1,4-BENZODIOSCANE DERIVATIVES, PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS THEREFROM

Abstract: Novel 1,4-benzodioxane derivatives having antitumor and anti-platelet aggregating activities, a process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Description: 1,4-BE ZCDIOSCANE DE_RIVATrV__S- PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF AND PHARMACEUTICAL CGMPOSITICNS THEREFROM The present invention relates to novel 1 , 4- benzodioxane derivatives having antitumor and anti- platelet aggregating activities , to a process for the preparation thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Platelet activating factor (PAF) , or l-O-alkyl-2- acetyl-εn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine , of formula A wherein z is 15 cr 17, is a potent cell mediator of phospholipid nature, which is ascribed to play a paramount role in various pathological processes, such as asthma, anaphylaxis, septic shock, transplant rejection, inflammation, ulcerogenesis and ischemia [P. Braquet et al. , Pharmacol. Rev., 39(2), 97 (1987)]. Various searches evidenced the existence cf a specific PAF-receptor in various human cells, as well as the capability of different compounds to antagonize PAF action at the level cf said receptor [K. Cooper and M.J. Parry, Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. , 24, 81 (1989)]. Therefore, specific PAF-antaσonists can be interesting in therapy for the treatment of those pathological processes in which PAF is directly or indirectly involved. Another class of synthetic phospholipids is represented by those named alkyl-lyso-phospholipids (ALPs), which are structurally related to PAF and lyso- phosphatidylcholine; for example, ET-18-OCH.- , of formula B CH 2 -0 (CH 2 ) 17 CK 3 c:-:-.c— c:-: o c:-: 3 i !i l ÷ CH 2 — O— ?— O— CH 2 -CH 2 — N— CH 3 3 o " CK 3 Said compounds show a marked antitumor activity in various pharmacological models [ .E. Berdel and P.G. Munder in "PAF and related lipid mediators", Ed. ~. Snyder, Plenum Press, New York, 1987, p. 449]. Undoubtedly, ET-18-OCH, and other analogues, due to the structural relationship thereof with PAF, have some of PAF actions, such as serotonine release, bronchoconstriction, platelet aggregation and hypotension. Said actions are contra-indicated in case of antitumor treatment and they can cause remarkable circulatory disorders. As a consequence, a compound having the cytostatic action of those phospholipids which are related with compound B, and lacking the PAF-like action or, even better, capable to block PAF action on the specific cell receptors thereof, could advantageously be used in human therapy as an antitumor agent, without suffering from the drawbacks of compound B. Moreover, the PAF- antagonistic properties will allow the use of such a compound in any disorder related to said mediator. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to novel 1,4- benzodioxane derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to a process for the preparation thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Specifically, the present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein or different, are hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl or lower aralkyl groups; cr R R R N + is an aromatic cyclic ammonium group, such as 1-pyridinium, 1-quinolinium, 2-isoquinolinium, 1- i idazolium, 1-pyrazolium, 3-thiazolium, 3-oxazolium, 1-benzimidazolium, 3-benzothiazolium or 3-benz- oxazoliu , having on its ring from 1 to 3 substituents, such as lower alkyl, halogen, lower hydroxyalkyl, amino, lower aminoalkyl or carboxy; or R R R N + is a non aromatic cyclic ammonium group, in which two of groups (R 1, R2 or R3) , together with the nitrogen atom, form a ring such as 1-pyrrolidine, 1- piperidine, 4-morpholine, 1-piperazine or 1- perhydroazepine and the remaining group is hydrogen or lower alkyl; m and n, which can be the same or different, are an integer from 2 to 12; A is either a single covalent bond (i.e., it represents no groups), or it is an oxygen atom; X ~ is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion from an inorganic acid (hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic or sulfuric acid) or from a carboxylic organic acid (such as acetic, lactic, oxalic, tartaric, citric or malic acid) , or from an organic sulfonic acid (such as methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic or tolueneεulfonic acid) . The present invention also relates to the stereoiso ers of compounds (I) and the mixtures thereof. As herein used, "lower alkyl" means straight or branched C,-C 6 alkyl groups; "aralkyl" means straight or branched C ι -C 8 alkyl groups substituted with an aromatic ring, preferably a phenyl ring. The compounds of the present invention are a novel structural class, since ' ■ he compounds of formula (I) having a long side-chain, with m+n ≥ 4, have not hitherto been disclosed. Moreover, compounds (I) have marked cytotoxic and/or PAF-antagonist activities. In fact, no 1,4- benzodioxane derivative has hitherto been found to have such pharmacological activities. Preferred compounds of the invention are those in which: - m + n = 7-22; - R 1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl or lower aralkyl groups, preferably methyl or ethyl; - R R R N + is an aromatic cyclic ammonium group as defined above, preferably 1-pyridinium, 1-imidazolium or 3-thiazolium; - R R R N + is a non aromatic cyclic ammonium group as defined above, preferably a 1-pyrrolidinium, 1-pipe- ridiniu , 4-morpholinium, 1-methyl-l-pyrrolinium, 1- methyl-1-piperidinium or 4-methyl-4-morpholinium group. Particularly preferred compounds are the following ones: N-[10-[ [ (l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium, N-[16-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N,N,N-trimethy1 mmoniu , N-[6-[ [10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- ox ]hexyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium, N-[10-[ [10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]decyl]-N, , -tri ethylammonium, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N,N- triethylammonium, N-[16-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N, ,N-triethylammonium, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- methylpiperidinium, N-[16-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecy1]-N- methylpiperidinium, N-[β-[ [10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]-N-methylpiperidinium, N-[10-[ [10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]decyl]-N-methylpiperidinium, N-[10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- methylmorpholinium, N- [ 10- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] decyl ] - piperidine , N- [ 16- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] hexadecy 1 ] - piperidine , N- [ 10- [ [ 6- [ [ ( l , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) me thy 1 ] oxy ] decyl ] - oxy ]hexyl ]piperidine , N- [ 10- [ [ 10- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] decyl ] - ox ] decyl ] piper idine , N- [ 10- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] decyl ] - morpholine , ( 2S ) -N- [ 10- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] decyl ] - piperidine , ( 2R) -N- [ 10- [ [ ( 1 , 4-benzodioxan-2-yl ) methyl ] oxy ] decyl ] - piperidine . According to the present invention , compounds ( I ) can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula ( II ) wherein X is an appropriate leaving group, for example halogen (such as chlorine, bromine or iodine), lower alkylsulfonate (such as methanesulfonate) , aryl- sulfonate (such as benzenesulfonate or toluene- sulfonate) , with a nitrogen base of formula NR 1R2R3, in a suited solvent, which can be selected either from aprotic dipolar solvents, such as acetonitrile or dimethylformamide; aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene or xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chloroform or dichloromethane, or ethers, such as ethyl ether, tetrahydrof ran or dioxane; or it can be the nitrogen base NR 1R2R3 itself. The reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from 15 β C to the solvent's reflux temperature, for a time ranging from 1 to 48 hours. Thereafter, the resulting compound (I) can optionally be salified. Starting compound (II) can be prepared according to the following Reaction Scheme 1. Scheme 1 Both compound (IV) and the preparation thereof in the racemic and enantiomerically pure forms are described in literature [A. Delgado, G. Leclerc, M.C. Lobato and D. Mauleon, Tetrahedron Lett. 29, 3671 (1988), and references cited therein]. According to step a. of Scheme 1, a compound of formula (II) can be obtained, for example, by reacting l,4-benzodioxane-2-ylmethanol (IV) with a compound (V) of formula Y-(CH 2 ) m -A-(CH 2 ) n -X, wherein Y is an appropriate leaving group (for example bromide, iodide, mesylate or tosylate) and X has the above mentioned meanings or (especially when m and n are different from each other), it is a suitably protected alcohol, for example by means of a benzyl group. Compounds of formula (V) are commercially available and, if not, they can easily be prepared starting from the corresponding alcohols HO-(CH-) -A-(CH 2 ) -OH. Thus, compounds (V) in which X i-- benzyloxy and Y is bromine can be prepared, for example, starting from the corresponding l, )-diol by mono-benzylation (1 benzyl bromide equivalent, 1 NaH equivalent), followed by substitution of the remaining OH by bromine (by means of phosphorous tribromide, phosphorus pentabromide or the reagent consisting of triphenyl phosphin and carbon tεtrabromide, all of them in an inert solvent). After that, step a_ comprises reacting the compound of formula (IV) first with a strong base, such as sodium hydride or potassium hydride, then with compound (V) in a dipolar aprotic solvent, such as dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide. The reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from 15 to 100 β C, for a time between 1 and 24 hours. When X is a O-protecting group, this step is followed by deprotection to the corresponding alcohol (for example by hydrogenation on palladium catalyst, when the protecting group is a benzyl group) and by transformation of said alcohol into a second leaving group X (such as bromide, tosylate or any one of the above mentioned ones). According to steps b and £ of Scheme 1, a compound of formula (II), in which A is oxygen, X , m and n have the above mentioned meanings, can also be obtained in two steps by reacting benzodioxanyl-methanol (IV) with a compound of formula Z-(CH 2-)m-OP, wherein Z is an appropriate leaving group (such as an halide or an alcohol sulfonate) and P is an oxygen-protecting group (such as benzyl, silyl ether or tetrahydropyranyl) , followed by deprotection of the alcohol and by a second alkylation with a compound Y-(CH_) -X, wherein Y, X and n have the above mentioned meanings. More particularly, the alkylation reaction of (IV) (step b_) to give intermediate compound (VI) is carried out under similar conditions to those for step _a, with the same kind of reagents and solvents. Compound (VI) can easily be deprotected according to well-known methods (for example, by hydrogenolysis when P is a benzyl group or by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid when R is a tetrahydropyranyl group), thereby obtaining an alcohol (VI) (A-P = OH). Step £ consists in reacting the resulting alcohol with a compound Y(CH_) X, using the same reagents and conditions as those used in step a_ to obtain compound (II). A compound of formula (II) in which A is a single bond, X, m and n have the above mentioned meanings, can also be obtained starting from a compound (VI), wherein A-P = Br, preparing a Grignard reagent by treatment with metal magnesium, then adding said reagent to a compound of formula YfCH,) X (wherein Y, X and n have the above mentioned meanings), said addition being catalysed by copper compounds (such as lithium tetrachlorocuprate) . Finally, step d of Scheme 1 gives compounds of formula (I), by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a nitrogen base (III) of formula NR 1R2R3. Step d is conveniently carried out in an inert organic solvent, such as benzene, toluene, chloroform, acetonitrile, dimethy1formamide, ethanol or methanol, at a temperature from 15°C to the reflux temperature of the solvent. Where the nitrogen base has a boiling point below 30 β C (for example when R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH,) , the reaction can be effected in a sealed tube having thick walls. Once compound (I) has been obtained, the X- anion can be replaced by another anion, for example by chromatography on a ion exchange resin. Alternatively, a compound of formula (I), wherein at least one of the R 1, R2 or R3 groups is a lower alkyl group, can also be obtained starting from a compound of formula (I) in which at least one of the R ~ " i, R2 or R3 groups s hydrogen, by treatment with an inorganic base, such as sodium hydroxide, to obtain the free nitrogen base, followed by reaction with a compound of formula XR, wherein X has the above mentioned meanings and R is a lower alkyl group. Examples of reactives XR are methyl iodide, methyl bromide or ethyl bromide. This reaction is conveniently carried out in an inert organic solvent such as toluene, benzene, chloroform, acetonitrile, dimethyl- formamide, ethanol or methanol, at a temperature from 0 β C to the solvent reflux temperature. As already stated, compounds (I) of the present invention inhibit PAF-induced platelet aggregation, thus they are valuable as PAF-antagonists in the treatment of those diseases this substance is involved with. Further, compounds (I) have also a marked antitumor activity, which has been determined, for example, as the cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. Therefore compounds (I) can be used as useful antitumor agents. Contrarily to PAF, benzodioxanes of the present invention show no negative effects related to this mediator, which promotes the therapeutical use thereof, since they show a remarkable decrease in undesired side-effects. The compounds of the invention can be used in human therapy as antitumor, antiasthmatic, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic agents as well as in prophylaxis of anaphylactic shock. Moreover, they can be used as hypotensive or antianginal agents. For this purpose, the compounds of the invention can be formulated according to conventional techniques and excipientε, such as those described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Science Handbook", Mack Pub. Co., New York, U.S.A. Examples of said forms include capsules, tablets, syrups and the like, containing 1 to 1000 mg of the active ingredient per unitary dose. The following non limiting Examples further illustrate the invention. EXAMPLE 1 N-[4-[[{l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]-N.N,N- trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH,, A = single bond, X = Br, m = n = 2). a) 2-C [(4-Bromobutyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, = n = 2). A suspension of sodium hydride (50%, 7.20 g, 0.15 mole) in 100 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide is prepared, which is then added first with a solution of 1,4-dibromobutane (28.08 g, 0.13 mole) in 25 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide, then with a solution of 2- hydroxymethyl-l,4-benzodioxane (IV, 8.30 g, 0.05 mole) in 25 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide, dropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at 60 β C for 18 hours, thereafter ethanol and water (400 ml) are added. The mixture is extracted with ethyl ether (4 x 50 ml) , the ether phases are washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The resulting residue is distilled under reduced pressure (0.5 - 2 Torr) , thus removing the 1,4-dibromobutane excess (b.p. 40 C C, bath temperature). Bro o-derivative la, distilling at 90- 110°C, is obtained in a 78% yield . 1 H NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ) 6T(TMS): 1.82 and 2.10 (m, 4H, central CH 2 of the chain), 3.45 - 3.80 (m, 6H, CH 2 OCH 2 + CH 2 Br) , 4.12 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C 2 H) , 4.36 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C 3H- , 6.90 ( , 4H, benzodioxane C5H-C8H) . b) Preparation of the title compound. A solution of 4 g of dry trimethylamine in 20 ml of anhydrous acetonitrile is prepared in a sealed reaction tube, keeping it cold with a solid C0_ and acetone outer bath. 3.01 g (0.01 mole) of bromo- derivative la are added to this solution, the reactor is sealed and immersed in an oil bath at 60-70 β C. After 18 hours the reaction mixture is cooled, solvent is evaporated to dryness and the residue is crystallized twice from anhydrous acetone-anhydrous ethyl ether, to obtain the title ammonium salt in an 81% yield, m.p. 142-143 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. TABLE I. H NMR spectra of the example compounds, * Ex. Signal assignments: N° 4,01 4,27 6,80 4,07 4,30 6,88 3,98 4,22 6,76 4,04 4,26 6,82 4,12 4,30 6,91 4,03 4,27 6,82 3,96 4,24 6,79 4,00 4,23 6,80 4,07 4,30 6,85 4,03 4,28 6,81 4.07 4,28 6,87 4.08 4,28 6,89 4,03 4,37 6,81 -4,1 -4,3 6,85 4,07 4,27 6,85 4,06 4,32 6,83 4,05 4,25 6,82 TABLE I (follows) Ex. Signal assignments: N-* 1 3 4 5 20 1,64 y 1,80 3,24 21 1,60-1,90 3,27 22 1,38-1,90 3,23 23 1,20-1,90 3,28 24 1,22-2,10 3,39 27 1,54 y 1,83 3,30 28 1,48-1,97 3,50 29 1,42-1,92 3,52 30 1,23-1,82 3,53 31 1,58 y 1,85 1,25 32 1,22-1,65 1,00 33 0,99-1,58 2,30-2,51 4,05 4,25 6,83 3,41-3,72 34 1,12-1,68 2,22-2,43 4,04 4,35 6,86 3,41-3,75 * 1: central CH-, groups of the side chain; 2: N-CH,; 3: N-CH-, and non-benzodioxane °~ CH groups; 4: benzodioxane C 2H; 5: benzodi.oxane C3H-; 6: aromatic H in benzodioxane. TABLE II. C NMR spectra of the example compounds. * Ex. Signal assignments: N-* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 20,3 53,5 65,8 66,7 69,9 70,8 72,5 117,7 122,0 143,7 26,2 117,8 122,2 143,8 2 22,9 53,4 65,7 66,8 69,6 71,4 72,3 117,5 121,7 143,5 23,0 117,7 121,9 29,0 3 23,2 53,5 65,8 66, S 69,6 71,7 72,3 117,5 121,7 143,5 25.8 117,7 121,9 143,6 26,0 29,3 4 23,4 53,7 66,1 67,4 69,7 72,4 72,4 117,6 121,9 143,7 a 117,9 122,1 29,7 8 18,7 6,7 65,7 53,0 70,0 70,8 72,9 117,5 121,8 144,0 26,2 56,9 121,9 144,1 9 22,2 8,2 65,9 53,8 69,7 71,8 72,5 117,6 121,9 143,7 25.9 57,7 117,9 122,1 143,8 26,4 29,4 .10 23,0 8,0 65,8 66,8 68,9 70,7 72,5 117,6 121,9 143,8 a 117,9 122,1 29,9 12 24,7 - 66,0 54,9 69,7 72,2 72,5 117,9 121,9 143,8 27,9 59,6 122,1 144,9 TABLE II (follows) Ex. Signal assignments: N" 10 69,8 72,5 72,6 117,6 121,8 143,7 117,9 122,0 69,7 72,4 72,4 117,6 121,8 143,8 117,9 122,1- 143,9 69,3 70,4 71,8 117,0 121,3 143,0 117,1 121,5 69,8 72,5 72,6 117,6 121,8 143,1 117,9 122,1 70,5 72,9 73,7 118,2 122,5 143,8 118,4 122,7 69,9 70,9 72,5 117,7 122,0 143,7 117,3 122,1 143,8 69,9 71,7 72,5 117,7 121,9 143,8 117,9 122,2 69,8 71,9 72,5 117,6 121,9 143,8 117,9 122,1 69,7 72,4 72,4 117,6 121,9 143,8 117,9 122,1 TABLE II (follows) Ex. Signal assignments: N» 10 24 20,4 48,9 66,0 61,1 69,6 72,4 72,4 117.6 121,8 143,7 a 63,1 117.8 122,0 143,8 29,8 27 20,9 48,9 66,7 62,4 69,9 72,0 73,0 117.7 122,0 143,9 28,4 62,9 117.9 122,1 144,7 29 22,4 48,2 66,2 60,5 69,9 72,0 72,7 117,6 121,9 143,7 26,2 51,2 117,9 122,1 26,4 29,7 30 22,2 48,0 66,1 60,3 69,7 72,4 72,5 117,7 121,9 143,7 a 61,1 117,9 122,1 29,7 32 26,3 11,8 66,0 47,2 69,7 72,4 72,4 117,7 121,8 143,8 27,2 53,2 117,9 122,1 143,9 27,8 29,8 * 1: central CH_ groups of the side chain; 2: N-CH,; 3: 3 benzodioxane C H 2 ; 4: N-CH 2 ; 5: benzoάioxanyl-CH 2 -0; 6: 0-CH 2 chain; 7: benzodioxane C 2 H; °- 'benzod J i-oxane ~C 5 H and C 8 H; 9: benzodioxane " H and C H; 10 benzodioxane C and C . EXAMPLE 2 N-[5-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]ox ]pentyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH,, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 3, n = 2). a) 2-[ [ (5-Bromopentyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 3, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example la, but using 1,5-dibromopentane instead of 1,4- dibromobutane, the desired bromo-derivative is obtained in a 84% yield. ^ ■ H NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ) ζ (TMS): 1.48-1.97 ( , 6H, chain central CH,), 3.44 (t, 2H, CH 2 Br) , 3.50-3.80 (m, 4H, CH 2 0CH 2 ), 4.08 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C 2 H) , 4.30 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C 3H 2 ) , 6.89 (m, 4H, benzodi.oxane C5H- C 8 H). b) Preparation of the title compound. Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 2a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 90% yield, m.p. 159-160°C. The most significant NI-IR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 3 N-[6-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH,, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 4, n = 2). a) 2-[ [(6-Bromohexyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example la, but using 1,6-dibromohexane instead of 1,4-dibro- mobutane, the desired bromo-derivative is obtained in a 86% yield. 1 H NMR ( 200 MHz , CDCl.- ) S " (TMS ) : 1. 35-1. 91 (m , 8H , chain central CH,) , 3.34 (t, 2H, CH 2 Br) , 3.42-3.75 (m, 2 4H, CH OCH 2 ), 4.03 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C H) , 4.25 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C H 2 ), 6.83 (m, 4H, benzodioxane C H- C 8 H). b) Preparation of the title compound. Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting, from the bromo-derivative prepared in 3a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 89% yield, m.p. 157-159°C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 4 N-[10-[ [ (l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N_N- trimethylammoniu bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH,, A = single bond, X = Br, = 8, n = 2). a) 2-[ [ (10-Eromodecyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example la, but using 1,10-dibromodecane instead of 1,4- dibromobutane, the desired bromo-derivative is obtained in a 73% yield. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 3 ) ζ (TMS) : 1.28-1.85 (m, 16H, chain central CH 2 ), 3.37 (t, 2H, CH 2 Br) , 3.48-3.70 (m, 4H, CH 2 0CH 2 ), 4.04 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C 2 H) , 4.31 (m, 3 5 2H, benzodioxane C H 2 ), 6.85 (m, 4H, benzodioxane C H- C 8 H) . b) Preparation of the title compound Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 4a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 83% yield, m.p. 164-165°C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 5 N-[16[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH-, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n = 8). a) 2-[ [(16-Bromohexadecyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n = 8). An ether solution of 6-[ (l,4-benzodioxan-2- yDmethoxy]hexylmagnesium is prepared starting from 3.29 g (0.01 mole) of 2-[ [(6-bromohexyl)oxy]methyl]- 1,4-benzodioxane and 0.243 g (0.01 mole) of magnesium in 80 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The solution is cooled to 0 β C and slowly added to a thoroughly stirred solution of 1,10-dibromodecane (3 g, 0.01 mole) and Li 2 CuCl. (0.001 mole) in 50 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, keeping temperature below 10 β C during the addition. The resulting suspension is left under stirring at room temperature for 18 hours, after which 200 ml of a saturated ammonium chloride solution is added. The reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl ether, the organic phases are washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. By chromatography on silica gel column, eluting with an hexane/ethyl ether 7:3 mixture, the title bromo-derivative is obtained, in a 55% yield. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 3 ) (TMS): 1.30 (broad signal, 24H, chain central CH 2 ), 1.57 (m, 2H, CH 2 ~C-Br) , 1.83 (m, 2H, CH 2 -C-0), 3.39 (t, 2H, CH 2 Br) , 3.48 (t, 2H, chain CH 2 0) , 3.64 (m, 2H, CH,0) , 4.04 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C 2H) , 4.32 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C ""H 2\ 6.84 (m, 4H, benzodioxane C H-C H) . b) Preparation of the title compound. Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 5a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 91% yield, m.p. 184-186°C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 6 N-[6-[[(10-[[l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R 3 = CH 3 , A = O, X = Br, = 10, n = 6). a) 10-[ [(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decane-l-ol (VI, A-P = OH, m = 10) . 3.85 g (0.01 mole) of 2-[ [ (10-bromo- decyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (obtained according to Example 4a) and 3.5 g (0.05 mole) of anhydrous sodium acetate are dissolved in 100 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture is stirred and heated to 80-90°C for 18 hours, after that it is poured onto an ice-water excess and extracted with ethyl ether (3 x 60 ml). The organic phases are washed with a sodium chloride saturated solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue is dissolved in 100 ml of methanol, then added with 7 g (0.1 mole) of 80% potassium hydroxide in 30 ml of water. The resulting mixture is refluxed for two hours, then cooled and evaporated to l/4th of the original volume, finally it is diluted with 100 ml of water. The solution is extracted with ethyl ether, the organic phases are washed with a sodium chloride saturated solution, evaporated to dryness and the residue is subjected to chromatography on silica gel column, eluting with an hexane/ethyl ether 3:1 mixture, to obtain the title alcohol in a 91% yield, b) 2-[ [ [10-[ (6-Bromohexyl)oxy]decyl]oxy]methyl]-1,4- benzodioxane (II, A = 0, X = Br, m = 10, n = 6). Starting from the alcohol prepared in 6a and 1,6- dibromohexane, following the procedure described in Example 4a, bromo-derivative 6b is obtained in a 63% yield. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1..) & (TMS): 1.20-1.32 (broad signal, 22H, chain central CH-) , 1.50 ( , 4H, CH 2 ~C-0) , 1.86 (m, 2H, CH 2 -C-Br) , 3.34-3.68 (complex system, 6H, CH 2 -0 and CH- j Br) , 4.00 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C 2 H) , 4.22 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C H_) , 6.8 (m, aromatic 4H) . c) Preparation of the title compound. Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 6b, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 70% yield, m.p. 99-100°C. EXAMPLE 7 N-[10-[[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy] ecyl]- oxy]decyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R 3 = CH 3 , A = 0, X = Br, ss n = 10). a) 2-[ [[10-[(10-Bromodecyl)oxy]decyl]oxyJmethyl]-1,4- benzodioxane (II, A = 0, X = Br, m = n = 10). Starting from the alcohol prepared in Example 6a and 1,10-dibromodecane, following the procedure described in Example 4a, the desired bromo-derivative is obtained in a 79% yield. λ NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 3 ) £ (TMS): 1.14-1.32 (broad signal, chain central CH 2 ) , 1.33-1.58 (broad signal, 4H, CH 2 -C-0) , 3.34-3.68 (complex system, 6H, CH 2 ~0 and CH 2 -Br) , 4.00 (dd, 1H, benzodioxane C H) , 4.22 (m, 2H, benzodioxane C H,) , 6.8 (m, aromatic 4H) . b) Preparation of the title compound. Following the procedure described in Example lb, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 7a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 76% yield, m.p. 165-166 β C. EXAMPLE 8 N-[4-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]-N,N,N- triethylammoniu bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = Br, m = n = 2). 6.02 g (0.02 mole) of 2-[ [(4-bromo- butyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane, obtained according to the procedure described in Example la, are dissolved in 50 ml of absolute ethanol and 20 ml of distilled triethylamine. The solution is refluxed for 12 hours, thereafter a second portion of 10 ml of triethylamine is added and heating is continued for 12 more hours. The resulting solution is cooled, evaporated to dryness and the residue is crystallized from an anhydrous acetone/triethylamine mixture to obtain the title ammonium salt in a 88%, yield, in form of a white solid, m.p. 60-62 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 9 N-[6-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexyl]-N,N,N- triethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH«CH, , A = single bond, X = Br, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 8 , starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 3a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 87% yield, m.p. 64-66 c C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 10 N-[10-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N,N- triethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 •= R2 = R3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 8, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 4a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 85% yield, m.p. 52-53 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 11 N-[16-[[(1, -Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N,N,N-triethylammonium bromide (I, R 1 = R2 = R3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = Br, m = n = 8). Following the procedure described in Example 8, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 5a, the title ammonium salt is obtained in a 82% yield, m.p. 67-69°C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 12 N-[4-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]piperidi- ne hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = Cl, = n = 2). 3.01 g (0.01 mole) of 2-[ [ (4-bromobutyl)oxy]- methyl]-!,4-benzodioxane, obtained as described in Example la, are dissolved in 15 ml of distilled piperidine. The solution is refluxed for 4 hours, then it is evaporated to dryness and the residue is subjected to chromatography on silica gel column, eluting with an ethyl acetate/ethanol/diethylamine 95:3:2 mixture, to obtain the title amine as the free base in a 84% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 110- 113°C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 13 N-[5-[[ (l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]pentyl]piperi- dine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = 3, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 2a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 90% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 134-135 C C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 14 N-[6-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan.-2-yl)methyl]oxγ]hexyl]piperidi- ne hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 )-., A = single bond, X = Cl, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 3a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 88% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 108-110 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 15 N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-ylJmethyl]oxy]decyl]piperi- dine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 4a, the title amine is obtained as the free base, in a 87% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 121-122 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 16 N-[4-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]morpholi- ne hydrochloride (I, Rl = H, R2, 3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example la and using morpholine instead of piperidine, the title amine is obtained as the free base, in a 92% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 151- 152 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 17 N-[5-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]pentyl]morpho¬ line hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = Cl, m = 3, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 2a and using morpholine instead of piperidine, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 88% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 139- 140°C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 18 N-[6-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexyl]morpholi- ne hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 3a and using morpholine instead of piperidine, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 95% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 103- 105°C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 19 N-[10-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]morpho- line hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R -= (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = Cl, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 4a and using morpholine instead of piperidine, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 95% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 119-122 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 20 N-[4-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]-N- methylpiperidinium iodide (I, R 1 = CH,, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) g , A = single bond, X - I, m = 2, n = 2). A solution of 3.05 g (0.01 mole) of N-[4-[[(l,4- benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]piperidine (obtained as described in Example 12) as the free base, in 10 ml anhydrous acetone and 30 ml anhydrous toluene is prepared. A solution of 14 g (0.1 mole) of methyl iodide in 10 ml of anhydrous toluene is dropped into the above solution. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, then the resulting solid is recovered by filtration and crystallized from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, to obtain a slightly yellow solid, m.p. 129-130 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 21 N-[5-[[ (l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]pentyl]-N-me- thylpiperidinium iodide (I, 1 = CH-, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = I, m = 3, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 13, the title compound is obtained in a 82% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, gives a slightly yellow solid, m.p. 120-121 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 22 N-[6-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]ox ]hexy1]-N- methylpiperidinium iodide (I, R 1 = CH 3 , R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 )_, A = single bond, X = I, m = 4, n = 2) . Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 14, the title compound is obtained in a 85% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 120-121.5 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 23 N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- methylpiperidinium bromide ( I , R 1 = CH, , R 2 , R 3 (CH 2 ) ς , A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8 , n = 2 ) . Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 4a and using N-methylpiperidine instead of piperidine, the title compound is obtained in a 78% yield. This compound, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 104-105 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 24 N-[16-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]hexadecyl]-N- methylpiperidinium bromide ( I , R 1 = CH- , R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8 , n = 8 ) . Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 5a and using N-methylpiperidine instead of piperidine, the title compound is obtained in a 72% yield. This com p ound, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 140-141 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 25 N-[6-[[ (10-[[l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]-N-methylpiperidinium bromide (I, R = CH 3 , R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = 0, X = Br, m = 10, n = 6). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 6b, using N-methylpiperidine instead of piperidine, the title compound is obtained in a 80% yield. This compound, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white-yellowish solid, m.p. 73-74 β C. EXAMPLE 26 N-[10-[[10-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]decyl]-N-methylpiperidinium bromide (I, R = CH,, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = 0, X = Br, m = n = 10). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 7a and using N-methylpiperidine instead of piperidine, the title compound is obtained in a 80% yield. This compound, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white-yellowish solid, m.p. 106-107 β C. EXAMPLE 27 N-[4-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]butyl]-N-me- th l orpholinium iodide (I, R 1 = CH-, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = I, m = 2, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 16, the title compound is obtained in a 89% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 160-161 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 28 N-[5-[[ (l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]pentyl]-N- methylmorpholinium iodide (I, R 1 = CH,, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = I, m = 3, n = 2) . Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 17, the title compound is obtained in a 33% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 133-135 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 29 N-[6-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy] exyl]-N- methylmorpholinium iodide (I, R 1 = CH,, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = I, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 18, the title compound is obtained in a 88% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/absolute ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 142-143 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 30 N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- methylmorpholinium iodide (I, l = CH,, R_ , R ~i = (CH 2 ) 2 0(CH 2 ) 2 , A = single bond, X = I, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 20, starting from the amine prepared in Example 19, the title compound is obtained in a 84% yield. This compound, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 112-114 ° C . The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 31 N-[4-[[(l,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]butyl]-N,N- diethylamine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R2, R3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = n = 2). 3.01 g (0.01 mole) of 2-[ [ (4-bromobutyl)oxy]~ methyl]-l,4-benzoάioxane, obtained as described in Example la, are dissolved in 15 ml of distilled diethylamine. The solution is refluxed for 6 hours, after that it is evaporated to dryness and the residue is subjected to chromatography on silica gel column, eluting with an ethyl acetate/diethylamine 98:2 mixture, to obtain the title amine as the free base, in a 88% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethanol mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 93- 94 β C. The most significant NMR data are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 32 N-[6-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexyl]-N,N- diethylamine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 _ R 3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = Cl, m = 4, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 31, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 3a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 86% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid, m.p. 90-92 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Tables I and II. EXAMPLE 33 N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-y1)methyl]ox ]decyl]N,N- diethylamine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R2, R3 = CH 2 CH 3 , A = single bond, X = C1, m = 8, n = 2). Following the procedure described in Example 31, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 4a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 85% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from anhydrous acetone, gives a white solid. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 34 N-[16-[[(1, -Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]pi- peridine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R2, R3 = (CH,)-, A = single bond, X = C1, m = n = 8). Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 5a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 83% _ -eld. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 129-130 β C. The most significant NMR data of the title amine are reported in Table I. EXAMPLE 35 N-[10-[[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]decyl] iperidine hydrochloride (I, 1 = H, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = O, X = Cl, m = n = 10). Following the procedure described in Example 12 , starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in Example 7a, the title amine is obtained as the free base in a 87% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous acetone/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 113-114 β C. EXAMPLE 36 (2S)-N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]decyl]- piperidine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R2, R3 = (CH 2 ) g , A = single bond, X = C1, m = 8, n = 2). a) (2S)-2-[ [(10-Bromodecyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n =2) . Following the procedure described in Example la, but using 1,10-dibromodecane instead of 1,4- dibromobutane, and (2S)-2-hydroxymethyl-l,4-benzo- dioxane, [o = -34° (c=0.6; ethanol), the title bromo- derivative is obtained in a 90% yield. This compound has specific rotatory power [c ] = -13.4" (c=0.6; ethanol) and the same H NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDC1,) as that of the bromo-derivative obtained in Example 4a. b) Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 36a, the title amine is obtained as the free base, having specific rotatory power t-^-r ) = +11.7° (c=0.45; ethanol), in a 83% yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous ethyl acetate/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 118.5-119.0 β C. The NMR spectra of the title amine are the same as those of the compound prepared in Example 15. EXAMPLE 37 (2R)-N-[10-[[(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- piperidine hydrochloride (I, R 1 = H, R 2 , R 3 = (CH 2 ) 5 , A = single bond, X = Cl, m = 8, n = 2). a) (2R)-2-[ [(10-Bromodecyl)oxy]methyl]-l,4-benzodioxane (II, A = single bond, X = Br, m = 8, n =2). Following the procedure described in Example la, but using 1,10-dibromodecane instead of 1,4-dibromobutane, and (2R)-2-hydroxymethyl-l,4-benzodioxane, having [^] D = +34° (c=0.6; ethanol), the title bromo-derivative is obtained in a 90% yield. This compound has specific rotatory power [Λ] = +13.4° (c=0.6; ethanol) and the same H NMR spectrum (300 Hz, CDC1..) as that of the bromo-derivative obtained in Example 4a. b) Following the procedure described in Example 12, starting from the bromo-derivative prepared in 37a, the title amine is obtained as the free base, having specific rotatory power • * °^ r) = -11-7° (c=0.45; ethanol) , in a 83%, yield. From this amine the hydrochloride is prepared which, by crystallization from an anhydrous ethyl acetate/ethyl ether mixture, gives a white solid, m.p. 119-119.5°C. The NMR spectra of the title amine are the same as those of the compound prepared in Example 15. EXAMPLE 38 Evaluation of the anti-platelet action Platelets are prepared starting from blood samples obtained by means of a carotid cannula from male albino New Zealand rabbits (2-2.5 kg), subjected to anticoagulant treatment with sodium citrate dihydrate (3.2%) 1:10. Blood is centrifuged (150xg, 10 min, 22 β C) to separate the platelet-rich plasma fraction (PRP) from erythrocytes. Platelets are separated from plasmatic components by serial washings and centrifugations (Blood, 1986, 62:337), thereafter they are suspended in a physiological buffer at a concentration of 5 x 10 /ml. A 400 μl volume of the above mentioned suspension is placed into the cuvette of a multicanal aggregometer (Aggrecoder HU) where it is kept at constant temperature and stirring. After stabilization, platelets are added with 50 μl of physiological buffer containing 100 μM acetylsalicylic acid and apirase 5 mg/ml, in order to block any non PAF-related platelet activation metabolic pathways. Subsequently the platelet suspensions are added with 50 μl of the different solutions to be tested. Changes in light transmission, due to platelet aggregation in the suspension, are recorded and expressed as percent platelet aggregation, according to the procedure by Born and Cross (J. Physiol. , 1962, 162:67). Standard curve is performed with PAF within a concentration range of 0.1-1 nM. The results from the tests in which PAF activity was measured are reported in Table III. TABLE III. Platelet aggregating effect and inhibition PAF-induced platelet aggregation. Compound of Aggregation Paf-antagonism Example n Q EC 5fJ (μM) IC 5cn0 ( P ) 4 130 5 20 8 >190 10 90 21 >190 23 75 30 190 EXAMPLE 39 Inhibition of PAF-induced platelet aggregation Capability to inhibit PAF-induced platelet aggregation is evaluated by means of the aggregometry technique in suspensions of rabbit washed platelets, obtained by means of the same procedure as described in Example 32. For this purpose, the inhibition potency of the products under test, expressed as the corresponding IC 50 , is evaluated on the maximum aggregation values obtained in PAF standard curve. The results obtained from the tests, in which PAF-antagonist activity was measured, are reported in Table III. EXAMPLE 40 Evaluation of cytotoxic activity Suspensions of HL-60 line cells, obtained starting from human pro yelocyte leukemia, are incubated in 6- well culture plates for 24 hours at 37 β C, at a concentration of 1 x 10 cells/ml, in the presence of the test products, which have previously been dissolved in the culture medium. Cytotoxicity is measured by means of the Trypan Blue exclusion technique (Practical Immunology, pp 29-32, Oxford, England : Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1976). Cytotoxic activities of the products, expressed as IC gQ , are reported in Table IV. TABLE IV. Cytotoxic effect on HL-60 tumor cells.

Claims: CLAIMS Compounds of formula (I) wherein R 1, R and R3, which can be the same or different, are hydrogen, straight or branched £■-, -£■< : alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, in which the alkyl portion is straight or branched ,-C 8 alkyl; or R 1R2R3N+ is an aromatic cyclic ammonium group, selected from 1-pyridinium, 1-quinolinium, 2- isoquinolinium, 1-imidazolium, 1-pyrazolium, 3- thiazolium, 3-oxazolium, 1-benzimidazolium, 3- benzothiazolium or 3-benzoxazoliu , having on its ring from 1 to 3 substituents, selected from straight or branched .-C 8 alkyl, halogen, hydroxyalkyl in which the alkyl portion is straight or branched C.-C β alkyl, amino, aminoalkyl in which the alkyl portion is straight or branched .-Cg alkyl, or carboxy; or R 1R2R3N+ is a non aromatic cyclic ammonium group, m which two of groups (R 1, R2 or R3), together with the nitrogen atom, form a ring selected from 1-pyrrolidine, 1-piperidine, 4-morpholine, 1-piperazine or 1- perhydroazepine and the remaining group is hydrogen or straight or branched C.-C 8 alkyl; m and n, which can be the same or different, are an integer from 2 to 12; A is either a single covalent bond or it is an oxygen atom; X- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, stereoisomers of compounds (I) and the mixtures thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 2. Compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein m + n = 7-22. 3. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R , R 2 and R3 are hydrogen, straight or branched C.-Cg alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, in which the alkyl portion is straight or branched C,-C 8 alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl groups. 4. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R R R N + is an aromatic cyclic ammonium group selected from 1-pyridinium, 1-imidazolium or 3-thiazolium. 5. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R R R N + is a non aromatic cyclic ammonium group selected from 1-pyrrolidinium, 1-piperidinium, 4- morpholinium, 1-methyl-l-pyrrolinium, 1-methyl-l- piperidinium or 4-methyl-4-morpholinium. 6. Compounds according to any one of claims 1-5, selected from: N-[10-[ [ (1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N,N- trimethylammonium, N-[16-[ [(1 ,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N,N,N-trimethylammonium, N-[6-[ [10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium, N-[10-[ [10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]decyl]-N, ,N-trimethylammoniu , N-[10-[ [ (l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N,N,N- triethylammonium, N-[16-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- N, ,N-triethylammonium, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- methylpiperidinium, N-[16-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecy1]-N- methylpiperidinium, N-[6-[ [10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]-N-methylpiperidinium, N-[10-[ [10-[ [(l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- ox ]decyl]-N-methylpiperidinium, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]-N- ethyImorpholinium, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- piperidine, N-[16-[ [ (l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]hexadecyl]- piperidine, N-[10-[ [6-[ [ (l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]decyl]- oxy]hexyl]piperidine, N-[10-[ [10-[ [ (l,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- ox ] ecyl]piperidine, N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methy1]oxy]decyl]- morpholine, (2S)-N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl) ethyl]oxy]decyl]- piperidine, (2R)-N-[10-[ [(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)methyl]oxy]decyl]- piperidine. 7. A process for the preparation of the compounds claimed in claims 1 to 6, in which process a compound of formula (II) wherein X is an appropriate leaving group, and A, m and n have the above mentioned meanings, is reacted with a nitrogen base of formula NR 1R R3 wherein R1, R2 and R3 have the above mentioned meanings. 8. A process according to claim 7, in which process the reaction is carried out in the nitrogen base NR 1R2R3 itself as the solvent. 9. Pharmaceutical compositions containing as the active principle a compound of claims 1-6 in admixture with a suitable carrier.

Inventors: CARGANICO GERMANO, LOBATO RODRIGUEZ, MAULEON CASELLAS, CARGANICO, GERMANO, LOBATO, RODRIGUEZ, MAULEON, CASELLAS
Applicants: MENARINI LAB, LABORATORIOS MENARINI S.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D319
IPC codes: C07D319