4-Phenylpyridine derivatives and their use as NK-1 receptor antagonists

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl; R 1 is hydrogen or halogen; or R and R 1 may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-; R 2 and R 2' are independently from each other hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkoxy or cyano; or R 2 and R 2' may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-, optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; R 3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or form a cycloalkyl group; R 4 is hydrogen, -N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) n OH, -N(R 5 )S(O) 2 -lower alkyl, -N(R 5 )S(O) 2 -phenyl, -N=CH-N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )C(O)R 5 or a cyclic tertiary amine of the group R 5 is, independently from each other, hydrogen, C 3 - 6 -cycloalkyl, benzyl or lower alkyl; R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, -(CH 2 ) n COO-lower alkyl, -N(R 5 )CO-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, cyano, -(CH 2 ) n O(CH 2 ) n OH, -CHO or a 5-or 6 membered heterocyclic group, optionally bonded via an alkylene group, X is -C(O)N(R 5 )-, -(CH 2 ) m O-, -(CH 2 ) m N(R 5 )-, -N(R 5 )C(O)-, or -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) m -; n is 0-4; and m is 1 or 2; and to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The compounds of formula I show a high affinity to the NK- 1 receptor. They may be used for the treatment of diseases, which relate to NK- 1 receptor antagonists.

Description: The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl; R 1 is hydrogen or halogen; or R and R 1 may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-; R 2 and R 2' are independently from each other hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkoxy or cyano; or R 2 and R 2' may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-, optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; R 3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or form a cycloalkyl group; R 4 is hydrogen, -N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) n OH, -N(R 5 )S(O) 2 -lower alkyl, -N(R 5 )S(O) 2 - phenyl, -N=CH-N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )C(O)R 5 or a cyclic tertiary amine of the group or the group R 5 is, independently from each other, hydrogen, C 3-6 -cycloalkyl, benzyl or lower alkyl; R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, -(CH 2 ) n COO-lower alkyl, -N(R 5 )CO-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, cyano, -(CH 2 ) n O(CH 2 ) n OH, -CHO or a 5-or 6 membered heterocyclic group, optionally bonded via an alkylene group, X is -(CH 2 ) m O-, -(CH 2 ) m N(R 5 )-, -N(R 5 )C(O)-, or -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) m -; n is 0 - 4; and m is 1 or 2; and to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The compounds of the present invention are novel. The structurally closest prior art compounds are disclosed in EP 0235 663, in which piperidine derivatives are described, useful as intermediates for the preparation of compounds having utility for the treatment of diseases related to the muscarinic receptor. The compounds of formula I and their salts are characterized by valuable therapeutic properties. It has been surprisingly found that the compounds of the present invention are antagonists of the Neurokinin 1 (NK-1, substance P) receptor. Substance P is a naturally occurring undecapeptide belonging to the tachykinin family of peptides, the latter being so-named because of their prompt contractile action on extravascular smooth muscle tissue. The receptor for substance P is a member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. The neuropeptide receptor for substance P (NK-1) is widely distributed throughout the mammalian nervous system (especially brain and spinal ganglia), the circulatory system and peripheral tissues (especially the duodenum and jejunum) and are involved in regulating a number of diverse biological processes. The central and peripheral actions of the mammalian tachykinin substance P have been associated with numerous inflammatory conditions including migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease as well as mediation of the emetic reflex and the modulation of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as Parkinson's disease (Neurosci. Res., 1996, 7, 187-214), anxiety (Can. J. Phys., 1997, 75, 612-621) and depression (Science, 1998, 281, 1640-1645). Evidence for the usefulness of tachykinin receptor antagonists in pain, headache, especially migraine, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, attenuation of morphine withdrawal, cardiovascular changes, oedema, such as oedema caused by thermal injury, chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma/bronchial hyperreactivity and other respiratory diseases including allergic rhinitis, inflammatory diseases of the gut including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, ocular injury and ocular inflammatory diseases reviewed in "Tachykinin Receptor and Tachykinin Receptor Antagonists", J. Auton. Pharmacol., 13, 23-93, 1993. Furthermore, Neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists are being developed for the treatment of a number of physiological disorders associated with an excess or imbalance of tachykinin, in particular substance P. Examples of conditions in which substance P has been implicated include disorders of the central nervous system such as anxiety, depression and psychosis (WO 95/16679, WO 95/18124 and WO 95/23798). The neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists are further useful for the treatment of motion sickness and for treatment induced vomiting. In addition, in The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 340, No. 3 190-195, 1999 has been described the reduction of cisplatin-induced emesis by a selective neurokinin-1-receptor antagonist. Furthermore, US 5,972,938 describes a method for treating a psychoimmunologic or a psychosomatic disorder by administration of a tachykinin receptor, such as NK-1 receptor antagonist. Objects of the present invention are the compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the preparation of the above-mentioned compounds, medicaments containing them and their manufacture as well as the use of the above-mentioned compounds in the control or prevention of illnesses, especially of illnesses and disorders of the kind referred to earlier or in the manufacture of corresponding medicaments. The most preferred indications in accordance with the present invention are those, which include disorders of the central nervous system, for example the treatment or prevention of certain depressive disorders or emesis by the administration of NK-1 receptor antagonists. A major depressive episode has been defined as being a period of at least two weeks during which, for most of the day and nearly every day, there is either depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in all, or nearly all activities. The following definitions of the general terms used in the present description apply irrespective of whether the terms in question appear alone or in combination. As used herein, the term "lower alkyl" denotes a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group containing from 1-7 carbon atoms, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl and the like. Preferred lower alkyl groups are groups with 1-4 carbon atoms. The term "lower alkoxy" denotes a group wherein the alkyl residues are as defined above, and which is attached via an oxygen atom. The term "halogen" denotes chlorine, iodine, fluorine and bromine. The term "cycloalkyl" denotes a saturated carbocyclic group, containing 3-6 carbon atoms. The term "cyclic tertiary amine" denotes, for example, pyrrol-1-yl, imidazol-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl or 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl. The term "5 or 6 membered heterocyclic group" denotes, for example pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, furyl, pyranyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, piperazinyl or piperidyl. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts" embraces salts with inorganic and organic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. Preferred are compounds, in which X is -N(R 5 )-CO-, wherein R 5 is hydrogen or methyl. Examples of such compounds are: 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide; 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-{6-[methyl-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-piperazin-1-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-hydroxy-4'-o-tolyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H- [1,2']bipyridinyl-5'-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-{6-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-N-methyl-isobutyramide, (R)-2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[6-(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide or 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide. The present compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example, by processes described below, which process comprises a) reacting a compound of formula with a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein R 1 - R 5 , R and n have the significances given above, or b) reducing a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein the definition of substituents is given above, or c) reacting a compound of formula with a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein Z is Cl, Br, I or OS(O) 2 C 6 H 4 CH 3 and the definition of the other substituents is given above, or d) reducing a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein the definition of substituents is given above, or e) modifying one or more substituents R 1 -R 6 or R within the definitions given above, and if desired, converting the compound obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. In accordance with process variant a) DIPEA (N-ethyldiisopropyl-amine) is added to a mixture of a compound of formula II, for example methyl-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]amine, and a compound of formula III, for example 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl chloride in dichloromethane and the mixture is stirred at temperatures between 35-40°C. The desired compound of formula I-1 is isolated after purification in good yields. In accordance with process variant b) a compound of formula I-2 is reduced to a compound of formula 1-4. This reaction is carried out with a reducing agent, such as LiAlH 4 or BH 3 •THF, in conventional manner. In accordance with process variant c) a compound of formula I-5 is prepared. This reaction is carried out by deprotonation of a compound of formula VIII with NaH and susequent addition of a compound of formula VII. This reaction is carried out in conventional manner. A further method for the preparation of a compound of formula I is described in process variant d). A compound of formula I-1 is reduced to a compound of formula I-3 in conventional manner, for example with LiAlH 4 or BH 3 •THF. The salt formation is effected at room temperature in accordance with methods which are known per se and which are familiar to any person skilled in the art. Not only salts with inorganic acids, but also salts with organic acids come into consideration. Hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulphates, nitrates, citrates, acetates, maleates, succinates, methan-sulphonates, p-toluenesulphonates and the like are examples of such salts. The following schemes 1-5 describe the processes for preparation of compounds of formula I in more detail. The starting materials of formulae V, IX, XII, XV, XVI, XXII, XXV and XXVIII are known compounds and may be prepared according to methods known in the art. In the schemes the following abbreviations have been used: PivCl pivaloyl chloride THF tetrahydrofuran TMEDA N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene diamine DIPEA N-ethyldiisopropyl-amine KHMDS potassium hexamethyldisilazide The definition of substituents is given above. The definition of substituents is given above. and the definition of the other substituents is given above. The definition of substituents is given above. Z is Cl, Br, I or -OS(O) 2 C 6 H 4 CH 3 and the definition of the other substituents is described above. As mentioned earlier, the compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically usable addition salts possess valuable pharmacological properties. It has been found that the compounds of the present invention are antagonists of the Neurokinin 1 (NK-1, substance P) receptor. The compounds were investigated in accordance with the tests given hereinafter. The affinity of test compounds for the NK 1 receptor was evaluated at human NK 1 receptors in CHO cells infected with the human NK 1 receptor (using the Semliki virus expression system) and radiolabelled with [ 3 H]substance P (final concentration 0.6 nM). Binding assays were performed in HEPES buffer (50 mM, pH 7.4) containing BSA (0.04 %) leupeptin (8 µg / ml), MnCl 2 (3mM) and phosphoramidon (2 µM). Binding assays consisted of 250 µl of membrane suspension (1.25x10 5 cells / assay tube), 0.125 µl of buffer of displacing agent and 125 µl of [ 3 H]substance P. Displacement curves were determined with at least seven concentrations of the compound. The assay tubes were incubated for 60 min at room temperature after which time the tube contents were rapidly filtered under vacuum through GF/C filters presoaked for 60 min with PEI (0.3%) with 2 x 2 ml washes of HEPES buffer (50 mM, pH 7.4). The radioactivity retained on the filters was measured by scintillation counting. All assays were performed in triplicate in at least 2 separate experiments. The affinity to the NK-1 receptor, given as pKi, is in the scope of 8.00-9.80 for the preferred compounds. Examples of such compounds are 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide 8.47 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-{6-[methyl-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-isobutyramide 8.70 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-piperazin-1-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide 9.0 The compounds of formula I as well as their pharmaceutically usable acid addition salts can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. The administration can, however, also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions. The compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically usable acid addition salts can be processed with pharmaceutically inert, inorganic or organic excipients for the production of tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts etc can be used as such excipients e.g. for tablets, dragées and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable excipients for soft gelatine capsules are e.g. vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semisolid and liquid polyols etc. Suitable excipients for the manufacture of solutions and syrups are e.g. water, polyols, saccharose, invert sugar, glucose etc. Suitable excipients for injection solutions are e.g. water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils etc. Suitable excipients for suppositories are e.g. natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols etc. Moreover, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still other therapeutically valuable substances. The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, in the case of oral administration a daily dosage of about 10 to 1000 mg per person of a compound of general formula I should be appropriate, although the above upper limit can also be exceeded when necessary. The following Examples illustrate the present invention without limiting it. All temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. Example 1 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:2) a) 1-Methyl-4-(5-nitro-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazine To a solution of 20 g (126 mmol) of 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine in 200 ml tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise 35 ml (315 mmol) 1-methylpiperazine within 10 min. The reaction mixture was refluxed for additional 1.5h. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was re-dissolved in 200 ml ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with 200 ml 1 N sodium bicarbonate solution, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give 27.9 g (quantitative) of the title compound as a yellow solid. MS m/e (%): 223 (M+H + , 100). b) 2,2-Dimethyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-propionamide To a solution of 27.9 g (125.5 mmol) of 1-methyl-4-(5-nitro-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazine in 400 ml methanol were added 2.6 g of 10 % of palladium on activated charcoal. The reaction mixture was hydrogenated (room temperature to ca . 45°C, 1 bar) until the theoretical amount of hydrogen was taken up (about 2h). The catalyst was filtered off and was washed twice with 100 ml portions of methanol. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give 28 g of a purple oil which consisted to ca . 90 % of the desired aniline derivative according to analysis by thin layer chromatography. This crude product was dissolved in a mixture of 400 ml tetrahydrofuran and 100 ml diethyl ether. After cooling to 0°C, 30 ml (215 mmol) of triethylamine were added in one portion. Stirring was continued while 26 g (215 mmol) of pivaloyl chloride were added dropwise within a period of 10 min. The ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1h at room temperature. Then, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was suspended in 200 ml 1 N sodium bicarbonate solution. The product was extracted three times with 200 ml portions of dichloromethane, dried (sodium sulfate) and purified by flash chromatography to give 30 g (86%) of the title compound as pink crystals. MS m/e (%): 277 (M+H + , 100). c) N-[4-Iodo-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide A solution of 30 g (108 mmol) 2,2-dimethyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-propionamide and 58 ml (380 mmol) N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine under argon in 650 ml tetrahydrofuran was cooled in a dry ice bath to -78°C. Within 1h, 239 ml (380 mmol) of a 1.6 N n-butyllithium solution in hexane were added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to -30°C overnight. After cooling again to -78°C, 43.6 g (170 mmol) iodine dissolved in 60 ml tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise during 15 min. The dry ice bath was replaced by an ice bath and a solution of 90 g (363 mmol) sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate in 250 ml water were added within 10 min when the temperature of the reaction mixture had reached 0°C. Then, 1000 ml diethyl ether were added and the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with 500 ml dichloromethane and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 18.5 g (42%) of the title compound as a light brown oil which crystallized upon standing at room temperature. MS m/e (%): 403 (M+H + , 100). d) 2,2-Dimethyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-propionamide A mixture of 54 g (134 mmol) N-[4-iodo-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide, 420 ml toluene, 150 ml 2 N sodium carbonate solution, 4.63 g (3.9 mmol) tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) and 20.16 g (147 mmol) o-tolylboronic acid was heated under argon at 80°C for 12h. After cooling to room temperature, the aqueous phase was separated and washed twice with toluene. The combined organic layers were washed with 50 ml brine, dried (sodium sulfate), evaporated and dried in vacuo to yield 49 g (quantitative) of the title compound as a brown oil. MS m/e (%): 367 (M+H + , 100). e) 6-(4-Methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-ylamine A suspension of 56 g (152 mmol) 2,2-dimethyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-propionamide in 1300 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution was heated to 90-95°C overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, washed with three 500 ml portions diethyl ether and filtered over celite. The filtrate was diluted with 500 ml water and was adjusted to pH 7-8 by addition of 28 % sodium hydroxide solution under ice cooling. The product was extracted with four 1000 ml portions of dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with 500 ml brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give 35 g (82%) of the title compound as a light brown oil. MS m/e (%): 283 (M+H + , 100). f) Methyl-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-amine A solution of 35 g (124 mmol) 6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-ylamine in 270 ml trimethyl orthoformate and 8 drops trifluoroacetic acid was heated for 3h at 130°C. The reaction mixture was evaporated and dried in vacuo for 30 min. The residual oil was dissolved in 100 ml tetrahydrofuran and was added dropwise under ice cooling to 9.4 g (248 mmol) lithium aluminum hydride in 300 ml tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1h at room temperature, cooled to 0°C again and acidified (pH 1-2) by addition of 28 % hydrochloric acid solution. After stirring for 5 min, 28 % sodium hydroxide solution was added to reach pH 10. The solution was filtered over celite, evaporated and purified by flash chromatography to give 23.6 g (64%) of the title compound as a light brown oil. MS m/e (%): 297 (M+H + , 100). g) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide A solution of 20 g (67.5 mmol) methyl-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-amine and 17.5 ml (101 mmol) N-ethyldiisopropylamine in 200 ml dichloromethane was cooled in an ice bath and a solution of 24 g (75 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl chloride in 50 ml dichloromethane was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was warmed to 35-40°C for 3h, cooled to room temperature again and was stirred with 250 ml saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give 31.6 g (81 %) of the title compound as white crystals. M.p. 155-157°C. MS m/e (%): 579 (M+H + , 100). h) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:2) To a solution of 31.6 g (54.6 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide in 250 ml diethyl ether were added under ice cooling 60 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether. After stirring for 15 min at 0°C, the suspension was evaporated to dryness, re-suspended in 100 ml diethyl ether, filtered and dried in vacuo to give 34.8 g (98%) of the title compound as white crystals. M.p. 235-238°C. MS m/e (%): 579 (M+H + , 100). Example 2 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:2) The title compound was obtained as white crystals in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 1 using o-chlorophenylboronic acid instead of o-tolylboronic acid in step d). MS m/e (%): 599 (M+H + , 100), 601 (M+H + , 43). Example 3 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:2) The title compound was obtained as white crystals in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 1 using 4-fluoro-2-methylphenylboronic acid instead of o-tolylboronic acid in step d). MS m/e (%): 597 (M+H + , 100). Example 4 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1) a) 2,2-Dimethyl-N-(4-iodo-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide A solution of 91 g (510 mmol) N-3-pyridylpivalamide and 230 ml (1.53 mol) N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine under argon in 2000 ml tetrahydrofuran was cooled in a dry ice bath to -78°C. Within 1h, 153 ml (1.53 mmol) of a 10 N n-butyllithium solution in hexane were added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0°C for additional 2h. After cooling again to -78°C, 380 g (1.5 mol) iodine dissolved in 300 ml tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise during 1.5h. The dry ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature overnight. Stirring was continued and 1000 ml water and 1000 ml saturated sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate solution were added. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted twice with 800 ml ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Chromatographical filtration gave 75 g (48%) of the title compound as brown crystals. MS m/e (%): 305 (M+H + , 100). b) N-[4-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide A mixture of 35 g (115 mmol) 2,2-dimethyl-N-(4-iodo-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide, 400 ml toluene, 120 ml 2 N sodium carbonate solution, 4.0 g (3.5 mmol) tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) and 20.0 g (128 mmol) o-chlorophenylboronic acid was heated under argon at 80°C for 12h. After cooling to room temperature, the aqueous phase was separated and washed twice with toluene. The combined organic layers were washed with 50 ml brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to yield 21.6 g (65%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 289 (M+H + , 100), 291 (M+H + , 40). c) 4-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-ylamine A suspension of 22.2 g (77 mmol) N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide in 730 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution was heated to 90-95°C overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, washed with three 130 ml portions diethyl ether and 500 ml ethyl acetate were added. The aqueous phase was adjusted to pH 7-8 by addition of 28 % sodium hydroxide solution under ice cooling. The organic phase was separated and the product was extracted with three 200 ml portions of ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give 14.9 g (95%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 205 (M+H + , 100), 207 (M+H + , 39). d) [4-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amine A solution of 14.9 g (72.8 mmol) 4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-ylamine in 80 ml trimethyl orthoformate and 5 drops trifluoroacetic acid was heated for 2.5h at 130°C. The reaction mixture was evaporated and dried in vacuo for 30 min. The residual oil was dissolved in 130 ml tetrahydrofuran and 220 ml (220 mmol) of J M boranetetrahydrofuran complex were added dropwise under ice cooling. After stirring overnight at room temperature, the reaction mixture was evaporated, cooled to 0°C and 130 ml 5 N hydrochloric acid solution in ethanol were added carefully. The solution was refluxed for 1h, cooled to room temperature again and crushed ice was added. The aqueous phase was washed with three 100 ml portions diethyl ether and the organic layers were extracted with 100 ml 1 N hydrochloric acid solution. The combined aqueous layers were adjusted to pH 8-9 by addition of concentrated sodium hydroxide solution and were extracted with three 500 ml portions ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were dried (magnesium sulfate), evaporated and the solid residue was recrystallized from hexane/ethyl acetate to give 12.3 g (77%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 219 (M+H + , 100), 221 (M+H + , 42). e) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide A solution of 12.2 g (55.8 mmol) [4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl)-methyl-amine and 15.3 ml (89 mmol) N-ethyldiisopropylamine in 130 ml dichloromethane was cooled in an ice bath and a solution of 19 g (59.6 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl chloride in 30 ml dichloromethane was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was warmed to 35-40°C for 20h, cooled to room temperature again and was stirred with 250 ml saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give 24.7 g (88%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 501 (M+H + , 100), 503 (M+H + , 36). f) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1) To a solution of 24.7 g (54.6 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide in 100 ml diethyl ether were added under ice cooling 60 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether. After stirring for 20 min at 0°C, the suspension was evaporated to dryness, re-suspended in 100 ml diethyl ether, filtered and dried in vacuo to give 26.3 g (99%) of the title compound as white crystals. M.p. 186-188°C. MS m/e (%): 501 (M+H + , 100), 503 (M+H + , 36). Example 5 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1) The title compound was obtained as white crystals in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of example 4 using o-tolylboronic acid instead of o-chlorophenylboronic acid in step b). MS m/e (%): 480 (M + , 5), 255 (25), 225 (100). Example 6 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as a brown oil in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 4 using o-tolylboronic acid instead of o-chlorophenylboronic acid in step b). Step d) was skipped and no hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 467 (M+H + , 100). Example 7 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide hydrochloride (1:1) The title compound was obtained in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 4 using o-tolylboronic acid instead of o-chlorophenylboronic acid in step b). Step e) was performed as follows: To a solution of 511 mg (1.88 mmol) 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid in 8 ml tetrahydrofuran at 0°C were added 305 mg (1.88 mmol) 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2h at room temperature and 310 mg (1.56 mmol) methyl-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine were added. Stirring was continued at 55°C overnight. The reaction mixture was evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography. The hydrochloride salt formation was performed as described in f) and gave 290 mg (38%) of the title compound as yellow crystals. MS m/e (%): 453 (M+H + , 100). Example 8 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide hydrochloride (1:1) The title compound was obtained as white crystals in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 4 using o-tolylboronic acid instead of o-chlorophenylboronic acid in step b) and using 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionyl chloride instead of 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl chloride in step e). MS m/e (%): 466 (M + , 5), 241 (12), 225 (100). Example 9 1-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amide hydrochloride a)1-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [4-(2-chlorophenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amide To a solution of 88 mg (0.4 mmole) 4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amine and 0.11 ml (0.6 mmole) N-ethyldiisopropylamine in 4 ml dichloromethane was added a solution of 174 mg (0.3 mmole) 1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride in 1 ml dichloromethane. After refluxing for 72 h the reaction mixture was washed twice with water, dired (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue (silicagel, ethyl acetate:hexane 7:3) afforded 132 mg (66%) of the title compound as a yellow oil. MS m/e (%): 499 (M+H,100). b) 1-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amide hydrochloride To 125 mg 1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amide were added 1.5 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid in methanol.After evaporating the solution 3 ml ether were added and the suspension was stirred for 1 h at 0°C. Filtration afforded 100 mg (75%) of the title compound as white crystals. Mp.: 194-196°C. Example 10 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1.45) a) 4-(5-Nitro-2-pyridyl)-morpholine To a solution of 20 g (126 mmol) of 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine in 150 ml tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise 27 ml (315 mmol) morpholine within 10 min. The reaction mixture was refluxed for additional 2h. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was re-dissolved in 200 ml ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with 200 ml 1 N sodium bicarbonate solution, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give 27.3 g (quantitative) of the title compound as a yellow solid. M.p. 142-143°C. b) 2,2-Dimethyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide To a solution of 27.3 g (126 mmol) of 4-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)-morpholine in 600 ml methanol were added 2.5 g of 10% of palladium on activated charcoal. The reaction mixture was hydrogenated (room temperature to ca . 45°C, 1 bar) until the theoretical amount of hydrogen was taken up (about 3h). The catalyst was filtered off and was washed twice with 100 ml portions of methanol. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give 22.6 g of a purple oil which consisted to ca. 95 % of the desired aniline derivative according to analysis by thin layer chromatography. This crude product was dissolved in a mixture of 240 ml tetrahydrofuran and 60 ml diethyl ether. After cooling to 0°C, 26 ml (189 mmol) of triethylamine were added in one portion. Stirring was continued while 23 g (189 mmol) of pivaloyl chloride were added dropwise within a period of 10 min. The ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1h at room temperature. Then, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was suspended in 200 ml 1 N sodium bicarbonate solution. The product was extracted three times with 200 ml portions of dichloromethane, dried (sodium sulfate) and evaporated. Recrystallization of the solid residue from ethyl acetate/hexane 1:8 gave 28.6 g (86%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 264 (M+H + , 100). c) N-(4-Iodo-6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide A solution of 28.4 g (108 mmol) 2,2-dimethyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide and 49 ml (324 mmol) N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine under argon in 600 ml tetrahydrofuran was cooled in a dry ice bath to -78°C. Within 1h, 202 ml (324 mmol) of a 1.6 N n-butyllithium solution in hexane were added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to -35°C overnight. After cooling again to -78°C, 37 g (146 mmol) iodine dissolved in 60 ml tetrahydrofuran were added dropwise during 15 min. The dry ice bath was replaced by an ice bath and a solution of 90 g (363 mmol) sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate in 250 ml water were added within 10 min when the temperature of the reaction mixture had reached 0°C. Then, 1000 ml diethyl ether were added and the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with 500 ml dichloromethane and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 15.6 g (37%) of the title compound as a light brown oil which crystallized upon standing at room temperature. MS m/e (%): 389 (M + , 71), 358 (25), 304 (43), 57 (100). d) 2,2-Dimethyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide A mixture of 3.50 g (9.0 mmol) N-(4-iodo-6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide, 35 ml toluene, 18 ml 2 N sodium carbonate solution, 312 mg (0.27 mmol) tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) and 1.34 g (9.9 mmol) o-tolylboronic acid was heated under argon at 80°C for 12h. After cooling to room temperature, the aqueous phase was separated and washed twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with 50 ml brine, dried (sodium sulfate) and evaporated. Purification by flash-chromatography gave 3.23 g (quantitative) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 354 (M+H + , 100). e) 6-Morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-ylamine A suspension of 2.93 g (8.28 mmol) 2,2-dimethyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide in 80 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution and 5 ml 1-propanol was heated to 90-95°C overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, washed with three 20 ml portions diethyl ether and filtered over celite. The filtrate was diluted with 20 ml water and was adjusted to pH 7-8 by addition of 28 % sodium hydroxide solution under ice cooling. The product was extracted with four 100 ml portions of dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with 50 ml brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give 2.31 g (quantitative) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 269 (M + , 100). f) Methyl-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine A solution of 2.24 g (8.3 mmol) 6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-ylamine in 17 ml trimethyl orthoformate and 3 drops trifluoroacetic acid was heated for 2h at 130°C. The reaction mixture was evaporated and dried in vacuo for 30 min. The residual oil was dissolved in 5 ml tetrahydrofuran and was added dropwise under ice cooling to 630 mg (16.6 mmol) lithium aluminum hydride in 20 ml tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1h at room temperature, cooled to 0°C again and acidified (pH 1-2) by addition of 28 % hydrochloric acid solution. After stirring for 5 min, 28 % sodium hydroxide solution was added to reach pH 10. The solution was filtered over celite, evaporated and purified by flash chromatography to give 1.56 g (66%) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 283 (M + , 100). g) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide A solution of 1.46 g (5.15 mmol) methyl-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine and 1.32 ml (7.73 mmol) N-ethyldiisopropylamine in 15 ml dichloromethane was cooled in an ice bath and 1.8 g (5.67 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl chloride were added dropwise. The reaction mixture was warmed to 35-40°C for 3h, cooled to room temperature again and was stirred with 25 ml saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give 2.9 g (quantitative) of the title compound as white crystals. M.p. 131-132°C. h) 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1.45) To a solution of 2.9 g (5.13 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide in 50 ml diethyl ether were added under ice cooling 2.8 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether. After stirring for 15 min at 0°C, the suspension was evaporated to dryness, re-suspended in 100 ml diethyl ether, filtered and dried in vacuo to give 2.82 g (89%) of the title compound as white crystals. MS m/e (%): 566 (M+H + , 100), 588 (M+Na + , 11). Example 11 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1) The title compound was obtained as white crystals in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using 2-chlorophenylboronic acid instead of o-tolylboronic acid in step d). MS m/e (%): 586 (M+H + , 100). Example 12 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-{6-[methyl-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as light brown oil in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using 4-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-morpholine instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 623 (M+H + , 100). Example 13 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as colourless oil in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using 2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrimidine instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 643 (M+H + , 100). Example 14 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white powder in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 but step f) was skipped and no hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 552 (M+H + , 100). Example 15 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4'-(2-chloro-phenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2']bipyridinyl-5'-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:1) The title compound was obtained as a white powder in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using piperidine instead of morpholine in step a) and using 2-chlorophenylboronic acid instead of o-tolylboronic acid in step d). MS m/e (%): 583 (M + , 20), 296 (78), 255 (100). Example 16 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(6-dimethylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white solid in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using dimethylamine hydrochloride instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. M.p. 174-175°C. MS m/e (%): 524 (M+H + , 100). Example 17 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white solid in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using dimethylamine hydrochloride instead of morpholine in step a) and using 2-chlorophenylboronic acid instead of o-tolylboronic acid in step d). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. M.p. 162-163°C. MS m/e (%): 544 (M+H + , 100). Example 18 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-piperazin-1-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide To a solution of 100 mg (0.173 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide (example 14 g) and 7 mg (0.035 mmol) 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene in 1 ml 1,2-dichloroethane at 0°C were added 26 mg (0.181 mmol) 1-chloroethyl chloroformate. After heating the reaction mixture for 1h at 80°C the solvent was removed in vacuo and the intermediate was purified by flash chromatography, re-dissolved in 1 ml methanol and refluxed for 3h. Flash chromatography gave 56 mg (57%) of the title compound as white foam. MS m/e (%): 565 (M+H + , 100). Example 19 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-hydroxy-4'-o-tolyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2']bipyridinyl-5'-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white foam in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using 4-hydroxypiperidine instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 580 (M+H + , 100). Example 20 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-{6-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-N-methyl-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white foam in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using N-methylethanolamine instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 554 (M+H + , 100). Example 21 (R)-2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[6-(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide The title compound was obtained as white foam in comparable yields according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 10 using (R)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine instead of morpholine in step a). No hydrochloride salt was prepared. MS m/e (%): 566 (M+H + , 100). Example 22 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)- acetamide To a solution of 300 mg (1.1 mmol) 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenylacetic acid in 7 ml N,N-dimethylformamide were added 185 mg (1.14 mmol) 1,1'-carbonyl-diimidazole and the solution was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. After addition of 283 mg (1 mmol) of methyl-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (as described in step f) for the preparation of Example 10), the reaction mixture was heated over night at 90°C. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was re-dissolved in 30 ml ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water (2 x 30 ml), brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 506 mg (94%) of the title compound as a light brown foam. MS m/e (%): 538 (M+H + , 100). Example 23 2-(3,5-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide To a solution of 226 mg (1.15 mmol) 3,5-dimethoxy-phenylacetic acid in 7 ml N,N-dimethylformamide were added 244 mg (1.5 mmol) 1,1'-carbonyl-diimidazole and the solution was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. After addition of 283 mg (1 mmol) of methyl-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (as described in step f) for the preparation of Example 10), the reaction mixture was heated at 70°C for 7h. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was re-dissolved in 30 ml ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water (2 x 30 ml), brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 347 mg (75%) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 462 (M+H + , 100). Example 24 2-(3-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)- acetamide To a solution of 266 mg (1.2 mmol) 3-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenylacetic acid in 7 ml N,N-dimethylformamide were added 195 mg (1.2 mmol) 1,1'-carbonyl-diimidazole and the solution was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. After addition of 283 mg mmol) of methyl-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (as described in step f) for the preparation of Example 10), the reaction mixture was heated at 90°C for 6h. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was re-dissolved in 30 ml ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water (2 x 30 ml), brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 432 mg (88%) of the title compound as a light yellow foam. MS m/e (%): 488 (M+H + , 100). Example 25 [2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propyl]-[4-(4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-methyl-amine hydrochloride (1:3) To a mixture of 400 mg (0.60 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide hydrochloride (1:2) (example 3) and 50 ml dichloromethane were added 20 ml 1 N sodium hydroxide solution. After shaking for 1 min, the organic phase was separated and evaporated to dryness. The residue was re-dissolved in 5 ml tetrahydrofuran and 4 ml of a 1 M borane tetrahydrofuran complex solution were added. After heating at 60°C for 3 days, 10 ml 3 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether were added and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 4h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, washed with 10 ml 1 N sodium hydroxide solution, dried (sodium sulfate) and purified by flash chromatography to yield 279 mg of a pale yellow oil which was transformed into the hydrochloride salt as described in step h) for the preparation of Example 10 to give 153 mg (37%) of the title compound as pale yellow crystals. MS m/e (%): 583 (M+H + , 100). Example 26 (3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-methyl-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amine Lithium luminium hydride (107 mg, 2.82 mmol, 3 eq) was suspended in 7 ml tetrahydrofuran at 0°C under argon. N-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-N-methyl-4-o-tolyl-nicotinamide (example 1, 425 mg, 0.94 mmol), dissolved in 4 ml tetrahydrofuran, was slowly added at ∼5°C. The mixture was stirred 5 min at room temperature and 1 hr under reflux. Ethyl acetate (1 ml) was added, then the mixture was cooled to room temperature and aqueous saturated sodium sulfate solution was added dropwise. The mixture was dried (sodium sulfate), filtered, concentrated and purified by flash chromatography to give 93 mg (23%) of the title compound as a colourless oil. MS m/e (%): 439 (M+H + , 100). Example 27 3-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxymethyl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridine a) (4-o-Tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-methanol Lithium luminium hydride (439 mg, 11.6 mmol, 1 eq) was suspended in 23 ml tetrahydrofuran at 0°C under argon. 4-o-Tolyl-nicotinic acid methyl ester (2.63 g, 11.6 mmol), dissolved in 12 ml tetrahydrofuran, was slowly added at ∼5°C. The mixture was stirred 5 min at room temperature and 1h under reflux. Ethyl acetate (1 ml) was added, then the mixture was cooled to room temperature and aqueous saturated sodium sulfate solution was added dropwise. The mixture was dried (sodium sulfate), filtered, concentrated and purified by flash chromatography to give 0.77g (33%) of the title compound as a pale yellow liquid. Starting material (1.60 g, 61%) was recovered. MS m/e (%): 199 (M + , 3), 180 (100) c) 3-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxymethyl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridine Sodium hydride (89.1 mg, 2.04 mmol, 1.1 eq) was washed twice with n-hexane under argon and suspended in 1 ml dimethyl formamide. (4-o-Tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-methanol (370 mg, 1.86 mmol), dissolved in 4 ml dimethyl formamide, was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred 1h at room temperature. 3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl bromide (627 mg, 2.04 mmol, 1 eq), dissolved in 2 ml dimethyl formamide, was added and the mixture was stirred 2.5h at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was partitioned between water and dichloromethane. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried (sodium sulfate), filtered, concentrated and purified by flash chromatography to give 196 mg (25%) of the title compound as yellow oil. Starting material (0.24 g, 65%) was recovered. MS m/e (%): 426 (M+H + , 100) Example 28 (3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-methyl-amine; hydrochloride (1:3) To a solution of 260 mg (0.455 mmol) N-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-N-methyl-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-nicotinamide (Example 13) in 6.3 ml dry tetrahydrofuran were added 2.73 ml (2.73 mmol) 1M borane solution in tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was heated at reflux for 16h. After coding to room temperature 12.6 ml 3N hydrogen chloride solution in diethyl ether were added, and the mixture was heated at reflux for 40 min. After cooling to room temperature 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added. Extraction with ethyl acetate, drying with sodium sulfate and concentration were followed by flash chromatography affording 165 mg of a colorless oil. To a solution of the oil in 2 ml diethyl ether were added 3 ml 3N hydrogen chloride solution in diethyl ether. After stirring the mixture for 45 min. a precipitate had formed which was collected by filtration. Drying in vacuo afforded 144 mg (47.5%) of the title compound as a white solid. MS m/e (%): 557 (M+H + , 100). Example 29 N-(6-Benzylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide a) 2-Benzyl-N5-methyl-4-o-tolyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine The title compound was prepared following the procedures described above for the synthesis of methyl-6-morpbolin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (Example 10, step f). MS m/e (%): 304 (M+H + , 100). b) Benzyl-(5-methylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester To a solution of 2.03 g (6.7 mmol) N2-benzyl-N5-methyl-4-o-tolyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine in 100 ml dichloromethane and 40 ml N-ethyldiisopropylamine was added dropwise at 0°C a solution of 2.1 ml (14.09 mmol) benzyl chloroformate in 50 ml dichloromethane. After stirring for 2h at room temperature the reaction mixture was washed with water (2 x 50 ml), brine (50 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue afforded 2.36 g (80%) of the title compound as light brown crystals. M.p. 110-112°C. MS m/e (%): 438 (M+H + , 100). c) Benzyl-(5-{[2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl]-methyl-amino}-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester To a solution of 1.075 g (2.5 mmol) benzyl-(5-methylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester in 10 ml dichloromethane and 1 ml N-ethyldiisopropylamine was added dropwise at 0°C a solution of 1.15 g (3.5 mmol) 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionic acid chloride in 2 ml dichloromethane and the mixture was stirred for 3h at room temperature. The solution was washed with water (20 ml), saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (20 ml) and brine (20 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue afforded 1.15 g (62%) of the title compound as a yellow oil. MS m/e (%): 720 (M+H + , 100). d) N-(6-Benzylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide To a solution of 973 mg (1.35 mmol) benzyl-(5-{[2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionyl]-methyl-amino}-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-2-yl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester in 13 ml methanol and 1 ml N,N-dimethylformamide was added 40 mg 10% palladium on activated charcoal and the mixture was hydrogenated (room temperature, 1 bar) for 1h. Filtration of the catalyst and evaporation of the filtrate afforded 795 mg (quantitative) of the title compound as a yellow oil. MS m/e (%): 586 (M+H + , 100). Example 30 N-(6-Amino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide A solution of 750 mg (1.28 mmol) N-(6-benzylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide (Example 29, step d) in 25 ml of a 5 N solution of hydrochloric acid in ethanol was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in 30 ml methanol and hydrogenated in the presence of 60 mg 10% palladium on activated charcoal (room temperature, 10 bar) for 20h. After filtration of the catalyst and evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in 30 ml ethyl acetate, washed twice with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and dried (magnesium sulfate). Evaporation of the solution afforded 514 mg (81%) of the title compound as light brown crystals. MS m/e (%): 496 (M+H + , 100). Example 31 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[6-(dimethylamino-methyleneamino)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide To a solution of 100 mg (0.2 mmol) N-(6-amino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide (Example 30) in 4 ml N,N-dimethylformamide was added at 0°C 11 mg (0.252 mmol) sodium hydride as a 60% dispersion in oil and the mixture was stirred for 30 min without cooling. Then 28 ul (0.218 mmol) benzenesulfonyl chloride were added at 0°C and the solution was stirred over night at room temperature. The reaction mixture was added to water and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 ml). The combined extracts were washed with water (3 x 20 ml), brine (20 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Chromatography of the residue afforded 51 mg (46%) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 551 (M+H + , 100). Example 32 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(6-methanesulfonylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide To a solution of 100 mg (0.2 mmol) N-(6-amino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide (Example 30) in 2 ml pyridine were added 27 ul (0.35 mmol) methanesulfonyl chloride and the mixture was stirred over night at room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed twice with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, brine and dried (magnesium sulfate). Chromatography of the residue afforded 24 mg (42%) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 574 (M+H + , 100). Example 33 N-(6-Benzenesulfonylamino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide To a solution of 100 mg (0.2 mmol) N-(6-amino-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide in 4 ml dichloromethane and 85 ul N-ethyldiisopropylamine were added 56 ul (0.436 mmol) benzenesulfonyl chloride and the mixture was stirred over night at room temperature. The reaction mixture was washed twice with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and dried (magnesium sulfate). Chromatography of the residue afforded 26 mg (28%) of the title compound as a white foam. MS m/e (%): 634 (M-H + , 100). Example A Tablets of the following composition are manufactured in the usual manner: mg/tablet Active substance 5 Lactose 45 Corn starch 15 Microcrystalline cellulose 34 Magnesium stearate 1 Tablet weight 100 Example B Capsules of the following composition are manufactured: mg/capsule Active substance 10 Lactose 155 Corn starch 30 Talc 5 Capsule fill weight 200 The active substance, lactose and corn starch are firstly mixed in a mixer and then in a comminuting machine. The mixture is returned to the mixer, the talc is added thereto and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is filled by machine into hard gelatine capsules. Example C Suppositories of the following composition are manufactured: mg/supp. Active substance 15 Suppository mass 1285 Total 1300 The suppository mass is melted in a glass or steel vessel, mixed thoroughly and cooled to 45°C. Thereupon, the finely powdered active substance is added thereto and stirred until it has dispersed completely. The mixture is poured into suppository moulds of suitable size, left to cool, the suppositories are then removed from the moulds and packed individually in wax paper or metal foil.

Claims: Compounds of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen, C 1-7 -alkyl, C 1-7 -alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl; R 1 is hydrogen or halogen; or R and R 1 may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-; R 2 and R 2' are independently from each other hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, C 1-7 -alkoxy or cyano; or R 2 and R 2' may be together -CH=CH-CH=CH-, optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from C 1-7 -alkyl or C 1-7 -alkoxy; R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-7 -alkyl or form a C 3-6 -cycloalkyl group; R 4 is hydrogen, -N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) n OH, -N(R 5 )S(O) 2 - C 1-7 -alkyl, - N(R 5 )S(O) 2 -phenyl, -N=CH-N(R 5 ) 2 , -N(R 5 )C(O)R 5 or a cyclic tertiary amine of the group or the group wherein the cyclic tertiary amine is selected from the group consisting of pyrrol-1-yl, imidazol-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl or 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl; R 5 is, independently from each other, hydrogen, C 3-6 -cycloalkyl, benzyl or C 1-7 -alkyl; R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C 1-7 -alkyl, -(CH 2 ) n COO-C 1-7 -alkyl, -N(R 5 )CO- C 1-7 -alkyl, hydroxy-C 1-7 -alkyl, cyano, -(CH 2 ) n O(CH 2 ) n OH, -CHO or a 5-or 6 membered heterocyclic group, selected from the group consisting of pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, furyl, pyranyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, piperazinyl or piperidyl, optionally bonded via an alkylene group, X is -(CH 2 ) m O-, -(CH 2 ) m N(R 5 )-, -N(R 5 )C(O)-, or -N(R 5 )(CH 2 ) m -; n is 0 - 4; and m is 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. A compound according to claim 1, wherein X is -N(R 5 )C(O)- and R 5 is hydrogen or methyl. A compound according to claim 2, which is 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-propionamide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-{6-[methyl-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[6-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3-yl]-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-piperazin-1-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-hydroxy-4'-o-tolyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2']bipyridinyl-5'-yl)-N-methyl-isobutyramide, 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-{6-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-amino]-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl}-N-methyl-isobutyramide, (R)-2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-[6-(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl]-N-methyl-isobutyramide or 2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-4-o-tolyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acetamide. A medicament containing one or more compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. A medicament according to claim 4 for the treatment of diseases related to NK-1 receptor antagonists. A process for preparing a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, which process comprises a) reacting a compound of formula with a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein R 1 - R 5 , R and n have the significances given in claim 1, or b) reducing a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein the definition of substituents is given in claim 1, or c) reacting a compound of formula with a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein Z is Cl, Br, I or -OS(O) 2 C 6 H 4 CH 3 and the definition of the other substituents is given in claim 1, or d) reducing a compound of formula to a compound of formula wherein the definition of substituents is given in claim 1, or e) modifying one or more substituents R 1 -R 6 or R within the definitions given in claim 1, and if desired, converting the compound obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. The use of a compound in any one of claims 1-3 for the manufacture of medicaments containing one or more compounds of formula I for the treatment of diseases related to NK- 1 receptor antagonists.

Inventors: BOES MICHAEL, BRANCA QUIRICO, GALLEY GUIDO, GODEL THIERRY, HOFFMANN TORSTEN, HUNKELER WALTER, SCHNIDER PATRICK, STADLER HEINZ, BOES, MICHAEL, BRANCA, QUIRICO, GALLEY, GUIDO, GODEL, THIERRY, HOFFMANN, TORSTEN, HUNKELER, WALTER, SCHNIDER, PATRICK, STADLER, HEINZ
Applicants: HOFFMANN LA ROCHE, F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
Application year: 2000
Main classification: C07D213
IPC codes: A61K31, C07D213, A61P27, C07D401, A61P25, A61P29, A61P1, A61P43, A61P11, A61P9, C07D413