Novel benzimidazole and imidazopyridine derivatives and use thereof as a medicament

Abstract
The invention relates to novel benzimidazole and imidazopyridine derivatives having general formula (I), which have a good affinity with certain sub-types of melanocortin receptors, particularly MC4 receptors. Said derivatives are particularly suitable for the treatment of pathological states and diseases involving one or more melanocortin receptors. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products.
Description

A subject of the present application is novel benzimidazole and imidazo-pyridine derivatives. These products have a good affinity for certain melanocortin receptor subtypes, in particular MC4 receptors. They are particularly useful for treating pathological states and diseases in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and their use for the preparation of a medicament.


The melanocortins represent a group of peptides which derive from the same precursor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and which are structurally similar: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-MSH and γ-MSH (Eipper B. A. and Mains R. E., Endocr. Rev. 1980, 1, 1-27). The melanocortins perform numerous physiological functions. They stimulate the synthesis of steroids by the adrenal cortex and the synthesis of eumelanin by the melanocytes. They regulate food intake, energy metabolism, sexual function, neuronal regeneration, blood pressure and heart rate, as well as pain perception, learning, attention and memory. The melanocortins also possess anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties and control the secretion of several endocrine or exocrine glands such as the sebaceous, lachrymal, mammary glands, the prostate and the pancreas (Wikberg J. E. et al. Pharmacol. Res. 2000, 42, 393-420; Abdel-Malek Z. A., Cell. Mol. Life. Sci. 2001, 58, 434-441).


The effects of the melanocortins are mediated by a family of membrane receptors specific to seven transmembrane domains and G-protein-coupled. Five receptor subtypes, named MC1 to MC5, have been cloned and characterized to date. These receptors differ in their tissue distribution and affinity for the different melanocortins, the MC2 receptors recognizing only ACTH. The stimulation of the melanocortin receptors activates the adenylate cyclase with production of cyclic AMP. If the functional roles specific to each of the receptors are not totally elucidated, the treatment of pathological disorders or diseases can be associated with an affinity for certain subtypes of receptors. Thus the activation of the MC1 receptors has been associated with the treatment of inflammations, whereas blocking them has been associated with the treatment of cutaneous cancers. The treatment of nutritional disorders has been associated with the MC3 and MC4 receptors, the treatment of obesity by the agonists and the treatment of cachexia and anorexia by the antagonists. Other indications associated with the activation of the MC3 and MC4 receptors are sexual activity disorders, neuropathic pain, anxiety, depression and drug addition. The activation of the MC5 receptors has been associated with the treatment of acne and dermatitis.


The applicants have found that the new compounds of general formula (I) described hereafter possess a good affinity for the melanocortin receptors. They act preferentially on the MC4 receptors. Said compounds, melanocortin receptor agonists or antagonists, can be used in order to treat pathological states or metabolic diseases, of the nervous or dermatological system in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved such as the following examples: inflammatory states, energy homeostasis disorders, food intake disorders, weight disorders (obesity, cachexia, anorexia), sexual activity disorders (erectile disorders), neuropathic pain. Mental disorders can also be mentioned (anxiety, depression), drug addition, skin diseases (acne, dermatitis, cutaneous cancers, melanomas). These compounds can also be used for stimulating nerve regeneration.


A subject of the invention is therefore a compound of general formula (I)
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in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which:


A represents —CH2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)—;


X represents the —CH— radical or the nitrogen atom;


Ra and Rb represent, independently, the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;


R1 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;


R2 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;


or R1 and R2 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different (C1-C6)alkyl substituents;


R3 represents —(CH2)p-Z3, —C(O)-Z′3, —CH(OH)-Z′3 or —C(O)—NH-Z″3;

    • Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-thio or heteroaryl radical, Z3 being linked to the —(CH2)p— radical by a carbon atom,
    • the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl and oxy;
    • the heteroaryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro or —(CH—2)p—V30—Y3;
    • the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, (C2-C6)alkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl-oxy, heteroaryl and —(CH2)p—V31—Y3;
    • V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;
    • V31 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —N(RN)—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3—, —NH—C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond;
    • Y3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • RN represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • or Z3 represents a radical of formula
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    • Z′3 represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro and —(CH2)p″—V′3—Y′3;
    • V′3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond;
    • Y′3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • R′3 represents the hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkoxy radical;
    • A″3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical;
    • the alkyl and aryl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from halo and —V″3—Y″3;
    • V″3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NH— or a covalent bond;
    • Y″3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • p represents an integer from 0 to 6; p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; q represents an integer from 0 to 2;


      R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s—R′4;


      R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW4 W′4;
    • W4 represents the hydrogen atom or (C1-C8)alkyl;
    • W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s-Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom, a (C1-C8)alkyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl radical;
    • s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;


      or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


In the definitions indicated above, the expression halo represents the fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo radical, preferably chloro, fluoro or bromo. The expression alkyl (unless otherwise specified), preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, pentyl or amyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 2,2-dimethyl-propyl, hexyl, isohexyl or 1,2,2-trimethyl-propyl radicals. The term (C1-C8)alkyl designates a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as the radicals containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms as defined above but also heptyl, octyl, 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl. The term alkyl-carbonyl designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methyl-carbonyl, ethyl-carbonyl. The term alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methyl-aminocarbonyl, ethyl-aminocarbonyl, N-propyl-N-methylaminocarbonyl, N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl.


By alkenyl, unless otherwise specified, is meant a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least one unsaturation (double bond), such as for example vinyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl or pentenyl.


The term alkoxy designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example the methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or isopropyloxy radicals but also linear, secondary or tertiary butoxy, pentyloxy. The term alkoxy-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the alkoxy radical is as defined above such as for example methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl.


The term (C3-C7)cycloalkyl designates a saturated carbonaceous monocyclic system comprising 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and preferably the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl rings. The expression heterocycloalkyl designates a condensed saturated monocyclic or bicyclic system containing 2 to 7 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom. This radical can contain several identical or different heteroatoms. Preferably, the heteroatoms are chosen from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. As an example of heterocycloalkyl, there can be mentioned rings containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrrazolidine, isothiazolidine, thiazolidine, isoxazolidine, oxazolidine, piperidine, piperazine, azepane (azacycloheptane), azacyclooctane, diazepane, morpholine, decahydroisoquinoline (or decahydroquinoline) but also rings containing no nitrogen atom such as tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrothiophene. As examples of a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by oxy and alkyl, there can be mentioned the lactones and the lactams.


The term heterobicycloalkyl designates a non-condensed saturated hydrocarbon bicyclic system containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. As examples of a heterobicycloalkyl, there can be mentioned aza-bicycloheptane aza-bicyclooctane such as 7-aza-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane, 2-aza-bicyclo[2,2,2]octane or 6-aza-bicyclo[3,2,1]octane.


The expression aryl represents an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, such as for example the phenyl, naphthyl or fluorenyl radical. The expression arylthio represents a radical, the aryl radical of which is as defined above such as for example phenylthio. The expression aryloxy represents the radicals in which the aryl radical is as defined above such as for example phenyloxy, napthyloxy.


The term aralkyl (arylalkyl) preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl and alkyl radicals are as defined above such as for example benzyl or phenethyl. The expression aralkyloxy designates the radicals in which the aralkyl radicals are as defined above such as for example benzyloxy, phenethyloxy.


The expression heteroaryl designates an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, with at least one ring containing one or more identical or different heteroatoms chosen from sulphur, nitrogen or oxygen. As examples of a heteroaryl radical, there can be mentioned the radicals containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, benzoxadiazoyl, benzothiazolyl, carbazolyl but also the radicals containing no nitrogen atom such as thienyl, benzothienyl, furyl, benzofuryl or pyranyl.


Also in the present application, the (CH2)i radical (i being an integer which can represent p, p′, p″, s and s′ as defined above), represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain of I carbon atoms. Thus the —(CH2)3— radical can represent —CH2—CH2—CH2— but also —CH(CH3)—CH2—, —CH2CH(CH3)— or —C(CH3)2—.


The invention preferably relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that X represents the —CH— radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R1 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical, and R2 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; and very preferentially R1 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical and R2 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —CH2—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)— and Ra and Rb represent, independently, the methyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —C(O)—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that

    • R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s—R′4;
    • R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW4W′4;
    • W4 represents the hydrogen atom or (C1-C8)alkyl;
    • W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s-Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;
    • s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 1 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s—R′4; R′4 represents a radical of formula —NW4W′4;

    • W4 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;
    • W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s-Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;
    • s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 2 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s—R′4;

    • R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; and s represents an integer from 2 to 6;


      and more particularly R′4 represents the piperidine or pyrrolidine ring; s represents an integer from 1 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R3 represents —(CH2)p-Z3 and

    • Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkenyl (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)carbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-thio or heteroaryl radical,
    • the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl and oxy;
    • the heteroaryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro or —(CH2)p-V30—Y3;
    • the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C2-C6)alkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl-oxy, heteroaryl and —(CH2)p, —V31—Y3;
    • V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;
    • V31 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —N(RN)—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond;
    • Y3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • RN represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • or Z3 represents a radical of formula
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    • or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter;


Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical, the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted;


and very preferentially






    • the heteroaryl radical is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo and —(CH2)p—V3O—Y3;

    • the aryl radical is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro and —(CH2)p—V31—Y3;

    • V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;

    • V31 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or —SO2—;

    • Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;

    • p and p′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.





Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z3 represents a heteroaryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo and —(CH2)p′—V30—Y3;

    • V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;
    • Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • p′ represents an integer from 0 to 4;


      and more particularly Z3 represents the thienyl, furyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, indolyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z3 represents a (C3-C7)cycloalkyl or aryl radical, the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro or —(CH2)p— V31—Y3;

    • V31 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or —SO2—;
    • Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • p′ represents an integer from 0 to 4;


      and more particularly the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl radical is chosen from cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl; the aryl radical is the phenyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R3 represents —C(O)-Z′3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that Z′3 represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —(CH2)p″V′3—Y′3;

    • V′3 represents —O—;
    • Y′3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • p″ represents an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R3 represents —C(O)—NH-Z″3

    • Z″3 represents a —(CH2)q-A″3 radical;
    • A″3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl or thienyl radical;
    • the alkyl and aryl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —V″3—Y″3;
    • V″3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;
    • Y″3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • q represents an integer from 0 to 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


In the present Application, the symbol ->* corresponds to the attachment point of the radical. When the attachment site is not specified on the radical, this means that the attachment is carried out on one of the sites available on this radical for such an attachment.


Following the definitions of the variable groups A, X, R1, R2, R3 and R4, the compounds according to the invention can be prepared in liquid phase according to the different procedures A to D described below.


A. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram A:


The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following diagram. A:
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As described in diagram A, the methylated derivative (1) (for X═CH commercial compound; for X═N compound prepared according to the procedure of Baumgarten et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1952, 74, 3828-3831, from 6-methyl-3-nitro-pyridine-amine) can be oxidized to carboxylic acid (2) by an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate at a temperature of 100° C. for 3 to 6 hours (according to the procedure of Schmelkes et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1944, 1631), or by an aqueous solution of sodium dichromate in the presence of sulphuric acid at a temperature of 20-90° C. for 1 to 3 hours (according to the procedure of Howes et al., European J. Med. Chem, 1999, 34, 225-234). The carboxylic acid (2) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide (3). Treatment of the fluorinated or chlorinated derivative (3) by a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as cesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 48 hours produces the derivative (4). The nitro function of the compound (4) is reduced by treatment with stannous chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide at a temperature of 60-80° for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours in order to produce dianiline (5). The derivative (5) can then be treated by an aldehyde in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as nitrobenzene, DDQ in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 60-180° C. for 2 to 24 hours, or in a microwave at a temperature of 150-200° C. for 5 to 30 minutes, in order, to produce benzimidazole (6). Alternatively, the derivative (5) can react either with an acid chloride, or with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) or O-(7-azobenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide. The amide thus obtained produces benzimidazole (6) by treatment with an acid, such as acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, polyphosphoric acid at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 24 hours or in a microwave at a temperature of 80-150° C. for 5 to 30 minutes. The derivative (5) can also react with an imidate ester or a chloroacetamide derivative in an organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or methanol or ethanol, in the presence or absence of a tertiary base, sulphur, at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 3 to 24 hours, or in a microwave at a temperature of 80-130° C. for 5 to 30 minutes in order to produce the benzimidazole derivative (6′).







EXAMPLE A1
2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride



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Stage 1: 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid

A mixture of 3-fluoro-4-nitrotoluene (10 g, 1 eq) and potassium permanganate (25.5 g, 2.5 eq) in water (1 l) is heated to reflux for 6 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The mixture is filtered on celite and the aqueous phase is washed twice with diethyl ether (2×300 ml). The aqueous phase is acidified with an aqueous solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid (12N) then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. to a volume of approximately 300 ml. The precipitate formed is filtered then washed with petroleum ether and dried in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a white solid (6.9 g; 58% yield).


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ7.93 (m, 2H), 8.25 (m, 1H), 13.95 (m, 1H).


Stage 2: 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide

1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (4.4 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in chloroform (25 ml) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (3.05 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in THF (40 ml) are successively added to 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid (3.8 g, 1 eq) in solution in anhydrous THF (30 ml). The mixture is stirred for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then diisoamylamine (3.6 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in THF (30 ml) is added. After stirring for 16 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (200 ml) and water (70 ml). After decantation and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the compound by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (4.3 g; 65% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=324.4; m/z=325.2 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.69 (m, 6H), 0.93 (m, 6H), 1.35-1.60 (m, 6H), 3.09 (m, 2H), 3.41 (m, 2H), 7.38 (d,1H), 7.63 (d,1H), 8.21 (t, 1H).


Stage 3: N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide

A mixture of 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (430 mg, 1 eq), 3-piperidino-propylamine (212 mg, 1.1 eq) and potassium carbonate (365 mg, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (10 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (50 ml) and water (20 ml). After decantation and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt, water, dried over Na2SO4 then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent:heptane/ethyl acetate 1:1 to 100% ethyl acetate) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (460 mg; 78% yield).


MS/LC: calculated MM=446.6; m/z=447.3 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.68 (d, 6H), 0.92 (d, 6H), 1.31-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 2.32 (m, 6H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 3.38 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 6.91 (m, 1H), 8.09 (d, 1H), 8.44 (t, 1H).


Stage 4: 4-amino-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide

N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (1 g) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (100 ml) and 10% palladium on carbon (100 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 3 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bars) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (910 mg, 97% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM 416.6; m/z=417.3 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 0.81 (d, 12H), 1.39-1.69 (m, 12H), 1.73 (m, 2H), 2.32 (m, 6H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 3.38 (m, 4H), 4.62 (s, 1H), 4.76 (s, 2H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 6.42 (AB, 1H), 6.50 (AB, 1H).


Stage 5: 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride

p-anisaldehyde (27 mg, 1.3 eq) is added to a solution of 4-amino-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (62 mg) in nitrobenzene (2 ml). The mixture is heated at 130° C. for 6 hours. Purification of the mixture by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (58 mg, 68% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM 532.8; m/z=533.5 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 0.68 (d, 6H), 0.95 (d, 6H), 1.26-1.69 (m, 2H), 2.27 (m, 2H), 2.72 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 3.25 (m, 4H), 3.45 (m, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 4.56 (t, 2H), 7.27 (AB, 2H), 7.50 (AB, 1H), 7.87 (AB, 1H), 7.92 (AB, 1H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 10.89 (s, 1H).


EXAMPLE A2
2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride



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4-methoxyphenylacetylchloride (32 mg, 1.1 eq) is added to a solution of 4-amino-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (66 mg) in acid acetic (2 ml). The mixture is heated at 100° C. for 18 hours then cooled down and concentrated under reduced pressure. A saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to the residue obtained dissolved in dichloromethane. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (51 mg, 59% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=546.8; m/z=547.5 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.63 (d, 6H), 0.94 (d, 6H), 1.24-1.92 (m, 12H), 2.11 (m, 2H), 2.73 (m, 2H), 3.03-3.29 (m, 6H), 3.40 (m, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 4.56 (t, 2H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 6.96 (AB, 2H), 7.43 (m, 3H), 7.79 (AB, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 11.02 (s, 1H).


EXAMPLE A3
2-[3-(methylamino)-3-oxopropyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride



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TBTU (67 mg, 1 eq) and diisopropylethylamine (70 μL, 2 eq) are successively added to a solution of N-methylsuccinimic acid (26 mg, 1 eq) in DMF (1 ml). After stirring for 30 minutes at ambient temperature, a solution of 4-amino-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (66 mg) in DMF (1 ml) is added to the mixture. The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then diluted in ethyl acetate (10 ml) and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (4 ml) is added. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The oil thus obtained is solubilized in acetic acid (2 ml). The mixture is heated at 100° C. for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. A saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to the residue obtained dissolved in dichloromethane. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent:dichloromethane 100% to dichloromethane/methanol 85:15) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (64 mg, 54% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=511.8; m/z=512.4 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.65 (d, 6H), 0.94 (d, 6H), 1.24-1.90 (m, 12H), 2.29 (m, 2H), 2.56 (d, 3H), 2.82 (m, 2H), 2.93 (t, 2H), 3.16 (m, 4H), 3.33-3.52 (m, 6H), 4.63 (t, 2H), 7.46 (AB, 1H), 7.43 (m, 3H), 7.82 (AB, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 8.20 (m, 1H), 10.86 (s, 1H).


EXAMPLE A4
2-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-dibutyl-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride



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1-benzofuran-2-carbaldehyde (450 mg) is added to a solution of 4-amino-N,N-dibutyl-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (1 g) in nitrobenzene (5 ml), placed in a “Personal Chemistry®” reaction tube. The tube is sealed with a cap, placed in the “Personal Chemistry®” microwave and heated under magnetic stirring at 200° C. for 20 minutes. Purification of the mixture obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 95:5) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected hydrochloride compound (780 mg, 54% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=514.7; m/z=515.5 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.70 (broad s, 3H), 0.95 (broad s, 3H), 1.28-1.88 (m, 12H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.83 (m, 2H), 2.93 (t, 2H), 3.22 (m, 4H), 3.36 (d, 2H), 3.42 (m, 2H), 4.78 (t, 2H), 7.33 (AB, 1H), 7.42 (t, 1H), 7.52 (t, 1H), 7.79 (AB, 1H), 7.87 (AB, 1H), 7.91 (s, 1H), 7.96 (s, 1H).


EXAMPLE A5
ethyl 4-({[6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoate hydrochloride



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Triethylamine (100 μL), ethyl 4-[(chloroacetyl)amino]benzoate (173 mg) and sulphur (12 mg) are successively added to a solution of 4-amino-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (100 mg) in ethanol (3 ml), placed in a “Personal Chemistry®” reaction tube. The tube is sealed with a cap, placed in the “Personal Chemistry®” microwave and heated under magnetic stirring at 130° C. for 20 minutes. The ethanol is then evaporated off and water and dichloromethane are added to the residue. After decantation and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the compound by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/ethanol 85:15) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a solution of 1N hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (80 mg, 51% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=617.8; m/z=618.5 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.62 (broad s, 6H), 0.95 (broad s, 6H), 1.32 (t, 3H), 1.37-1.75 (m, 12H), 2.30 (m, 2H), 2.83 (m, 2H), 2.93 (t, 2H), 3.17 (m, 4H), 3.37-3.48 (m, 4H), 4.30 (q, 2H), 4.77 (t, 2H), 7.30 (AB, 1H), 7.87 (AB, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.97 (AB, 1H), 8.06 (AB, 1H), 10.14 (s, 1H), 11.25 (s, 1H).


According to reaction diagram A and in a manner analogous to the procedures described for the synthesis of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride, 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide, of 2-[3-(methylamino)-3-oxopropyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide, 2-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-dibutyl-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide or ethyl 4-({[6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoate, the following compounds were prepared:
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in which R1R2N represents one of the radicals below:
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R3 represents one of the radicals below:
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1 or more substitutions chosen from:
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U=H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, OMe, OEt, OPh, SMe, SEt, SCF3, Me, Et, iPr, tBu, CN, CF3, OCF3, C(O)OMe, C(O)OEt, C(O)Me, C(O)Et, C(O)NHMe, C(O)NH2, NMe2, NEt2, NHCOMe, Phe, OCH2Ph SO2Me
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V=H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, OMe, Me, Et, iPr, CF3, OCF3, C(O)OMe, C(O)Me, C(O)NHMe, SO2Me
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and R4 represents one of the radicals below:
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B. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram B:


The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —(CO)— and R3 represents —C(O)-Z′3 (Z′3 representing an aryl radical symbolized by Ar) can be prepared according to the following diagram B:
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As described in diagram B, the derivative (7) can be oxidized by manganese dioxide in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or by chromium trioxide in an acid such as acetic acid, at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 10-96 hours in order to produce the derivative (8).


EXAMPLE B1
2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride



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Manganese dioxide (500 mg) is added to a solution of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide (171 mg, prepared according to Example A2) in 1,4 dioxane (5 ml). The mixture is heated at 70° C. for 24 hours then a new portion of manganese dioxide (500 mg) is added. After stirring for another 24 hours at 70° C., a portion of manganese dioxide (500 mg) is again added and stirring at 70° C. is continued for another 24 hours then the mixture is cooled down to ambient temperature, concentrated under reduced pressure and filtered on celite. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered, washed with diethyl ether then recrystallized from a dichloromethane/diethyl ether mixture and dried in order to produce the expected hydrochloride compound (50 mg, 26% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=560.8; m/z=561.4 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.65 (d, 6H), 0.95 (d, 6H), 1.25-1.79 (m, 12H), 2.28 (m, 2H), 2.82 (m, 2H), 3.16 (m, 4H), 3.32-3.48 (m, 4H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 4.61 (t, 2H), 7.13 (AB, 2H), 7.30 (AB, 1H), 7.89 (AB, 1H), 8.33 (AB, 2H), 10.48 (s, 1H).


According to reaction diagram B and in a manner analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of 2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide hydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:
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in which R1R2N represents one of the radicals below:
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R3 represents one of the radicals below:
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and R4 represents the radical below:
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C. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram C:


The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —CH2— can be prepared according to the following diagram C:
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As described in diagram C, the derivative (4) prepared according to reaction diagram A, can be reduced to compound (9) using borane or lithium aluminium hydride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 3 to 24 hours. The dianiline (9) can then be treated by an aldehyde in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as nitrobenzene, at a temperature of 60-140° C. for 2 to 24 hours in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide, in order to produce benzimidazole (10). Alternatively, the derivative (9) can react either with an acid chloride, or with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) or O-(7-azobenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide. The amide thus obtained produces benzimidazole (10) by treatment with an acid, such as acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, polyphosphoric acid at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 24 hours. The derivative (9) can also react with an imidate ester or a chloroacetamide derivative in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the benzimidazole derivative (10).


Preparation According to Reaction Diagram C′:


The compounds (10) can also be prepared according to the following diagram C′:
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As described in diagram C′, the amide (6) prepared according to reaction diagram A, can be reduced to the corresponding amine (10) using borane or lithium aluminium hydride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuranor diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 1 to 6 hours.


EXAMPLE C1
methyl 4-[6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]benzoate dihydrochloride



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Stage 1: 4-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-N2-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)benzene-1,2-diamine

A solution of lithium aluminium hydride (36 ml; 1N in THF) is added dropwise to a solution of N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide (1.6 g) cooled down to 0° C. The mixture is taken to a temperature of 20° C. then heated under reflux for 6 hours and hydrolyzed with water cooled down to 0° C. followed by a 1N soda solution. After the addition of dichloromethane, the mixture is filtered on celite. After decantation of the filtrate and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with 1N soda then with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (1.23 g, 85% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=402.7; m/z=403.3 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.81 (d, 12H), 1.28 (m, 4H), 1.38 (m, 2H), 1.48 (m, 6H), 1.71 (m, 2H), 2.31 (m, 10H), 3.01 (m, 2H), 3.29 (m, 2H), 4.28 (m, 2H), 4.6 (m, 1H), 6.30 (AB, 1H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 6.43 (AB, 1H).


Stage 2: Methyl 4-[6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]benzoate dihydrochloride

Methyl-4-formylbenzoate (33 mg, 1 eq) is added to a solution of 4-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-N2-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (80 mg) in nitrobenzene (2 ml). The mixture is heated at 130° C. for 18 hours. Purification of the mixture by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 7:3) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (47 mg, 41% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=546.8; m/z=547.3 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ0.86 (m, 12H), 1.21-1.75 (m, 12H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 3.05 (m, 6H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 4.33 (m, 2H), 4.47 (d, 2H), 7.46 (AB, 1H), 7.79 (AB, 1H), 7.98 (AB, 1H), 8.16 (AB, 1H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 10.18 (s, 1H), 10.73 (s, 1H).


According to reaction diagram C and in a manner analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of methyl 4-[6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]benzoate dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:
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in which R1R2N represents one of the radicals below:
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R3 represents one of the radicals below:
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1 or more substitutions chosen from:
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U=H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, OMe, SMe, Me, Et, iPr, tBu, CF3, OCF3, C(O)OMe, C(O)OEt, C(O)Me, C(O)Et, C(O)NHMe, C(O)NH2embedded image


V=H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, OMe, Me, Et, iPr, CF3, OCF3embedded image

and R4 represents the radical below:
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D. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram D:


The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)—, can be prepared according to the following diagram D:
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As described in diagram D, the derivative (11) can be alkylated in the presence of a strong base such as potassium tertbutylate, by an α-chloroester derivative, in a polar aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.5-2 hours, in order to produce compound (12). The derivative (13) can be optionally alkylated in the presence of a strong base such as sodium hydride and an alkylating agent such as an alkyl iodide in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 1-4 hours, in order to produce the compound (13). The ester (13) can be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium or potassium hydroxide in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and methanol at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 1-6 hours. The resulting carboxylic acid (14) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at a temperature of approximately 20° C. for 3 to 24 hours. Alternatively the acid (14) can be treated with thionyl or oxalyl chloride in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or toluene at a temperature of 40-60° C. for 2-16 hours then the acid chloride thus obtained can react with a primary or secondary amine, in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.5-4 hours in order to produce the amide (15). Treatment of the fluorinated or chlorinated derivative (15) by a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as cesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 48 hours produces the derivative (16). The nitro function of the compound (16) is reduced by treatment with dihydrated stannous chloride in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours in order to produce dianiline (17). The dianiline (17) can then be treated by an aldehyde in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as nitrobenzene, or DDQ in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide, at a temperature of 60-140° C. for 2 to 24 hours in order to produce benzimidazole (18). Alternatively, the derivative (17) can react either with an acid chloride, or with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) or O-(7-azobenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide. The amide thus obtained produces benzimidazole (18) by treatment with an acid, such as acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, polyphosphoric acid at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 24 hours. The derivative (17) can also react with an imidate ester or a chloroacetamide derivative in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the benzimidazole derivative (18).


EXAMPLE D1
N,N-diisobutyl-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl]-2-methylpropanamide



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Stage 1: ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)propanoate

Potassium tert-butylate (11.22 g, 2 eq) is added to a solution of DMF (80 ml) cooled down to 0° C. A solution of 1-chloro-2-nitrobenzene (7.87 g, 1 eq) and ethyl 2-chloropropanoate (7 ml, 1.1 eq) is added dropwise over 45 minutes to the mixture keeping the reaction temperature below 5° C. At the end of the addition, stirring is maintained for 2 hours at 0° C. then the mixture is hydrolyzed at this temperature by a 1N hydrochloric acid solution and ethyl acetate is added. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/dichloromethane 8:2 to 6:4) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (8.28 g; 64% yield).


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ1.14 (t, 3H), 1.42 (d, 3H), 3.99 (q, 1H), 4.08 (m, 2H), 7.52 (AB, 1H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 8.05 (AB, 1H).


Stage 2: ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoate

A solution of ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)propanoate (14.1 g) is added dropwise to a suspension of sodium hydride (60% in oil, 2.4 g, 1.1 eq) in DMF (15 ml), cooled down to 0° C. After stirring for 1 hour at this temperature, a solution of methyl iodide (3.72 ml, 1.1 eq) in DMF (40 ml) is added dropwise to the mixture. Stirring is continued for 3 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is cooled down to 0° C. then ethyl acetate, water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate, then water are added dropwise. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes. The crystals are washed with heptane and dried (13.8 g; 94% yield).


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 1.12 (t, 3H), 1.54 (s, 6H), 4.09 (q, 1H), 7.50 (AB, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 8.04 (AB, 1H).


Stage 3: 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid

A 2N potassium hydroxide solution (18 ml) is added to a solution of ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoate (1 g) in methanol (20 ml) at a temperature of approximately 20° C. The mixture is then heated at 80° C. for 1.5 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The methanol is evaporated off by concentration of the mixture under reduced pressure. The remaining aqueous phase is washed with dichloromethane then cooled down to 0° C. and acidified by acetic acid. After the addition of dichloromethane, decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes (852 mg, 95% yield).


NMR 1H (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ1.52 (s, 6H), 7.53 (AB, 1H), 7.66 (s, H), 8.04 (AB, 1H), 12.72 (s, 1H).


Stage 4: 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide

Thionyl chloride (0.54 ml, 4 eq) is added to a solution of 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid (500 mg) in dichloromethane (1 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 16 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The solvent is evaporated off under reduced pressure at 40° C. (co-evaporation with toluene). Diisopropylethylamine (0.42 ml, 1.2 eq) and the diisobutylamine (0.36 ml, 1 eq) are successively added to a solution of the acid chloride thus obtained in dichloromethane (1 ml), cooled down to 0° C. At the end of the addition, stirring is continued for 3 hours at ambient temperature then the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is dissolved in ethyl ether and the organic phase is washed successively with 1N soda, a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, salt water than dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent:heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2 to 7:3) produces the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes (0.585 g; 82% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=354.9; m/z=355.2 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ0.58 (d, 6H), 0.90 (d, 6H), 1.58 (m, 6H), 1.74 (m, 1H), 1.95 (m, 1H), 2.65 (d, 2H), 3.27 (d, 2H), 7.30 (AB, 1H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.91 (AB, 1H).


Stage 5: N,N diisobutyl-2-methyl-2-{4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]phenyl}propanamide

A mixture of 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide (2.39 g), 3-piperidino-propylamine (1.9 g, 2 eq) and potassium carbonate (1.8 g, 2 eq) in DMF (40 ml) is heated at 100° C. for 24 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. Water and ethyl acetate are added to the medium. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent:dichloromethane 100% to dichloromethane/methanol 6:4) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (1.6 g, 51% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=460.7; m/z=461.4 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ0.57 (d, 6H), 0.89 (d, 6H), 1.50 (m, 2H), 1.56 (m, 6H), 1.63 (m, 4H), 1.77 (m, 1H), 1.89 (m, 3H), 2.43 (m, 6H), 2.75 (d, 2H), 3.29 (d, 2H), 3.32 (m, 2H), 6.58 (AB, 1H), 6.67 (s, 1H), 8.15 (AB, 1H), 8.29 (t, 1H).


Stage 6: 2-{4-amino-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]phenyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide

N,N-diisobutyl-2-methyl-2-{4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]phenyl}propanamide (1.6 g) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (100 ml) and 10% palladium on carbon (160 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 4 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bars) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (1.4 g, 94% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=430.7; m/z=431.4 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ0.45 (d, 6H), 0.79 (d, 6H), 1.35 (m, 8H), 1.49 (m, 4H), 1.70 (m, 3H), 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.89 (m, 3H), 2.33 (m, 6H), 2.79 (d, 2H), 2.97 (t, 2H), 3.11 (m, 2H), 4.45 (m, 2H), 6.18 (s, 1H), 6.30 (AB, 1H), 6.48 (AB, 1H).


Stage 7: N,N-diisobutyl-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl]-2-methylpropanamide hydrochloride

A mixture of 2-{4-amino-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]phenyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide (34 mg) and p-anisaldehyde (13 mg) in nitrobenzene (1 ml) is heated at 120° C. for 24 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. Purification of the mixture by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent:dichloromethane 100% to dichloromethane/methanol 85:15) produces the expected compound in the form of the free base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by the addition of a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered, washed with diethyl ether and dried in order to produce the expected monohydrochloride compound (12 mg, 60% yield).


MS/LC: Calculated MM=546.8; m/z=547.4 (MH+)


NMR 1H (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 0.44 (d, 6H), 0.83 (d, 6H), 1.30 (m, 2H), 1.58 (s, 6H), 1.71 (m, 6H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 2.72 (m, 4H), 3.01 (m, 2H), 3.21 (m, 4H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 4.54 (t, 2H), 7.23 (AB, 2H), 7.28 (m, 1H), 7.76 (AB,1H); 7.86 (m, 3H), 10.41 (s, 1H).


According to reaction diagram D and in a manner analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of N,N-diisobutyl-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl]-2-methylpropanamide hydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:
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in which R1R2N represents one of the radicals below:
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R3 represents one of the radicals below:
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1 or more substitutions chosen from:
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U=H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, OMe, Me, Et, iPr, tBu, CF3, OCF3, C(O)OMe,
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V=H, NO2, OMe
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and R4 represents one of the radicals below:
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A subject of the present application is also a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) as defined above, characterized in that the compound of general formula:
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in which A, X, R1, R2, R4 have the meaning indicated above, is treated

  • i) either by an aldehyde of general formula R3CHO in which R3 has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of an oxidizing agent;
  • ii) or by an acid chloride of general formula R3CHO in which R3 has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of an acid;
  • iii) or by a carboxylic acid of general formula R3C(O)OH in which R3 has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of a coupling agent followed by treatment of the amide thus formed by an acid.
  • iv) or by a chloroacetamide derivative of general formula Z″3—NH—C(O)CH2Cl in which Z″3 has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of a tertiary base and sulphur.


During treatment by the aldehyde R3CHO, the oxidizing agent used can be for example nitrobenzene. During treatment by an acid chloride R3CHO, the acid used can be acetic acid. Similarly, during treatment by the carboxylic acid R3C(O)OH, then the treatment of the amide thus formed, the acid used can be acetic acid.


A subject of the invention is also a compound of general formula (I)
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in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which:


A represents —CH2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)—;


X represents —CH— or a nitrogen atom;


Ra and Rb represent, independently, the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;


R1 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;


R2 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;


or R1 and R2 form together, with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different (C1-C6)alkyl substituents;


R3 represents —(CH2)p-Z3, —C(O)-Z′3, —CH(OH)-Z′3 or —C(O)—NH-Z″3;

    • Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-aminocarbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical,
    • the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl and oxy;
    • the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro or —(CH2)p—V3—Y3;
    • V3 represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3—, —NH—C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond; —
    • Y3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • or Z3 represents a radical of formula
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    • Z′3 represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro and —(CH2)p″—V′3—Y′3;
    • V′3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond;
    • Y′3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals;
    • R′3 represents the hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkoxy radical;
    • Z″3 represents the hydrogen atom or an -A3-C(O)—O—((C1-C6)alkyl), -A3-C(O)—NH—((C1-C6)alkyl) or -A3-O—((C1-C6)alkyl) radical;
    • A3 represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an arylene radical;
    • p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4;


      R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)n—R′4;


      R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW4W′4;
    • W4 represents the hydrogen atom or (C1-C8)alkyl;
    • W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s-Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom, a (C1-C8)alkyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl radical;
    • s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R1 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical, and R2 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


The invention preferably also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that X represents —CH—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferentially, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —CH2—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferentially, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)— and Ra and Rb represent, independently, the methyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that A represents —C(O)—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that

    • R4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)n—R′4;
    • R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom chosen from piperidine and pyrrolidine, heterocycle optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW4W′4;
      • W4 represents the hydrogen atom or (C1-C8)alkyl;
      • W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s-Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical;
    • s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.


Very preferentially also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that R3 represents —(CH2)p-Z3 or —C(O)-Z′3;

    • Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-aminocarbonyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical,
    • the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —(CH2)p—V3—Y3;
    • V3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or —C(O)—NH—;
    • Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • Z′3 represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —(CH2)p″—V′3—Y′3;
    • V′3 represents —O—;
    • Y′3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical;
    • p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter;


      and more particularly the aryl radical is the phenyl radical and the heteroaryl radical is chosen from thienyl and furyl.


The compounds I of the present invention possess useful pharmacological properties. Thus it has been discovered that the compounds I of the present invention possess a good affinity for certain subtypes of melanocortin receptors, in particular MC4 receptors.


The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in different therapeutic applications. They can advantageously be used for treating pathological states or metabolic diseases, of the nervous or dermatological system in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved such as: inflammatory states, energy homeostasis, food intake disorders, weight disorders (obesity, cachexia, anorexia), sexual activity disorders (erectile disorders), neuropathic pain, and also mental disorders (anxiety, depression), drug addition, skin diseases (acne, dermatitis, cutaneous cancers, melanomas). They can also be used for stimulating nerve regeneration. An illustration of the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the invention will be found hereafter, in the experimental part.


A subject of the present application is also pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active ingredient, at least one product of formula I as defined above, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said product of formula I, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable support.


By pharmaceutically acceptable salt, is meant in particular addition, salts of inorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulphate, phosphate, diphosphate and nitrate or organic acids such as acetate, maleate, fumarate, tartrate, succinate, citrate, lactate, methanesulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, pamoate and stearate. Salts formed from bases such as sodium or potassium hydroxide also fall within the scope of the present invention when they can be used. For other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, reference can be made to “Salt selection for basic drugs”, Int. J Pharm. (1986), 33, 201-217.


A subject of the present application is also the use of the compounds according to the present invention, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of weight disorders such as obesity, cachexia and anorexia, mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, neuropathic pain, sexual activity disorders such as erectile disorders.


The pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a solid, for example, powders, granules, tablets, gelatin capsules or suppositories. Appropriate solid supports can be, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine and wax.


The pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the invention can also be presented in liquid form, for example, solutions, emulsions, suspensions or syrups. Appropriate liquid supports can be, for example, water, organic solvents such as glycerol or the glycols, as well as their mixtures, in varying proportions, in water, added to pharmaceutically acceptable oils or fats. The sterile liquid compositions can be used for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or sub-cutaneous injections and the sterile compositions can also be administered intravenously.


All the technical and scientific terms used in the present text have the meaning known to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, all the patents (or patent applications) as well as the other bibliographical references are incorporated by way of reference.


Experimental Part:


The compounds according to the invention obtained according to the procedures of examples A, B, C, C′ and D described previously, are shown in the table below.


The compounds are characterized by their retention time (rt) and their molecular peak determined by mass spectrometry (MH+).


For mass spectrometry, a single quadrupole mass spectrometer (Micromass, Platform model) equipped with an electrospray source is used with a resolution of 0.8 Da at 50% valley. A calibration is carried out monthly between the masses 80 and 1000 Da using a calibrating mixture of sodium iodide and rubidium iodide in solution in an isopropanol/water mixture (1/1 Vol.).


For liquid chromatography, a Waters system including an in-line degasser, a Waters 600 quaternary pump, a Gilson 233 plate sampling injector and a Waters PAD 996 UV detector is used.


The elution conditions used are the following:


Eluent: A water+0.04% trifluoroacetic acid; B acetonitrile

T (min)A %B %19558.559510.559510.695514.995515.0955


Flow rate: 1 ml/min; Injection: 10 μl; Column: Uptisphere ODS 3 μm 75*4.6 mm i.d. These examples are presented in order to illustrate the above procedures and should in no case be considered as a limit to the scope of the invention.

ExamplesMolecular Structures[M & H]+rt (min)1embedded image497.28.02embedded image435.28.13embedded image477.28.64embedded image477.38.65embedded image477.37.76embedded image463.37.67embedded image547.58.58embedded image513.58.39embedded image533.58.510embedded image523.48.611embedded image577.48.312embedded image547.48.613embedded image527.48.114embedded image541.48.115embedded image533.48.716embedded image505.48.017embedded image505.48.218embedded image517.48.319embedded image495.38.620embedded image549.48.321embedded image519.38.622embedded image519.48.523embedded image485.48.224embedded image499.48.225embedded image513.48.226embedded image561.410.327embedded image512.48.528embedded image511.48.529embedded image525.48.630embedded image484.48.131embedded image483.48.132embedded image497.48.133embedded image547.48.734embedded image547.48.535embedded image547.48.536embedded image559.48.837embedded image585.39.538embedded image595.39.239embedded image575.39.040embedded image499.48.941embedded image471.48.442embedded image547.48.143embedded image519.48.044embedded image519.48.345embedded image519.47.946embedded image531.48.047embedded image561.410.148embedded image485.48.549embedded image503.37.450embedded image509.47.751embedded image533.47.852embedded image533.47.753embedded image517.48.554embedded image533.48.755embedded image505.48.256embedded image471.48.257embedded image499.57.958embedded image513.58.059embedded image519.48.360embedded image519.48.361embedded image481.47.562embedded image505.57.563embedded image505.57.564embedded image499.57.365embedded image523.27.866embedded image465.48.267embedded image493.48.768embedded image492.48.169embedded image441.48.370embedded image479.48.271embedded image491.48.672embedded image507.48.773embedded image506.58.174embedded image455.48.275embedded image455.48.676embedded image439.48.477embedded image499.48.978embedded image463.48.679embedded image618.510.680embedded image588.49.781embedded image546.49.982embedded image566.49.783embedded image588.410.084embedded image576.410.185embedded image556.49.586embedded image413.47.887embedded image581.29.388embedded image537.39.289embedded image521.38.990embedded image549.38.991embedded image563.39.192embedded image509.38.793embedded image555.28.894embedded image561.39.295embedded image547.38.796embedded image579.39.597embedded image595.39.498embedded image609.39.399embedded image493.38.4100embedded image547.38.7101embedded image561.38.6102embedded image493.38.6103embedded image509.38.6104embedded image509.38.6105embedded image509.38.6106embedded image548.39.2107embedded image560.48.3108embedded image547.48.9109embedded image542.48.3110embedded image542.38.3111embedded image600.38.5112embedded image595.48.5113embedded image559.48.5114embedded image567.38.1115embedded image559.39.5116embedded image551.48.8117embedded image517.48.4118embedded image572.48.3119embedded image569.48.0120embedded image572.48.2121embedded image504.48.4122embedded image504.48.4123embedded image535.48.6124embedded image556.38.4125embedded image561.48.4126embedded image542.48.3127embedded image560.48.4128embedded image556.48.3129embedded image586.48.3130embedded image543.49.4131embedded image559.39.1132embedded image569.48.7133embedded image570.48.5134embedded image581.48.7135embedded image561.48.8136embedded image603.49.5137embedded image556.58.3138embedded image504.48.9139embedded image503.48.5140embedded image560.48.4141embedded image532.57.8142embedded image531.58.4143embedded image573.48.9144embedded image441.47.8145embedded image508.39.2146embedded image521.38.9147embedded image527.39.2148embedded image521.39.0149embedded image507.38.8150embedded image506.38.8151embedded image556.39.6152embedded image548.39.2153embedded image531.38.3154embedded image531.39.3155embedded image492.38.6156embedded image529.49.0157embedded image537.39.3158embedded image537.39.2159embedded image523.39.1160embedded image545.38.6161embedded image545.39.6162embedded image493.38.2163embedded image510.39.3164embedded image483.48.2165embedded image471.38.4166embedded image525.48.6167embedded image495.48.2168embedded image504.38.0169embedded image509.48.3170embedded image523.48.5171embedded image509.48.3172embedded image537.48.6173embedded image549.39.0174embedded image523.38.9175embedded image586.38.4176embedded image572.38.1177embedded image572.38.3178embedded image558.38.1179embedded image558.38.2180embedded image544.38.0181embedded image528.38.2182embedded image542.38.4183embedded image528.38.2184embedded image542.38.4185embedded image528.38.2186embedded image514.38.1187embedded image546.38.5188embedded image532.38.2189embedded image529.39.5190embedded image515.39.1191embedded image534.39.2192embedded image520.38.8193embedded image532.38.0194embedded image532.38.2195embedded image547.38.9196embedded image533.38.6197embedded image545.29.2198embedded image531.28.8199embedded image542.39.5200embedded image528.39.2201embedded image534.29.1202embedded image520.28.8203embedded image523.39.1204embedded image509.38.7205embedded image560.210.1206embedded image507.38.3207embedded image551.39.2208embedded image521.39.1209embedded image537.39.3210embedded image528.39.1211embedded image507.58.1212embedded image479.47.8213embedded image554.49.7214embedded image526.49.2215embedded image532.49.7216embedded image479.47.9217embedded image523.48.8218embedded image493.48.6219embedded image509.48.8220embedded image500.58.7221embedded image560.58.4222embedded image551.58.7223embedded image537.58.7224embedded image455.58.0225embedded image469.58.1226embedded image483.58.2227embedded image469.58.1228embedded image483.58.2229embedded image467.58.1230embedded image481.48.2231embedded image453.48.3232embedded image427.47.8233embedded image441.47.8234embedded image455.47.9235embedded image441.47.8236embedded image455.47.9237embedded image439.47.8238embedded image453.47.9239embedded image425.38.0240embedded image492.48.1241embedded image478.47.8242embedded image560.58.4243embedded image546.48.2244embedded image532.48.2245embedded image518.48.0246embedded image506.48.2247embedded image574.48.5248embedded image546.48.3249embedded image497.58.4250embedded image469.58.1

Claims
  • 1. Compound of general formula (I)
  • 2. Compound according to claim 1, characterized in that X represents the —CH— radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 3. Compound according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that R1 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical, and R2 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 4. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that R1 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; R2 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 5. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A represents —CH2—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 6. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A represents —C(O)—C(Ra)(Rb)— and Ra and Rb represent, independently, a methyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 7. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A represents —C(O)—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 8. Compound according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that R4 represents a radical of formula-(CH2)s—R′4; R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW4 W′4; W4 represents the hydrogen atom or (C1-C8)alkyl; W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s, Z4 in which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 1 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 9. Compound according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that R4 represents a radical of formula-(CH2)s—R′4; R′4 represents a radical of formula —NW4W′4; W4 represents a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; W′4 represents a radical of formula —(CH2)s, Z4 m which Z4 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C8)alkyl radical; s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 2 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 10. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that R4 represents a radical of formula-(CH2)s-R′4; R′4 represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; and s represents an integer from 2 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 11. Compound according to claim 10, characterized in that R′4 represents the piperidine or pyrrolidine ring; s represents an integer from 1 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 12. Compound according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that R3 represents —(CH2)p-Z3 and Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryl-thio or heteroaryl radical, the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl and oxy; the heteroaryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro or —(CH2)p, —V3O—Y3; the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C2-C6)alkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl-oxy, heteroaryl and —(CH2)p—V31—Y3; V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; V31 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —N(RN)—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′3— or a covalent bond; Y3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; RN represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or Z3 represents a radical of formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 13. Compound according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical, the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 14. Compound according to claim 13, characterized in that the heteroaryl radical is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo and —(CH2)p′—V3O—Y3; the aryl radical is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro and —(CH2)p′—V31—Y3; V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; V31 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or —SO2—; Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; p and p′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 15. Compound according to claim 13, characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 16. Compound according to claim 13, characterized in that Z3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-N(RN)-carbonyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 17. Compound according to claim 13, characterized in that Z3 represents a heteroaryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo and —(CH2)p, —V30—Y3; V30 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; p′ represents an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 18. Compound according to claim 17, characterized in that Z3 represents the thienyl, furyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, indolyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 19. Compound according to claim 13, characterized in that Z3 represents a (C3-C7)cycloalkyl or aryl radical, the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro or —(CH2)p′—V31—Y3; V31 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or —SO2—; Y3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; p′ represents an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 20. Compound according to claim 19, characterized in that the (C3-C7)cycloalkyl radical is chosen from cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl; the aryl radical is the phenyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 21. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that R3 represents —C(O)-Z′3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 22. Compound according to claim 21, characterized in that Z′3 represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —(CH2)p″—V′3—Y′3; V′3 represents —O—; Y′3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; p″ represents an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 23. Compound according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that R3 represents —C(O)—NH-Z″3 Z″3 represents a —(CH2)q-A″3 radical; A″3 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl or thienyl radical; the alkyl and aryl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents of formula —V″3—Y″3; V″3 represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; Y″3 represents the hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; q represents an integer from 0 to 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.
  • 24. Process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the compound of general formula:
  • 25. Pharmaceutical composition containing, as active ingredient, at least one compound according to one of claims 1 to 23, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable support.
  • 26. Use of a compound according to one of claims 1 to 23, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of weight disorders, mental disorders, neuropathic pain, sexual activity disorders.
  • 27. Use according to claim 26, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of weight disorders such as obesity, cachexia and anorexia.
  • 28. Use according to claim 26, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression
  • 29. Use according to claim 26, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
  • 30. Use according to claim 26, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of sexual activity disorders such as erectile disorders.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
0313988 Nov 2003 FR national