Abstract:
Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R 1  is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; 
     R 2  is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, di(alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms)amino-(alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) or NHCOCOOR 1  ; 
     R 3  is hydrogen or NHCOCOOR 1  ; 
     A is ##STR2## R 4  is hydrogen, methyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyl amino, alkanoyloxy of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, di(alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms)-amino-(alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) or acetamido; and 
     R 5  is hydrogen, amino, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen or NHCOCOOR 1  ; 
     and, when R 1  is hydrogen, nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds as well as their salts are useful for the treatment of immunological, inflammatory and allergic disorders such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever, urticaria, food allergies and the like.

Description:
This is a division of application Ser. No. 043,018, filed April 27, 1987, now Pat. No. 4,788,198 which in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 733,007 filed May 10, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,884, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 528,522, filed on Sept. 1, 1983, now abandoned. 
    
    
     This invention relates to novel diazine-ethenylphenyl oxamic acids and esters and salts thereof, to methods of preparing these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredients, and to methods of using them for the treatment of immunological, inflammatory and allergic disorders. 
     THE PRIOR ART 
     Cromoglycate, normally administered as the sodium salt, is a potent and useful antiallergic, commonly prescribed for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Cromoglycate has for many years been accepted as an effective bronchodilator when given by inhalation as a solid. However, it is known to have certain disadvantages; for instance, it is not active when given orally, which warrants a search for new orally active antiallergics. 
     A number of oxamate derivatives have been disclosed in the patent and scientific literature. Illustrative of such prior art are the following: 
     (a) 4-Substituted thiazol-2-oxamic acids, U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,496 and 
     (b) N,N&#39;-(Phenylene)dioxamic acid and its derivatives, German Offenlegungsschrift 2,362,409. 
     The prior art, however, does not disclose diazine-ethenylphenyl oxamic acids or their esters or salts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to novel diazine-ethenylphenyl oxamic acids and esters of formula I ##STR3## wherein R 1  is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; 
     R 2  is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, di(alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms)amino-(alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) or halogen; 
     R 3  is hydrogen or NHCOCOOR 1  ; 
     A is ##STR4## R 4  is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyl, amino, alkanoyloxy of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, di(alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms)-amino-(alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or acetamido; and 
     R 5  is hydrogen, amino, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or NHCOCOOR 1  ; 
     and, when R 1  is hydrogen, nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, especially their alkali metal and primary or secondary amine salts. 
     In subgeneric aspects, the invention comprehends compounds of formula I 
     wherein 
     R 1  is hydrogen or ethyl, 
     R 2  is hydrogen, 
     R 3  is --NHCOCOOR 1   
     A is ##STR5## R 4  is hydrogen or methyl, and nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
     The compounds of the present invention, that is, those embraced by formula I above and their nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, exhibit immunological, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities in warm-blooded animals such as rats. They are useful for the treatment of mammals suffering allergic or inflammatory disorders such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever, urticaria, food allergies and the like. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific terms are used in the following description for clarity, they refer only to the particular embodiment(s) selected for illustration, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by several methods, selected ones of which are described below. The starting materials used in the examples are commercially available or can be synthesized by well known published procedures from commercially available materials unless otherwise fully described here. Standard reagent grade chemicals are used in these preparations and in the working examples which follow unless otherwise specifically indicated. 
     The compounds embraced by Formula I can be prepared from a [2-(aminophenyl)ethenyl]diazine (II) ##STR6## wherein A, R 2  and R 3  have the same meanings as in Formula I by treating it with an oxalate halide, preferably the chloride, or with a dialkyl oxalate, optionally followed by hydrolysis of the ester group. 
     The reaction is carried out by dissolving or suspending the [2-(aminophenyl)ethenyl]diazine starting material (II) or an acid addition salt thereof, in an inert liquid medium, and admixing the oxalic acid derivative, e.g. the oxalate halide or dialkyl oxalate, dropwise with the solution or suspension. Examples of suitable inert liquid media are benzene, toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, dimethylformamide or tetrahydrofuran. In addition, it is preferred to add an organic base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, to the reaction mixture to neutralize the acid released by the reaction. Since the reaction is strongly exothermic, the oxalic acid derivative should be added slowly and, if necessary, while cooling. 
     Since most [2-(aminophenyl)ethenyl]diazines (II) are sparsely soluble, it is of advantage to let the reaction mixture stand for an extended period of time, for instance overnight, with or without stirring, before isolating the reaction product. 
     The reaction mixture is then processed in conventional manner, that is, by evaporating the inert liquid medium, extracting the residue with a suitable solvent or solvent mixture, such as ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane or mixtures of any two or more of these, purifying the extract solution, evaporating the solvent, and recrystallizing the residue. In some cases further purification by column chromatography is of advantage. 
     If it is desired to obtain an end product of the Formula I wherein R 1  is hydrogen, the ester group is removed by hydrolysis with a basic or acid catalyst. Suitable such catalysts are strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. 
     The [2-(aminophenyl)ethenyl]diazines (II) are prepared by a process which comprises 
     (a) Reaction of a nitrobenzaldehyde (III) with a methyldiazine [pyrimidine (IVA), pyrazine (IVB) or pyridazine (IVC)]in a suitable solvent such as acetic anhydride, formic acid or the like to produce a corresponding [2-(nitrophenyl)ethenyl]diazine (VA, VB or VC) pursuant to the following reaction scheme: ##STR7## (b) and, thereafter, reduction of the [2-(nitrophenyl)ethenyl]diazine (VA, VB or VC) to the corresponding amine (i) with a metal or metal salt, such as iron, tin or zinc, in an aqueous acid according to A.J. Bechamp, Ann.Chim.Phys. [3]42, 186, (1854), or (ii) catalytically with hydrogen using Raney Nickel as a catalyst in a suitable solvent such as ethanol or tetrahydrofuran; or with hydrazine in the presence of a catalyst, such as palladium. 
     The preparation of some [2-(nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-diazine derivatives is described in the literature. For example, 4-[2-(p-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]2-aminopyrimidine ##STR8## can be prepared according to the procedure disclosed in Chemical Abstracts 62:10448c (Japanese Patent 19652, 1964). Similarly, the compounds ##STR9## can be prepared by the general procedures described in J.Med.Chem. 1290 (1970), J.Chem.Soc. C 1343 (1967) and J.Pharm.Soc.Jap. 72, 909 (1953). 
     The following examples illustrate the present invention and enable others skilled in the art to understand it more completely. However, the invention is not limited solely to the particular examples given below. 
    
    
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate 
     Ethyl oxalyl chloride (1.2 g) is added dropwise to a suspension of 4-[2-(p-aminophenyl)ethenyl]-pyrimidine (1.3 g) in methylene chloride (30 ml) containing pyridine (1.6 ml), and the mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is washed first with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water and then with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate and finally evaporated to dryness. The residue is recrystallized from chloroform and petroleum ether, and gives ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate (1.3 g), which has a melting point of 171°-173° C. 
     The starting compound is prepared as follows. p-Nitrobenzaldehyde (24.2 g), 4-methyl-pyrimidine (15.5 g) and acetic anhydride (16.7 g) are mixed at room temperature, and the mixture is heated at 120° C. for 5 hours. After cooling, the mixture is poured into water (500 ml), and the aqueous mixture is extracted several times with chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts are dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated until crystals separated. Addition of ether gives 4-[2-(p-nitrophenyl) ethenyl]pyrimidine (28 g), m.p. 213°-215° C. 
     Hydrochloric acid (100 ml of 4N) is added dropwise to a mixture of 4-[2-(p-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]pyrimidine (28 g), ethanol (250 ml) and iron fillings (28 g). The reaction temperature is increased to 65° C., and the mixture is stirred at that temperature for two hours. Water is added, followed by an aqueous 30% potassium hydroxide solution (200 ml), and chloroform (1 liter). The mixture is filtered through celite, and the chloroform layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated. Addition of ether gives 4-[2-(p-aminophenyl)ethenyl]pyrimidine (10.3 g), m.p. 227°-230° C., which is used as the starting compound without further purification. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid and its ethanolamine salt 
     Sodium hydroxide solution (13.5 ml of a 1N) is added dropwise to a suspension of ethyl 4-[2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl]phenyl oxamate (4 g) (see Example 1) in water (50 ml) and ethanol (50 ml) while vigorously stirring until a clear solution is formed. The resulting solution is acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid, and the precipitate formed thereby is filtered off. The filter cake is dried to give 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid (2 g), m.p. 214°-216° C. 
     The acid is suspended in a mixture of N,N-dimethyl formamide (50 ml), and ethanolamine (1 g), and the precipitate formed thereby is filtered off and washed with ether. The ethanolamine salt (1.3 g) of the acid compound, m.p. 202°-205° C., is obtained. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Ethyl 2-(2-ethoxyoxalylaminopyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate 
     Ethyl oxalyl chloride (19 ml) is added dropwise to a solution of 4-[2-(p-aminophenyl)ethenyl]-2-aminopyrimidine (13.5 g) in dry pyridine (75 ml). The reaction mixture is then stirred (12 hours) at room temperature. The progress of the reaction is periodically checked by thin-layer chromatography. After the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is poured into ice water. The crude product is extracted with chloroform, dried and purified on a silica gel column. After recrystallization from chloroform and ether, ethyl 2-[2-(ethoxyoxalylaminopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl]phenyl-4 oxamate (9.0 g), m.p. 191°-193° C., is obtained. 
     The starting compound is prepared as follows. A solution of 2-amino-4-methylpyrimidine (21.8 g) and p-nitrobenzaldehyde (30.2 g) in formic acid (45 ml) is refluxed (24 hours). After cooling, the reaction mixture is poured into water (1 liter), and the aqueous mixture is neutralized with a 5N sodium hydroxide solution. The crude product is extracted with chloroform, and the extract is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. The crude product is purified on a silica gel column to give 4-[2-(p-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-2-aminopyrimidine (27.8 g), m.p. 214°-216° C., which is used for the next step without purification. 
     Hydrochloric acid (100 ml of 4N) is added dropwise to a stirred mixture of 4-[2-(p-nitrophenyl)-ethenyl]-2-aminopyrimidine (21.8 g), ethanol (250 ml) and iron filing (22 g). During the addition the reaction temperature is increased to 65° C., and stirring is continued (2 hours) at 65° C. Water is added, followed by an aqueous 30% sodium hydroxide solution (200 ml) and chloroform (1 liter). The chloroform layer is then separated and dried over sodium sulfate. After evaporation and addition of ether, 4-[2-(p-aminophenyl)-ethenyl]-2-aminopyrimidine is obtained (13.5 g), which is used as the starting compound without further purification. 
     Using the appropriate starting compounds and the procedures described in the preceding examples, the following compounds of the formula ##STR10## were also prepared: 
     
            Example No.Nomenclature A R.sub.2 R.sub.3 NHCOCOOR.sub.1 m.p. ° C.     4 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate  ##STR11##  H H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 127-128                                    o  5 2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-3xamic acid ethanolamine salt  ##STR12##  H H 3-NHCOCOOHEthanolaminesalt 161-163                                  p  6 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylhenyl-2 oxamate  ##STR13##  H H 2-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 105-110                                    o  7 2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2xamic acid ethanolamine salt  ##STR14##  H H 2-NHCOCOOHEthanolaminesalt 151-153  8 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-2-hydroxphenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR15##  2-OH H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 145-147  9 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-6-chlorophenyl-3 oxamate  ##STR16##  6-Cl H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 147-148  10 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-3-N,Ndimethylamino-ethoxyphenyl-4oxama te  ##STR17##  3-OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 156-159  11 Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-4-oxamate ##STR18##  4-OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2  H.sub.5sesquihydro-chloride 176-178                                     p  12 Diethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylhenyl-2,4 dioxamate  ##STR19##  2-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 135-137  13 Ethyl 2-(2,6-diethoxypyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR20##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 156-159  14 Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR21##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 267-269  15 Ethyl 2-(6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR22##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 149-151  16 Ethyl 2-(2-acetamidopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate  ##STR23##  H H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 234-236  17 2-(2-Acetamidopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamic acidtromethane salt  ##STR24##  H H 3-NHCOCOOHTromethane salt 195-197                                   p  18 Ethyl 2-(3-pyridazinyl)ethenylhenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR25##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 203-205  19 2-(3-Pyridazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4oxamic acid ethanolamine salt  ##STR26##  H H 4-NHCOCOOHEthanolamine salt 199-201                                 p  20 Ethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylhenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR27##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 165-166  21 2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4oxamic acid sodium salt  ##STR28##  H H 4-NHCOCOOHSodium Salt &gt;300  22 Ethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate  ##STR29##  H H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 131-133  23 2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-3oxamic acid ethanolamine salt  ##STR30##  H H 3-NHCOCOOHEthanolamine salt 205-208  24 Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-ethoxyoxalyl-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-4  oxamate  ##STR31##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 203-205  25 2-(2-Methyl-6-carboxycarbonyl-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid hydratediethanolamine salt  ##STR32##  H H 4-NHCOCOOHdiethanolaminehydrate salt 274-275  26 Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-ethoxyoxalyl-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-3  oxamate hemihydrate  ##STR33##  H H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5hemihydrate 197-199  27 2-(2-Methyl-6-carboxycarbonyl-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-3 oxamic acid di-tromethane salt  ##STR34##  H H 3-NHCOCOOHdi-tromethanesalt 197-199                                 p  28 Ethyl 2-(2-ethoxyoxalylaminoyrimidin-4-yl)-ethenylphenyl-3oxamate  ##STR35##  H H 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 199-201  29 2-(2-Carboxycarbonylamino-pyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl-phenyl-3oxamic acid tetra-sodium saltdihydrate  ##STR36##  H H  ##STR37##  &gt;350  30 Ethyl 2-(3-ethylpyrazin-2-yl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate ##STR38##  H H 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 143-145  31 2-(3-Ethylpyrazin-2-yl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid ethanolaminesalt  ##STR39##  H H 4-NHCOCOOHEthanolaminesalt 173-175  32 Ethoxyethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate  ##STR40##   H H 4-NHCOCOOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2 OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 122-124  33 Ethoxyethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-4oxamate hemihydrate  ##STR41##  H H 4-NHCOCOOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2 OC.sub.2 H.sub.5hemihydrate 201-202  34 Diethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4-dioxamate  ##STR42##  H 2-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 4-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 172-174  35 2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4 dioxamic acid diethanolaminesalt  ##STR43##  H 2-NHCOCOOHdi-ethanol-amine salt 4-NHCOCOOH 193-196  36 2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4 dioxamic aciddiethanolamine salt  ##STR44##  H 2-NHCOCOOHdi-ethanol-amine salt 4-NHCOCOOH n.d.  37 Diethyl 2-(6-chloro pyridazin-3-yl)ethenyl (4-chlorophenyl)-3,5dioxam ate  ##STR45##  4-Cl 3-NHCOCOOC.sub.2 H.sub.5 5-NHCOCOOC.sub.2  H.sub.5 220-22 
    
     EXAMPLE 38 
     Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis (PCA) Assay 
     Representative compounds of the present invention were tested comparatively with cromoglycate to determine in vivo anti-allergic activity. The anti-allergic properties were ascertained in rats by the Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis test (PCA) essentially as described by Goose and Blair, Immunology, 16:749-760 (1969). 
     Rat serum was diluted so that skin reactions with diameters between 10 and 15 mm in unsensitized rats were produced. The PCA test was performed in duplicate by injecting 0.1 ml of this antiserum dilution on each side of the shaved back of rats. Rats so treated were injected intravenously (i.v.) twenty-four hours later with 0.02 mg ovalbumin in 0.5 ml of 1% Evans Blue solution within five minutes after intravenous administration or 30 minutes after oral administration of the test compounds. Thirty minutes after the ovalbumin challenge the rats were killed by CO 2  -asphyxiation, and the skin was reflected. The diameters, in millimeters, of the blued areas were measured and the mean diameter was determined. The circular area was calculated, and the mean area in square millimeters of the control group was considered as 100%. The results of the compound test groups were expressed as a percentage change from these control values. From dose response curves the dose reducing the size of the blued area by 50% (ED 50 ) was estimated. 
     The following table shows the results of this test: 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________Compound of                    % Inhibition                                    ED.sub.50Example No.  Nomenclature            (10 mg/kg, p.o.)                                    (mg/kg, p.o.)__________________________________________________________________________  Cromoglycate            n.d.      Inactive1      Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate                          n.d.*     1.42      2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid                          63% (3 mg/kg, i.v.)                                    n.d.*  ethanolamine salt3      Ethyl 2-(2-ethyoxyoxalylaminopyrimidin-4-yl)                          n.d.      10  ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate4      Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate                          n.d.      2.85      2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamic acid                          n.d.      12.3  ethanolamine salt6      Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2 oxamate                          20%       n.d.7      2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2 oxamic acid                          n.d.      8  ethanolamine salt8      Ethyl 2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-2-hydroxyphenyl-4                          n.d.      4.5  oxamate9      Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-5-chlorophenyl-3                          n.d.      2  oxamate10     Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-3-N,N--                          n.d.      n.d.  dimethylaminoethoxyphenyl-4 oxamate11     Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenyl-4-N,N--                          9%        n.d.  dimethylaminoethoxyphenyl-3 oxamate12     Diethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4-                          n.d.      2  dioxamate13     Ethyl 2-(2,6-diethoxypyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl                          n.d.      30  phenyl-4 oxamate14     Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl                          n.d.      10  phenyl-4 oxamate15     Ethyl 2-(6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-4                          n.d.      1.1  oxamate16     Ethyl 2-(2-acetamidopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl                          42%       n.d.  phenyl-3 oxamate17     2-(2-Acetamidopyrimidin-4-yl)ethenylphenyl-3                          37%       n.d.  oxamic acid tromethane salt18     Ethyl 2-(3-pyridazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate                          n.d.      119     2-(3-Pyridazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid                          0%        n.d.  ethanolamine salt20     Ethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate                          n.d.      4.621     2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid                          n.d.      10  sodium salt22     Ethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate                          n.d.      423     2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-3 oxamic acid                          n.d.      &lt;1  ethanolamine salt24     Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-ethoxyoxalylaminopyrimidin-4-                          n.d.      0.3  yl)-ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate25     2-(2-Methyl-6-carboxycarbonylaminopyrimidin-4-                          n.d.      4.0  yl)-ethenylphenyl-4 oxamic acid hydrate  diethanolamine salt26     Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-ethoxyalyl-aminopyrimidin-                          64%       &lt;10.0  4-yl) ethenylphenyl-3 oxamate hemihydrate27     2-(2-Methyl-6-carboxycarbamyl-aminopyrimidin-4-                          0%        0.03 mg/kg, i.v.  yl)ethenyl-3 oxamic acid di-tromethane salt28     Ethyl 2-(2-ethoxyoxalylamino-pyrimidin-4-yl)                          5%        n.d.  ethenyl-phenyl-3 oxamate29     2-(2-Carboxycarbonylamino-pyrimidin-4-yl)ethenyl-                          67% (repeat 2%)                                    n.d.  phenyl-3 oxamic acid tetra-sodium salt di-hydrate30     Ethyl 2-(3-ethylpyrazin-2-yl)ethenylphenyl-4                          6%        n.d.  oxamate31     2-(3-Ethylpyrazin-2-yl)ethenyl-phenyl-4 oxamic                          15%       n.d.  acid ethanolamine salt32     Ethoxyethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4                          46%       n.d.  oxamate33     Ethoxyethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-                          52%       n.d.  ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate hemihydrate34     Diethyl 2-(2-pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4-dioxamate                          n.d.      n.d.35     2-(2-Pyrazinyl)ethenylphenyl-2, 4 dioxamic acid                          n.d.      0.53 mg/kg, i.v.  di-ethanolamine salt36     2-(4-Pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-2,4 dioxamic acid                          n.d.      0.5 mg/kg, i.v.  di-ethanolamine salt37     Diethyl 2-(6-chloro pyridazin-3-yl)ethenyl                          54%       n.d.  (4-chlorophenyl)-3,5 dioxamate__________________________________________________________________________ *not determined  - -- 
    
     Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds according to the invention can be administered to warmblooded animals orally, intravenously, perorally, parenterally, rectally or by the respiratory route. Such compositions generally include an inert pharmaceutical carrie and a therapeutically effective amount of the active ingredient. 
     When the compounds of formula I are given by the oral route, they can be formulated in the form of syrups, tablets, capsules (for example of gelatin), pills and the like. Preferably, the compositions are in unit dosage form, or in a form in which the patient can administer to himself single dose. When the composition is in the form of a tablet, powder or lozenge, any pharmacuetical carrier suitable for formulating solid compositions may be used. Examples of such carriers are various starches, lactose, glucose, mannitol, sucrose, cellulose, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, talcum, pyrogenic silica, dicalcium phosphate and high molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene glycol. Suitable liquid pharmaceutical carriers include glycerin, saline, water, propylene glycol or sorbitol solution, which may be compounded with flavoring or coloring agents to form syrups. 
     The compounds of this invention can also be prepared into compositions suitable for administration by other than the oral route. The composition can be formulated, for example, for rectal administration as a suppositor or for presentation in an injectable form in an aqueous or nonaqueous solution, suspension or emulsion in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid, such as sterile, pyrogenfree water or a parenterally acceptable oil or a mixture of liquids, which may contain bacteriostatic agents, antioxidants preservatives, buffers, or other solutes to render the solution isotonic with the blood, thickening agents, suspending agents or other pharmaceutically acceptable additives. Preservatives can include benzoic acid, methylene propylparaben, benzalkonium chloride or other quanternary ammonium compounds. Stabilizing agents, solubilizing agents and/or buffer conventionally used for injection solutions include, for example, tartrate, citrate and acetate buffers, ethanol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, complex formers (such as EDTA), antioxidants (such a sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfate or ascorbic acid), highmolecular-weight polymers (such as liquidpolyethylene oxides) for viscosity regulation, and polyethylene derivatives of sorbitol anhydrides Such forms can be presented in unit dose forms such as ampules or disposable injection devices or in multidose vials such as a bottle from which a appropriate dose may be withdrawn, or in solid form or concentrat which can be used to prepare as injectable formulation. 
     Compounds of this invention can also be suitably presented for administration to the respiratory tract as an aerosol or solution for a nebulizer, or as a microfine powder for insufflation, alone or in combination with an inert carrier such as lactose. In such a case the particles of active compounds suitably have diameters of less than 20 microns, preferably less than 10 microns. Where appropriate, small amount of other antiallergics, antiasthmatics and bronchodilators, for example, sympathomimetic amines such as isoprenaline, isoetharine, metaproterenol, salbutamol, phenylephrine, fenoterol and ephedrine; xanthine derivatives such as theophylline and aminophylline; corticosteroids such as prednisolone and adrenal stimulants such as ACTH may be included. 
     Compounds of this invention may also be presented as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, aerosol or solution for topical application to the nose or eye or as any of these and powders as topical applications to the skin. 
     In any of the foregoing formulations, a suitable dosage unit may contain from 1 to 500 mg of active ingredient. The effective dose of compounds of this invention depends on the particular compound employed, the condition of the patient and on the frequency and route of administration. In general it is orally administered in the range of from about 0.1 mg/kg to at least about 10 mg/kg body weight. 
     The following examples illustrate pharmaceutical dosage unit compositions comprising a compound of the present invention as an active ingredient an represent the best modes contemplated of using the invention. The parts are parts by weight unless otherwise specified. 
     EXAMPLE 39 
     Tablets 
     A tablet composition is compounded from the following ingredients: 
     
         ______________________________________Ethyl 2-(2-methyl-6-ethoxyoxalylpyrimidin-4-yl                     0.010 partsethenylphenyl-4 oxamateStearic acid              0.010 partsDextrose                  1.890 partsTOTAL                     1.910 parts______________________________________ 
    
     The ingredients are admixed in conventional manner, and the mixture is compressed into 1.91 g tablets, each of which is an oral dosage unit composition containing 10 mg of the active ingredient. 
     EXAMPLE 40 
     Ointment 
     An ointment composition is compounded from the following ingredients: 
     
         ______________________________________Ethyl 2-(3-pyridazinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate                    2.000 partsFuming hydrochloric acid 0.011 partsSodium pyrosulfite       0.050 partsMixture (1:1) of cetyl alcohol and stearyl                    20.000 partsalcoholWhite vaseline           5.000 partsSynthetic bergamot oil   0.075 partsDistilled water q.s. ad  100.000 parts______________________________________ 
    
     The ingredients are uniformly blended in conventional manner into an ointment, 100 g of which contain 2.0 g of the active ingredient. 
     EXAMPLE 41 
     Inhalation aerosol 
     An aerosol composition is compounded from the following ingredients: 
     
         ______________________________________Ethyl 2-(4-pyrimidinyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate                     1.00 partsSoybean lecithin          0.20 partsPropellant gas mixture (Freon 11, 12 and 14) q.s.                     100.00 parts______________________________________ 
    
     The ingredients are compounded in conventional manner, and the composition is filled into aerosol containers with a metering valve which releases 0.5 to 2.0 mg of active ingredient per actuation of the valve. 
     EXAMPLE 42 
     Hypodermic solution 
     A solution is compounded from the following ingredients: 
     
         ______________________________________2-(2-Methyl-6-carboxycarbonylamino-pyrimidin-4-                     5.0 partsyl)ethenylphenyl-4 oxamate diethanolamine saltSodium pyrosulfite        1.0 partsSodium salt of EDTA       0.5 partsSodium chloride           8.5 partsDouble-distilled water q.s.ad                     1000.0 parts______________________________________ 
    
     The individual ingredients are dissolved in a sufficient amount of double-distilled water, the solution is diluted to the indicated concentration with additional double-distilled water, the resulting solution is filtered until free from suspended particles, and the filtrate is filled under aseptic conditions into 1 ml-ampules which are subsequently sterilized and sealed. Each ampule contains 5 mg of the active ingredient. 
     Any one of the other compounds embraced by formula I or a nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be substituted for the particular active ingredient in the above formulation examples. Likewise, the amount of active ingredient in these illustrative examples can be varied to achieve the dosage unit range set forth above, and the amounts and nature of the inert pharmaceutical carrier ingredient can be varied to meet particular requirements. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated with the aid of certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be readily apparent to others skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.