Novel benzopyran derivatives and processes for the preparation thereof

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel benzopyran derivatives of formula(I) which have exellent effectiveness in the treatment of asthma as well as hypertension. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing such compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds as an effective ingredient: wherein: R₁ is -CN, -NO₂, -OCX₁X₂X₃, -NH₂, -NHSO₂R A , -SO₂R C or -SO₂NR C R D wherein X₁, X₂ and X₃ are, each independently, F, Cl or H, except for that X₁, X₂ and X₃ may not be hydrogen atom simulaneously; R A and R B are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C₁₋₃ alkyl group; and R C and R D are, each independently, a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C₁₋₃ alkyl group; R₂ is a C₁₋₄ straight or branched alkyl group; R₃ is a C₁₋₄ straight or branched alkyl group, wherein R G and R H are, each independently, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C₁₋₃ alkyl group, A and B are, each independently, S or O; and Z is a C₁₋₃ straight or branched alkyl group; X is N or N → O, provided, however, when X is in 2-position, R₃ is and Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an amino, hydroxy, a lower alkoxy or lower alkyl group.

Description: The present invention relates to novel benzopyran derivatives which have excellent effectiveness in the treatment of hypertension by lowering blood pressure with a relaxation activity on vascular smooth muscle and, further, in the treatment of asthma by relaxing respiratory smooth muscle. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing such compounds; and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds as an active ingredient. Hithereto, it has been known that a number of compounds which have relaxation activity on vascular smooth muscle by inhibiting influx of calcium ions into cells are useful in the treatment of diseases in cardiac circulatory. As such compounds, for example, calcium channel inhibitors and sodium channel inhibitors have been already developed, and, further, many studies on potassium channel activators have been made. Examples of such potassium channel activators include Pinacidil used frequently as a capillary vasodilator drug; Nicorandil used as an anti-stenocardia drug; and Cromakalim used as an anti-hypertensive agent. The EP-A 0 093 535 discloses benzopyran derivatives of formula(A) and salts thereof: wherein: one of R a and R b is a hydrogen atom and the other is selected from the group consisting of a C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6 alkyl-carbonyloxy, C 1-6 alkylhydroxymethyl, nitro, cyano, chloro, trifluoromethyl, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxysulfinyl, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxysulfonyl, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxycarbonylamino, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxysulfinylamino, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxysulfonylamino, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxythiocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkyl- and alkoxythiocarbonyloxy, C 1-6 alkylthiomethyl, formyl, an optionally substituted aminosulfinyl, aminosulfonyl or aminocarbonyl, or a terminal substituted ethylenyl, -C(C 1-6 alkyl) NOH, or -C(C 1-6 alkyl)NNH 2 group; or one of R a and R b is nitro, cyano or a C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl group and the other is methoxy or an optionally substituted amino group; one of R c and R d is a hydrogen atom or a C 1-4 alkyl, and the other is a C 1-4 alkyl group; or R c and R d together form a C 2-5 polymethylene; X' is an oxygen or sulfur atom; Y' and Z' are hydrogen atoms or together form a single bond; and n is 1 or 2. Further, EP-A 0 298 452 discloses benzopyran derivatives of formula(B) and pharmaceutical compositions containing same: wherein: R e is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, a lower alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkanoyl, carbamoyl or mono- or di(lower alkyl) carbamoyl group; R f is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl or phenyl group; R g is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group; R h is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group; and, R i is a hydrogen atom; or R h and R i together form a C-C bond; and R j is an aryl- or N-heteroaryl group whose 2-position is a hydroxy group, or, an N-oxide group in case of N-heteroaryl group. The EP-A-0 415 065 (corresponding to Korean Patent Application No. 91-4602) discloses a chromane derivative of formula(C) and a salt thereof: wherein R k is H or A; R l is F, Cl, Br, I, OH, OA, OAc, SA, NO 2 , NH 2 , NHA, NA 2 , COOH or COOA; R m is H, OH, OA or OAc and R n is H; or R m and R n together form a single bond; R o is an optionally mono- or di-substituted pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, oxohydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl, oxodihydropyrazinyl, 2-pyrrolidinon-1-yl or 3-oxocyclopenten-1-yl with A, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, OA, OAc, SH, NO 2 , NH 2 , NHAc, COOH and/or COOA; R p and R q are each independently H, A, HO, AO, CHO, ACO, ACS, HOOC, AOOC, AO-CS, ACOO, A-CS-O, hydroxyalkyl, mercaptoalkyl, NO 2 , NH 2 , NHA, NA 2 , CN, F, Cl, Br, I, CF 3 , ASO, ASO 2 , AO-SO, AO-SO 2 , AcNH, AO-CO-NH, N 2 HSO, HANSO, A 2 NSO, H 2 NSO 2 , HANSO 2 , A 2 NSO 2 , H 2 NCO, HANCO, A 2 NCO, A 2 NCS, HANCS, A 2 NCS, ASONH, ASO 2 NH, ASO-ONH, AOSO 2 NH, ACO-alkyl, nitroalkyl, cyanoalkyl, A-C(=NOH) or A-C=(NNH 2 ); and R r is H or A wherein Z is O, S, NH or a single bond; A represents a C 1-6 alkyl group; -alkyl represents a C 1-6 alkylene; and Ac represents a C 1-8 alkanoyl or C 7-11 aroyl group. The above compounds have been reported to be useful in the treatment of hypertension. However, another use of the compounds was reported in such references as Br. J. Pharmacol. 89 , 395-405(1986), Br. J. Pharmacol. 165 , 231-239(1989), and Br. J. Pharmacol. 95 , 765-770(1988): i.e., the compounds may be used as a bronchodilator in addition to a blood pressure-lowering agent, since they relax smooth muscle by enhancing the hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane of a cell. It has now been found that a novel class of benzopyrans have superior effectiveness in the treatment of both hypertension and asthma. Accordingly, the present invention primarily pertains to novel benzopyran derivatives having excellent effectiveness in the treatment of both hypertension and asthma. Further, the present invention relates to processes for preparing such compounds; and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds as an active ingredient. The present invention provides novel benzopyran derivatives of formula wherein: R 1 is -CN, -NO 2 , -OCX 1 X 2 X 3 , -NH 2 , -NHSO 2 R A , -SO 2 R C or -SO 2 NR C R D wherein X 1 , X 2 and X 3 are, each independently, F, Cl or H, except that X 1 , X 2 and X 3 may not be a hydrogen simultaneously; R A and R B are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, or a C 1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; and R C and R D are, each independently, a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; R 2 is a C 1-4 straight or branched alkyl group; R 3 is wherein R G and R H are, each independently, a C 1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; A and B are, each independently, S or O; and Z is a C 1-3 straight or branched alkyl group; X is N or N → O; and Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or lower alkyl group. Preferred benzopyran derivatives of the present invention are the compounds of formula(I) wherein: R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is X is N → O; and Y is H. More preferred benzopyran derivatives of the present invention are the compounds of formula(I) wherein: R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is X is N → O; and Y is H. The novel benzopyran compounds of formula(I) may be present in the form of a racemic mixture of optically active isomers of formulae(I' ) and (I'' ). Each of the isomers may be obtained separately which are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the compounds of formula(I) include both isomers of formulae(I' ) and (I'' ) as well as the racemic mixture thereof: wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , X and Y have the same meanings as defined above. The present invention also provides processes for preparing the compounds of formula(I). The benzopyran derivatives having the formula(I) according to the present invention may be prepared by a known method, for example, taught in EP-A 0 298 452, of which details are not disclosed herein. The compounds of the present invention may also be prepared by employing a novel process shown in the following Reaction Scheme(1): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and Y have the same meanings defined above; and R 4 is a C 1-4 alkyl group. In the above process, Step(a) may be conducted by reacting a ketone derivative of formula(II) with anhydrous trifluorosulfonic acid and a tertiary amine in a solvent such as dichloromethane and chloroform at a temperature ranging from 0°C to a room temperature; or, alternatively, converting the ketone derivative of formula(II) to an enolate by using a base such as lithium diisopropyl amine, lithium dihexamethylsilazamide, etc. and then reacting the enolate with N-phenyltrifluoromethane sulfonimide(Tf 2 NPh) in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran(THF), ethers, THF-hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) or THF-tetramethyl ethylene diamine(TMEDA) at a temperature ranging from -78°C to 0°C under argon or nitrogen atmospheric environment to provide a vinyl triflate of formula(III). Thereafter, Step(b) may be conducted by reacting the vinyl triflate of formula(III) with a trialkyltin derivative of formula(IV) in the presence of a catalyst to provide a benzopyran derivative of formula(I-a). Step(b) may be carried out in a solvent such as THF, N-methyl pyrrolidone(NMP) and dimethylformamide(DMF) in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a first component selected from the group consisting of tetrakis triphenylphosphine palladium, bisbenzylidine acetone palladium and dipalladium trisdibenzylidine acetone chloroform and a second component selected from the group consisting of triphenylphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine and triphenyl arsenic and using a chloride compound such as lithium chloride and sodium chloride at a temperature ranging from a room temperature to 70°C; or alternatively, in a solvent such as THF in the presence of a catalytic mixture of palladium acetate and any one of triphenylphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine, trialkylamine and triphenyl arsenic at the boiling point of the solvent employed. Subsequently, Step(c) may be conducted by oxidizing the compound of formula(I-a) in the presence of an oxidizing agent to provide a benzopyran derivative of formula(I-b) of the present invention. The oxidizing agent includes m-chloroperbenzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, dimethyldioxiran, oxon, etc; and, dichloromethane, chloroform, acetone or dioxane-water can be used as a reaction solvent. The reaction temperature may range from 0°C to a room temperature. Particularly, a compound of formula(I-c) may be further reacted to produce a compound of formula(I-d) or (I-e) by a process shown in the following Reaction Scheme(2): wherein R 1 , R 2 , A, B, X, Y and Z have the same meanings as defined above; and R' is a C 2-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group. In the above process, Step(d) may be conducted by transacetallization of a compound of formula(I-c) with an excess amount of an alcohol of formula(V) or a diol or mercaptoalcohol of formula(VI) to provide a compound of formula(I-d) or (I-e), respectively. An acid catalyst may be used in a catalytic amount; and examples of such acid catalyst include a conventional Lewis acid such as boron trifluoride, and p-toluene sulfonic acid. When a Lewis acid is employed as the catalyst, a halogen substituted solvent such as dichloromethane and chloroform may be used; and when p-toluene sulfonic acid is employed as the catalyst, a solvent such as benzene and toluene may be used. The reaction temperature may range from a room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent employed. On the other hand, each of the optically active compounds of formulae(I' ) and (I'' ) of the present invention may be separately obtained, for example, by a process shown in the following Reaction Scheme(3): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , X and Y have the same meanings as defined above. In the above process, Step(e) may be conducted by reducing a ketone derivative of formula(II) by using a reducing agent to provide an alcoholic derivative of formula(VII); the alcoholic derivative is split into two diastereomeric alcohol mixtures of formulae(VII' ) and (VII'' ) by employing chromatography. Examples of the reducing agent are sodium borohydride, zinc borohydride, diisobutyl aluminum hydride(DIBAL), L-selectride, borane, etc; and, as a solvent, ethers, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane(DME), toluene, etc. may be used. The reaction temperature may range from -78°C to a room temperature. Then, Step(f) may be conducted by reacting each of the diastereomeric alcohol mixtures of formulae(VII' ) and (VII'' ) with a chiral carbon-containing organic acid such as (-)-α-methoxy-α-phenylacetic acid in the presence of a condensation promoting agent and a catalyst so as to produce condensation products; and resolving said condensation products into four separate diastereomers by employing a conventional column chromatography or a recrystallization method. The condensation promoting agent may include N, N-disubstituted carbodiimides such as N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and imidazols such as N,N-carbonyldiimidazole. Examples of the catalyst include 4-dimethylaminopyridin; and, a solvent such as ethyl acetate and dichloromethane may be used. Step(g) may be conducted by hydrolyzing each of the four diastereomers to obtain the compounds of formulae(VII' -a), (VII' -b), (VII'' -a) and (VII'' -b), which are optically active, respectively. A base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, etc.; and a solvent such as alcohols(for example, methanol), alcohol-water, THF-water, dioxane-water mixtures may be used in the hydrolysis procedure. Step(h) may be conducted by oxidizing each of the isomers obtained in Step(g) to obtain each of the ketone derivatives of formulae(II' ) and (II'' ) which are optically active. In the oxidization reaction, an oxidizing agent such as chromic trioxidepyridine, pyridinium chlorochromate(PCC), pyridinium dichromate(PDC) may be employed; and a solvent such as dichloromethane may be used. Alternatively, the oxidization may be conducted by employing a conventional method, for example, using acyl chloride, dimethylsulfoxide(DMSO) and a base. Subsequently, Step(i) may be conducted by the same procedure as shown in the above Reaction Scheme(1); and the reaction conditions in this step are the same as defined in Steps(a), (b) and (c) of Reaction Scheme(1). Representative examples of formula(I) of the present invention prepared by the above-mentioned processes are as follows: 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-diethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-diethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-diethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-diethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-diethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymetbyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2- (2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2- (2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2- (2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxapyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl amido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl) -6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonylamido-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran; As mentioned above, the compounds of formula(I) of the present invention have excellent effectiveness in the treatment of hypertension by lowering blood pressure with a relaxation activity on vascular smooth muscle; and, further, in the treatment of asthma by relaxing respiratory smooth muscle. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of formula(I) of the present invention as an active ingredient. Particularly, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing an effective amount of the compounds of formula(I) and conventional and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The composition of the present invention can be formulated for oral or other forms of administration, preferably oral administration. The formulated compositions are preferably in the form of a unit dose. Examples of suitable unit dose forms may be tablet, capsule and powder. The effective unit-dose may comprise 0.1 to 10mg, preferably 1 to 5mg of the compound of the present invention. The composition of the present invention may be formulated with conventional additives, for example a filler, dispersant, binder, lubricant, flavoring agent, etc. The formulation of the composition can be conducted by using a known method in the art. The following Preparation Examples and Examples are intended to illustrate how some of the compounds of the present invention can be prepared, without limiting the scope of the invention. 1 H NMR data are given in ppm. Example 1 : Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl) 6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran In 250mℓ of toluene were dissolved 30g(0.22mmole) of 2-hydroxy acetophenone and 33.8g(0.29mmole) of pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal; and, 6.3mℓ(0.09mmole) of pyridine was added thereto. After stirring at room temperature 30 minutes, the reactants were heated to reflux for 5 hours using Dean-Stark apparatus. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and 100mℓ of 2N HCl aqueous solution was added. The resultant solution was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, extracted with ethyl acetate(200mℓ x 2), washed with 100mℓ of water and then with 50mℓ of saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(4:1) to obtain 39g (0.16mmole, yield 75%) of the title compound as a white solid. Step 2) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-nitro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran In 15mℓ of chloroform were dissolved 1.9g(8.1mmole) of the compound obtained in step 1 and 0.64g(8.1mmole) of ammonium nitrate; and, 4.5mℓ(32mmole) of anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid was added thereto at room temperature. The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours; and, the reaction was terminated with a saturated NaHCO 3 aqueous solution. The resultant solution was extracted with dichloromethane(50mℓ x 2), washed with 50mℓ of water and with 20mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to obtain residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(4:1) as an eluent to obtain 1.24g(yield 55%) of the title compound. Step 3) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran In a dried flask, 2.8mℓ (19.5mmole) of diisopropylamine was dissolved in 20mℓ of distilled THF and 6mℓ of dimethoxyethane. To the resultant solution was slowly added 7.8mℓ(19.5mmole) of 2.5M solution of n-butyl lithium dissolved in hexane at -78°C. The resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. A solution of 4.02g (13.0mmole) obtained in step 2 dissolved in 20mℓ of dimethoxyethane was slowly added thereto. The resultant mixture was slowly warmed up to 0°C and stirred for 1 hour. A solution of 5.57g(15.6mmole) of N-phenyl trifluoromethane sulfonimide dissolved in 2mℓ of dimethoxyethane was slowly added to the above mixture, which was stirred for 6 hours at 0°C. The resultant mixture was diluted with 100mℓ of ethyl acetate and washed with 30mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, evaporated to remove the solvent and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(4:1) as an eluent to obtain 4.29g(9.73mmole, yield 75%) of the title compound. Step 4) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran In a dried flask 1.62g(38.8mmole) of anhydrous lithium chloride was dried sufficiently by vacuum pump for 30 minutes; and, 83mg(0.073mmole) of tetrakis triphenylphosphine palladium(Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 ) was added under argon atmosphere. The reactants were dissolved in 20mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran. The reaction solution was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature. Subsequently, a solution of 2.14g(4.85mmole) of the triflate obtained in step 3 dissolved in 15mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran and a solution of 2.68g(7.28mmole) of tributyl(2-pyridyl)tin dissolved in 10mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran were added in turn thereto. The resultant solution was heated to reflux for 15 hours, cooled by standing out at room temperature and extracted with 50mℓ of ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO 4 , concentrated and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl aceate(2:1) as an eluent to obtain 1.44g(3.89mmole, yield 80%) of the desired compound. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.53(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.50(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.58(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 6.05(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.33(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.48(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.80(t, 1H,aromatic), 8.07(dd 1H,aromatic), 8.29(dd, 1H,aromatic), 8.72(dd, 1H,aromatic) Example 2: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-dimethyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran To a solution of 0.50g(1.35mmole) of the compound obtained in Example 1 above dissolved in 7mℓ of dichloromethane was added 0.23g(2.70mmole) of NaHCO 3 . At 0°C, 0.43g(2.03mmole) of 85% m-chloroperbenzoic acid was slowly added thereto. The resultant mixture was stirred for 2 hours, diluted with 20mℓ of dichloromethane, washed with 10mℓ of saturated Na 2 SO 3 · 5H 2 O solution, 10mℓ of 1.0N NaOH and then 10mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , concentrated and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of methanol and dichloromethane(1:19) as an eluent to obtain 0.31g (0.80mmole, yield 59%) of the desired compound. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1,57(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.50(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.59(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.39(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.99(s, 1H, H-3), 6.93(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.28(dd, 1H, aromatic). Example 3: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl) 6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran In 100mℓ of toluene were dissolved 8.06g(50mmole) of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxybenzonitrile and 7.68g(65mmole) of pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal; and, 1.67mℓ(20mmole) of pyrrolidine was added at room temperature thereto. 30 Minutes thereafter, the reactants were heated to reflux for 8 hours using Dean-Stark apparatus. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure; and, 50mℓ of 2N HCl solution was added to the residue so obtained. The resultant solution was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, extracted with ethyl acetate(100mℓ x 2), washed with 50mℓ of water and then with 50mℓ of saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution and purified by silica gel column chromatography using as an eluent a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(4:1) to obtain 11.19g(yield 86%) of the title compound as a white solid. Step 2) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in step 3 of Example 1 above, the title compound was prepared. Step 3) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in step 4 of Example 1 above, the desired compound was prepared. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.50(s, 3H, H-2), 3.50(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.53(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 6.02(s, 1H, H-3), 6.92(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.24(m, 3H, aromatic), 7.82(m, 2H, aromatic), 8.70(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 4: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 2 above, the desired compound was prepared using the end product of Example 3. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.54(s, 3H, H-2), 3.50(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.57(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.39(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.96(s, 1H, H-3), 6.93(m, 2H,aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H,aromatic), 8.35(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 5: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 4-phenylsulfonyl-1-methoxybenzene To a solution of 16g of AlCl 3 dissolved in 21.6g of anisol was added dropwise 17.6g of benzenesulfonyl chloride. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 8 hours and poured into 1N HCl solution containing ice. The resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate(100mℓ x 3), washed with 100mℓ of saturated NaHCO 3 aqueous solution, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated to obtain residue, which was recrystallized from hexane-ethyl acetate to obtain 25g of the title compound. Step 2) Synthesis of 4-phenylsulfonyl-1-hydroxybenzene To a solution of 24.8g(100mmole) of the compound obtained in step 1 dissolved in 50mℓ of acetic acid was added 40% HBr, which was heated to reflux for 8 hours. The reaction solution was poured into ice-water. The resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate(100mℓ x 3), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated to obtain residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(1:1) to obtain 23.0g (yield 100%) of the title compound containing a portion of orthoisomer(approximately one-eighth). Step 3) Synthesis of 4-phenylsulfonyl-1-acetoxybenzene In 150mℓ of CH 2 Cl 2 were dissolved 23g of the compound obtained in step 2; and, 12.9mℓ of pyridine and 7.8mℓ of acetyl chloride was slowly added at room temperature thereto. The reaction solution was washed with 0.2N HCl and with saturated NaHCO 3 aqueous solution, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain residue, which was used for subsequent reaction without further purification. Step 4) Synthesis of 4-phenylsulfonyl-2-acetylphenol To a solution of 0.67g of the compound obtained in step 3 dissolved in 5mℓ of CS 2 was added 0.97g of AlCl 3 . The reaction mixture was heated to the temperature of 190°C(at this temperature, CS 2 would be distilled) and maintained at that temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured into 1N HCl solution containing ice. The resultant solution was extracted with ethyl aceate(20mℓ x 3), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(2:1) as an eluent to obtain 0.35g(yield 52%) of the title compound. Step 5) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-phenylsulfonyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran In 100mℓ of toluene were dissolved 10g of the compound obtained in step 4, 6.5mℓ of pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal and 1.5mℓ of pyrrolidine. The resultant solution was heated to reflux for 16 hours and concentrated reduced pressure to obtain residue, which was purified by silica gel column chormatography using as an eluent a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(2:1) to obtain 11g of the title compound. Step 6) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the step 3 of Example 1 above, the title compound was prepared using the compound obtained in step 5. Step 7) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in step 4 of Example 1 above, the desired compound was prepared. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 )δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.48(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.53(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.50(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.80(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.48(m, 7H,aromatic), 7.66(dd, 1H, aromatic), 7.87(m, 2H,aromatic), 8.31(m, 1H,aromatic) Example 6: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-phenylsulfonyl-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 2 above, the desired compound was prepared using the end product of Example 5. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 )δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.48(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.55(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.98(s, 1H, H-3), 6.93(d, 1H,aromatic, 7.45(m, 7H, aromatic), 7.64(dd, 1H,aromatic), 7.89(m, 2H,aromatic), 8.33(m, 1H, aromatic) Example 7: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 4-trifluoromethoxy-2-(α-hydroxyethyl)phenol To a solution of 1.0g(4.85mmole) of 5-(trifluoromethoxy) salicyl aldehyde dissolved in 500mℓ of dry ether was slowly added 10.34mℓ(14.55mmole) of 1.4M CH 3 Li at room temperature. The resultant solution was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature and 1N HCl was added thereto to acidify the solution. The acidified solution was extracted with ethyl acetate(20mℓ x 3), dried and concentrated to obtain residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using as an eluent a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate of 2:1 to obtain the 0.88g(yield 82%) of title compound. Step 2) Synthesis of 4-trifluoromethoxy-2-acetylphenol In 20mℓ of dichloromethane was dissolved 0.85g(3.83mmole) of the compound obtained in step 1; and, a suitable amount of Cellite and 1.73g(4.6mmole) of pyridinium dichromate were added thereto. The resultant mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature and filtered by a Cellite layer to obtain precipitates, which were purified by silica gel column chromatography using as an eluent a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate of 6:1 and then concentrated under reduced pressure at 0°C to obtain 0.72g(yield 85%) of the title compound. Step 3) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-trifluoromethoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran To a solution of 0.5g(2.27mmole) of the compound obtained in step 2 dissolved in 10mℓ of toluene were added 0.55mℓ(4.54mmole) of pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal and 80mg(1.14mmole) of pyrrolidine. The reactants were heated to reflux for about 12 hours using Dean-Stark apparatus. After completion of the reaction, toluene solvent was removed therefrom under reduced pressure. The residue so obtained was extracted with ethyl acetate and concentrated to give residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatograph using as an eluent a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate of 10:1 to obtain 0.470g(yield 65%) of the title compound. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 200MHz)δ 1.6(d, 3H), 2.6(d, 1H), 5.1(m, 1H), 6.85(m, 2H), 7.1(m, 1H), 8.1(s, 1H) Step 4) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the step 3 of Example 1 above, the title compound was prepared. Step 5) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in step 4 of Example 1 above, the desired compound was prepared. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 )δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.51(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.58(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 6.04(s, 1H, H-3), 6.98(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.03(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.20(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.31(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.45(dd, 1H,aromatic), 7.78(m, 1H, aromatic), 8.70(m, 1H, aromatic) Example 8: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 2 above, the desired compound was prepared using the end product of Example 7. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 )δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.51(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.54(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.30(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.97(s, 1H, H-3), 6.90(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.00(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.22(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.32(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.46(dd, 1H,aromatic), 7.80 (m, 1H,aromatic), 8.71(m, 1H, aromatic) Example 9: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran In a dried flask, 2.8mℓ of (19.5mmole) of diisopropylamine was dissolved in 20mℓ of distilled THF and 6mℓ of dimethoxyethane. To the resultant solution was slowly added 7.8mℓ(19.5mmole) of 2.5M solution of n-butyl lithium dissolved in hexane at -78°C. The resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. A solution of 4.02g (13.0mmole) of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-nitro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran obtained in step 2 of Example 2 dissolved in 20mℓ of dimethoxyethane was slowly added thereto. The resultant mixture was slowly warmed up to 0°C and stirred for 1 hour. A solution of 5.57g(15.6mmole) of N-phenyl trifluoromethane sulfonimide dissolved in 2mℓ of dimethoxyethane was slowly added thereto, which was stirred for 6 hours at 0°C. The resultant mixture was diluted with 100mℓ of ethyl acetate and washed with 30mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, evaporated to remove the solvent and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(4:1) as an eluent to obtain 4.29g(9.73mmole, yield 75%) of the title compound. Step 2) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran In a 2-neck round bottom flask 407mg(9.68mmole) of anhydrous lithium chloride was dried sufficiently; and, 62mg(0.06mmole) of Pd 2 (dba) 3 (CHCl 3 ) and 63mg(0.24mmole) of triphenylphosphine were added thereto. The reactants were dissolved in 20mℓ of THF. Subsequently, a solution of 500mg(1.21mmole) of the triflate compound obtained in step 1 and 535mg(1.45mmole) of tributyl(3-pyridyl)tin dissolved in THF was added thereto. The resultant solution was heated to reflux for 24 hours, cooled to room temperature and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , concentrated and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl aceate(2:1) as an eluent to obtain 150mg(yield 60%) of the desired compound. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 ) δ 1.55(s, 6H, CH 3 ), 3.55(d, 6H, (OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.32(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.85(s, 1H, H-3), 7.05(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.4(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.7(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.35(d, 1H,aromatic), 8.1(dd, 1H, aromatic), 8.7(m, 2H, aromatic) Example 10: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxo-pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran To a solution of 100mg(0.29mmole) of the compound obtained in Example 9 above dissolved in a mixture of 2mℓ of acetone and 2mℓ of distilled water was added 243mg(2.9mmole) of NaHCO 3 . After stirring the resulting mixture for 10 minutes, 178mg(0.29mmole) of oxon was slowly added at room temperature thereto. The resultant solution was stirred for 1 hour and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , concentrated and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of methanol and dichloromethane(3:97) as an eluent to obtain 63mg (yield 61%) of the desired compound as an ivory solid. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 ) δ 1.5(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.55(d, 6H, (OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.3(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.9(s, 1H, H-3), 7.0(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.4(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.85(d, 1H,aromatic), 8.15(dd, 1H,aromatic), 8.3(m, 2H,aromatic) Example 11: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Step 1) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(O-triflate)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in step 1 of Example 10, the title compound was prepared using the compound obtained in step 1 of Example 3 above. Step 2) Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran 0.74g(17.6mmole) of anhydrous lithium chloride was dried sufficiently; and, 45mg(0.044mmole) of Pd 2 (dba) 3 (CHCl 3 ) and 47mg (0.18mmole) of triphenylphosphine were added thereto. To the resultant mixture was added 10mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran under argon atmosphere. Subsequently, a solution of 0.86g(2.20mmole) of the triflate compound obtained in step 1 dissolved in 5mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran and a solution of 0.98g(2.66mmole) of tributyl(3-pyridyl)tin dissolved in 5mℓ of distilled tetrahydrofuran were added in turn thereto. The resultant solution was heated to reflux for 40 hours, cooled and extracted with 30mℓ of ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , concentrated and purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl aceate(1:1) as an eluent to obtain 0.46g(1.43mmole, yield 65%) of the desired compound. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 ) δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.50(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.53(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.30(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.80(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.20(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.65(m, 1H,aromatic), 8.58(d, 1H, aromatic), 8.65 (dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 12: Synthesis of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 2 above, 0.11g(0.33mmole, yield 70%) of the desired compound was prepared using 0.15g(0.47mmole) of the compound obtained in Example 11 above, 0.40g(4.70mmole) of NaHCO 3 and 0.29g(0.47mmole) of oxon. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 ) δ 1.50(s, 3H, CH 3 ), 3.48(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 3.55(s, 3H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 4.28(s, 1H, CH(OCH 3 ) 2 ), 5.87(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.20(d, 1H,aromatic), 7.22(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.38(t, 1H, aromatic), 7.49(dd, 1H,aromatic), 8.27 (m, 2H,aromatic) Example 13: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran To a solution of 171mg(0.48mmole) of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran obtained in Example 10 above dissolved in 20mℓ of toluene were added 100mg (2.4mmole) of ethylene glycol and 11.4mg(0.06mmole) of p-toluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours with Dean-Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature after completion of the reaction, diluted with 20mℓ of ethyl acetate, washed with 10mℓ of a saturated NaHCO 3 solution and then 10mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(1:1) as an eluent to obtain 145mg(0.41mmole, yield 85%) of the desired compound as a white solid. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 200MHz)δ 1.57(s, 3H), 4.01(m, 4H), 5.06(s, 1H), 5.89(s, 1H), 6.93(m, 2H), 7.40(m, 4H), 8.35(m, 1H) Example 14: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran To a solution of 150mg(0.48mmole) of 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl )-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran obtained in Example 12 above dissolved in 20mℓ of toluene were added 100mg (2.4mmole) of ethylene glycol and 11.4mg(0.06mmole) of p-toluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours with Dean-Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature after completion of the reaction, diluted with 10mℓ of ethyl acetate, washed with 10mℓ of a saturated NaHCO 3 solution and then 10mℓ of saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue so obtained was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate(1:1) as an eluent to obtain 130mg(0.42mmole, yield 87%) of the desired compound as a white solid. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.57(s, 3H), 4.01(m, 4H), 5.06(s, 1H), 5.89(s, 1H), 6.93(m, 2H), 7.40(m, 4H), 8.35(m, 1H) Example 15: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 9 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.90(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.08(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 ), 5.99(s, 1H, H-3), 6.98(m, 1H,aromatic), 7.42(m, 4H,aromatic), 8.30(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 16: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 11 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.54(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.89(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.06(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.39(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 ), 5.97(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.35(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 17: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' - N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 10 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.35(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.83(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.20(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 5.99(s, 1H, H-3), 6.93(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.45(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.30(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 18: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' - N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 12 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.33(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.82(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.21(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 5.98(s, 1H, H-3), 6.94(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.35(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 19: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 9 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.35(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.53(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.83(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4,21(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 6.05(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.33(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.48(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.80(t, 1H, aromatic), 8.07(dd, 1H, aromatic), 8.29(dd, 1H, aromatic), 8.72(dd, 5H, aromatic) Example 20: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(3' - pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 11 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.32(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.50(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.82(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.20(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 6.02(s, 1H, H-3), 6.92(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.24∼7.82(m, 5H, aromatic), 8.70(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 21: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl )-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 2 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHZ)δ 1.56(s, 3H), 3.90(m, 2H), 4.10(m, 2H), 4.38(s, 1H), 5.96(s, 1H), 6.93(m, 2H), 7.40(m, 4H), 8.30 (dd, 1H) Example 22: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 1 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.90(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.08(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 ), 5.99(s, 1H, H-3), 6.98(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.42(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.30(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 23: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 4 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.57(s, 3H), 4.01(m, 4H), 5.06(s, 1H), 5.89(s, 1H), 6.93(m, 2H), 7.40(m, 4H), 8.35(m, 1H) Example 24: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 13 and 14 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 3 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.54(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 )), 3.89(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.06(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 ), 4.39(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 ), 5.97(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H,aromatic), 8.35(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 25: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 2 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.35(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.83(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.20(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 5.99(s, 1H, H-3), 6.93(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.45(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.30(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 26: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 1 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.35(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.53(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.83(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.21(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 6.05(s, 1H, H-3), 6.95(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.33(m, 1H, aromatic), 7.48(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.80(t, 1H, aromatic), 8.07(dd, 1H, aromatic), 8.29(dd, 1H, aromatic), 8.72 (dd, 5H, aromatic) Example 27: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 4 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.33(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.56(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.82(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.21(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.38(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 5.98(s, 1H, H-3), 6.94(m, 2H, aromatic), 7.40(m, 4H, aromatic), 8.35(dd, 1H, aromatic) Example 28: Synthesis of 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -pyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran Similarly to the procedures described in Example 17 above, the desired compound was prepared using the compound obtained in Example 3 above. 1 H NMR(CDCl 3 , 300MHz)δ 1.32(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 1.50(s, 3H, C(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3.82(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.20(m, 2H, OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ), 4.33(s, 1H, CH(OCH 2 ) 2 CH 2 ), 6.02(s, 1H, H-3), 6.92(d, 1H, aromatic), 7.24∼7.32(m, 6H, aromatic), 8.70(dd, 1H, aromatic) Activity Test The activity of the formula(I) compounds of the present invention was tested by employing the tail-cuff method described in references [ see , e.g., I. M. Claxton, M. G. Palfreyman, R. H. Poyster and R. L. Whiting, European Journal of Pharmacology 37, 179(1976)] . After administration of the test compounds of formula(I) to sets of spontaneously hypertensive rats, maximum blood pressure-lowering activity was determined by measuring the lowering effect on systolic blood pressure. The results of the test are shown in Table 1. Further, the relaxation activity on respiratory smooth muscle was determined as follows: Guinea pig trachea muscle was made to be contracted with histamine; and, then, the test compounds of the present invention were administered thereto; and the concentration of the test compounds which was required in relaxing 50% level of the contraction was designated as EC 50 . These EC 50 values for the test compounds are also shown in Table 1. Example No. of Compound Employed Trachea Relaxation Activity, EC 50 Blood Pressure-Lowering Activity(%, dose) 2 1.23 x 10 -6 M 30.4(0.03mg) 4 5.0 x 10 -6 M 48.1(0.03mg) 6 1.71 x 10 -5 M 20(0.1mg) 10 5.12 x 10 -5 M 36(0.1mg) 12 3.98 x 10 -5 M 20(1mg) 18 5.12 x 10 -5 M 35.5(1mg) 24 9.77 x 10 -7 M 51(0.03mg) 28 3.23 x 10 -6 M 40(0.03mg) Cromakalim (-) 2.7 x 10 -6 M 39(0.3mg) Toxicity Test The toxicity test of the formula(1) compounds was conducted as follows: The compounds prepared in Examples 2 and 22 were orally administered to sets of rats, which had a body weight of 100-120g and were about four week-old. Six pairs(each pair consisting of a male and a female) of the rats were used in the test. The number of the rats which died over a period of 48 hours was reported. The results of the test are shown in Table 2. Example No. of Compound Employed Dose(mg/kg) Lethal Rate LD 50 2 10 0 >50mg/kg 20 15 50 35 22 10 0 >50mg/kg 20 12.5 50 25 As shown above, the compounds of the present invention are judged to be safe for use, especially at the amount to be administered.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE A novel benzopyran compound of formula(I) wherein: R 1 is -CN, -NO 2 , -OCX 1 X 2 X 3 , -NH 2 , NHSO 2 R A , -SO 2 R C or -SO 2 NR C R D wherein X 1 , X 2 and X 3 are, each independently, F, Cl or H, except that X 1 , X 2 and X 3 may not be a hydrogen atom simultaneously; R A and R B are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; and R C and R D are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; R 2 is a C 1-4 straight or branched alkyl group; R 3 is wherein R G and R H are, each independently, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; A and B are, each independently, S or O; and Z is a C 1-3 straight or branched alkyl group; X is N or N → O; and Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or lower alkyl group. The compound of claim 1 wherein: R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is X is N → O; and Y is H. The compound of claim 2 wherein: R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is X is N → O; and Y is H. The compound of claim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of: 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluoromethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' , 3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(3' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2'' -(1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(2' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyano-2H-1-benzopyran; and 2-(2'' - (1'' ,3'' -dioxolane))-2-methyl-4-(4' -N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran. A process for preparing a benzopyran compound of formula(I-a) comprising the steps of: (a) converting a ketone derivative of formula(II) to a vinyl triflate derivative of formula(III), and (b) reacting the vinyl triflate derivative of formula(III) with a trialkyltin derivative of formula(IV) to provide the compound of formula(I-a): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1 and R 4 represents a C 1-4 alkyl group. The process of claim 5 wherein step(a) is carried out by reacting the ketone derivative of formula(III) with anhydrous trifluorosulfonic acid and a tertiary amine. The process of claim 5 wherein step(a) is carried out by converting the ketone derivative of formula(III) to an enolate compound using a base; and, then reacting the enolate compound with N-phenyltrifluoromethane sulfonimide. The process of claim 5 wherein step(b) is carried out in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a first component selected from the group consisting of tetrakis triphenylphosphine palladium, bisbenzylidine acetone palladium and dipalladium trisdibenzylidine acetone chloroform, and a second component selected from the group consisting of triphenylphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine and triphenyl arsenic and using a chloride compound. The process of claim 5 wherein step(b) is carried out in the presence of a catalytic mixture of palladium acetate and any one of triphenyiphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine, trialkylamine and triphenyl arsenic. A process for preparing a benzopyran compound of formula(I-b) comprising oxidizing a benzopyran derivative of formula(I-a) in the presence of an oxidizing agent wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1. A process for preparing a compound of formula(I-d) comprising transacetalizing a compound of formula(I-c) in the presence of an alcohol of formula(V) wherein R 1 , R 2 , X and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1, and R' represents a C 2-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group. A process for preparing a compound of formula(I-e) comprising transacetalizing a compound of formula(I-c) in the presence of a diol or mercaptoalcohol of formula(VI) wherein R 1 , R 2 , A, B, X, Y and Z have the same meanings as defined in claim 1. A process for preparing compounds of formulae(I' ) and (I'' ) separately, which comprises the steps of: (a) reducing a ketone derivative of formula(II) to an alcohol derivative, and resolving the alcohol derivative into a first and a second diastereomeric alcohol mixtures; (b) reacting said first and second diastereomeric mixtures with an organic acid containing a chiral carbon in the presence of a condensation promoting agent so as to produce condensation products; (c) resolving said condensation products into four separate diastereomers; (d) hydrolyzing and oxidizing each of the four diastereomers to provide ketone derivatives of formulae(II' ) and (II'' ); (e) converting the ketone derivatives of formulae(II' ) and (II'' ) to their corresponding vinyl triflate derivatives; and (f) reacting the vinyl triflate derivatives with a trialkyltin compound to produce the compounds of formulae(I' ) and (I'' ): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , X and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula(I) defined in claim 1 as an active ingredient. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process for preparing a benzopyran compound of formula (I-a) comprising the steps of: (a) converting a ketone derivative of formula (II) to a vinyl triflate derivative of formula (III), and (b) reacting the vinyl triflate derivative of formula (III) with a trialkyltin derivative of formula (IV) to provide the compound of formula (I-a): wherein R 1 is -CN, -NO 2 , -OCX 1 X 2 X 3 , -NH 2 , -NHSO 2 R A , -SO 2 R C or -SO 2 NR C R D wherein X 1 , X 2 and X 3 are, each independently, F, Cl or H, except that X 1 , X 2 and X 3 may not be a hydrogen atom simultaneously; R A and R B are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; and R C and R D are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; R 2 is a C 1-4 straight or branched alkyl group; R 3 is wherein R G and R H are, each independently, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; A and B are, each independently, S or O, and Z is a C 1-3 straight or branched alkyl group; Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or lower alkyl group; and R 4 represents a C 1-4 alkyl group. The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) is carried out by reacting the ketone derivative of formula (III) with anhydrous trifluorosulfonic acid and a tertiary amine. The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) is carried out by converting the ketone derivative of formula (III) to an enolate compound using a base; and, then reacting the enolate compound with N-phenyltrifluoromethane sulfonimide. The process of claim 1 wherein step (b) is carried out in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a first component selected from the group consisting of tetrakis triphenylphosphine palladium, bisbenzylidine acetone palladium and dipalladium trisdibenzylidine acetone chloroform, and a second component selected from the group consisting of triphenylphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine and triphenyl arsenic and using a chloride compound. The process of claim 1 wherein step (b) is carried out in the presence of a catalytic mixture of palladium acetate and any one of triphenylphosphine, tri-2-furanylphosphine, trialkylamine and triphenyl arsenic. A process for preparing a benzopyran compound of formula (I-b) comprising oxidizing a benzopyran derivative of formula (I-a) in the presence of an oxidizing agent wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1. The process of claim 6 wherein R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is and Y is H. The process of claim 7 wherein R 1 is -CN or -NO 2 ; R 2 is a methyl group; R 3 is and Y is H. The process according to anyone of claims 6 to 8 wherein the compound of formula (I-b) is selected from the group consisting of: 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(4'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyan-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(2'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-trifluormethoxy-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-Dimethoxymethyl-2-methyl-4-(3'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyan-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2''-(1'',3''-Dioxolan))-2-methyl-4-(3'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2''-(1'',3''-Dioxolan))-2-methyl-4-(3'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyan-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2''-(1'',3''-Dioxolan))-2-methyl-4-(2'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2''-(1'',3''-Dioxolan))-2-methyl-4-(2'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-cyan-2H-1-benzopyran; 2-(2''-(1'',3''-Dioxolan))-2-methyl-4-(4'-N-oxopyridyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran; A process for preparing a compound of formula (I-d) comprising transacetalizing a compound of formula (I-c) in the presence of an alcohol of formula (V) wherein R 1 is -CN, -NO 2 , -OCX 1 X 2 X 3 , -NH 2 , -NHSO 2 R A , -SO 2 R C or -SO 2 NR C R D wherein X 1 , X 2 and X 3 are, each independently, F, Cl or H, except that X 1 , X 2 and X 3 may not be a hydrogen atom simultaneously; R A and R B are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; and R C and R D are, each independently, a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group with a halogen atom, or a straight or branched C 1-3 alkyl group; R 2 is a C 1-4 straight or branched alkyl group; X is N or N → O Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or lower alkyl group; and R' represents a C 2-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group. A process for preparing a compound of formula (I-e) comprising transacetalizing a compound of formula (I-c) in the presence of a diol or mercaptoalcohol of formula (VI) wherein R 1 , R 2 , A, B, Y and Z have the same meanings as defined in claim 1 and X is N or N → O. A process for preparing compounds of formulae (I') and (I'') separately, which comprises the steps of: (a) reducing a ketone derivative of formula (II) to an alcohol derivative, and resolving the alcohol derivative into a first and a second diastereomeric alcohol mixtures; (b) reacting said first and a second diastereomeric mixtures with an organic acid containing a chiral carbon in the presence of a condensation promoting agent so as to produce condensation products; (c) resolving said condensation products into four separate diastereomers; (d) hydrolyzing and oxidizing each of the four diastereomers to provide ketone derivatives of formulae (II') and (II''); (e) converting the ketone derivatives of formulae (II') and (II'') to their corresponding vinyl triflate derivatives; and (f) reacting the vinyl triflate derivatives with a trialkyltin compound to produce the compounds of formulae (I') and (I''): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and Y have the same meanings as defined in claim 1 and X is N or N → O.

Inventors: JEONG NAK CHEOL, JUNG KYU SIK, KIM SEON-JU, LEE BYUNG HO, SHIN HWA-SUP, SUH JEE HEE, YI KYU YANG, YOO SUNG-EUN, JEONG, NAK CHEOL, JUNG, KYU SIK, KIM, SEON-JU, LEE, BYUNG HO, SHIN, HWA-SUP, SUH, JEE HEE, YI, KYU YANG, YOO, SUNG-EUN
Applicants: KOREA RES INST CHEM TECH, KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C07D405
IPC codes: A61P11, A61K31, C07D409, C07D405, A61P9