 314. Melting point 117-119°C. TLC system: methanol. R 0.60. NMR data (DMSO): 2.95-3.56 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 3.76-4.51 ppm, m, 3.0 H (phenoxγ-CH , CHCO ); 4.78-5.03 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO); 5.50 ppm, s, 0.3 H (0.3 x CH); 5.69 ppm, s, 0.7 H (0.7 x CH); 6.79-7.48 ppm, , 4.0 H (arom. H) . Example XIX 2-F3-(2-Nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine x HCl A solution of 2 g of cysteamine x HCl and 2.6 g of potassium carbonate in water was added to a solution of 4 g of the compound from Example XVIIIa in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred for 10 minutes, concentrated in vacuo and then extracted with diethyl ether. After drying over magnesium sul¬ phate, hydrochloric acid was added and the mixture was evaporated. The residue was treated with ethyl acetate, whereupon it solidified. Yield 25%. Empirical formula C H C1N 0 S. -? ■ Molecular weight 306.5. Melting point 94-98°C. NMR data (DMSO): 2.88-4.00 ppm, m, 5.1 H (2 x CH , H.,0); 4.28-4.45 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4.81-5.06 ppm, , 2.0 H (CH 2 ON); 5.77 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH); 7.00-7.64 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 8.40 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (NH); 10.80 ppm, bs, 1.1 H (HCl). Example XXa 3,5-Dinitro-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehγde 10 g of 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehγde were added at a temperature between -5°C and +5°C to nitric acid. After everything had been added, the reaction mixture was poured into water. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl ace¬ tate and the ethyl acetate layer was washed with aqueous sodium carbonate, dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. It was possible to isolate the title compound from the residue by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate: pe¬ troleum ether 60-80/1:2). Melting point 78-80°C. 1 H NMR (CDC1 3 ): 4.47-4.70 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH 2 ); 4.84-5.07 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ON); 8.89-9.10 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H); 10.44 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). Example XX 4-Carboxy-2-[3,5-dinitro-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy) henyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XXa and cysteine as described in example XVI. After concentration of the reaction medium, the precipitate was washed with water, dried in vacuo, washed thoroughly with diethyl ether and dried again. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C,,.H,_N.0,-S. 12 12 4 10 Molecular weight 404. Melting point 135-137°C (decomposition). TLC system:ethyl acetate:acetic acid/20:1. R- 0.62. f NMR data (DMSO): 2.90-3.54 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ) 3.94-4.30 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHCO ); 4.37-4.63 ppm, , 1.9 H (phenoxy-CH 2 ); 4.82-5.09 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ON); 5.77-6.15 ppm, , 1.0 H (SCH); 8.58-9.14 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H). Example XXIa 5-Nitro-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Isolated from the reaction mixture of the compound from Example XXa by chromato¬ graphy. H NMR (CDC1 3 ): 4.53 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (phenyl-OCH ); 4.94 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 7.12 ppm, d, J=9.4 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 8.42 ppm, double doublet, Jl=9.4 Hz, J2=3.1 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 9.65 ppm, d, J=3.1 Hz, 0.9 H (arom. H); 10.44 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XXI 4-Carboxy-2- \5-nitro-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XXIa as described in Example XVI. Empirical formula C-J _,N_0 o S. 12 13 3 o Molecular weight 359. Melting point 99-101°C. TLC system:ethyl acetate:acetic acid/4:1. R f 0.64. NMR data: 2.78-3.37 ppm, , 1.9 H (SCH ); 3.88-4.22 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHCO); 4.41-4.68 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4.88-5.14 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ON); 5.68-5.94 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHS); 7.30 ppm, d, J=9.2 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 8.08-8.59 ppm, , 2.0 H (arom. H) . Example XXIIa N-acetyl-4-carboxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)thiazolidine A solution of 10 g of 3-phenylpropionaldehyde in THF was added to a solution of 10 g of cysteine in water. The resulting solution was stirred for 1 hour and then concentrated in vacuo. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water and diethyl ether. The solid substance was dissolved in water which contained 12.5 g of potassium carbonate. 7.8 g of acetic anhydride were added at 0°C and the resulting solution was stirred for 1 hour, after which the mix¬ ture was acidified to pH = 2 with dilute sulphuric acid. This mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and dried. Yield 90%. 1 H NMR (DMSO): 1.54-2.86 ppm, m, 9.1 H (CH 3 , CH 2 S, CH , DMS0-d5); -15 3. 10-3.66 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenyl-CH ) ; 4.56-5.44 ppm, , 2.0 H ( 2 x CH) ; 7.03-7.48 ppm, m, 6.0 H ( arom. H, OH) . Example XXII N-acetyl-2-(2-phenylethyl)-4-[ (4-nitroxymethylcyclohexyl)methoxycarbonyl]thia¬ zolidine A solution of 4.2 g of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in dichloromethane was added at 0°C to a solution of 5.6 g of the compound from Example XXIIa, 1.9 g of l,4-(trans)-cyclohexyldimethanol mononitrate ester and 2.6 g of 1-hγdroxybenztriazole. The resulting solution was left to stand overnight and then filtered. The filtrate was washed successively with dilute hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium carbonate, dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. The compound was purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate:petroleum ether 40-60/2:3). Yield 70%. Empirical formula C__H,.N_0.S. ZZ 30 Z b Molecular weight 422. Melting point: oil. TLC system: ethyl acetate:petroleum ether 40-60/1:1. R 0.55. NMR data: 0.86-2.40 ppm, m, 15.6 H (cyclohexyl-H, CH , CH ) ; 2.58-2.98 ppm, , 2.0 H (CH 2 ); 3.23-3.51 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 ); 3.93-4.13 ppm, mm,, 22..00 HH ((CCHH 22 ));; 44..2299 ppppmm,, dd,, JJ==55..99 HHzz,, 22..00 HH (CH 2 0N); 4.71-5.62 ppm, m, 2.0 H (2 x CH); 7.14-7.42 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H). Example XXIIIa 3-Bromo-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde Prepared from 10 g of 3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde as described in Example Xlla. Purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate). Yield 50%. X E NMR (CDCl ): 3.09-4.45 ppm, m, 8.0 H (CH 3 , 2 x CH 2 , OH); 7.41 ppm, d, J=1.7 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H) ; 7.67 ppm, d, J=1.7 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 9.85 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). Example XXIIIb 3-Bromo-5-methoxy-4-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared from the compound from example XXIIIa as described in example Xllb. Yield 80%. λ E NMR (CDCl ): 3.92 ppm, s, 3.0 H ( H 3 ); 4.31-4.52 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4.73-4.98 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ON); 7.38 ppm, d, J=1.8 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 7.66 ppm, d, J=1.8 Hz, 1.0 H (arom. H); 9.84 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CHO). Example XXIII 2-f3-Bromo-5-methoxy-4-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]-4-carboxythiazolidine Prepared as described in example XVI. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C H BrN O S. Molecular weight 423. Melting point 129-133°C (decomposition). TLC system:ethyl acetate:acetic acid/9:1. R f 0.29. NMR data (DMSO) : 3.00-3.55 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.66-4.30 ppm, m, 7.0 H (CH 3 , CHCO, phenoxy-CH 2 ); 4.72-4.92 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH^N); 5.40-5.72 ppm, m, 1.0 H (SCH); 7.04-7.41 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H) . Example XXIVa 4-Formylphenoxyacetic acid Prepared from 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde as described in Example Xa. Yield 40%. Melting point 195-202°C. λ E NMR (CDCl -DMSO): 4.66 ppm, s, 2.0 H (OCH ); 7.00 ppm, d, J=9.0 Hz, 2.0 H (arom. H); 7.80 ppm, d, J=9.0 Hz, 2.0 H (arom. H); 9.84 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH); 12.00 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (OH). Example XXIVb 2-(4-Formylphenoxy)-N-(2-nitroxyethyl)acetamide Prepared from the compound from Example XXIVa as described in Example IXa. Yield 65%. Melting point 84-87°C. Example XXIV 4-Carboxy-2-{4- \ (2-nitroxyethyl)aminocarbonylmethoxy]phenyl}thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XXIVb as described in Example XVI. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C. H.. O.S. Molecular weight 371. Melting point 120°C (decomposition). TLC system: methanol. R f 0.71. NMR data (DMSO): 3.00-3.68 ppm, m, 3.9 H (N-CH , SCH ); 3.74-4.38 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHCO); 4.42-4.74 ppm, m, 4.0 H (2 x CH O); 5.46 ppm, s, 0.45 H (0.45 x SCH); 5.61 ppm, s, 0.55 H (0.55 x SCH); 6.79-7.10 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H); 7.30-7.60 ppm, m, 2.0 H (arom. H); 8.37 ppm, bs, 0.9 H (CONH). Example XXVa 3-Chloro-6-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Synthesized from 25 g of 3-chloro-6-hydroxγbenzaldehyde, 14 g of ethylene carbonate and 45 g of tetraethylammonium bromide as described -in Example Xlla. The compound was purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate:petroleum ether 60-80/2:1). Yield 60%: Melting point 65-68°C. H NMR (CDCl ): 2.87 ppm, bs, 0.8 H (OH); 3.90-4.32 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH CH ); 6.84-7.84 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.34 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH). Example XXVb 3-Chloro-6-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared from 8 g of the compound from Example XXVa, 25 ml of nitric acid and 12.5 ml of acetic anhydride as described in Example Xllb. The compound was purified by chromatography (silica, CH_C1 ) . Yield 60%. H NMR (CDCl ): 4.34 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 1.9 H (phenyl-OCH ); 4.90 ppm, t, J=4.5 Hz, 1.9 H (CH_ONO ); 6.80-7.87 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H); 10.34 ppm, s, 0.9 H (CH). Example XXV 4-Carboxy-2- \5-chloro-2-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from 4.0 g of the compound from Example XXVb and 5 g of cysteine as described in Example XVI. Yield 75%. Empirical formula Molecular weight 348.5. Melting point 134-135°C. TLC system:methanol. - 0.73. f NMR data (DMSO): 2.80-3.49 ppm, , 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.71-4.18 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHCO); 4.25-4.50 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4.72-5.03 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ON); 5.64 ppm, s, 0.75 H (0.75 x CH); 5.83 ppm, s, 0.25 H (0.25 x CH) ; 6.84-7.73 ppm, m, 3.1 H (arom. H). Example XXVI 4-Carboxy-5,5-dimethyl-2- (2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine A solution of 2.0 g of D-penicillamine in water was added to a solution of 2.0 g of the compound from Example XVIb in tetrahydrofuran. The resulting solu¬ tion was concentrated under reduced pressure until a precipitate resulted. The solvent was decanted off and the precipitate taken up in ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The addition of petroleum ether 60-80 to the filtrate allowed the title compound to crystal¬ lise. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C, ^ .H ^n N-O ^ S. 14 182 6 Molecular weight 342. Melting point 98-101°C. TLC system: ethanol:ethyl acetate/1:1. R_ 0.66. f NMR data (CDCl ): 1.16-1.82 ppm, m, 6.0 H (2 x CH ); 3.70-4.05 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CHCO ); 4.20-4.53 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenyl-OCH ) ; 4.75-5.12 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 5.90-6.10 ppm, m, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.73-7.72 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 9.06 ppm, bs, 2.0 H (NH, CO B). Example XXVII 2-[(2-Nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine oxalate hydrate A solution of 5.0 g of the compound from Example XVIb in ethanol was added to a solution of 2.4 g of cysteamine x HCl and 3 g of potassium carbonate in wa¬ ter. The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and ex- tracted with diethyl ether. The ether phase was dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. A saturated solution of oxalic acid in diethyl ether was added and the precipitate was filtered off and recystallised from methanol/diethyl ether. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C. H. S. Molecular weight 360. Melting point 118-120°C. TLC system: diethyl ether. R 0.71. NMR data (DMSO): 3.33-4.06 ppm, m, 4.0 H (SCH 2 CH 2 ); 4.74-4.98 ppm, m. 2.0 H (phenyl-OCH 2 ); 5.32-5.56 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH 2 0N0 2 ); 6.22 ppm, s, 1.0 H (SCH); 7.17-8.14 ppm, m, 9.0 H (arom. H, NH, H 2 0, 2 x C0 2 H). Example XXVIII 4-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-[ -(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl1thiazolidine 4-toluenesulphonate A solution of 6 g of the compound from Example XVIb in tetrahydrofuran was added to a solution of 4.0 g of L-cysteine ethyl ester.HCl and 3.0 g of potas¬ sium carbonate in water. The resulting mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and extracted with diethyl ether. After drying over sodium sulphate, a solution of 4-toluenesulphonic acid in ether was added and the precipitate was filtered off and recrystallised from tetrahydrofuran/petroleum ether 60-80. Yield 40%. Empirical formula C H N O S . Molecular weight 514. Melting point 137-140°C. TLC system: dichloromethane. R f 0.42. NMR data (CDCl 3 ): 1.24 ppm, t, J=7.2 Hz, 3.0 H (ester-CH 3 ); 2.34 ppm, s, 3.0 H (phenyl-CH ); 3.22-3.96 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 4.03-4.37 ppm, m, 4.0 H (ester-CH , phenyl-OCH 2 ) ; 4.76-5.19 ppm, m, 3.0 H (CHC0 2 , CH 2 ON0 2 ); 6.27 ppm, d, J=10.8 Hz, 1.0 H (SCH); 6.64-7.80 ppm, m, 8.0 H (arom. H); 8.90 ppm, bs, 1.0 H. 3V Example XXΣXa 4-Bromomethyl-(trans)-cyclohexylmethanol A solution of 60 g of l,4-(trans)-cyclohexyldimethanol in 300 ml of 48 % hydro- bromic acid was heated at 90°C for 20 hours, while this solution was extracted continuously with petroleum ether 100-140. After cooling the reaction mixture, the petroleum ether 100-140 was evaporated off and the residue was purified by distillation under reduced pressure. Yield 50%. Boiling point 150°C (10 mm Hg). 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 0.72-2.26 ppm, m, 10.0 H (cyclohexyl-H); 3.25-3.58 ppm, m, 5.0 H (BrCH , CH OH) . Example XXIXb 2-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-(trans)-cyclohexyl)methoxy]benzaldehyde A mixture of 13 g of salicylaldehyde, 20 g of the compound from Example XXIXa and 5.8 g of potassium hydroxide in 100 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide was heated at 130°C for 4 hours, with stirring. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with water and the resulting mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. After evaporation of the ether, the residue was purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate: petroleum ether 60-80/1:2). Yield 38%. 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 0.85-2.11 ppm, m, 11.0 H (cyclohexyl-H, OH); 3.50 ppm, d, J=5.6 Hz, 2.0 H (hγdroxy-CH ); 3.92 ppm, d, J=5.6 Hz, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 6.87-7.92 ppm, , 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.53 ppm, s, 1.0 H. Example XXIXc 2-{[4-Nitroxymethyl-(trans)-cyclohexyl]methoxy}benzaldehyde A mixture of 11.1 ml of acetic anhydride and 4.6 ml of nitric acid was added at 0°C to a solution of 8.0 g of the compound from Example XXIXb in ethyl ace¬ tate. After everything had been added, the mixture was stirred for a further 15 minutes and then poured into water. This mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then extracted with ethyl acetate. After drying and evaporating off the ethyl acetate, the residue was purified by chromatography (silica, ethyl acetate: petroleum ether 60-80/1:4). Yield 76%. 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 0.80-2.17 ppm, m, 10.0 H (cyclohexyl-H); 3.88 ppm, d, J=5.4 Hz, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 3.92 ppm, d, J=5.8 Hz, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 6.87-7.95 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.53 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CH). Example XXIX 4-Carboxy-2-(2-{f4-nitroxymethyl-(trans)-cyclohexyl]methoxy}phenyl)thia¬ zolidine Synthesized from 3.0 g of the compound from Example XXIXc and 3.0 g of cy¬ steine as described in Example XVI. Yield 60%. Empirical formula C- o H_.N_0-S. o ZQ Z b Molecular weight 396. Melting point 108-111°C. TLC system: dichloromethane: petroleum ether-60-80/1:1. R f 0.57. NMR data (DMSO): 0.67-2.21 ppm, m, 10.0 H (cyclohexyl-H); 2.73-4.58 ppm, m, 7.0 H (CHC0 2 , SCH 2 , 2 x OCH 2 ); 5.63 ppm, s, 0.4 H (0.4 x SCH); 5.93 ppm, s, 0.6 H (0.6 x SCH); 3.72-7.81 ppm, m, 6.0 H (arom.H, CO H,NH). Example XXXa 2-(2,2-Dimethyl-3-hydroxypropoxy)benzaldehyde A solution of 20 g of salicyaldehyde, 30 g of 3-bromo-2,2-dimethylpropanol and 22 g of potassium carbonate in DMF was refluxed for 24 hours. After evapora¬ tion, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with water. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography (silica, dichloromethane). Yield 25%. 1 H NMR (CDCl ): 1.06 ppm, s, 6.0 H (2 x CH 3 ); 2.60 ppm, bs, 1.0 H (OH); 3.60 ppm, s, 2.0 H (hydroxyl-CH ) ; 3.90 ppm, s, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 6.90-7.90 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.40 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). Example XXXb 2-(2,2-Di_methyl-3-nitroxypropoxy)benzaldehyde Prepared from the compound from Example XXXa as described in example Xllb. Purified by chromatography (silica, dichloromethane). Yield 82%. 3 " ""H NMR (CDCl ): 1.20 ppm, s, 6.0 H (2 x CH 3 ); 3.90 ppm, s, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4.46 ppm, s, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON); 6.88-7.98 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 10.50 ppm, s, 1.0 H (CHO). Example XXX 4-Carboxy-2-f2-(2,2-dimethyl-3-nitroxypropoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine A solution of 3.0 g of the compound from Example XXXb in tetrahydrofuran was added to a solution of 3.0 g of cysteine in water. Additional tetrahydrofuran was added until a clear solution resulted. This solution was concentrated un¬ der reduced pressure. The precipitate, which formed during concentration of the reaction mixture, was filtered off and crystallised from methanol. Yield 83%. Empirical formula C.-H-.N-O-S. lb 20 Z b Molecular weight 356. Melting point 105-108°C. TLC system: tetrahydrofuran: ethyl acetate/1:1. R 0.58. NMR data (DMSO): 1.06 ppm, s, 6.0 H (2 x CH ) ; 2.77-4.29 ppm, m, 6.0 H .phenoxγ-CH 2 , CHC0 2 , SCH 2 , NH); 4.60 ppm, s, 2.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 ); 5.71 ppm, s, 0.4 H (0.4 x SCH); 5.99 ppm, s, 0.6 H (0.6 x SCH); 6.86-7.96 ppm, m, 5.0 H (arom. H, CO H). Example XXXI 4-Carboxy-N-(2,2-dimethyl-3-nitroxypropionyl)-2-phenylthiazolidine A solution of 5.2 g of 2,2-dimethyl-3-nitroxγpropanoyl chloride in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added at 0°C under nitrogen to a solution of 6.0 g of 4-car boxy-2-phenylthiazolidine and 4.0 g of potassium carbonate in a mixture of 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 150 ml of water. After stirring the resulting solution for 45 minutes the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to about 150 ml and then acidified to pH=2 with citric acid. The resulting mix¬ ture was extracted with diethyl ether and the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography (silica, petroleum ether 60-80: ethyl acetate: acetic acid/8:8:l). Yield 38%. Empirical formula C ..H N„O ft S. Molecular weight 354. Melting point 35-38°C. TLC system: petroleum ether 60-80: ethyl acetate: acetic acid/4:4:l. R- 0.50. NMR data (CDCl ): 1.24 ppm, s, 6.0 H (2 x CH 3 ); 2.53-3.21 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 4.33-5.23 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 , CHNCH); 6.58-7.50 ppm, m, 6.0 H (arom. H, CO H). Example XXXIIa 2-(3-Hydroxγpropoxy)benzaldehyd Synthesized from salicylaldehyde and 3-chloropropanol as decribed in Example XXIXb. Example XXXIIb 2-(3-Nitroxypropoxy)benzyldehyde - Prepared from the compound of Example XXXIIa as described in Example XXXIXc. Example XXXII 4-Carboxy-2-f2-(3-nitroxypropoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound of Example XXXIIb and cysteine as described in Example XVI. Yield: 30 %. Empirical formula: C-_H, ^ N_0-S. 13 16 2 6 Molecular Weight: 328. Melting Point: 131-134°C. TLC System: methanol:ethyl acetate / 1:1. R : 0.64. NMR data (DMSO): 1.91-2.30 ppm, m, 2.0 H (C-CH 2 -C), 2.82-3.46 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ), 3.69-4.24 ppm, , 3.0 H (phenyl-OCH 2 , SCCH); 4.55-4.85 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 5.63 ppm, s, 0.4 H (0.4 x CH), 5.86 ppm, s, 0.6 H (0.6 x CH); 6.70-7.51 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H); 8.00 ppm, bs, 1.8 H (COH, NH). Example XXXIII 4-Carboxyl-N-(2,2-dimethyl-3-nitroxypropionyl)-2-phenylthiazolidine A solution of 5.2 g of 2.2-dimethyl-3-nitroxypropanoylchloride (J. Hutter, Schwarz Pharma AG, EP 0362575) in 100 ml of tetrahydrofurane was added to a solution of 6.0 g of 4-carboxy-2-phenγlthiazolidine and 4.0 g of potassium carbonate in a mixture of 50 ml of tetrahydrofurane and 150 ml of water at 0°C, under nitrogen. After stirring the resulting solution for 45 minutes, the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to approximately 150 ml and subsequently acidified to pH = 2 with citric acid. The resulting mixture was extracted with diethyl ether, the organic phase dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatographie (silica, pe60-80:ethyl acetate:acetic acid / 8:8:1). Yield: 38 %. Empirical formula: C. c H- o N.0.S. D io Z b Molecular Weight: 354. TLC system: pe60-80:ethyl acetate:acetic acid / 4:4:1. R : 0.50. NMR data (CDCl ): 1.24 ppm, s, 6.0 H (2 x CH ) ; 2.53-3.21 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH 2 ); 4.33-5.23 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CH 2 ON0 2 , CHNCH) ; 6.58-7.50 ppm, m, 6.0 H (arom. H, CO H). Example XXXIV 4-Carboxy-2-[2-(4-nitroxybutoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared as described for Example XVI. Yield: 30 %. Empiricial formula: C, .H, o N_0 ^ S. 14 18 2 6 Molecular weight: 432. Melting point: 108-110°C. TLC system: methanol:ethyl acetate / 1:1. R : 0.74. NMR data (DMSO): 1.57-2.09 ppm, m, 4.0 H (CCH CH C); 2.75-4.47 ppm, m, 2.0 H (SCH ); 3.68-422 ppm, m, 4.0 H (SCCH, NH, phenoxy-CH ); 4.42-4.70 ppm, m, 2.0 H (CH ONO ); 5.64 ppm, s, 0.3 H (0.3 x CH) ; 5.86 ppm, s, 0.7 H (0.7 x CH); 6.77-7.54 ppm, m, 4.9 H (arom. H, CC H). Example XXXVa 3-Nitro-4-(2-nitroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde Isolated from the reaction mixture described in Example Xlllb by chromatogra¬ phy. 35 Example XXXV 4-Carboxy-2-f3-nitro-4-(2-nitroxyethoxy)phenyl]thiazolidine Prepared from the compound from Example XXXVa as described in Example XVI. Yield: 33 %. Empirical formula: Molecular weight: 359. Melting point: 149-150°C. NMR data (DMSO-dg): 2.87-427 ppm, m, 5.0 H (C0 2 H, NH, CH CH(, 4.41-4.62 ppm, m, 2.0 H (phenoxy-CH ); 4,78-5.02 ppm, m, 1.0 H (CH ONO ); 5.55 ppm, s, 0.6 H (0.6 x CH), 5.73 ppm, s, 0-4 H (0.4 x CH); 7.22-8.22 ppm, m, 3.0 H (arom. H). Example XXXVI 4-Carboxy-2-[2-(2-nitroxypropoxy)pheπyl]thiazolidine Prepared from 2-(2-nrtroxγpropoxy)benzaldehyde and cysteine as described in Example XVI. Yield: 30 %. Empirical formula: C 1 _H- c N_O ι ,S. 13 lb Z b Molecular weight: 328. Melting point: 127-130°C. NMR data (DMSO-D,): 1.27-1.63 ppm, , 3.0 H (CH_); 2.75-3.50 ppm, m, 2.0 H b 3 (SCH 2 ); 3.71-4.41 ppm, m, 1.0 H (phenoxy-CH 2 , CHC0 2 ); 5.37-5.74 ppm, m, 1.4 H (0.4 x SCH, CHONO ); 5.91 ppm, s, 0.6 H (0.6 x SCH); 6.86-7.67 ppm, m, 4.0 H (arom. H) . Ho Pharmacology The pharmacological activity of the compounds according to the invention was demonstrated in vivo in anesthetized rabbits and in vitro in the so-called rat aorta assay. In the anesthetized rabbits, the decrease of arterial blood pressure and the effect on the heart rate after infusion of the test compounds was determined. Surprisingly, the compounds according to the invention have only a small in¬ fluence on the heart rate, whereas they produce a marked decrease of the arte¬ rial blood pressure. In the rat aorta assay, the compounds according to the invention are - in con¬ trast to e.g. nifedipine - able to effect an up to 100 % relaxation of a contraction of the rat aorta induced by phenylephrine. In the tables following the detailed description of the in vivo and in vitro experiments, the compounds investigated are identified by numbers which corre¬ spond to the numbers in the Examples. Anesthetized rabbit experiments Animals anesthesia and surgical procedures New Zealand white rabbits (2.5 - 3 kg) were anesthetized (30 mg x kg pento- barbitone, i.v., supplemental doses as needed). Tracheotomy was performed, and an intra-tracheal cannula was inserted. No artificial ventilation was applied and body temperature was maintained at 37 - 38°C. Left ventricular pressure (LVP) was measured (Millar Mikro-Tip catheter via the right carotid artery with transducer in the left ventricle). The LVP sig¬ nal was differentiated electronically to obtain the rate of change of LVP (LV dP/dt). The heart rate (HR) was derived from the LVP pulse signal. The jugular vein was cannulated for infusion of the test compounds. Aortic blood pressure (SAP and DAP) was monitored (Gould-Statham pressure transducer) by inserting a polyethylene catheter filled with heparin (50 IU x ml ) through the femoral I artery into the abdominal aorta. Heparin (150 IU x kg , i.v.) was adminis¬ tered to prevent blood clotting. After completion of surgical procedures, the rabbits were allowed to recover for 15 minutes before drug administration was started. Infusion of test compounds and test protocol Drugs were infused at constant rate (0.5 ml x min ) for 10 minutes at various doses, resulting in a typical dose range of 2.0, 20.0 and 200 μg x kg x min (2.5 kg rabbit) . Due to poor solubility, 1 mg x ml solutions of all the compounds tested were prepared in Intralipid (R) 10%, containing 10 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Infusion of this solvent at 0.5 ml x min in the anesthetized rabbit, as was performed at the aforementioned highest doese, did not lead to changes in hemodynamic state. At the infusion of lower doses, the 1 mg x ml stock solutions were diluted with Intralipid (R) 10 %. Definition of effects The presented data are based on the effects obtained at the end of the 10 min infusion period at the highest dose tested (150 - 200 μg x kg " x in " ). The indicated ratings are referring to the effects (decrease, defined as percen¬ tage of basal value before infusion of the drug) on arterial blood pressure as follows: No decrease or decrease less than 5 % Inactive Decrease between 5 and 40 % Active Decrease greater than 40 % Very Active *)L Table 1 Effects of the compounds according to the invention on the arterial blood pres¬ sure in the anesthetized rabbit. Example No. Activity with regard to the lowering of blood pressure III Active XIII Active XV Active XVI Active XX Active XXI Active XXII Active XXV Active XXVI Active XXVII Active XXVIII Active XXIX Active XXX Active XXXVI Active * Active: Decrease in blood pressure between 5 and 40 %. In vitro rat aorta assay Strips of thoracial rat aortae (without aortic arch, helically cut; length 1 - 1.5 cm; width about 2 mm) were place in an organ bath [20 ml; Krebs Ringer medium bubbled with 0 /CO (95/5 %) at 37°C] . A resting tension of 0.5 g was applied and the preparations were equilibrated during 100 min (fresh buffer _7 ssoolluuttiioonn eevveerryy 20 min) . The strips were isotonically contracted with 10 M phenylephrine. Drug-induced relaxation was tested at increasing concentration (half log steps), till maximal or full relaxation (corresponding to basal precontraction value of organ length) had been reached. IJ3 Responses were calculated as change in organ length relatively to maximal displacement by contraction, EC_„ values corresponding to the drug concentra- Dϋ tion at which residual contraction is 50 % of maximum. Table 2 Effects of the compounds according to the invention on the contracted rat aorta. Example No. I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI Continuation of Table 2 Example No. EC 5Q (mean, μM) S.D. Range N XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX XXXII XXXIII XXXIV XXXV XXXVI Concentration (μM) at which residual contraction is 50 % of maximum; EC 50 = S.D. = Standard deviation N Number of rat aortas tested

Claims: C L A I M S Thiazolidine derivatives of the general formula 1, wherein Rl represents H or l-4C-alkyl, R represents H, l-6C-alkγl, 4-8C-cycloalkγl, phenyl-l-3C-alkyl or a group of the general formula 2, wherein R g , R_ 0 and R. simultaneously or seperately represent H, l-6C-alkyl, l-6C-alkoxy, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, 4-8C-cγcloalkoxy, F, Cl, Br, NO , nitroxy-2-6C-alkoxγ, nitroxy-4-8C-cγcloalkoxy, nitroxy-l-2C-al- kγl-4-8C-cycloalkyl-l-2C-alkoxy or a group 0 II -W-C-Y-R 12 , wherein W represents a bond or a group -0CH_-, Y represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R._ represents H, l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkγl, nitroxy-2-6C- alkyl or nitroxy-4-8C-cycloalkyl, R, and R. represent H or l-4C-alkyl, R represents H or a group o II -C-Z-R ? , wherein Z represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R_ represents H, l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, nitroxy-4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-l-2C-alkyl-4-8C-cycloalkyl- l-2C-alkyl or 4-nitroxy-2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-8-yl, and R_. represents H or a group -X-R_, b o wherein X represents carbonyl or sulfonyl and R represents l-4C-alkyl, 4-8C-cycloalkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, nitroxγ-4-8C-cycloalkyl, phenyl or l-4C-alkylphenyl, and their salts. 2. Thiazolidine derivatives of formula 1 according to claim 1, wherein R represents H, R_ represents H, l-4C-alkyl, phenyl-l-2C-alkyl or a group of formula 2 according to claim 1, wherein R g , . and simultaneously or seperately represent H, l-6C-alkoxy, Cl, Br, NO , nitroxy-2-6C-alkoxy, nitroxy-l-2C-alkyl-4-8C-cycloalkyl- l-2C-alkoxγ or a group 0 II -W-C-Y-R 12 , wherein W represents a bond or a group -OCH -, Y represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R represents H or nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, R_ and R represent H or methyl, R-. represents H or a group wherein Z represents an oxygen atom or an imino group and R„ represents H, l-4C-alkγl, nitroxy-2-4C-alkyl, nitroxymethyl- 4-8C-cycloalkylmethyl or 4-nitroxy-2 ,6-dioxabicyclo[ 3.3.0 ]oct- 8-yl, and R represents H or a group -X-R , b o wherein X represents carbonyl or sulfonyl and R represents l-4C-alkyl, nitroxy-2-6C-alkyl, phenyl or l-3C-alkyl- phenyl, and their salts. 3. Thiazolidine derivatives of formula 1 according to claim 1, wherein R represents H, R_ represents phenylethyl or a group of formula 2 according to claim 1, wherein R g , R-_ and simultaneously or seperately represent H, methoxy or nitroxyethoxy, R, and R represent H, R-. represents H or a group 0 11 -C-0-R 7 , wherein R_ represents H or 4-nitroxymethylcyclohexylmethyl, and R c b represents H, and their salts. 4. Method for the preparation of a thiazolidine derivative, characterised in that a compound having the formula 1, or a salt thereof, as defined in Claim 1, is prepared in a manner known for analogous compounds. 5. Medicament, characterised in that it contains a compound having the formula 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as defined in Claim 1, as active substance. 6. Use of a compound or medicament according to one of the preceding claims for the treatment of heart and vascular diseases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or tardive dyskinesia.

Inventors: BRON JAN, STERK GEERT JAN, TIMMERMAN HENDRIK, VAN DER WERF JAN FETZE, BRON, JAN, STERK, GEERT, JAN, TIMMERMAN, HENDRIK, VAN DER WERF, JAN, FETZE
Applicants: CEDONA PHARM BV, CEDONA PHARMACEUTICALS BV
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D277
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P1, A61P9, C07D277