9-hydroxyamino tetrahydroacridine and related compounds

Abstract

There are disclosed compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1-4; X is hydrogen, loweralkyl, cycloalkyl, loweralkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, formyl, loweralkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, --SH, loweralkylthio, --NHCOR.sub.2 or --NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 where R.sub.2 is hydrogen or loweralkyl, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, loweralkyl or cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen, loweralkyl or loweralkylcarbonyl; and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, loweralkyl, aryl, diloweralkylaminoloweralkyl, arylloweralkyl, furylloweralkyl, thienylloweralkyl, pyridinylloweralkyl, diarylloweralkyl, oxygen-bridged arylloweralkyl or oxygen-bridged diarylloweralkyl; stereo, optical and geometrical isomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof which are useful for enhancing memory.

Description

This invention relates to compounds having the formula, ##STR2## wherein n is 1-4; X is hydrogen, loweralkyl, cycloalkyl, loweralkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, formyl, loweralkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, --SH, loweralkylthio, NHCOR.sub.2 or --NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 where R.sub.2 is hydrogen or loweralkyl, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, loweralkyl or cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen, loweralkyl or loweralkylcarbonyl; and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, loweralkyl, aryl, diloweralkylaminoloweralkyl, arylloweralkyl, furylloweralkyl, thienylloweralkyl, pyridinylloweralkyl, diarylloweralkyl, oxygen-bridged arylloweralkyl or oxygen-bridged diarylloweralkyl; stereo, optical and geometrical isomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof which are useful for enhancing memory, methods for synthesizing them, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective memory enhancing amount of such a compound, and a method of increasing the cholinergic function in mammals which comprises the adminstration of an effective amount of such a compound.

Throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all stereo, optical and tautomeric isomers thereof where such isomers exist, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof and solvates thereof such as for instance hydrates. Thus, for instance, where the group R of Compound I is hydrogen, Formula Ia should be considered as equivalent to its tautomeric form Ib. Thus, in terms of nomenclature, N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine, for instance, should be considered as equivalent to N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacrdin-9(10H)-imine. ##STR3##

The following definitions shall apply throughout the specification and the appended claims.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term loweralkyl denotes a straight or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of said alkyl include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term cycloalkyl denotes a saturated ring containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Examples of said cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term loweralkoxy denotes a straight or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of said alkoxy include methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy, sec-butoxy, and straight and branched chain hexyloxy.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term halogen shall mean fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term aryl shall mean an unsubstituted phenyl group, a phenyl group substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each of which being independently loweralkyl, loweralkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or benzyloxy.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term oxygen-bridged shall signify the fact that an oxygen atom is present between aryl and loweralkyl groups and/or an oxygen atom has replaced a methylene group in the loweralkyl group, with the proviso that said methylene group is not alpha to the amino nitrogen carrying the groups R and R.sub.1. Thus, for instance, examples of oxygen-bridged arylloweralkyl include 3-phenoxypropyl and 4-phenoxybutyl, and examples of oxygen-bridged diarylloweralkyl include 2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl and 2-[bis(3-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl.

The compounds of this invention are prepared as described below. The required O-substituted hydroxylamines of formula II wherein R is hydrogen and R.sub.1 is not hydrogen are, in some cases, commercially available and, where not, can readily be prepared by one skilled in the art by means of the alkylation and subsequent hydrolysis of N-hydroxyphthalimide as disclosed by A. Rougny and M. Daudon, Bull. Soc. Chim. France, 833 (1976). Further alkylation by methods known to one skilled in the art allows the preparation of the compounds of formula II wherein R is loweralkyl and R.sub.1 is not hydrogen.

In order to simplify the description of the synthetic schemes, the description will be presented with specific reference to the situation where n=2, but it will readily be understood that the synthetic schemes can also be applied to the other situations by making obvious modifications where necessary.

Throughout the description of the synthetic steps, definitions of X, R and R.sub.1 through R.sub.4 are as given above unless otherwise stated or indicated.

A compound of formula IV wherein R is not loweralkylcarbonyl can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula III with a hydroxylamine of formula II. Said reaction can be conducted at a temperature of 120-220.degree. C. in the presence a hydroxylated aromatic compound such as phenol or cresol. ##STR4##

A compound of formula IVb wherein R is loweralkylcarbonyl can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula IVa with an acylating agent such as an acid halide or anhydride of formula V wherein R.sub.5 is loweralkyl and Y is chlorine, bromine or OC(.dbd.O)R.sub.5. The reaction can be carried out in an inert solvent such as chloroform, methylene chloride, toluene, tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether in the presence of a proton acceptor such as pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine at a temperature of 0-100.degree. C. ##STR5##

The compounds of Formula I of the present invention can be used for the treatment of various memory dysfunctions characterized by decreased cholinergic function, such as Alzheimer's disease.

This utility can be ascertained by determining the ability of these compounds to inhibit the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and thereby increase the acetylcholine levels in the brain.

CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITION ASSAY

The ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase was determined by the photometric method of Ellman et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 7, 88 (1961). Results of some of the compounds of this invention are presented in Table 1 below along with a result of a reference compound.

TABLE 1______________________________________Cholinesterase Inhibition IC.sub.50 Compound (molar conc.)______________________________________N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 5.1 .times. 10.sup.-7 N-benzyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 6.1 .times. 10.sup.-6 N-propyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 8.3 .times. 10.sup.-7 N-methyl-N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 2.7 .times. 10.sup.-5 N-(2-fluorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 5.2 .times. 10.sup.-6 Reference Compound 9-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine 3.1 .times. 10.sup.-7______________________________________

This utility can also be ascertained by determining the ability of these compounds to restore cholinergically deficient memory in the Dark Avoidance Assay. In this assay mice are tested for their ability to remember an unpleasant stimulus for a period of 24 hours. A mouse is placed in a chamber that contains a dark compartment; a strong incandescent light drives it to the dark compartment, where an electric shock is administered through metal plates on the floor. The animal is removed from the testing apparatus and tested again, 24 hours later, for the ability to remember the electric shock.

If scopolamine, an anticholinergic that is known to cause memory impairment, is administered before an animal's initial exposure to the test chamber, the animal re-enters the dark compartment shortly after being placed in the test chamber 24 hours later. This effect of scopolamine is blocked by an active test compound, resulting in a greater interval before re-entry into the dark compartment.

The results for active compounds are expressed as the percent of a group of animals in which the effect of scopolamine is blocked, as manifested by an increased interval between being placed in the test chamber and re-entering the dark compartment. Results of Dark Avoidance Assay for representative compounds of this invention and a reference compound are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2______________________________________Dark Avoidance Assay % Animals with Dose Scopolamine Induced (mg/kg) Compound memory deficit reversed (s.c.)______________________________________N-methoxy-1,2,3,4- 27% 1.0 tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-methoxy--N-methyl-1,2,3,4- 27% 1.0 tetrahydro-9-acridinamine Reference Compound 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine 20% 0.31______________________________________

Effective quantities of the compounds of the invention may be administered to a patient by any of the various methods, for example, orally as in capsules or tablets, parenterally in the form of sterile solutions or suspensions, and in some cases intravenously in the form of sterile solutions. The free base final products, while effective themselves, may be formulated a administered in the form of their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts for purposes of stability, convenience of crystallization, increased solubility and the like.

Acids useful for preparing the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of the invention include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and perchloric acids, as well as organic acids such as tartaric, citric, acetic, succinic, maleic, fumaric and oxalic acids.

The active compounds of the present invention may be orally administered, for example, with an inert diluent or with an edible carrier, or they may be enclosed in gelatin capsules, or they may be compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compounds of the invention may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, chewing gum and the like. These preparations should contain at least 0.5% of active compound, but may be varied depending upon the particular form and may conveniently be between 4% to at 70% of the weight of the unit. The amount of active compound in such compositions is such that a suitable dosage will be obtained. Preferred compositions and preparations according to the present invention are prepared so that an oral dosage unit form contains between 1.0-300 milligrams of active compound.

The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like may also contain the following ingredients: a binder such as micro-crystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, cornstarch and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin may be added or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as a fatty oil. Other dosage unit forms may contain other various materials which modify the physical form of the dosage unit, for example, as coatings. Thus tablets or pills may be coated with sugar, shellac, or other enteric coating agents. A syrup may contain, in addition to the active compounds, sucrose as a sweetening agent and certain preservatives, dyes, coloring and flavors. Materials used in preparing these various compositions should be pharmaceutically pure and non-toxic in the amounts used.

For the purpose of parenteral therapeutic administration, the active compounds of the invention may be incorporated into a solution or suspension. These preparations should contain at least 0.1% of active compound, but may be varied between 0.5 and about 30% of the weight thereof. The amount of active compound in such compositions is such that a suitable dosage will be obtained. Preferred compositions and preparations according to the present invention are prepared so that a parenteral dosage unit contains between 0.5 to 100 milligrams of active compound.

The solutions or suspensions may also include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The parenteral preparations can be enclosed in disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Examples of the compounds of this invention include:

N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; 6-chloro-N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-ethoxy-7-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-(benzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-(2-furylmethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-[(2-phenylethyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-[(4,4-diphenylbutyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-[(2-dimethylaminoethyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-[(3-phenoxypropyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinoline-11-amine; N-benzyloxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinolin-9-amine; N-methyloxy-N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-propyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine; N-(2-fluorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine. 6-chloro-N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-ethoxy-7-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(3-methylpropyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-(4-furylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-(2-furylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-trifluoromethyl-9-acridinamine N-(2-furylmethoxy)-7-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine 7-dimethylamino-N-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(2-phenylethyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]oxyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(2-dimethylaminocthyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(4,4-diphenylbutyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-[(4,4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)butyl ]oxy] -1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-acctyl-N-benzyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-benzyloxy-N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine N-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine N-methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine N-benzyloxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine 2,3-dihydro-N-hydroxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinolin-9-amine 2,3-dihydro-N-methoxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinolin-9-amine and 2,3-dihydro-N-benzyloxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline-9-amine

The following examples are presented in order to illustrate this invention.

EXAMPLE 1

N-Methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine hydrochloride

A mixture of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (4.35 g) and methoxylamine hydrochloride (2.5 g) in 100 ml of n-propanol was heated at reflux for 22 hours. The reaction mixture was then added to an iced sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water and dried (saturated NaCl, MgSO.sub.4).

The mixture was passed through a column of florisil (10% ethyl acetate/dichloromethane) to give 3.5 g of an oil which was dissolved in methanol, treated with ethereal hydrochloric acid followed by additional ether to crystallize 2.88 g of an off-white powder, m.p. 213-214.degree. C. dec.

ANALYSIS: Calculated for C.sub.14 H.sub.16 N.sub.2 O.HCl: 63.51% C 6.47% H 10.58% N Found: 63.18% C 6.37% H 10.41% N

EXAMPLE 2

N-Methoxy-N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine hydrochloride

A mixture of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (5.70 g) and N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (3.07 g) in 100 ml of n-propanol was heated at reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then added to an iced sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water and dried (saturated NaCl, MgSO.sub.4).

The mixture was passed through a column of florisil (ethyl acetate) to give 4.50 g of an oil, which was purified via flash chromatography (2% ethyl acetate/dichloromethane) to give 2.4 g of an oil. This was combined with 1.0 g of crop obtained from a similar batch, and the combined material was dissolved in methanol and treated with an ethereal hydrochloric acid solution. The solution was filtered and concentrated and the residue was twice recrystallized from methanol/ethyl ether to give 1.43 g of an off-white solid, m.p. 184-187.degree. C. dec.

ANALYSIS: Calculated for C.sub.14 H.sub.16 N.sub.2 O.HCl: 64.62% C 6.87% H 10.05% N Found: 64.61% C 6.82% H 9.79% N

EXAMPLE 3

N-Propyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine, oxalate, hemihydrate

A mixture of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (5.26 g) and propyloxyamine hydrochloride (4.05 g) in 100 ml of n-propanol was heated at reflux for 22 hours. The reaction mixture was then added to an iced ammonium hydroxide solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water and dried (saturated NaCl, MgSO.sub.4).

The mixture was passed through a column of florisil (dichloromethane; ethyl acetate) to give 4.35 g of an oil, which was purified via flash chromatography to give 2.4 g of an oil. This was dissolved in methanol and treated with 1.1 equivalents of oxalic acid to give 1.88 g of an off-white powder, m.p. 139-142.degree. C.

ANALYSIS: Calculated for C.sub.14 H.sub.16 N.sub.2 O.C.sub.4 H.sub.4 O.sub.4.0.5H.sub.2 O: 60.83% C 6.52% H 7.88% N Found: 60.94% C 6.13% H 8.00% N

EXAMPLE 4

N-Benzyloxy-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine

A mixture of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (5.03 g) and O-benzylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (4.61 g) in 100 ml of n-propanol was heated at reflux for 66 hours. The reaction mixture was then added to an iced sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water and dried (saturated NaCl, MgSO.sub.4).

The mixture was passed through a column of florisil (10% ethyl acetate/dichloromethane) to give 7.0 g of a yellow solid. A 3.9 g portion of this was recrystallized from methanol/water to give 2.44 g of a tan solid, m.p. 106-108.degree. C.

ANALYSIS: Calculated for C.sub.20 H.sub.20 N.sub.2 O: 78.91% C 6.62% H 9.21% N Found: 79.03% C 6.71% H 9.19% N

EXAMPLE 5

N-(2-Fluorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine

A mixture of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (6.18 g) and O-(2-fluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (5.5 g) in 125 ml of n-propanol was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was then added to an iced sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The combined organics were washed with water and dried (saturated NaCl, MgSO.sub.4).

The mixture was purified via flash chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/dichloromethane to give 6.15 g of a tan solid. This was recrystallized from methanol/water to give 4.90 g of yellow crystals, m.p. 139-141.degree. C.

ANALYSIS: Calculated for c.sub.20 H.sub.19 FN.sub.2 O: 74.51% C 5.94% H 8.69% N found: 74.44% C 5.91% H 8.60% N

Claims

1. A compound of the formula ##STR6## wherein n is 1-4; X is hydrogen, loweralkyl, cycloalkyl, loweralkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, formyl, loweralkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, --SH, loweralkylthio, NHCOR.sub.2 or --NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 where R.sub.2 is hydrogen or loweralkyl, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, loweralkyl or cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen, loweralkyl or loweralkylcarbonyl; and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, loweralkyl, aryl, diloweralkylaminoloweralkyl, arylloweralkyl, furylloweralkyl, thienylloweralkyl, pyridinylloweralkyl, diarylloweralkyl, oxygen-bridged arylloweralkyl or oxygen-bridged diarylloweralkyl; the term aryl in each occurrence signifying an unsubstituted phenyl group, or a phenyl group substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each of which being independently loweralkyl, loweralkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or benzyloxy, and the term cycloalkyl in each occurrence signifying a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 7 carbon atoms; a stereo, optical or geometrical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

2. The compound as defined in claim 1, where n is 2.

3. The compound as defined in claim 2, where R is hydrogen and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or arylloweralkyl.

4. The compound as defined in claim 3, where X is hydrogen, loweralkyl or trifluoromethyl.

5. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

6. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is 6-chloro-N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

7. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

8. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

9. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-ethoxy-7-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

10. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[(3-methylpropyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

11. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-benzyloxy -1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

12. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

13. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(4-fluorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

14. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(2-furylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

15. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(2-furylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-trifluoromethyl-9-acridinamine.

16. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(2-furylmethoxy)-7-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

17. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

18. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is 7-dimethylamino-N-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

19. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[(2-phenylethyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

20. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

21. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[(2-dimethylaminoethyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

22. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

23. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[(4,4-diphenylbutyl)oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

24. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-[4,4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)butyl]oxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

25. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-acetyl-N-benzyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

26. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-benzyloxy-N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

27. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine.

28. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine.

29. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-benzyloxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine.

30. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is 2,3-dihydro-N-hydroxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinolin-9-amine.

31. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is 2,3-dihydro-N-methoxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinolin-9-amine.

32. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is 2,3-dihydro-N-benzyloxy-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline-9-amine.

33. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-methoxy-N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

34. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-propyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

35. The compound as defined in claim 1, which is N-(2-fluorobenzyloxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine.

36. A compound of the formula ##STR7## wherein n is 1-4; X is hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, --SH, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkylthio, NHCOR.sub.2 or --NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 where R.sub.2 is hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)cycloalkyl; R is hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkylcarbonyl; and R.sub.1 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, aryl, di(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkylamino(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, furyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, thienyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, pyridinyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, diaryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, oxygen-bridged aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl or oxygen-bridged diaryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl; the term aryl in each occurrence signifying an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each of which being independently (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or benzyloxy; stereo, optical or geometrical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.