PHOSPHINIC ACID DERIVATIVES WITH METALLOPEPTIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4 and <u>n</u> have the meanings reported in the description are described. The compounds of formula (I) are endowed with a dual ACE-inhibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity and are useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Description: "Phosphinic acid derivatives with metallopeptidase inhibitory activity" The present invention relates to phosphinic acid derivatives and, more particularly, it relates to phosphinic acid derivatives useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases as metallopeptidase inhibitors. The pharmacologic interest towards the study of metallopeptidase inhibitory mole¬ cules derives from the role that said enzymes exert on the level ofthe cardiocircula- tory system. It is well-known in fact that compounds with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity are mainly useful in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and post-infarct since they inhibit the formation of angiotensin Ll, a substance which in¬ creases the blood pressure. Compounds with endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitory activity are useful as anti-vasoconstrictors in that they inhibit the formation of endothelin, a 21 amino acid peptide with vasoconstrictor activity. Instead, compounds with inhibitory activity of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) en¬ zyme, also called enkephalinase, are useful as vasodilators and diuretics in that the NEP enzyme is responsible for the inactivation, not only of endogenous enkephaline, but also of some natriuretic factors among which, for instance, the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), a vasodilating hormone secreted by heart. Therefore, even exerting their action on the cardiovascular system with different mechanisms of action, the compounds with metallopeptidase inhibitory activity are generally used, alone or in combination, in the treatment of hypertension, renal failure, congestive heart failure and post-infarct. In the British patent apphcation No. 2116559 (Squibb & Sons, Inc.) some phosphinic acid derivatives with ACE-inhibitory activity are described among which, in particu¬ lar, the compounds of formula O R 3 II I R 6 -CONH-CH-P-(CH 2 ) n -CH-CONH-CH-COOH R 5 OH R 17 wherein R5 and R , the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl group with from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; R3 repre¬ sents an aminoalkyl or imidazolylalkyl group with from 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the al- kyl moiety; R j 7 represents an alkyl, phenylalkyl, imidazolylalkyl or indolylalkyl group with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; n is 0 or 1. In the work pubUshed by D. Grobelny et al. in Biochemistry 1989, 28, 4948-4951, some phosphinic acid derivatives are described among which, in particular, the com¬ pound N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonykmmomemyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-pro- pionyl]-leucine as inhibitor of thermolysin, an endopeptidase of bacterial origin. Subsequently, as reported by Brandley P. Morgan et al. in Pept. Chem, Struct. BioL, Proc. Am. Pept. Symp., 11th, 1989, 371-2 (Chemical Abstracts 115:44857, 1991) and in Journal ofthe American Chemical Society 1991, 113, 297-307, and by G. Klebe et al. in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1993, 36, 70-80, some phosphinic acid deriva- rives are described among which, in particular, the compounds of formula O CH 2 -CH(CH 3 ) 2 Ph-CH 2 -O-CONH-CH 2 -P-CH 2 -CH-CONH-CH-COOH OH R wherein Ph is a phenyl group and R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl, isobutyl or benzyl group, and corresponding hthium salts thereof, endowed with inhibitory ac¬ tivity towards thermolysin. In the International patent apphcation No. WO 95/35302 in the name of the instant Apphcant some phosphinic acid derivatives are described among which, in particular, the derivatives of N-(phosphinyl-alkanoyl)-biphenylalanine, endowed with ACE-in- hibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity. Now we have found phosphinic acid derivatives which are endowed with an inhibitory activity on the angiotensin converting enzyme as well as on the neutral endopeptidase enzyme (dual ACE/NEP-inhibitory activity) which makes them particularly useful in the cardiovascular therapy. Therefore, object ofthe present invention are the compounds of formula O R 2 II I R-(OVCONH-CH-P-CH 2 -C-CONH-CH-COOH (I) l l l l Ri OH R 3 CH 2 -R4 wherein R is a straight or branched C J-C4 alkyl group, a 5 or 6 membered aromatic hetero¬ cychc group with 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur optionaUy substituted with a C J-C3 alkyl group or a phenyl or phenylalkyl group with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, optionaUy substituted with one or more substituents, the same or different, selected among hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, carboxy groups, aminocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or ^-alkylaminocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; Rj is a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group; R 2 is a straight or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, a 2-methoxy-ethoxymethyl group or an arylmethyl group wherein the aryl is a phenyl group or a 5 or 6 membered aromatic heterocychc group with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, the phenyl group being optionaUy substituted with a methylenedioxy group or with one or more substituents, the same or different, selected among halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, aminocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or di-alkylaminocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 car¬ bon atoms in the alkyl moiety; R3 is a hydrogen atom or R 2 and R3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a C3-C6 cycloahphatic ring; R4 is a 5 or 6 membered aromatic heterocychc group with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, a phenyl group optionaUy substituted with an aryl group wherein the aryl is a phenyl or a 5 or 6 membered aromatic hetero¬ cycle with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur or a phenyl group optionaUy substituted with one or more substituents, the same or differ¬ ent, selected among halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio or alkoxycar¬ bonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, carboxy groups, ami- nocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or di-alkylami- nocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; n is 0 or 1; the carbon atom marked with an asterisk is a stereogenic center; and pharmaceuticaUy acceptable salts thereof; provided that a) when Rj and R3 are equal to hydrogen and R4 is equal to biphenyl, n is 1; b) when R3 is equal to hydrogen, R4 is equal to phenyl or imidazolyl and R 2 is equal to imidazolylmethyl, n is 1; the compound N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonykmmomemyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobut- yl-propionyl]-phenylalanine and its hthium salt being excluded. The compounds of formula I contain at least a stereogenic center and can thus exist in the form of stereoisomers. Therefore, object ofthe present invention are the compounds of formula I in the form of stereoisomeric mixtures as weU as in the form of single stereoisomers. The compounds of formula I object ofthe present invention are endowed with a dual ACE-inhibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity and are useful in the treatment of cardio¬ vascular diseases. In the present description, unless otherwise specified, with the term alkyl group we intend a straight or branched alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, n.propyl, isopropyl, n.butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, n.pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, isopentyl, tert-pentyl, n.hexyl and isohexyl; with the term alkoxy group we intend a straight or branched alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, n.propoxy and isopropoxy; with the term C„-C, cy¬ cloaliphatic ring we intend a cycloalkyi such as cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopen¬ tane and cyclohexane; with the term halogen atom we intend a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom; with the term acyl we intend an acyl group deriving from an aliphatic or aromatic carboxyhc acid such as acetic, propionic, butyric and benzoic acid; with the term aryl we intend an aromatic group such as phenyl or a 5 or 6 mem¬ bered heterocychc group containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur such as thiazole, isoxazole, oxazole, isothiazole, pyrazole, imida- zole, thiophene, pyrrole, pyridine, pyrimidine and furan. Examples of pharmaceuticaUy acceptable salts ofthe compounds of formula I are the salts with alkah or alkaline-earth metals and the salts with pharmaceuticaUy acceptable organic bases. Preferred compounds of formula I are the compounds wherein R is a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group or a group selected among phenyl, benzyl, pyridyl or isoxazolyl; Rj is a hydrogen atom; R 2 is a branched C3-C4 alkyl group or an aryl¬ methyl group wherein the aryl is phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl; R3 is a hydrogen atom and R4 is a phenyl group optionaUy substituted by an aryl group wherein the aryl is se¬ lected among phenyl, pyridyl or thiazolyl. StiU more preferred compounds of formula I are the compounds wherein R is a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group or a group selected among phenyl, benzyl, pyridyl or isoxazolyl; Rj is a hydrogen atom; R 2 is a branched C3-C4 alkyl group or an arylmethyl group wherein the aryl is phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl; R3 is a hydrogen atom; R4 is a phenyl group optionaUy substituted by an aryl group wherein the aryl is selected among phenyl, pyridyl or thiazolyl and n= 1. Preferred examples of pharmaceuticaUy acceptable salts ofthe compounds of formula I are the salts with alkah metals such as sodium, hthium and potassium. Specific examples ofthe compounds of formula I, object ofthe present invention, are: N-[3-[(l-be-ιzyloxycarbonylammo-emyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- (lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-I-^alanine; N-[3-[(ben-tyloxycarbonylaminomethyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- ( lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L- alanine; N-[3-[(ethoxycarbonylammomethyl)(hydroxy)pho-φhinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(lJ'- biphenyl-4-yl)-L-ala-iine; N-[3-[(tert-butoxycarbonykminomethyl)(hyd^oxy)phosphiαyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- (1,1 '-biphenyl-4-yl)---^ aιi-ne; N-[3-[(beιιzyloxycarbonylammomemyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isopropyl-propionyl]- (1, l'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanine; N-[3-[(beιιzyloxycarbonyji-iiιinome yl)(hydroxy (lJ'-bφhenyl-4-yl)-l-^daιιine; N-[3-[(beιιzyloxycarbonylammome yl)(hydroxy)phosphi-ιyl]-2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-pro- pionyl]-( 1, l'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L- alanine; N-[3-[(be-i-^loxycarbonylaminome yl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-(2-tWenylmethyl)- propionyl]-( 1, l'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaminomeΛyl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-(3-pyridy]methyl)- propionyl]-( 1, l'-biphenyl-4-yl)-I--alamne; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaminome yl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy- phenyl-methyl)-propionyl]-( 1 , 1 '-biphenyl-4-yl)-l^alaι-ine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaminome yl)(hydroxy)phosplιinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- L-tyrosine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylammomethyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- (4-fluorophenyl)-I- ^ alanine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylammomethyl)(hy(froxy)phospliinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- (3-pyridyl)-L- alanine; N-[3-[(ben-tyloxycarbonylammomeΛyl)(hydroxy)phosplιinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- (3-tMenyl)-L-danine; N-[3-[(beιιzyloxycarbonylammomeΛyl)(hytfroxy)phθ-φhinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- [4-(2-furyl)-phenyl]-L- alanine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylamkomeΛyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- [4-(3-pyridyl)-phenyl]-L-alanine; N-[3-[(ben-^loxycarbonylammomemyl)(hydroxy)phosplιinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- [4-(5-pirimidinyl)-phenyl]-L- alanine; N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylammome yl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- [4-(2-t azolyl)-phenyl]-L-alaι-ine; N-[3-[(benzoylammome yl)(hydroxy)phθ-φhinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-L-phenyl- alanine; N-[3-[(benzoylammomethyl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-jl^t osine; N-[3-[(benzoylammomeώyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(4-fluoro- phenyl)-L- alanine; N- [3- [(benzoylammomemyl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(3-pyridyl)- I-^danine; N-[3-[(beιιzoylammomemyl)(hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(3-t enyl)- - akπine; N-[3-[(benzoykmmomemyl)(hydroxy)phosp--myl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-[4-(2-furyl)- phenyl]-L-alanine; N-[3-[(benzoylam omethyl)(hydroxy)pho-φ-ιmyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-[4-(3-pyri- dyl)-phenyl]-L- alanine; N-[3-[(benzoylammomeΛyiχhydroxy)phosplι yl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-[4-(5-pirimi- dinyl)-phenyl]-L-alaιιme; N-[3-[(benzoylammomemyl)(hydroxy)phosp-iinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-[4-(2-t--i- azolyl)-phenyl]-L-ala--ine; N-[3-[(3-memyl-5-isoxazolyl-carbonylai-iinomemyiχhydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl- propionyl]-L-phenylalanine; N-[3-[(2-furyl-carbonylammomemyl)(hyά^oxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-L- phenylalanine; N-[3-[(3-pyridyl-carbonylam omeΛyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-L- phenylalanine. The preparation of the compounds of formula I, object of the present invention, comprises the reaction between a compound of formula O R 2 II I R-(O)n-CONH-CH-P-CH 2 -C-COOH (II) R! OY R 3 wherein R Ri , R 2 , R3 and n have the above reported meanings and Y represents a protective group, preferably a C1-C4 alkyl, a phenyl or a phenylaUcyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; and an alanine derivative of formula NH2-CH-COOH (HI) CH 2 -R4 wherein R4 has the above reported meanings. The condensation reaction is carried out according to conventional techniques ofthe chemistry of peptides. Before carrymg out the reaction, it can be usefiil to properly protect the optional functional groups which could interfere in the reaction. The optional protection is carried out according to conventional techniques. For instance besides the OH function ofthe phosphinic group it can be useful to pro¬ tect the free carboxy function ofthe compound of formula D3. The evaluation ofthe usefulness ofthe optional protection as weU as the selection of the kind of adopted protection, according to the reaction to be carried out and to the functional groups to be protected, are within the normal knowledge ofthe man skiUed in the art. The removal of the optional protective groups is carried out according to conven¬ tional techniques. For a general reference to the use of protective groups in organic chemistry see Theo¬ dora W. Greene and Peter G.M. Wuts "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis", John WUey & Sons, Inc., II Ed., 1991. The compounds of formula II and HI are known or eastty prepared according to known methods. For instance, the compounds of formula LT wherein n=l can be prepared as described in J. Med. Chem 1988, 31, 1772-1778. The compounds of formula π wherein n=0, instead, can be prepared from the corre¬ spondmg compounds of formula 13 wherein n=l and R=benzyl by hydrogenolysis of the carbamic group (R-O-CONH-), carried out according to conventional techniques, and by subsequent reaction with a compound of formula R-COZ (IV) wherein R has the above reported meanings and Z represents a chlorine or bromine atom. The compounds of formula IH, instead, can be prepared according to the synthetic methods described by W.C. Shieh et al. in J. Org. Chem 1992, 57, 379-381. Alternatively, the compounds of formula HI can be prepared by cross-coupling meth¬ ods startmg from halogenated heterocychc compounds and stannyl phenylalanme de¬ rivatives, as described by D.S. WUbur et al. in Bioconjugate Chem, 1993, 4, 574-580. Moreover, the compounds of formula I wherein R-, = H, object of the present inven- tion, can be prepared accordmg to an alternative process comprising the reaction be¬ tween a phosphorylated derivative of formula O II R-(OVCONH-CH-P-H (V) I I R! OY wherem R Ri , n and Y have the above reported meanings; and a compound of formula R 2 CH 2 =C-CONH-CH-COOH (VI) I CH 2 -R4 wherein R 2 and R4 have the above reported meanings. Also the compounds of formula V and VI are known or easUy prepared according to known methods. For instance, the compounds of formula VI can be prepared by reaction between a compoimd of formula wherein R 2 has the above reported meanings; and an alanine derivative of formula (LQ). Analogously to what previously reported, also in the aforementioned reaction it can be useful to protect, according to conventional techniques, optional functional groups which could interfer in the reaction. The compounds of formula V wherein n=l can be prepared, for instance, as described in Bioorg. Med. Chem Lett., 4, (1994), 1221-1224 and in J. Am Chem Soc. 1991, 113, 297-307. The compounds of formula V wherein n=0, instead, can be prepared startmg from the correspondmg compounds of formula V wherein n=l and R=benzyl, by hydrogenoly- sis of the carbamic group (R-O-CONH-) and by subsequent reaction with a com¬ pound of formula IV. In view of what above reported it is clear to the man skiUed in the art that the prepa¬ ration ofthe compounds of formula I wherem n=0 can be optionaUy carried out start¬ mg from the corresponding compounds of formula I wherein n=l and R=benzyl, pre- pared according to one ofthe aforementioned synthetic schemes, by hydrogenolysis of the carbamic group (R-O-CONH) and by subsequent reaction with a compound of formula IV. The compounds of formula I in the form of single stereoisomers are prepared by stereoselective synthesis or by separation ofthe stereoisomeric mixture according to conventional techniques. Also the preparation ofthe salts ofthe compounds of formula I, object ofthe inven¬ tion, is carried out according to conventional techniques. The compounds of formula I object ofthe present invention are endowed with a dual ACE-inhibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity and are useful in the treatment of cardio- vascular diseases. The inhibitory activity ofthe compounds of formula I was evaluated by means of m vitro tests, in comparison to known molecules endowed with ACE-inhibitory or NEP- inhibitory activity (example 11). Captopril, a drug known as the first oraUy active ACE-inhibitor (The Merck Index, XI ed. - No. 1773, pages 267-268), was used as a comparison compound for the ACE- inhibitory activity. 3-[l-[(Cis-4-carboxycyclohexyl)carbamoyl]cyclopentyl]-2-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)- propionic acid, a compound having NEP-inhibitory activity known as Candoxatrilat and described by K James et al. in Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry, Ed. Bernard Testa et al. (1993), pages 45-60, was used as a comparison compound for the NEP- inhibitory activity. The inhibitory activity of the compounds of formula I, expressed as IC50 value, is pharmacologicaUy significant in that it results at nM concentrations. Moreover, the inhibitory activity ofthe compounds of formula I resulted to be compa- rable to the ACE-inhibitory activity of Captopril and to the NEP-inhibitory activity of Candoxatrilat, respectively. For a practical use in therapy, the compounds of formula I can be formulated in sohd or hquid pharmaceutical compositions, suitable to oral or parenteral adininistration. Therefore, the pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeuticaUy effective amount of a compound of formula I in admixture with a carrier for pharmaceutical use are a further object ofthe present invention. Specific examples of pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are tablets, coated tablets, capsules, granulates, solutions and suspensions suitable to oral administration, solutions and suspensions suitable to parenteral admimstration. The pharmaceutical compositions object ofthe present invention are prepared accord¬ ing to conventional techmques. Although the compounds of formula I are active as such, with the aim to satisfy par¬ ticular therapeutic or pharmaceutical requirements, it can be useful to transform them into the corresponding biologic precursors (pro-drugs). Therefore, according to the conventional techmques for the preparation of pro-drugs of phosphorylated or carboxylated derivatives, suitable pro-drugs can be obtained for instance through the esterification ofthe carboxy function or ofthe pho-φhinic fimc¬ tion. Also the compounds of formula I in the form of pro-drugs and, in particular, the com- pounds obtained through the esterification of the carboxy or phosphinic function as weU as the pharmaceutical compositions, which contain the compounds of formula I in the form of pro-drugs and, in particular, which contain the compounds of formula I wherein the carboxy or phosphinic group results to be esterified, are within the scope ofthe present invention. The da y dose ofthe compound of formula I or of the corresponding pro-drug wiU depend on several factors such as the seriousness of the disease, the individual re¬ sponse ofthe patient or the kind of formulation but it is usuaUy comprised between 0.01 mg and 20 mg per kg of body weight divided into a single dose or into more daily doses. With the aim of iUustrating the present invention the foUowing examples are now given. Example 1 Preparation of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-f4-(2-thiazolyl)-phenyl]-I .-alanine methyl ester N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)-L-phenylalajιine methyl ester (8 g; 32.3 mmoles) and paUadimn-bis(triphenylphosphine) chloride (2.3 g) were added to a solution of 2-trimethylstannyl-thiazole (13.8 g; 32.3 mmoles) in a mixture of tet- rahydrofuran:toluene=10: 1 (50 ml), previously degassed with nitrogen. The mixture was refluxed for 24 hours and, subsequently, 2-trimethylstannyl-thiazole (2 g) was therein added. After 6 hours under reflux N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)-L- phenylalanine methyl ester (2 g) and paUadium-bis(triphenylphosphine) chloride (700 mg) were added again. The resultant reaction mixture was kept under stirring at 70°C for 16 hours and was subsequently cooled at room temperature. Water (200 ml) was then added to the mixture which was extracted with methylene chloride (4x200 ml). The coUected organic phases were dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated under vacuum. The obtained residue was purified by flash chromatography (sihca gel, eluent methyl- ene chloride: ethyl acetate=9:l, pressure of nitrogen=0J atm, 10^ Pa) thus affording N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-[4-(2-tMazolyl)-phenyl]-L-alaιιine methyl ester (2.3 g; 20% yield). 1H-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 1.40 [s, 9H, C(CH 3 ) 3 ]; 3.00-3.21 (m, 2H, CH 2 ); 3.70 (s, 3H, COOCH3); 4.42-4.65 (m, IH, CH-COO); 5.02 (bd, IH, NH); 7.30 (d, IH, S-CH-CH-N); 7.81 (d, IH, S-CH-CH-N); 7J 5-7.90 (m, 4H, phenylene). Example 2 Preparation of (lJ'-biphenyl-4-ylVL-alarιine methyl ester hydrochloride Thionyl chloride (0.043 ml; 0.586 mmoles) was added at room temperature to a solu¬ tion of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-(lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L- alanine (100 mg; 0.293 mmoles) in methanol (2 ml). After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was concentrated at smaU volume by evaporation under vacuum affording (lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride with a practicaUy quantitative yield (85 mg) as a crystalline sohd. mp. 215-6°C ^-NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ (ppm): 3J5 (dd, 2H); 3.70 (s, 3H); 4.30 (t, IH); 7.25-7.52 (m, 5H); 7.65 (m, 4H). By working in an analogous way and by using N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-[4-(2-thiazolyl)- phenyl]-L-alanine methyl ester prepared as described in example 1, as starting mate¬ rial, the foUowing compound was prepared: f4-(2-tMazolylVphenyl1-I-^alanine methyl ester dihydrochloride ^-NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O): δ (ppm): 3J0-3.32 (m, 2H, CH 2 -CH); 3.68 (s, 3H, CH3); 4.30-4.38 (m, IH, CH); 7.30-7.80 (m, 4H, phenylene); 7.70-7.91 (m, 2H, thia¬ zolyl). Example 3 Preparation of 2-chloromethyl-thiophene Thionyl chloride (67.35 ml; 0.93 moles) was added dropwise to a cooled solution of 2-hydroxymethyl-thiophene (60.35 g; 0.35 moles) in toluene (400 ml), kept at 0°C. At the end ofthe addition, the reaction mixture was kept under stirring at room tem¬ perature for 48 hours. The solvent was then evaporated under vacuum and the resultant oil was distiUed at 44-45°C (4 mmHg, 533 Pa) affording 2-chloromethyl-thiophene (48.9 g; 69% yield) as an oU. Η-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 4.80 (s, 2H); 6.95 (dd, IH); 7.06 (d, IH); 7.30 (d, IH). Example 4 Preparation of diethyl 2-τhienylmethyl-malonate A solution of diethyl malonate (129.2 ml; 0.85 moles) in tetrahydrofiiran (150 ml) was graduaUy added to a suspension of sodium hydride (25.5 g; 0.85 moles) in tetrahydro¬ furan (200 ml), keeping the niixture under stirring for 75 minutes. A solution of 2-chloromethyl-thiophene (53 g; 0.40 moles) in tetrahydrofuran (130 ml), prepared as described in example 3, was then graduaUy added to the reaction mixture which was kept under stirring for 16 hours at 40°C. Subsequently, the mixture was poured into a solution of phosphate buffer pH 7 (3.5 1) and the organic phase was separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl ether and the coUected organic phases were evaporated under vacuum affording an oil which, distiUed in Vigreaux at 100- 104°C (0J 1 mmHg, 15 Pa), furnished diethyl 2-thienylmethyl-malonate (31.49 g; 30.7% yield) as a colourless oU. ^-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 1.22 (t, 6H); 3.40 (d, 2H); 3.65 (t, IH); 4.27 (q, 4H); 6.85 ( , 2H); 7.12 (d, IH). Example 5 Preparation of 2-thienylmethyl-malonic acid A solution of diethyl 2-thienylmethyl-malonate (31 g; 121 mmoles) in dioxane, pre¬ pared as described in example 4, was added to a solution of potassium hydroxide at 85% (17.55 g; 266 mmoles) in water (53 ml). The reaction mixture was kept under stirring overnight. Dioxane was evaporated and the mixture was coUected with water (100 ml) and washed with ethyl acetate (50 ml). The reaction mixture was then acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid and ex- tracted with ethyl acetate (2x50 ml). The separated organic phase was dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness affording 2-thienylmethyl-malonic acid (23.45 g; 97% yield) as a white sohd. H-NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ): δ (ppm): 3.21 (d, 2H); 3.55 (t, IH); 6.90 (m, 2H); 7.31 (d, IH). Example 6 Preparation of 2-(2-τMeny1methvl>acrylic acid An aqueous solution of dimethylamine at 40% (25.31 ml; 0.20 moles) and an aqueous solution of formaldehyde at 37% (15 ml; 0.20 moles) were respectively added, at 0°C, to a solution of 2-thienylmethyl-malonic acid (35.16 g; 0J8 moles) in water (56 ml), prepared as described in example 5. The reaction πrixture was kept under stirring for 3 hours at 0°C and subsequently, at room temperature, it was dUuted with water (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x100 ml). The separated organic phase was dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness. The resultant oil was heated under vacuum at 50°C (12 mmHg, 1600 Pa) for 12 hours and the resultant crude product was purified by sihca gel column chromatography (eluent methylene chloride:methanol=95:5) affording 2-(2-thienylmethyl)-acryhc acid (15J g; 50% yield). ^-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 3.81 (s, 2H); 5.70 (s, IH); 6.40 (s, IH); 6.85 (d, IH); 6.94 (dd, IH); 7.15 (d, IH). Example 7 Preparation of N-(2-isobutyl-acryloylHlJ'-biphenyl-4-yiyL- anτne methyl ester A suspension of (lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanme methyl ester hydrochloride (7.03 g; 24 mmoles), prepared as described in example 2, 2-isobutyl-acryhc acid (3.7 g; 28.9 mmoles), triethylamine (4.01 ml; 28.9 mmoles) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (5.95 g; 28.9 mmoles) in methylene chloride (140 ml) was kept under stirring at room tem¬ perature for 21 hours. Subsequently, the obtained precipitate was filtered off and the organic phase was washed with water, dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resultant oU was purified by sihca gel chromatography (eluent petroleum ether 40-60°C: ethyl acetate=80:20) thus affording N-(2-isobutyl-acryloyl)-(lJ'-biρhenyl-4- yl)-L-alanine methyl ester (4J7 g; 47% yield) as a white sohd. 1H-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 0.93 (d, 6H); 1.50-1.75 (m, IH); 2J5 (d, 2H); 3.08-3.30 (m, 2H); 3.75 (s, 3H); 4.95 (m, IH); 5.21 (s, IH); 5.58 (s, IH); 7.00- 7.60 (m, 9H). By working in an analogous way and by using 2-benzyl-acrylic acid or 2-(2-tbienyl- methyl)-acrylic acid in place of 2-isobutyl-acryhc acid, as starting materials, the fol¬ lowing compounds were prepared: N-(2-benzyl-aciyloylV(lJ'-biphenyl-4-ylVI^alanine ethyl ester iH-NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3): δ (ppm): 1.22 (t, 3H); 3.12 (d, 2H); 3.63 (dd, 2H); 4J5 (q, 2H); 4.86 (q, IH); 5.27 (s, IH); 5.72 (s, IH); 6.21 (bd, IH); 6.90-7.60 (m, 14H); N-[2-(2-tMenylme ylVacryloyll-(lJ'-biphenyl-4-ylVL-alanine methyl ester H-NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3): δ (ppm): 3J5 (t, 2H); 3.72 (s, 3H); 3.83 (d, 2H); 4.92 (m, IH); 5.40 (s, IH); 5.71 (s, IH); 6.28 (bd, IH); 6.80 (d, IH); 6.90 (m, IH); 7.05 (d, 2H); 7J4 (d, IH); 7.30-7.60 (m, 7H). Example 8 Preparation of N-[3- (l-benzyloxycarbonylammo-emyl)(me oxy)phosphinyll-2-iso- butyl-propionyl]-(lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-T J -alanine methyl ester A solution of sodium methylate obtained by dissolving metallic sodium (0J32 g; 5.7 mmoles) in methanol (6 ml) was graduaUy added, under nitrogen atmosphere at 0°C, to a solution of methyl (l-benzyloxycarbonylaιrιino-ethyl)phosphinate (1.48 g; 5.75 mmoles) and N-(2-isobutyl-acryloyl)-(lJ , -biphenyl-4-yl)-L- alanine methyl ester (2J g; 5.75 mmoles), prepared as described in example 7, in methanol (6 ml). The reaction mixture was kept under stirring at 50°C for 21 hours and, cooled at room temperature, was then added to an aqueous solution of diluted hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase, washed with water, with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and with water again, was dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated un- der reduced pressure. The residue (3.9 g) was purified by sihca gel chromatography (eluent methylene chlo- ride:methanol=97:3) affording N-[3-[(l-ben-ryloxycarbonykmino-ethyl)(methoxy)- phosphmyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(lJ'-bipheιιyl-4-yl)-L-alanme methyl ester (2.2 g; 61% yield) as an oU. X H-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 0.65-0.95 (m, 6H); 1J0-2.30 (m, 8H); 2.60 (m, IH); 2.95-3.25 (m, 2H); 3.50-3.80 (m, 6H); 4.05 (m, IH); 4.80-5.20 (m, 3H); 7J 0-7.60 (m, 14H). By working in an analogous way and by using the alanine derivatives prepared as de¬ scribed in example 7, as starting materials, the foUowing compounds were prepared: N- r 3-[(ben_,yloxycarbonylammomethyl)(meΦoxy ^ OJ'-biphenyl-4-ylVL-alanine ethyl ester ^-NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3): δ (ppm): 1J8 (m, 3H); 1.60-2.00 (m, 2H); 2J0-2.40 (m, IH); 2.70-3.15 (m, 4H); 3.30-3.80 (m, 5H); 3.90-4.20 (m, 2H); 4.65-4.90 (m, IH); 5.00-5JO (m, 2H); 6.55 (bt, IH); 6.83 (m, IH); 7.05-7.60 (m, 19H); N- r 3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaιnmomemyiymemoxytø^ pionyl]-( 1. -biphenyl-4-y1)-T ^ alanine methyl ester ^-NMR (200 MHz, CDCI3): δ (ppm): 1.65-2.05 (m, IH); 2.20-2.40 (m, IH); 2.80- 3.70 (m, 13H); 4.80 (m, IH); 5.06 (s, 2H); 6.75 (d, IH); 6.87 (t, IH); 7.05-7.60 (m, 15H). Example 9 Preparation of N-f3-f(beιιzyloxycarbonylaιιιinome yiχmemoxy)phosphinyll-2-iso- butyl-propionyl1-(l. -biphenyl-4-yl)-T ^ a1anine methyl ester A mixture of 3-[(beii-^loxycarbonylaii-inomemyl)(methoxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl- propionic acid (0.35 g; 0.94 mmoles), N-hydroxysuccinimide (0J08 g; 0.94 mmoles) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.213 g; 1.03 mmoles) in dioxane (10 ml) was kept under stirring at room temperature for 2 hours. The resultant precipitate was filtered off and (lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-ll^alanine methyl es¬ ter hydrochloride (0.249 g; 0.856 mmoles), prepared as described in example 2, and triethylamine (0J43 ml; 1.03 mmoles) were added to the resultant solution. The reaction mixture was heated at 60°C for 4 hours and, subsequently, was cooled and diluted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was then treated with an aqueous solution of 5% potassium bisulphate and water. The separated organic phase was dried on sodium sulphate and evaporated under re- duced pressure. The reaction crude was purified by sihca gel chromatography (eluent methylene chlo- ride:methanol 95:5) thus affording N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaminomethyl)-(meth- oxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-( lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alai-me methyl ester (0.45 g; 86% yield) as an amorphous sohd. H-NMR (200 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ (ppm): 0.80-0.90 (m, 6H); 1.00-2.30 (m, 5H); 2.50- 2.80 (m, IH); 3.12 (bd, 2H); 3.30-3.80 (m, 8H); 4.86 (m, IH); 5.07 (dd, 2H); 7.18- 7.58 (m, 14H). By working in an analogous way and by using [4-(2-thiazolyl)-phenyl]-L-alanine methyl ester dihydrochloride prepared as described in example 2, as starting material, the foUowing compoimd which was used as such in the subsequent reaction without further purification was prepared: N-[3-[ ( benzyloxycarbonylammomethyM r4-(2-thiazolyl>pheny_1-l_^alanine methyl ester. Example 10 Preparation of N-[3-( l-benzyloxycarbonylaιr o-ethyl hydroxy)phosphmyl]-2-isobu- tyl-propionyll-( 1. l'-biphenyl-4-y1)-T -alanine (Compound 1) A mixture of hthium hydroxide monohydrate (0.519 g; 13.8 mmoles) and N-[3-[(l- benzyloxycarbonylaιnino-emyl)(me oxy)phθ-φhinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-( 1, 1 '- biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanine methyl ester (2J5 g; 3.45 mmoles), prepared as described in example 8, in tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and water (40 ml), was kept under stirring at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then diluted with water, acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase, washed with water and dried on sodium sulphate, was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by sihca gel chromatography (eluent methylene chloride:methanol=94:6) fiixi-ishing N-[3-(l-beιιzyloxycarbonylamino-ethyl)(hy- droxy)-phosp-iinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-(lJ l -biphenyl-4-yl)-I- ^ alanine (0.74 g) as a sohd. ^-NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 +D 2 O): δ (ppm): 0.68-0.90 (m, 6H); 1.05-2.20 (m, 8H); 2.70 (m, IH); 3.02-3.30 (m, 2H); 3.95 (m, IH); 4.61 (m, IH); 5.03 (m, 2H); 7J8- 7.55 (m, 14H). By working in an analogous way the foUowing compounds were prepared: N-r3-f(beιιzyloxycarbonylammomeΦy^ (lJ'-biphenyl-4-ylVL- alanine (Compound 2) mp. 195-196°C H-NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 +D 2 O): δ (ppm): 0.70-0.85 (2d, 6H); 1.15-1.90 (m, 5H); 2.50-2.70 (m, IH); 2.80-3.40 (m, 4H); 4.45 (dd, IH); 4.97 (s, 2H); 7.20-7.60 (m, 14H); N- r 3-[(benzyloxycarbonykiiiinomemyiyhydroxyfr^ (1 J '-biphenyl-4-ylVl-^danine (Compound 3) ^-NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 +D 2 O): δ (ppm): 1.40-1.90 (m, 2H); 2.60-3.30 (m, 7H); 4.40 (q, IH); 4.96 (s, 2H); 6.90-7.60 (m, 19H); N- 3-[(beιιzyloxycarbonylammomethyiχhydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-(2-tlfienylmethyl)pro- pionyl]-( 1. l'-bipheny1-4-y1)-T -alanine (Compoimd 4) I MV ass (C.L): (M+H) + : 621 1 H-NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O+NaHCO 3 ): δ (ppm): 1.30-1.80 (m, 2H); 2.40-3.30 (m, 7H); 4.25 (m, IH); 4.65 (d, 2H); 6.20-7.45 (m, 17H); N-[3-[(beiizyloxycarbonylaminomemylVhydroxy phosphinyl1-2-isobutyl-propionyl]- f 4-(2-thiazolyl)-phenyl]-L- alanine (Compoimd 5) Mass (CL): (M-H) " : 586 ^-NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O+NaHCO 3 ): δ (ppm): 0.59 (d, 3H, JHH=5.8 Hz, CH 3 - CH); 0.64 (d, 3H, JHH=5.7 Hz, CH 3 -CH); 1.06-1.46 (m, 5H, P-CH 2 -CH-CH 2 -CH); 2.34-3J2 (m, 5H, NH-CH 2 -P-CH 2 -CH and CONH-CH-CH 2 ); 4.32-4.40 (m, IH, CH-COO); 4.67-4.81 (m, 2H, CH 2 -phenyl); 7.04-7.67 (m, 1 IH, aryl). Example 11 In vitro evaluation ofthe pharmacologic activity a) NEP-inhibitory activity The NEP-inhibitory activity was evaluated in rat kidney cortex membranes pre- pared accordmg to the procedure described by T. Maeda et al. in Biochim. Bio¬ phys. Acta 1983, 731(1), 115-120. By workmg at 0-4°C kidneys were removed from male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 300 g. Kidney cortex was carefuUy dissected, finely minced and suspended in a homog- enization buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.4 containing 1 mM MgCl 2 , 30 mM NaCl, 0.02% NaN 3 ) 1:15 weight/volume. The tissue was then homogenized for 30 seconds by using an Ultra- Turrax ho¬ mogenizer. Approximately 10 ml of homogenate were layered over 10 ml of sucrose (41% weight/volume) and centrifuged at 31200 rpm for 30 minutes at 4°C in a fixed angle rotor. The membranes were coUected from the buffer/sucrose interface, washed twice with 50 mM TRIS/HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and resuspended into the same buffer for storage. The membranes were stored in smaU aliquots at -80°C until use. The NEP-inhibitory activity was evaluated according to the method described by C. Llorens et al., in Eur. J. Pharmacol., 69, (1981), 113-116, as reported hereinaf¬ ter. Aliquots ofthe membrane suspension prepared as above described (concentration 5 μg/ml of proteins) were preincubated in the presence of an aminopeptidase in¬ hibitor (Bestatin - 1 mM) for 10 minutes at 30°C. [ 3 H][Leu 5 ]-enkephaline (15 nM) and buffer TRIS/HCl pH 7.4 (50 mM) were added in order to obtain a final volume of 100 μl. Incubation (20 minutes at 30°C) was stopped by adding HCl 0. IM (100 μl). The formation ofthe metabohte [^HJTyr-Gly-Gly was quantified, after separation of the unreacted substrate by chromatography on polystirene columns (Porapak Q), by measuring the relative radioactivity through hquid scintiUation. The percentage of inhibition ofthe metabohte formation in the membrane prepa¬ rations treated with the compounds of formula I and with the comparative com- pounds with respect to the untreated membrane preparations was expressed as IC50 (nM) value, ACE-inhibitory activity The ACE-inhibitory activity was evaluated according to the method reported in the hterature by B. Hohnquist et al., in Analytical Biochemistry 95, 540-548 (1979). 50 μM of ACE (250 mU/ml purified by lung rabbit, EC 3.4.15.1 SIGMA) were preincubated with 50 μl ofthe compound of formula I or ofthe comparison com¬ pound in thermostated cuvettes at 37°C. The reaction was started by adding furylacryloylphenylalanylglycylglycine 0.8 mM (FAPGG-SIGMA). Contemporaneously, by using a Beckman DU-50 spectrophotometer provided with a program for calculating delta A/minutes and regression coefficients of the enzyme kinetics curves, the absorbance at 340 10"^m was recorded in continuo for 5 minutes. The percentage of enzyme inhibition in the preparations treated with the com¬ pounds of formula I or with the comparison compounds with respect to the un¬ treated preparations was expressed as IC50 (nM) value. The compounds of foπnula I were tested in the form of hthium salts. The IC50 (nM) values related to the ACE-inhibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity of compounds 2-5 and ofthe comparison compounds Candoxatrilat and Captopril are reported in the foUowing table 1. Table 1 ACE-inhibitory and NEP-inhibitory activity, expressed as IC50 (nM), value of com¬ pound 2, of compound 3, of compoimd 4, of compound 5, of Candoxatrilat and of Captopril. The data reported in table 1 show that the compounds of formula I, object ofthe pre¬ sent invention, are endowed with a significant dual ACE/NEP-inhibitory activity. Moreover, the inhibitory activity ofthe compounds of formula I resulted to be compa¬ rable to the ACE-inhibitory activity of Captopril as weU as to the NEP-inhibitory ac¬ tivity of Candoxatrilat.

Claims: Clflims 1) A compoimd of foπnula O R II I R-(OVCONH-CH-P-CH 2 -C-CONH-CH-COOH (I) I I I I R! OH R 3 CH 2 -R4 wherein R is a straight or branched CJ-C4 alkyl group, a 5 or 6 membered aromatic hetero¬ cychc group with 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur optionaUy substituted with a C J-C3 alkyl group or a phenyl or phenylalkyl group from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, optionaUy substituted with one or more substituents, the same or different, selected among hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, carboxy groups, aminocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or di-alltylaminocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; Rj is a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group; R 2 is a straight or branched C3-C5 alkyl group, a 2-methoxy-ethoxymethyl group or an arylmethyl group wherein the aryl is a phenyl group or a 5 or 6 membered aromatic heterocychc group with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, being the phenyl group optionaUy substituted with a methylenedioxy group or with one or more substituents, the same or different, selected among halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, aminocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or di-all-ylaminocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 car¬ bon atoms in the alkyl moiety; R3 is a hydrogen atom or, R and R3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a C3-C6 cycloahphatic ring; R4 is a 5 or 6 membered aromatic heterocychc group with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, a phenyl group optionaUy substituted with an aryl group wherein the aryl is a phenyl or a 5 or 6 membered aromatic hetero¬ cycle with one or two heteroatoms selected among nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur or a phenyl group optionaUy substituted with one or more substituents, the same or differ- ent, selected among halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, alkoxy, alkylthio or alkoxycar¬ bonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, carboxy groups, ami¬ nocarbonyl groups, acylamino groups, aminosulphonyl groups, mono- or di-alkylami- nocarbonyl groups with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; n is O or l; the carbon atom marked with an asterisk is a stereogenic center; and pharmaceuticaUy acceptable salts thereof; provided that a) when Rj and R3 are equal to hydrogen and R4 is equal to biphenyl, n is 1 ; b) when R3 is equal to hydrogen, R4 is equal to phenyl or imidazolyl and R 2 is equal to imidazolylmethyl, n is 1; the compound N-[3-[(ben-^loxycarbonylaιi-ri-_ιomethyiχhyά^oxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobut- yl-propionyl]-phenylalanine and its hthium salt being excluded. 2) A compoimd according to claim 1 wherein R is a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group or a group selected among phenyl, benzyl, pyridyl or isoxazolyl; R j is a hydro- gen atom; R 2 is a branched C3-C4 alkyl group or an arylmethyl group wherein the aryl is phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl; R3 is a hydrogen atom and R4 is a phenyl group op¬ tionaUy substituted by an aryl group wherein the aryl is selected among phenyl, pyridyl or thiazolyl. 3) A compound according to claim 2 wherein n=l. 4) A compound according to claim 1 in the form of a salt with an alkah metal selected among sodium, hthium and potassium. 5) A process for the preparation of a compound according to claim 1 comprising the reaction between a compound of formula O R 2 11 r R-(O)n-CONH-CH-P-CH 2 -C-COOH (H) Rl OY R3 wherein R Ri, R , R3 and n have the meanings reported in claim 1 and Y represents a pro¬ tective group; and an alanine derivative of formula NH 2 -CH-COOH (HI) CH2-R4 wherem R4 has the meanings reported in claim 1. 6) A process for the preparation of a compound according to claim 1 wherem R 3 =H comprising the reaction between a compound of formula O II R-(OVCONH-CH-P-H (V) I I Rχ OY wherein R Rj and n have the meanings reported in claim 1 and Y represents a protective group; and a compoimd of formula R. CH 2 =C-CONH-CH-COOH (VI) CH 2 -R4 wherem R and R4 have the meanings reported in claim 1. 7) A pharmaceutical composition containing a therapeuticaUy effective amount of a compoimd according to claim 1 in admixture with a carrier for pharmaceutical use. 8) A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7 for the treatment of cardiovas¬ cular diseases. » 9) A compound according to claim 1 selected among N-[3-[(benzyloxy-carbonyl-ami- nomethyl)(hydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutylpropionyl]-( 1 , 1 '-biphenyl-4-yl)-L- alanine, N-[3-[(ben-tyloxycarbonylammomethyl)(hyό^oxy)phosphinyl]-2-benzyl-propionyl]- (lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alanme,N-[3-[(benzyloxycarbonylaminomethyiχhydroxy)phos- plιinyl]-2-(2-thkzolylmethyl)-propionyl]-(lJ'-biphenyl-4-yl)-L-alai-ine,N-[3-[(ben- -_yloxycarbonylammomethyiχhydroxy)phosphinyl]-2-isobutyl-propionyl]-[4-(2-thia- zolyl)-phenyl]-L-alanine and pharmaceuticaUy acceptable salts thereof.

Inventors: BOTTA DANIELA, NORCINI GABRIELE, SANTANGELO FRANCESCO, SEMERARO CLAUDIO, BOTTA, DANIELA, NORCINI, GABRIELE, SANTANGELO, FRANCESCO, SEMERARO, CLAUDIO
Applicants: ZAMBON SPA, ZAMBON GROUP S.P.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C07F9
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P9, A61P43, C07F9