BIPHENYLCARBOXAMIDES USEFUL AS 5-HT1D ANTAGONISTS

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), processes for their preparation and their use as CNS agents through 5HT1D receptor antagonism are disclosed, in which A is CONR where R is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl; B is oxygen, S(O)q where q is 0, 1 or 2, or B is NR<10> where R<10> is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl or B is CH2 when R<7> and R form a group D; R<1> is hydrogen, halogen, C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, COC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyC1-6alkyl, hydroxyC1-6alkoxy, C1-6alkoxyC1-6alkoxy, acyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, SR<9>, SOR<9>, SO2R<9>, SO2NR<10>R<11>, CO2R<10>, CONR<10>R<11>, CO2NR<10>R<11>, CONR<10>(CH2)aCO2R<11>, (CH2)aNR<10>R<11>, (CH2)aCONR<10>R<11>, (CH2)aNR<10>COR<11>, (CH2)aCO2C1-6alkyl, CO2(CH2)aOR<10>, NR<10>R<11>, NR<10>CO2R<11>, NR<10>CONR<10>R<11>, CR<10>=NOR<11>, CNR<10>=NOR<11>, where R<10> and R<11> are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl and a is 1 to 4 or R<1> is an optionally substituted 5 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur; R<2> and R<3> are independently hydrogen, halogen, C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkenyl, C1-6alkoxy, acyl, aryl, acyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CO2R<11>, CONR<12>R<13>, NR<12>R<13> where R<11>, R<12> and R<13> are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl; R<4> and R<5> are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl; R<6> is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C1-6alkyl or C1-6alkoxy; R<7> is hydrogen or together with R forms a group D where D is CR<14>=CR<15>, CR<14>=CR<15>CR<14>R<15> or (CR<14>R<15>)b where b is 2 or 3 and R<14> and R<15> are independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl; m is 0, 1, 2, or 3; n is 1 or 2; and R<8> is a group of formula (i) where p, q and r are independently integers having the value 1, 2 or 3; or R<8> is a group of formula (ii) where s is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R<16> is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl.

Description: BIPHENYLCARBOXAMIDES USEFUL AS 5-HT1D ANTAGONISTS The present invention relates to novel amide derivatives, processes for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. EPA 0533 266 7/8 disclose a series of benzanilide derivatives which are said to possess 5HTι ~ -) receptor antagonist activity. These compounds are said to be of use in the treatment of various CNS disorders. A structurally distinct class of compounds have now been discovered and have been found to exhibit 5HTι ~ ) antagonist activity. In a first aspect, the present invention therefore provides a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: (I) in which A is CONR where R is hydrogen or C-^alkyl; B is oxygen, S(O)q where q is 0, 1 or 2, or B is NR - where R*- 1 is hydrogen or Cι_6_dkyl or B is CH2 when R? and R form a group D; R* is hydrogen, halogen, C^galkyl, C3_5cycloalkyl, COCι_5__lkyl, Ci-galkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyCi-galkyl, hydroxyCi-galkoxy, Ci.galkoxyCi.galkoxy, acyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, SR 9 , SOR 9 , SO 2 R 9 , SO2NRI-R 11 , CO 2 R 10 . CONR 10 R--, CO2NR 10 R n , CONR 1 *-(CH 2 ) a CO2R 11 , (CH 2 )aNR 10 R 1 -, (CH 2 ) a CONR 10 R 1 -, (CH 2 ) a NRl0cORl l, (CH 2 )aCO 2 C 1 . 6 alkyl, CO 2 (CH 2 )aOR 10 , NRIORI I, NR 10 Cθ2R π , NR^CONR 1 *^ 1 -, CR^NOR 11 , CNR 10 =NOR--, where R 10 and R 11 are independently hydrogen or C-.5a.kyl and a is 1 to 4 or R- is an optionally substituted 5 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur; R2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C1.5a.kyl, C3_5cycloalkyl, C3_5cycloalkenyl, C1.5a.koxy, acyl, aryl, acyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CO2R 1 -, CONR 12 R 13 , NR 12 R 13 where R 1 -, R 13 and R 13 are independently hydrogen or Cι_6__kyl; R^ and R^ are independently hydrogen or Cj^alkyl; R^ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C _5alkyl or Cι_5alkoxy; R is hydrogen or together with R forms a group D where D is CR^=CR-^, CR 14 =CR- 5 CR 14 R 15 or (CR 14 R 15 )b where b is 2 or 3 and R 14 and R 15 are independently hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl; m is O, 1, 2 or 3; n is 1 or 2; and R- is a group of formula (i): (i) where p, q and r are independently integers having the value 1, 2 or 3; or R° is a group of formula (ii): (ϋ) where s is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R*- is hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl. Cι_5-dkyl groups, whether alone or as part of another group, may be straight chain or branched. Suitably R- is hydrogen, halogen, Cι_5alkyl, C3.5cycloa.kyl, COC1.5a.kyl, Cι_6alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy Cι_5__lkyl, hydroxyCι_5alkoxy, Cι_5alkoxyCι_5alkoxy, acyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, SR 9 , SOR 9 , SO2R 9 , SO2NR 10 R l l , CO2R 10 , CONRiOR 11 , CO 2 NR 1( -R 1 -, CONR 1 0(CH 2 ) a CO2R 11 , (CH2) a NR 10 R 11 , (CH 2 ) a CONRlθRl -, (CH 2 ) a NR 10 CORl-, (CH2) a CO2Ci.6alkyl, CO 2 (CH 2 ) a OR-0, NR 10 R--, NRIOCO2R 11 , NRiOcONR Ϊ OR 11 , CR^NOR 11 , CNR^ ^ -NOR 11 , where R10 nd R- * ■ are independently hydrogen or Cι_6alkyl and a is 1 to 4 or R is an optionally substituted 5 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur. Examples of suitable heterocyclic rings include thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, triazolyl, diazolyl, imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl and pyrazinyl. These heterocyclic rings can be linked to the remainder of the molecule via a carbon atom or, when present, a nitrogen atom. Optional substituents for such rings include R 2 and R 3 groups defined above, preferred substituents include C1.5a.kyl- Preferably R- is oxadiazolyl, most preferably a 5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl group. Suitably R 2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, halogen, Cι_6alkyl, C3.5cyclo_-.kyl, C3_5cycloalkenyl, C1.5a.koxy, acyl, aryl, acyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CO2R 11 , CONR 12 R 13 , NR 12 R 13 where R 11 , R 12 and R 13 are independently hydrogen or Cι_6alkyl. Preferably R 2 is Ci_5alkyl, in particular methyl. Preferably R 3 is hydrogen. Suitably R 4 and R- are independently hydrogen or Cι_6alkyl. Preferably R 4 and R^ are both hydrogen. Suitably R- is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C1.5_.lkyl or C1.5a.koxy. Preferably R- is Cι_5alkoxy such as methoxy. Suitably R^ is hydrogen or Cι_6_dkyl, preferably R^ is hydrogen. Suitably R^ is a group of formula (i) or (ii). When R^ is a group of formula (i) p, q and r are preferably 2. Preferably R* is a group of formula (ii) where s is 1 and R* - is C1.5a.kyl such as methyl. Suitably A is CONR where R is hydrogen or C1.5_.lkyl, that is to say A forms an amide linkage. Preferably A is CONR where R is hydrogen. Suitably R^ together with R foims a group D where D is CR 14 =CR 15 , CR 14 =CR 15 CR 14 R 15 or (CR 14 R 15 ) b where b is 2 or 3 and R 14 and R^ are independently hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl. Preferably R 14 and R.15 ajg Preferably D is an ethyl linkage, that is to say forms part of an indoline ring. Suitably B is oxygen, S(O) q where q is 0, 1 or 2, or B is NR 10 where R 10 is hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl or B is CH2 when R^ and R form a group D. Preferably B is oxygen. Suitably m is 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably m is 1. Suitably n is 1 or 2, preferably n is 1. The groups — B— (CR 4 R 5 ) m — R β and R- can be attached to the phenyl ring at any suitable position. Preferably the group — B— (CR 4 R 5 ) m — R 8 is meta to the amide linkage and the group R- is para to the amide linkage. The groups R-, R 2 and R 3 can be attached at any suitable position. Particularly preferred compounds of the invention include: N-[3-((S)-l-Methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl- l^,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)- 1 -methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4 , -(5-methyl- l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)-pyrrolidin-2-ylme_hoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-( 1 -me_hylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl- 1 ,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[3-(Azetidin-2-y_methoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol- 3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2 , -methyl-4'-(5-me_hyl-l,2,4- ox__diazόl-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Me_hoxy-3-(l-methylazepin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2 , -me_hyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-me_hylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4 , -(5-methyl- 1,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpyrrolidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(3-quinuclidinyloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(quinuclidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Chloro-3-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-( 1 -Methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl- 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, 5-Chloro-2,3-dihydro- 1 -[2'-me-hyl-4'-(5-methyl- 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4- c__rbonyl]-6-(l-methylpyπ * olidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH- indole, 2,3-Dihydro-5-methoxy-l-[2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4- carbonyl]-6-[2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl]-lH-indole, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Preferred salts of the compounds of formula (I) are pharmaceutically acceptable salts. These include acid addition salts such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, phosphates, acetates, fumarates, maleates, tartrates, citrates, oxalates, methanesulphonates and p-toluenesulphonates. Certain compounds of formula (I) are capable of existing in stereoisomeric forms. It will be understood that the invention encompasses all geometric and optical isomers of the compounds of formula (I) and the mixtures thereof including racemates. Tautomers of compounds of formula (I) and mixtures thereof also form an aspect of the invention. In a further aspect the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) which comprises. (a) for compounds where A is an amide linkage CONR9 reaction of a compound of formula (II): (ID with a compound of formula (DI): wherein B, m, n, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 are as defined in formula (I) and R 17 and R-8 contain the appropriate functional group(s) necessary to form the A moiety; or (b) where R 7 together with R 9 forms a group D reaction of a compound of formula (II) as defined above with a compound of formula (IV): (IV) wherein B, D, m, n, R 4 , R-, R- and R 8 are as defined in formula (I); and optionally after (a) or (b) in any order: • converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) • forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. Suitably R* 7 is an activated carboxylic acid derivative, such as an acyl halide or acid anhydride, and R* - is an amine group. Activated compounds of formulae (II) or (DI) can also be prepared by reaction of the corresponding carboxylic acid with a coupling reagent such as carbonyldiimidazole, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or diphenylphosphorylazole. Preferably R* 7 is a group COL where L is halo, particularly chloro. A compound of formulae (II) and (HI) are typically reacted together in an inert organic solvent such as DMF, THF or dichloromethane at ambient or elevated temperature in the presence of a base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, triethylamine or pyridine. Compounds of formula (II) and (TV) are reacted together using similar reaction conditions to those for compounds (II) and (HI). Intermediate compounds of formulae (II), (III) and (IV) are commercially available or can be prepared using standard procedures such as those outlined in EPA 533266/7/8. Certain intermediate compounds of formulae (II) to (IV) are novel and form a further aspect of the invention. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that it may be necessary to protect certain reactive substituents during some of the above procedures. Standard protection and deprotection techniques can be used. For example, primary amines can be protected as phthalimide, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl or trityl derivatives. These groups can be removed by conventional procedures well known in the art. Carboxylic acid groups can be protected as esters. Aldehyde or ketone groups can be protected as acetals, ketals, thioacetals or thioketals. Deprotection is achieved using standard conditions. Certain compounds of formula (I) can be converted into further compounds of formula (I) using standard procedures. 5HTi£) Antagonists, and in particular the compounds of the present invention, are expected to be of use in the treatment of CNS disorders such as mood disorders, including depression, seasonal effective disorder and dysthymia; anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder; memory disorders, including dementia, amnestic disorders and age-associated memory impairment; and disorders of eating behaviours, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Other CNS disorders include Parkinson's disease, dementia in Parkinson's disease, neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesias, as well as other psychiatric disorders. 5HT D Antagonists, and in particular compounds of the present invention, may also be of use in the treatment of endocrine disorders such as hyperprolactinaemia, in the treatment of vasospasm (particularly in the cerebral vasculature) and hypertension, as well as disorders in the gastrointestinal tract where changes in motility and secretion are involved. They may also be of use in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Therefore, the present invention, provides a compound of general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for use in therapy. The present invention also provides a compound of general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for use in the treatment of the aforementioned disorders. In another aspect the invention provides the use of a compound of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the aforementioned disorders. In a further aspect the invention provides a method of treating the aforementioned disorders which comprises administering an effective amount to a patient in need of such treatment of a compound of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. In particular the invention provides a compound of general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of depression. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the compounds according to the invention may advantageously be used in conjunction with one or more other therapeutic agents, for instance, different antidepressant agents. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A pharmaceutical composition of the invention, which may be prepared by admixture, suitably at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, is usually adapted for oral, parenteral or rectal administration and, as such, may be in the form of tablets, capsules, oral liquid preparations, powders, granules, lozenges, reconstitutable powders, injectable or infusible solutions or suspensions or suppositories. Orally administrable compositions are generally preferred. Tablets and capsules for oral administration may be in unit dose form, and may contain conventional excipients, such as binding agents, fillers, tabletting lubricants, disintegrants and acceptable wetting agents. The tablets may be coated according to methods well known in normal pharmaceutical practice. Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, aqueous or oily suspension, solutions, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, or may be in the form of a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents, emulsifying agents, non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), preservatives, and, if desired, conventional flavourings or colorants. For parenteral administration, fluid unit dosage forms are prepared utilising a compound of the invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a sterile vehicle. The compound, depending on the vehicle and concentration used, can be either suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. In preparing solutions, the compound can be dissolved for injection and filter sterilised before filling into a suitable vial or ampoule and sealing. Advantageously, adjuvants such as a local anaesthetic, preservatives and buffering agents are dissolved in the vehicle. To enhance the stability, the composition can be frozen after filling into the vial and the water removed under vacuum. Parenteral suspensions are prepared in substantially the same manner, except that the compound is suspended in the vehicle instead of being dissolved, and sterilisation cannot be accomplished by filtration. The compound can be sterilised by exposure to ethylene oxide before suspension in a sterile vehicle. Advantageously, a surfactant or wetting agent is included in the composition to facilitate uniform distribution of the compound. The composition may contain from 0.1% to 99% by weight, preferably from 10 to 60% by weight, of the active material, depending on the method of administration. The dose of the compound used in the treatment of the aforementioned disorders will vary in the usual way with the seriousness of the disorders, the weight of the sufferer, and other similar factors. However, as a general guide suitable unit doses may be 0.05 to 1000 mg, more suitably 1.0 to 200 mg, and such unit doses may be administered more than once a day, for example two or three a day. Such therapy may extend for a number of weeks or months. The following Examples illustrate the preparation of compounds of the invention. Description 1 2-((S)-l-Methylpyrrolidin-2-yImethoxy)-4-nitroanisole A stirred solution of 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol (l.Og, 0.0059 mol) and (S)-(-)-l- methylpyrrolidine-2-methanol (0.70 ml, 0.0059 mol) in dry THF (60 ml) was treated at room temperature under argon with triphenylphosphine (1.57g, 0.0060 mol), followed by diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.94 ml, 0.0060 mol). A slight exotherm occurred. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 24 h, then concentrated under vacuum. The residue was treated with 1M HC1 acid and ethyl acetate, shaken well and the aqueous layer separated, basified with potassium carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried (Na2SO_*.) and concentrated in vacua to leave a yellow oil, which was approx. 70% title compound (1.2g). This was used crude in the next stage. !H NMR (250 MHz; CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.92 (dd, IH), 7.77 (d, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 4.03 (dd, 2H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.18-3.07 (m, IH), 2.83-2.73 (m, IH), 2.53 (s, 3H), 2.39-2.27 (m, IH), 2.14-2.02 (m, IH), 1.95-1.66 (m, 3H). Description 2 4-Methoxy-3-((S)-l-methy_pyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy) aniline A solution of 2-((S)-l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-nitroanisole (DI, 1.8g of 70% purity) in ethanol (8 ml) was hydrogenated over 10% Pd-C (0.5g) at atmospheric pressure and temperature until uptake of hydrogen ceased. The catalyst was removed by filtration through kieselguhr and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to leave a light purple oil (1.6g), which was approx. 70% title compound. This was used crude in the next stage. *H NMR (250 MHz; CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.32 (d, IH), 6.23 (dd, IH), 4.02- 3.95 (m, IH), 3.90-3.80 (m, IH), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.15-3.04 (m, IH), 2.79-2.68 (m, IH), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.36-2.24 (m, IH), 2.12-2.00 (m, IH), 1.90-1.65 (m, 3H). Description 3 (R)-l-tert-Butoxycarbony_pyrro_i_Un-2-y_methano_ A stirred solution of (R)-pyrrolidine-2-methanol (0.5g, 5.0 mmol) and triethylamine (0.81 ml, 5.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) was treated with a solution of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1.08g, 5.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temp, for 1 h, then treated with 10% Na 2 CO3 solution (20 ml) and extracted with dichloromethane. The extract was dried (Na2SO_*ø and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a colourless oil (l.Og, 100%). •*H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ(ppm): 4.78 (br d, IH), 4.05-3.93 (m, IH), 3.68-3.55 (m, 2H), 3.52-3.40 (m, IH), 3.38-3.26 (m, IH), 2.10-1.94 (m, IH), 1.90-1.70 (m, 3H), 1.48 (s, 9H). Description 4 2-((R)-l-tert-Butoxycarbonylpyrro_idin-2-y_methoxy)-4-nitroaniso_e A stirred solution of 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol (0.84g, 5.0 mmol), triphenylphosphine (1.28g, 5.0 mmol) and (R)-l-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethanol (D3, l.Og, 5.0 mmol) in THF (30 ml) at room temp, under argon was treated with diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.77 ml, 5.0 mmol). A slight exotherm occured. The mixture was stirred for 2 h, then concentrated in vacuo and the residue treated with 10% Na2CO3 solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 1:1 ether/60-80 petrol to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (1.25g, 71%). !H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ(ppm): 7.98-7.70 (m, 2H), 6.90 (br d, IH), 4.30-4.12 (m, 2H), 4.08-3.90 (m, IH), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.52-3.25 (m, 2H), 2.15-1.70 (m, 4H), 1.48 (s, 9H). Description 5 3-((R)-l-tert-ButoxycarbonylpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyaniIine The title compound was prepared from 2-((R)-l-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2- ylmethoxy)-4-nitroanisole (D4) using the procedure of Description 2, as a pale purple oil (88%). IH NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ(ppm): 6.65 (br d, IH), 6.50-6.10 (m, 2H), 4.20-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.90-3.60 (m, IH), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.40-3.20 (m, 2H), 3.0-2.2 (v br, 2H), 2.15-1.65 (m, 4H), 1.40 (s, 9H). Description 6 4-Methoxy-3-((R)-l-methylpyrroIidin-2-ylπ_ethoxy)aniIine A solution of 3-((R)-l-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyaniline (D5, 0.61g, 1.9 mmol) in THF (5 ml) was added dropwise to a stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (0.14g, 3.8 mmol) in THF (20 ml) at room temperature under argon, then heated under reflux for 1.5h. The mixture was cooled, then treated cautiously with water (0.15 ml), followed by 10% NaOH solution (0.15 ml), followed by water (0.45 ml). The mixture was filtered through a pad of kieselguhr and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a pink oil (0.34g, 76%). -*H NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ (ppm): 6.72 (d, IH), 6.34 (d, IH), 6.23 (dd, IH), 4.05- 3.94 (m, ' lH), 3.90-3.78 (m, IH), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.45 (br s, 2H), 3.17-3.03 (m, IH), 2.78- 2.63 (m, IH), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.38-2.20 (m, IH), 2.18-1.95 (m, IH), 1.90-1.65 (m, 3H). Description 7 N-[3-((R)-l-tert-Butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyI]-2'- methyl-4'-(5-methyI-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyI-4-carboxamide The title compound was prepared from 3-((R)-l-tert-butoxycarbonyl-pyrrolidin-2- ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyaniline (D5) using the procedure of Example 1. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 50-100% ether/60-80 petrol afforded the title compound as a pale yellow oil (58%) !H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.35-8.15 (m, IH), 8.07-7.88 (m, 4H), 7.50-7.10 (m, 5H), 6.87 (d, IH), 4.30-4.10 (m, 2H), 4.00-3.75 (m, IH), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.50-3.25 (m, 2H), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.20-1.75 (m, 4H), 1.46 (s, 9H). Description 8 l-tert-Butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethanol A stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (0.25g, 6.5 mmol) in THF (50 ml) at room temp, under argon was treated portionwise with 2-azetidinecarboxylic acid (0.50g, 4.9 mmol), then heated under reflux for 2h followed by 5 days at room temp. The mixture was treated cautiously with water (0.25 ml), followed by 10% NaOH solution (0.25 ml), followed by water (0.75 ml). The mixture was filtered through kieselguhr and the filtrate treated with triethylamine (0.74 ml, 5.3 mmol) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1.06g, 4.9 mmol), then stirred at room temp, for 2 h. The solution was concentrated in vacuo and the residue treated with 10% Na2CO3 solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The extract was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a colourless oil (0.90g, 98%) *H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 4.55-4.35 (br m, IH), 4.2 (br s, IH), 3.96-3.62 (m, 4H), 2.30-2.08 (m, IH), 2.05-1.80 (m, IH), 1.45 (s, 9H). Description 9 2-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-nitroanisole The title compound was prepared from l-tert-butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethanol (D8) and 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol using the procedure of Description 4 (100%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ(ppm): 8.2-7.8 (m, 2H), 7.10-6.86 (m, IH), 4.60-3.90 (m, 8H), 2.50-2.25 (m, IH), 1.46 (s, 9H). 1 other H not discernable from spectrum. Description 10 3-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyaniline The title compound was prepared from 2-(l-tert-butpxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4- nitroanisole (D9) using the procedure of Description 2 (100%). This material was used in the next step without purification. Description 11 4-Met-ioxy-3-(l-methy_azetidin-2-y_methoxy)aniIine The title compound was prepared from 3-(l-tert-butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4- methoxyaniline (D10) using the procedure of Description 6 (85%). -H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.33 (d, IH), 6.23 (dd, IH), 3.98 (d, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.60 (br s, 2H), 3.52-3.37 (m, 2H), 2.92-2.75 (m, IH), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.15-1.95 (m, 2H). Description 12 N-[3-(l-te^t-Buto ycarbonylazetidin-2-ylπlethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2 , -πlethy 4 , - (5-methyI-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide The title compound was prepared from 3-(l-tert.-butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4- methoxyaniline (D10) using the procedure of Example 1. Purification by chrorratography on silica gel eluting with 0-30% ethyl acetate/ether afforded the title compound as a pale yellow oil (51%). IH NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.32 (s, IH), 8.03-7.90 (m, 4H), 7.48-7.15 (m, 5H), 6.87 (d, IH), 4.60-4.45 (m, IH), 4.35-4.10 (m, 2H), 3.95-3.78 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.22 (m, 2H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s, 9H). Description 13 l-MethyI-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)azepine (A) and l-MethyI-2-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxymethyI)piperidine (B) A stirred solution of 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol, (3.50g, 0.021 mol), triphenylphosphine (5.43g, 0.021 mol) and l-methyl-2-piperidine methanol (2.71 ml, 0.021 mol) under argon was cooled to 0°C and diethyl azodicarboxylate (3.26 ml, 0.021 mol) was then added slowly to the stirred solution. The mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for lh before being evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was then partitioned between chloroform and 5M HC1. The organic layer was then washed with 5M HC1 (IX) and the combined aqueous layers were then treated with solid sodium hydrogen carbonate until pH8 was reached. The resultant suspension was then extracted with CHCI3 (3X) and the combined organic layers were then dried (Na2SO_*.) and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow solid. The solid was purified by silica gel chromatography (9385, 1→2.5% MeOH/CH2C-2 as eluant) to give the title compound (A) as a colourless oil (1.36g, 23%), followed by the title compound (B) (0.203g, 3%) as a colourless oil. l NMR (400 MHz, CDCI3), (A) δ (ppm): 7.90 (dd, IH), 7.78 (d, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 4.52 (m, IH), 3.91 (s, 3H), 2.92 (dd, IH), 2.82 (dd, IH), 2.68 (m, IH), 2.58 (m, IH), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.18 (m, IH), 1.90 (m, IH), 1.75 (m, 3H), 1.60 (m, IH). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) (B) δ (ppm): 7.91 (dd, IH), 7.72 (d, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 4.15 (dd, IH), 4.05 (dd, IH), 3.93 (s, 3H), 2.90 (m, IH), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.20 (m, IH), 1.80 (m, 3H), 1.70-1.20 (m, 4H). Description 14 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methy_piperidin-2-y_π_ethoxy)aniIine l-Methyl-2-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxymethyl)piperidine (D13B, 0.203g, 0.725 mmol) was converted according to the method of description 2 to give the title compound as a brown oil that crystallised on standing (0.170g, 94%) *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.30 (d, IH), 6.22 (dd, IH), 4.12 (dd, IH), 3.90 (dd, IH), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.30 (br s, 2H), 2.92 (m, IH), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.20 (m, IH), 1.92-1.25 (m, 7H). Description 15 4-Methoxy-3-(l-π_ethy_azepin-3-y_oxy)aniline l-Methyl-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)azepine (D13A, 0.23 lg, 0.825 mmol) was converted according to the method of description 2 to give the title compound as a brown oil (0.19 ' 5g, 95%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.40 (d, IH), 6.25 (dd, IH), 4.50 (m, IH), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.70 (br s, 2H), 3.10 (m, IH), 2.85 (m, 2H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.20 (m, IH), 2.12 (m, IH), 2.00-1.55 (m, 5H). Description 16 l-Methy_-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxymethyI)piperidine 2-Methoxy-5-nitrophenol (0.350g, 2.07 mmol) and l-methylpiperidine-3-methanol (0.27g, 2.07 mmol) were converted to the title compound as a pale yellow oil (0.126g, 22%) according to the method of description 13. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.91 (dd, IH), 7.70 (d, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.93 (m, 2H), 3.00 (m, IH), 2.80 (m, IH), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.20 (m, IH), 2.10 (m, 5H), 1.15 (m, IH). Description 17 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-ylπ_ethoxy)anHine l-Methyl-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxymethyl)piperidine (D16, 0.125g, 0.446 mmol) was converted to gvie the title compound as a colourless oil (0.084g, 75%) according to the method of description 2. H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.30 (d, IH), 6.20 (d, IH), 3.82 (dd, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.40 (br s, 2H), 3.00 (m, IH), 2.78 (m, IH), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.20 (m, IH), 2.05-1.55 (m, 5H), 1.10 (m, IH). Description 18 l-Methyl-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)piperidine 2-Methoxy-5-nitrophenol (0.732g. 4.33 mmol) and l-methylpiperidin-3-ol (0.50g, 4.33 mmol) were converted to the title compound as a pale yellow oil (0.098g, 9%) according to the method of description 13. l NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.91 (dd, IH), 7.81 (d, IH), 6.92 (d, IH), 4.42 (m, 1H),3.90 (s, 3H), 3.00 (m, IH), 2.68 (m, IH), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.29-2.02 (m, 3H), 1.88 (m, IH), 1.62 (m, 2H) Description 19 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-yIoxy)aniIine l-Methyl-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)piperidine (D18, 0.098g, 0.368 mmol) was converted accordingly to the method of description 2 to give the title compound as a colourless oil (0.070g, 81%) -H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.65 (d, IH), 6.32 (d, IH), 6.19 (dd, IH), 4.20 (m, IH), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.30 (br s, 2H), 3.00 (m, IH), 2.60 (m, IH), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.00 (m, 3H), 1.75 (m, IH), 1.65-1.30 (m, 2H). Description 20 l-Methy_-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)pyrro.idine The title compound (1.2g, 50%) was prepared as a pale oil from l-methyl-3-pyrrolinol (1.09 ml, 0.01 mole) and 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol (1.6g, 0.01 mole), using the method of Description 13. ! H NMR (200 MHz; CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.91 (dd, IH), 7.65 (d, IH), 6.91 (d, IH), 5.00-4.84 (br s, IH), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.00-2.79 (m, 3H), 2.61-2.31 (m, 5H), 2.17-1.94 (m, IH). Description 21 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpyrroIidin-3-yIoxy)aniIine The title compound (0.90g, 81 ) was prepared as a light brown solid from l-methyl-3-(2- me oxy-5-nitrophenoxy)pyrrolidine (D20, 1.2g, 0.005 mol), using the method of Description 2. -H NMR (250 MHz, d 6 DMSO) δ (ppm): 6.65 (d, IH), 6.28 (s, IH), 6.07 (d, IH), 4.98- 4.26 (br s, 2H), 3.70-2.99 (m, 4H), 2.86-2.08 (m, 8H), 1.89-1.55 (m, IH). Description 22 4-Nitro-__-(3-quinucIidinyIoxy)an_sole The title compound was prepared from 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol and 3-quinuclidinol using the procedure of Description 1. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 5% methanol chloroform afforded a beige solid (22%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ (ppm): 7.92 (dd, IH), 7.67 (d, IH), 6.94 (d, IH), 4.53- 4.43 (m, IH), 3.97 (s, 3H), 3.42-3.28 (m, IH), 3.12-2.70 (m, 5H), 2.25-2.16 (m, IH), 2.12-1.94 (m, IH), 1.87-1.70 (m, IH), 1.68-1.52 (m, IH), 1.50-1.34 (m, IH). Description 23 4-Methoxy-3-(3-quinucIidiny.oxy)aniIine The title compound was prepared from 4-nitro-2-(3-quinuclidinyloxy) anisole (D22) using the procedure of Description 2 (78%). -Η. NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.65 (d, IH), 6.23-6.10 (m, 2H), 4.30-4.18 (m, IH), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.50 (br s, 2H), 3.25-3.08 (m, IH), 3.05-2.55 (m, 5H), 2.15-1.90 (m, 2H), 1.75-1.55 (m, IH), 1.54-1.20 (m, 2H) Description 24 4-Nitro-2-(quinuc_idin-2-y_methoxy)anisole The title compound, was prepared using a procedure similar to that given in Description 1, using 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol (2g, 0.012mol) and quinuclidin-2-ylmethanol (Beugt. Langstrδm, Chemica Scripta, 1974, 5, 170) (1.67g, 0.012 mol) to give a yield of 1.52g, (53%). !H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.92 (IH, dd), 7.80 (IH, d), 6.90 (IH, d), 4.22- 4.18 (IH, m), 3.92 (4H, m), 3.38 (IH, m), 2.98-2.72 (4H, m), 1.9-1.78 (2H, m), 1.62-1.5 (4H, m), 1.40-1.23 (lH, m). Description 25 4-Methoxy-3-(quinucIidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline A procedure similar to that given in Description 2 was used to give the title compound (1.15g, 84%) from 4-nitro-2-(quinuclidin-2-ylmethoxy) anisole (D24). IH NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (IH, d), 6.35 (IH, d), 6.25 (IH, dd), 4.08 (IH, m), 3.85 (IH, m), 3.78 (3H, s), 3.30 (2H, m), 2.98 (4H, m), 2.80 (IH, m), 1.85-1.79 (2H, m), 1.60-1.47 (4H, m), 1.42-1.20 (IH, m). Description 26 2-(l-tert-Butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-l-chloro-4-nitrobenzene A stirred solution of pyrrolidine-2-methanol (425 mg) in dichloromethane (24 ml) was treated at 0° C with triethylamine (1.16 ml) followed by a solution of di-t- butyldicarbonate (1.51g) in dichloromethane (10 ml). After warming to room temperature over lh, the mixture was washed with 10% Na2CC»3 and the organic phase was dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a colourless oil (1.37g), which was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and treated at room temperature with 2-chloro-5-nitrophenol (1.17g), triphenylphosphine (1.77g) and diethyl azodicarboxylate (1.06 ml). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature under argon, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between 10% Na CO3 and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4), and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude product which was purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 60°-80° petroleum ether and diethyl ether, to afford the title compound. (1.25g, 50%). IH NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.89-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.58-7.48 (m, IH), 4.3-4.01 (m, 3H), 3.55-3.31 (m, 2H), 2.2-2.04 (m, 3H), 1.98-1.83 (m, IH), 1.49 (s, 9H). Description 27 2-(2-ChIoro-5-nitrophenoxymethyI)pyrrolidine A solution of 2-( 1 -tert-butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)- 1 -chloro-4-nitrobenzene (D26) (700 mg) in dichloromethane (80 ml) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (10 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 2h, then basified with NaHCO3. I- 1 * 5 organic phase was separated and dried (Na2SO4), and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to give the title compound as a pale yellow waxy solid. (500 mg, 99%). -H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 9.55 (brs, IH), 7.9-7.69 (m, 2H), 7.51 (d, IH), 4.51-4.26 (m, 2H), 4.24-4.05 (m, IH), 3.56-3.28 (m, 2H), 2.45-1.99 (m, 4H). Description 28 2-(2-Chloro-5-nitrophenoxymethyl)-l-_nethylpyrroIidine A stirred solution of 2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenoxymethyl)pyrrolidine (D27) (780 mg) in formic acid (16 ml) was treated with formaldehyde solution (37-40% in 85:15 H2O: Methanol) (0.31 ml) and heated to reflux for 3 h, then allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between Na2CO3 and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to leave the title compound as a pale yellow solid. (317 mg, 60%). H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.82-7.75 (m, 2H), 7.5 (d, IH), 4.05 (d, 2H), 3.14 (t, IH), 2.88-2.78 (m, IH), 2.55 (s, 3H), 2.41-2.3 (m, IH), 2.18-1.65 (m, 4H). Description 29 4-Ch_oro-3-(l-methylpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)ani-ine A solution of 2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenoxymethyl)-l-methylpyrτolidine (D28) (832 mg) in ethanol (18 ml) was warmed to 60° and treated with a solution of stannous chloride (2.33g) in concentrated hydrochloric acid (18 ml), then heated to reflux for Vι h. The reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with water and basified with 10% NaOH, then extracted with chloroform. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to give the title compound as a brown oil. (661 mg, 89%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.09 (d, IH), 6.28 (s, IH), 6.2 (d, IH), 3.99-3.82 (m, 2H), 3.66 (br s, 2H), 3.1 (t, IH), 2.8-2.68 (m, IH), 2.51 (s, 3H), 2.38-2.25 (m, IH), 2.15-2.0 (m, IH), 1.94-1.63 (m, 3H) Description 30 l-Methyl-3-(4-nitrophenoxymethyI)piperidine l-Methyl-3-piperidinemethanol (2.0g, 0.016 mole) in dry DMF (50 ml) was added dropwise to a suspension of sodium hydride (0.51g of an 80% dispersion in oil, 0.017 mole) in dry DMF (20 ml) under argon and the mixture stirred for 0.5 h. l-Fluoro-4- nitrobenzene (2.4g, 0.018 mole) in dry DMF (20 ml) was added dropwise and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 18 h. Water was added dropwise until effervescence ceased and the mixture extracted into Et2θ. The combined Et2θ layers were extracted into 5N HCl, basified with 40% NaOH solution, extracted into Et2θ, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting yellow oil was flash columned on silica gel eluting with 5% EtOH/CHCl3 to leave the title compound (1.32g, 33%) as a pale yellow oil. l NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ (ppm): 8.20 (d, 2H), 6.95 (d, 2H), 4.03-3.84 (m, 2H), 2.93 (brd, IH), 2.78 (brd, IH), 2.71 (s, 3H), 2.27-2.10 (m, IH), 2.09-1.55 (m, 5H), 1.25- 1.02 (m, IH). Description 31 4-(l-Methylpiperidin-3-yImethoxy)ani_ine The title compound was prepared from l-methyl-3-(4-nitrophenoxymethyl) piperidine (D30) using the method of Description 2. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.73 (d, 2H), 6.62 (d, 2H), 3.89-3.59 (m, 2H), 3.53 (br s, 2H), 3.00 (br d, IH), 2.82 (br d, IH), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.06 (m, IH), 2.05- 1.57 (m, 5H), 1.18-0.99 (m, IH) Description 32 N-(2,2-Dimethoxyethy_)-4-chloro-3-(l-methy.pyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniI_ne A stirred solution of 4-chloro-3-(l-methylpyπ * olidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline (D29, 1.8g) in methanol (40 ml) and glacial acetic acid (2.15 ml) was treated with 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (2.3g of approx 40% solution in methyl tert-butyl ether). The solution was cooled to 0°C and treated portionwise with sodium cyanoborohydride (2.36g), then allowed to warm to room temperature over 2 h. The mixture was basified with 10% NaOH solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic extract was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a brown oil (2.25g, 92%). -H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.10 (d, IH), 6.21 (s, IH), 6.15 (d, IH), 4.55 (t, IH), 4.01-3.80 (m, 3H), 3.41 (s, 6H), 3.21 (t, 2H), 3.10 (t, IH), 2.81-2.70 (m, IH), 2.55 (s, 3H), 2.39-2.28 (m, IH), 2.15-1.99 (m, IH), 1.91-1.65 (m, 3H) Description 33 5-Chloro-6-(l-methylpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH-indole A solution of N-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)-4-chloro-3-(l-memylpyrrolidin-2- ylmethoxy)aniline (D32) (1.5g) in trifluoroacetic acid (5.8 ml) at 0° C under argon, was treated dropwise with trifluoroacetic anhydride (5.8 ml) and stirring continued at 0° C for a further ' θ.5 h. A further quantity of trifluoroacetic acid (8.5 ml) was added and the mixture heated at reflux for 7 h, then allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue was partitioned between 10% Na2CO3 and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude indole which was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with methanol and chloroform to give the title compound (375 mg, 31%) -H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.57 (br s, IH), 7.6 (s, IH), 7.15-7.09 (m, IH), 6.92 (s, IH), 6.44-6.39 (m, IH), 4.11-3.89 (m, 2H), 3.27-3.12 (m, IH), 2.95-2.77 (m, IH), 2.61 (s, 3H), 2.49-2.3 (m, IH), 2.2-1.68 (m, 4H) Description 34 5-Chloro-2,3-dihydro-6-(l-methyIpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH-indoIe A solution of 5-chloro-6-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH-indole (D33) (375 mg) in glacial acetic acid (9 ml) was treated with sodium cyanoborohydride (0.42g) at room temperature, with stirring. After lh, the reaction mixture was partitioned between 40% NaOH and dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude indoline was chromatographed on alumina eluting with ethyl acetate, to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil (201 mg, 53%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.02 (s, IH), 6.29 (s, IH), 4.0-3.8 (m, 2H), 3.55 (t, 2H), 3.1 (t, IH), 2.95 (t, 2H), 2.79-2.65 (m, IH), 2.51 (s, 3H), 2.37-2.2 (m, IH), 2.12- 2.0 (m, IH), 1.9-1.65 (m, 3H) Description 35 2-(2-Methoxyphenethyl)-l-pyrroline A stirred solution of diisopropylamine (49 ml, 0.35 mole) in dry ether (1000 ml) at -60° C under argon was treated over 10 minutes with 1.6 M n-butyllithium in hexane (200 ml, 0.32 mole) and the resulting solution maintained at -60° C for 15 minutes. This solution was then treated dropwise over 10 minutes with a solution of l-trimethylsilylpyn * olidin-2- one (D.H. Hua et al, J. Org. Chem., 1990, __., 3682) (53.4g, 0.34 mole) in dry ether (150 ml) and the mixture stirred for 15 minutes, then treated dropwise over 10 minutes with a solution of ethyl (2-methoxyphenyl)propionate (Y. Tamaru et al, Tet. Lett., 1986, 21, 955) (56g, 0.27 mole) in dry ether (100 ml). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stir for 20 h, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was treated with 5M HCl (800 ml) and heated under reflux for 20 h, then the solution concentrated in vacuo to about 200 ml volume. The aqueous mixture was basified by addition of solid K2CO3 and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried (Na2≤θ4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a brown oil (51.7g, 94%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.25-7.13 (m, 2H), 6.93-6.82 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.77 (m, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 2.98-2.88 (m, 2H), 2.68-2.56 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.42 (m, 2H), 1.87 (quintet, 2H). Description 36 2-(2-(PyrroIidin-2-yl)ethyI)anisoIe A stirred solution of 2-(2-methoxyphenethyl)-l-pyrroline (D35, 30g, 0.15 mole) in ethanol (300 ml) at 0° C under argon was treated portion wise over 15 minutes with sodium borohydride (2.8 g, 0.074 mole). Additional sodium borohydride was added after 2 h (1.5g, 0.040 mole) and after a further lh (l.Og, 0.027 mole). The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stir for 18 h, then cooled to 0° C and treated with 2M HCl until gas effervescence ceased. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue treated with excess 10% Na2CO3 solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a brown oil (29. lg, 97%) H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.22-7.12 (m, 2H), 6.92-6.80 (m, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.10-2.92 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.77 (m, IH), 2.68 (t, 2H), 2.1 (br s, IH), 2.00-1.60 (m, 5H), 1.38-1.20 (m, IH). Description 37 2-(2-(l-EthoxycarbonylpyrroIidin-2-yl)ethyl)anisole A stirred solution of 2-(2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)anisole (D36, 28.5g, 0.139 mol) in dichloromethane (350 ml) at 0° C under Ar was treated with triethylamine (25.2 ml, 0.181 mol) and then ethyl chloroformate (14 ml, 0.139 mol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, then treated with water (300 ml) and the mixture acidified to pH 2 using 5M HCl. The organic layer was separated, dried (Na2SO4) and then concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a brown oil (33g, 86%) H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 7.19 (m, 2H), 6.88 (m, 2H), 4.10 (t, 2H), 3.83 (bs, IH); 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.39 (bs, 2H), 2.60 (t, 2H), 1.85 (m, 5H), 1.60 (m, IH), 1.22 (t, 3H). Description 38 2-(2-(l-Ethoxycarbonylpyrro_idin-2-yl)ethy_-4-nitroanisole A stirred solution of 2-(2-(l-ethoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)anisole (D37) (2.16 mg, 7.8 mmol) in acetic anhydride (25 ml) under Ar was treated over a period of 10 minutes with copper (II) nitrate trihydrate (2.45 g, 10.1 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, and then added to saturated aqueous K2CO3 solution (200 ml), and treated with 0.880 ammonia solution (70 ml). This mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 100 ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford a brown oil (2.85g) containing the title compound together with the 6-nitro isomer (~50% by NMR). This was used without purification in the next step. Description 39 3-(2-(l-Ethoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyI)-4-methoxyaniIine 2-(2-(l-Ethoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl-4-nitroanisole as a mixture with the 6-nitro isomer (D38, 15g, 0.047 mol) in ethanol (300 ml) was hydrogenated over 10 % palladium/charcoal (4 g) at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for 48 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration through kieselguhr and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to afford a brown oil. This was chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with 1:1 ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (b.p. 60-80° C) to afford the title compound as a brown oil (6.52g, 48%). H NMR (250 MHz, CDC13) δ (ppm): 6.70-6.45 (m, 3H), 4.10 (m, 2H), 3.25 (bs, IH), 3.22 (s, 3H), 3.37 (bs, 2H), 2.50 (t, 2H), 2.19-1.70 (m, 5H), 1.58 (m, IH), 1.25 (m, 3H) Description 40 4-Methoxy-3-(2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)aniline 3-(2-(l-E_hoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)-4-methoxyaniline (D39) (3.43g, 0.012 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (60 ml) was added dropwise to a stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (1.20g, 0.032 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (170 ml) at 0° C under Ar. The mixture was heated to reflux for 2 hours, then cooled and treated with water (1.2 ml), 10% NaOH solution (1.2 ml) and water (3.6 ml) and filtered through kieselguhr. The filtrate was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the tide compound as a brown oil (1.83g, 67%). *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.75-6.40 (m, 3H), 3.75 (s, 3H + m, IH), 3.60- 3.18 (bs, 2H), 3.08 (t, IH), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.72-1.38 (m, 9H) Description 41 N-(2^-DimethoxyethyI)-4-methoxy-3-(2-(l-methylpyrroIidin-2-yI)ethyl)aniline 4-Methoxy-3- (2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)aniline (D40) (1.83g, 7.8 mmol) in ethanol (60 ml) was treated with a solution of dimethoxyacetaldehyde in methyl tert-butyl ether (2.65g, 10.0 mmol (~40% solution)). The resulting solution was hydrogenated over 10% palladium/charcoal (0.65g) at atmospheric temperature and pressure for 48 hours. Catalyst was removed by filtration through kieselguhr and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to afford a brown oil. The reaction was incomplete, so the brown oil in ethanol (80 ml) was treated witii further dimethoxyacetaldehyde (3.93g) and hydrogenated over 10% palladium-charcoal (0.9g) at atmospheric temperature and pressure for 72 hours. Work up as above afforded a brown oil, which was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with water (2 x 100 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a brown oil (1.94g, 77%). *H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 6.70 (d, IH), 6.50 (m, 2H), 4.55 (t, IH), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.58-3.25 (s, 6H + m, 3H), 3.20 (d, 2H), 3.05 (t, IH), 2.55 (m, 2H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.00 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.20 (m, 2H). Description 42 5-Methoxy-6-(2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-yI)ethyI)-lH-indole The title compound (0.17g, 11 %) was prepared as a brown oil from N-(2,2- dimethoxyethyl)-4-methoxy-3-(2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)aniline (D41) (1.94g, 6.0 mmol) using the method of Description 33. -H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.40 (bs, IH), 7.15 (s, IH), 7.10 (m, IH), 7.03 (s, IH), 6.42 (m, IH), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.09 (m, 3H), 2.85-2.40 (m, 4H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.22-1.89 (m, 4H) Description 43 2,3-Dihydro-5-methoxy-6-(2-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-y_)ethyI)-lH-indo_e The tide compound (0.13 g, 76%) as a brown oil was prepared from 5-methoxy-6-(2-(l- methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)-lH-indole (D42) (0.17g, 0.7 mmol) using the method of Description 34, and used without purification in the next step. Example 1 N-[3-((S)-l-MethyIpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2 , -methyI-4'-(5- methyI-1^2,4-oxadiazoI-3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide A stirred suspension of 2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (EP 0533268 Al) (300mg, 1.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) was treated with oxalyl chloride (0.13 ml, 1.5 mmol) followed by DMF (1 drop) and stirred at room temperature for 2h. The solution was then concentrated in vacuo to leave the acid chloride as a yellow solid. This was dissolved in dichloromethane (5 ml) and added to a stirred solution of 4-methoxy-3-((S)-l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline (D2, 260mg of 70% purity, 1.1 mmol) and triethylamine (0.35 ml, 2.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) at room temperature under argon. After 5h, the solution was treated with 10% Na2CO3 solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The extract was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 5% methanol/chloroform and the required product further purified by passage through a short basic alumina column eluting with ethyl acetate. The tide compound crystallised from ethyl acetate/60-80 petrol (35 mg) as a white solid mp 147-148° C. -H NMR (250 MHz; CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.14 (s, IH), 8.04-7.89 (m, 4H), 7.48 (d, IH), 7.42 (d, 2H), 7.31 (d, IH), 7.10 (dd, IH), 6.83 (d, IH), 4.08-3.89 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.13- 3.03 (m, IH), 2.80-2.65 (m, IH), 2.67 (s, 3H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.32-2.22 (m, IH), 2.10-1.95 (m, IH), 1.90-1.63 (m, 3H). Example 2 N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)-l-methylpyrroIidin-2-yImethoxy)phenyI]-2'-methyI-4'-(5- methyI-l^,4-oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide The tide compound was prepared from 4-methoxy-3-((R)-l-methylpyrrolidin-2- ylmethoxy)aniline (D6) using the procedure of Example 1. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 5% methanol/chloroform followed by crystallisation from ethyl acetate/60-80 petrol afforded the tide compound as a white solid (12%) m.pt. 150-151° C. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 ) δ (ppm): 8.02 (s, IH), 7.98-7.88 (m, 3H), 7.86 (s, IH), 7.50-7.42 (m, 3H), 7.35 (d, IH), 7.08 (dd, IH), 6.87 (d, IH), 4.10-3.92 (m, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.15-3.04 (m, IH), 2.80-2.70 (m, IH), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.35- 2.24 (m, IH), 2.12-2.00 (m, IH), 1.92-1.65 (m, 3H). Example 3 N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)-pyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2 l -methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride A solution of N-[3-((R)- 1 -tert.-butoxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4- methoxyphenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide (D7, 0.30g, 5.0 mmol) in methanol (5 ml) was treated with 1M HCl in ether (5 ml, 5.0 mmol) and stirred at room temp, for 20 h. The solution was concentrated in vacuo and the residue crystallised from acetone to afford the title compound as a white solid (0.14g, 52%), m.pt. 190-191° C. l K NMR (250 MHz, d 6 DMSO) δ: (ppm): 10.30 (s, IH), 9.70-8.75 (v br, 2H), 8.08 (d, 2H), 7.99 (s, IH), 7.93 (d, IH), 7.65 (d, IH), 7.57 (d, 2H), 7.45 (d, IH), 7.40 (dd, IH), 4.30-4.10 (m, 2H), 4.05-3.87 (m, IH), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.35-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.27-1.70 (m, 4H). Example 4 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2 , -methyI-4'-(5-methyl- l,2,4-oxadiazo_-3-yl)biphenyI-4-carboxamide The tide compound was prepared from 4-methoxy-3-(l-methylazetidin-2- ylme oxy)aniline (DI 1) using the procedure of Example 1. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 5% methanol/chloroform followed by crystallisation from ethyl acetate/60-80 petrol, afforded the tide compound as a white solid (9%) m.pt. 160-161° C. H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.14 (s, IH), 8.02-7.89 (m, 4H), 7.50-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.32 (d, IH), 7.12 (dd, IH), 6.83 (d, IH), 4.05 (d, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.50-3.38 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.77 (m, IH), 2.67 (s, 3H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.14-1.95 (m, 2H). Example 5 N-[3-(Azetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyI]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride A solution of N-[3-(l-tert.-butoxycarbonylazetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2'- methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide (D12, 0.47g, 0.80 mmol) in methanol (30 ml) was treated witii 1M HCl in etiier (2 ml) and stirred at room temp, for 20 h, followed by heating under reflux for 2 h. The solution was concentrated in vacuo and the residue crystallised from acetone/ether to afford the tide compound as a white solid (39%) m. pt. 144-147° C. l H NMR (250 MHz, d-DMSO) δ (ppm): 10.35 (s, IH), 9.60 (br s, IH), 9.30 (br s, IH), 8.10 (d, 2H), 7.98 (s, IH), 7.92 (dd, IH), 7.68 (d, IH), 7.57 (d, 2H), 7.48-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.02 (d, IH), 4.72 (br s, IH), 4.50-4.36 (m, IH), 4.30-4.20 (m, IH), 4.00-3.84 (m, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.60-2.25 (m, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H). Example 6 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2 , -methyl-4'-(5-methyl- l,2,4-oxadiazoI-3-yI)bipheny_-4-carboxamide 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline (D14, 0.160g, 0.640 mmol) was converted to give the tide compound (0.040g, 12%) as a colourless oil according the the method of example 9, and was subsequendy converted to its oxalate salt, m.pt. 117- 119°C. !H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) (free base) δ (ppm): 7.98 (m, 5H), 7.48 (m, 3H), 7.35 (d, IH), 7.12 (dd, IH), 6.98 (d, IH), 4.23 (dd, IH), 4.05 (dd, IH), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.00 (m, IH), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.55 (m, IH), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.28 (m, IH), 1.95-1.55 (m, 5H), 1.40 (m, IH). Example 7 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylazepin-3-yloxy)phenyI]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadiazo_-3-y_)bipheny_-4-carboxamide 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylazepin-3-yloxy)aniline (D15, 0.195g, 0.780 mmol) was converted to give the tide compound (0.158g, 30%) as a white foam according to the method of example 9, and was subsequently converted to its oxalate salt, m.pt. 110-113°C. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) (free base) δ (ppm): 7.98 (m, 4H), 7.88 (s, IH), 7.49 (d, 2H), 7.35 (d, 2H), 7.20 (dd, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 4.52 (m, IH), 3.88 (s, 3H), 2.97 (dd, IH), 2.79 (m, 2H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.48 (m, IH), 2.47 (s, 3H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.15 (m, 2H), 2.00- 1.55 (m, 4H). Example 8 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl- l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)bipheny.-4-carboxamide 4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)aniline (D17, 0.076g, 0.304 mmol) was converted to give the tide compound (0.102g, 64%) as a white foam according to the method of example 9. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) (free base) δ (ppm): 8.05-7.90 (m, 5H), 7.48 (d, 3H), 7.35 (d, IH), 7.10 (dd, IH), 6.90 (d, IH), 3.91 (dd, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, IH), 2.91 (m, IH), 2.68 (s, 3H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.35 (m, IH), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.00 (m, 2H), 1.80 (m, 3H), 1.15 (m, IH). Example 9 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy)phenyI]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadiazo_-3-yI)bipheny_-4-carboxamide 2'-Me_nyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (EP 0533268A1) (0.135g, 4.60 mmol) was suspended in diionyl chloride (5 ml) and was heated to reflux with stirring. After 1.5 h, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool and was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude acid chloride as a yellow solid which was azeotroped with toluene and dried in vacuo. Meanwhile a solution of 4-methoxy-3-(l- methylpiperidin-3-yloxy)aniline (D19, 0.080g, 339 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 ml) was treated with triethylamine (0.047 ml, 3.39 mmol) followed by a solution of the crude acid chloride in dichloromethane (5 ml) added dropwise with stirring. After 20 h, the reaction mixture was washed with water (IX) and sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (IX). The organic layer was then dried (Na 2 SO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a brown oil. The oil was purified by silica-gel chromatography (9385, 6%, MeOH/CH2Cl2 as eluant) to give the tide compound as a colourless oil (0.084g, 49%), which was converted to its oxalate salt, m.pt. 154-160°C. -H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI3) (free base) δ (ppm): 8.02-7.90 (m, 5H), 7.48 (d, 2H), 7.40- 7.25 (m, ' 3H), 6.90 (d, IH), 4.45 (m, IH), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.10 (m, IH), 2.71 (m, IH), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.30-2.04 (m, 3H), 1.90 (m, IH), 1.80-1.50 (m, 2H). Example 10 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpyrroIidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadia__oI-3-yl)biphenyI-4-carboxamide The tide compound (0.38g, 45%) was prepared as a cream solid from 4-methoxy-3-(l- methylpyrrolidin-3-yloxy)aniline (D21, 0.38g, 0.0017 mol), using the method of Example 9. !H NMR (250 MHz, d 6 DMSO) δ (ppm): 8.11-7.82 (m, 5H), 7.58 (d, 2H), 7.49-7.32 (m, 3H), 6.96 (d, IH), 4.87-4.72 (br s, IH), 3.74 (s, 3H), 2.90-2.60 (m, 7H), 2.41-2.19 (m, 7H), 1.95-1.78 (m, IH). Example 11 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(3-quinuclidinyloxy)phenyI]-2 l -methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l !) 2,4-oxadiazoI- 3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide The title compound was prepared from 4-medιoxy-3-(3-quinuclidinyloxy)aniline (D23) using the procedure of Example 1. Purifiation by chromatography on silica gel eluting witii 5% methanol/chloroform, followed by passage through a short basic alumina column eluting with ethyl acetate, afforded the title compound as a colourless oil. This was convened to its oxalate salt and crystallised from a mixture of methanol/acetone/ether as a white solid (27%), m.pt. 110-113°C. *H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) (free base) δ (ppm): 8.58 (s, IH), 7.90-7.78 (m, 4H), 7.37 (d, IH), 7.26 (d, 2H), 7.18 (d, IH), 7.00 (dd, IH), 6.73 (d, IH), 4.32-4.20 (m, IH), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.22-3.02 (m, IH), 2.95-2.45 (m, 5H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.12-1.85 (m, 2H), 1.67-1.50 (m, IH), 1.47-1.10 (m, 2H). Example 12 N-[4-Methoxy-3-(quinucIidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyI-4-carboxamide A procedure, similar to that given in Example 1 was used to give the tide product as a white powder (90%) from 4-me_hoxy-3-(quinuclidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline (D25), m.pt. 235-240° C. *H NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ (ppm): 8.79 (IH, s), 8.12 (2H, d), 8.0-7.95 (2H, m), 7.78 (IH, dd), 7.60 (IH, d), 7.45 (2H, d), 7.32 (IH, d), 6.88 (IH, d), 4.62 (IH, dd), 4.35 (IH, dd), 3.81 (3H, s), 3.72 (2H, m), 3.48-3.10 (3H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.28 (IH, m), 2.12-1.80 (6H, m). Example 13 N-[4-Chloro-3-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl- l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyI-4-carboxamide 2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (EP 0533268 Al) (200 mg, 0.68 mmol) was suspended in diionyl chloride (5 ml) and was heated to reflux with stirring. After 1 h, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool and was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude acid chloride as a yellow solid which was azeotroped with toluene and dried in vacuo. Meanwhile a solution of 4-chloro-3-(l- methylpy-Tθlidin-2-ylmethoxy)aniline (D29, 163 mg, 0.68 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was treated with a solution of sodium hydroxide (54 mg) in water Λ ml), followed by a solution of the crude acid chloride in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), added dropwise with stirring. After 20 h, the reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue paritioned between Na2CO3 and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was then dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by flash silica-gel chromatography using methanol and chloroform as eluant, to give the tide compound as a white solid (210 mg, 60%), m.pt. 191-193°C. -H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.05-7.88 (m, 5H), 7.66 (s, IH), 7.47 (d, 2H), 7.38-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.99 (d, IH), 4.05 (d, 2H), 3.12 (t, IH), 2.89-2.63 (m, 4H), 2.57 (s, 3H), 2.44-2.26 (m, 4H), 2.15-1.65 (m, 4H). Example 14 N-[4-(l-Methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyI]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yI)biphenyl-4-carboxamide The tide compound was prepared from 4-(l-medιylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)aniline (D31) using the method of Example 1. Reciystallisation from ethyl acetate/petroleum ether gave a white solid (0.18g, 36%). -H NMR (250 MHz, CDC1 3 ) δ (ppm): 8.10-7.79 (m, 5H), 7.55 (d, 2H), 7.45 (d, 2H),7.35 (d, IH), 6.90 (d, 2H), 3.95-3.72 (m, 2H), 2.98 (br d, IH), 2.29 (br d, IH), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.25-2.08 (m, IH), 2.05-1.57 (m, 5H), 1.22-1.00 (m, IH) Example 15 S-Chloro^^-dihydro-l-P'-methyl^'^S-methyl-l^^-oxadiazoI-S-y biphenyl^- carbonyl]-6-(l-methylpyrroIidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH- indole The tide compound was prepared from 5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-6-(l-methylpyrrolidin-2- ylmethoxy)-lH-indole (D34) using the procedure of Example 13. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with methanol/chloroform afforded the tide compound as an off-white foam (10%) which was converted to the oxalate salt, m.pt. 102- 105° C. *H NMR (250 MHz, (CD3)2CO) δ (ppm): 8.02 (s, IH), 7.96 (d, IH), 7.74 (d, 2H), 7.56 (d, 2H), 7.45 (d, IH), 7.27 (s, IH), 4.2 (t, 2H), 4.05-3.75 (m, 2H), 3.11 (t, 2H), 3.01 (t, IH), 2.77-2.62 (m, 4H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.33-2.2 (m, IH), 2.1-1.99 (m, IH), 1.84-1.6 (m, 3H). (one aromatic proton not observed) Example 16 2^-Dihydro-5-methoxy-l-[2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l^,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4- carbonyl]-6-[2-(l-methyIpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl]-lH-indole The tide compound (0.067g, 25%) was prepared from 2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-6-(2-(l- methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)-lH-indole (D43) (0.13g, 0.5 mmol) using the method of Example 1. -H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3) δ (ppm): 8.00 (m, 3H), 7.62 (d, 2H), 7.50-7.30 (m, 3H), 6.75 (s, IH), 4.13 (b, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.48 (s, 3H), 3.12 (t, 2H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.12-1.50 (bm, 11H)

Claims: CLAIMS: A compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: (I) in which A is CONR where R is hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl; / B is oxygen, S(O)q where q is 0, 1 or 2, or B is MR!- where R*- 1 is hydrogen or Cι.5alkyl or B is CH when R- 7 and R form a group D; RI is hydrogen, halogen, Cι_5alkyl, C3_6cycloalkyl, COC1.5a.kyl, Cι_6alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyCι_5alkyl, hydroxyCι_5alkoxy, Cι.6alkoxyCι.5alkoxy, acyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, SR , SOR9, SO 2 R 9 , SO 2 NR 1 -R 1 -, CO 2 R 10 , CONRIORH, CO 2 NR 1( -Rl -, CONR 10 (CH 2 ) a CO2R 11 , (CH 2 )aNR 10 R 11 , (CH 2 ) a CONRlθRll. (CH2) a NRlOCORH, (CH2) a CO 2 Cι_6alkyl, CO 2 (CH 2 ) a ORl-, NRIORI I, NR 10 CO2R n , NR^CONRIORH, CR 10 =NOR 11 , CNR 10 =NOR 11 , where R 1 - andR 11 are independently hydrogen or Cι_5alkyl and a is 1 to 4 or R I is an optionally substituted 5 to 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur, R 2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C1.5a.kyl, C3.5cycloa.kyl, C3_5cycloalkenyl, C1.5a.koxy, acyl, aryl, acyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, CO2R 11 , CONR 12 R 13 , NR 12 R 13 where R 11 , R 13 and R 13 are independently hydrogen σr Cι_5alkyl; R 4 and R-- are independentiy hydrogen or Cι_5__kyl; R- is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, Ci_5_ilkyl or C1.5a.koxy; R 7 is hydrogen or together with R forms a group D where D is CRl 4 =CR-5, CR-4=CR- 5 CR 14 R 15 or (CRl 4 Rl5) b where b is 2 or 3 and R 14 and R 15 are independently hydrogen or C1.5a.kyl; m is O, 1, 2 or 3; n is 1 or 2; and R° is a group of formula (i): (i) where p, q and r are independentiy integers having the value 1, 2 or 3; or R8 is a group of formula (ii): (ϋ) where s is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R - is hydrogen or Cj^alkyl. 2. A compound according to claim 1 in which R* is oxadiazole. 3. A compound according to claim 1 or 2 in which R 2 is C1.5a.kyl. 4. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which R 3 is hydrogen 5. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which A is CONH and B is oxygen. 6. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which m is 1 and p is 1. 7. A compound according to any one of claim 1 which R~ is Cι_5alkoxy. 8. A compound according to claim 1 which is: N-[3-((S)-l-Methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5- methyl- 1 ^2,4-oxadia ~ ol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)-l-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl- l,2,4-ox_-diazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-((R)-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-( 1 -methyl-_zetidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl- 1 ,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[3-(Azetidin-2-ylmethoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2 , -methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol- 3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2 , -methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylazepin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1^2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(l-methylpyπOlidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(3-quinuclidinyloxy)phenyl]-2'-me_hyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Methoxy-3-(quinuclidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4- ox_-_U__zol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-Chloro-3-(l-memylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l^,4- ox_ιdi__-θl-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, N-[4-(l-Methylpiperidin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide, 5-Chloro-2,3-dihydro-l-[2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4- C-_rbonyl]-6-(l-methylpyπ * olidin-2-ylmethoxy)-lH- indole, 2,3-Dihydro-5-methoxy-l-[2'-methyl-4 , -(5-methyl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4- carbonyl]-6-[2-(l-medιylpyrrolidin-2-yl)edιyl]-lH-indole, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 9. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) which comprises (a) for compounds where A is an amide linkage CONR9 reaction of a compound of formula (II): (II) with a compound of formula (HI): wherein B, m, n, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 are as defined in formula (I) and R 17 and Rl8 contain the appropriate functional group(s) necessary to form the A moiety; or (b) where R 7 together with R 9 forms a group D reaction of a compound of formula (II) as defined above with a compound of formula (IV): (IV) wherein B, D, m, n, R 4 , R^, R6 and R 8 are as defined in formula (I); and optionally after (a) or (b) in any order: • converting a compound of formula (I) into another compound of formula (I) • forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. 10. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for use in therapy. 11. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

Inventors: GASTER LARAMIE MARY, WYMAN PAUL ADRIAN, GASTER, LARAMIE, MARY, WYMAN, PAUL, ADRIAN
Applicants: GASTER LARAMIE MARY, SMITHKLINE BEECHAM PLC, WYMAN PAUL ADRIAN, GASTER, LARAMIE, MARY, WYMAN, PAUL, ADRIAN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C07D413
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P1, A61P3, A61P9, A61P25, A61P43, C07D413, C07D453