2-[4-(Diphenylmethyl)-1-Piperazinyl]-Acetic Acids and Their Amides

The present invention relates to new 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acids and the amides and non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to processes for the preparation thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

The new compounds according to the present invention have the general formula: ##STR2## wherein Y is a hydroxyl group or an --NH.sub.2 group,

X and X' represents independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a straight or branched chain lower alkoxy radical or a trifluoromethyl radical,

m is 1 or 2, and

n is 1 or 2, preferably 2,

as well as the non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The term "lower alkoxy" as used herein means residues of both straight and branched chain aliphatic alcohols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and the like. The halogen atom is preferably a chlorine or fluorine atom.

The expression "non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts" are used herein means not only the addition salts of the acids and amides of formula I with pharmaceutically acceptable acids, such as acetic, citric, succinic, ascorbic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid, but also the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the acids of formula I such as the metal salts (for example sodium or potassium salts), the ammonium salts, the amine salts and the aminoacid salts.

These pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be prepared from compounds of formula I by per se known methods.

The preferred compounds according to the present invention are:

2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid and its dihydrochloride;

potassium 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate;

2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid and its dihydrochloride;

2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid and its hydrate.

The compounds of formula I possess interesting pharmacological properties. In particular, they are useful as antiallergic, antihistaminic, bronchodilatory and antispasmodic agents.

Furthermore, they are characterized by the fact that their secondary effects of stimulating or depressing the central nervous system, which are frequently observed in the case of conventional antihistaminic agents, are minimal. In addition, they display interesting anaesthetic and antiinflammatory properties and also display an activity in cases of cerebral and cardiovascular insufficiency.

In an article by H. B. WRIGHT and D. L. MARTIN (J. med. Chem. 11, (1968), 390-391) the activity of 2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]-acetamide (formula I: Y=NH.sub.2 ; X=p--Cl; X'=H; but m=O) as a hypocholesteremic agent is studied but the results obtained were not very encouraging.

Furthermore, according to Belgian Patent Specification No. 763,609, 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetamide (formula I: Y=NH.sub.2 ; X=X'=H; but m=O) possesses a diuretic activity. It also describes similar acetamides in which the nitrogen atom of the amide group is substituted and wich possess various other pharmacological properties.

The pharmacological tests which we have carried out demonstrate that the antiallergic, antispasmodic and antihistaminic activities of these acetamides, as well as of the corresponding acids, are of little interest (see B. Pharmacology).

I. The amides of formula I (Y=--NH.sub.2) may be prepared by several methods, namely:

I.1. reacting a 1-(diphenylmethyl)-piperazine of formula II with an omegahaloacetamide of formula III according to the following equation: ##STR3## in which X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above and Z is a halogen atom.

This reaction is generally carried out by heating the reaction mixture to 80.degree. to 150.degree. C. for several hours in an inert solvent, which is preferably an aliphatic alcohol, an aliphatic ketone, for example methyl ethyl ketone, or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as a tertiary organic base, for example triethylamine, or an inorganic base, for example sodium carbonate.

I.2. reacting an alkali metal salt of an omega-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-alkanol of formula IV with a 2-haloacetamide of formula V according to the following equation: ##STR4## in which X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above, Z is a halogen atom and Me is an alkali metal atom.

The reaction between the alkali metal salt of formula IV and the haloacetamide of formula V is carried out in an inert solvent, for example toluene, xylene or dimethylformamide, at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

The alkali metal salt of formula IV used in this reaction may be prepared in situ by reacting an appropriate omega-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-alkanol with an alkali metal hydride, generally with sodium hydride, in an inert solvent, such as toluene, xylene or dimethylformamide.

The preparation of the alcohols of formula IV (Me=H) is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,436.

I.3. reacting ammonia with a functional derivative of a 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid, namely a halide or a lower alkyl ester of formula VII, according to the following equation: ##STR5## in which X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above and W represents a halogen atom or an --OR' radical, in which R' is a lower alkyl radical.

The halogen atom may be, for example, a chlorine or bromine atom and the alkyl radical may be, for example, a methyl or ethyl radical.

When W represents a halogen atom, an acid of formula I, in which Y is a hydroxyl group, is first prepared by method II described hereinafter, which is then converted into the corresponding halide by methods which are well known for the preparation of this type of compound. Subsequently, the acid halide thus obtained is reacted with ammonia in an inert solvent.

When W represents an --OR' radical, an ester of formula VII is first prepared by one of the methods described hereinafter. Subsequently, this ester is reacted with ammonia in an inert solvent, at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to ambient temperature. This reaction may possibly be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium methoxide.

II. The acids of formula I, in which Y is a hydroxyl group, may be prepared by hydrolyzing, in a basic medium, a functional derivative of a 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid, namely, an amide or a lower alkyl ester of the formula: ##STR6## in which X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above and Y' represents an --NH.sub.2 group or an --OR' group, in which R' is a lower alkyl radical, for example a methyl or ethyl radical.

This hydrolysis is carried out by means of an inorganic base, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, in an aqueous or aqueous alcoholic medium, for example in aqueous methanol, ethanol or the like, at a temperature of from 20.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

The amides of formula VIII, in which Y' is --NH.sub.2, may be prepared by one of methods I.1 to I.3 described above.

With regard to the esters of formula VII, in which W is --OR', and the esters of formula VIII, in which Y' is --OR', these may be prepared by various methods, for example:

(a) reacting a 1-(diphenylmethyl)-piperazine of the formula II with a lower alkyl omega-haloacetate of the formula IX, according to the following equation: ##STR7## in which X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above, R' is a lower alkyl radical and Z is a halogen atom. Thus, R' may be, for example, a methyl or ethyl radical and Z may be a chlorine or bromine atom.

This reaction is generally carried out by heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from 80.degree. to 150.degree. C. for several hours in an inert solvent, such as benzene, toluene or xylene, in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as a tertiary organic base, for example triethylamine, or an inorganic base, for example sodium carbonate;

(b) reacting an alkali metal salt of an omega-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-alkanol of formula IV with a lower alkyl ester of a 2-haloacetic acid of formula X according to the following equation: ##STR8## in which R', X, X', m and n have the same meanings as above Z is a halogenatom and Me is an alkali metal atom.

The reaction between the alkali metal salt of formula IV and the halogenated ester of formula X is carried out in an inert solvent at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

The following Examples are given for the purpose of illustrating the present invention:

A mixture of 37.8 g (0.15 mole) of 1-(diphenylmethyl)-piperazine, 27.5 g (0.2 mole) of 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-acetamide and 26.5 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate in 120 ml of xylene is heated for 4 hours to 90.degree. to 120.degree. C. Thereafter, 120 ml of benzene are added to the reaction mixture, the precipitate formed is filtered off and the organic phase is extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid (30 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 100 ml of water). 40 ml of a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide are added, followed by extraction with benzene. The benzene solution is washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium carbonate and the benzene is evaporated off to dryness. The evaporation residue is triturated with diethyl ether and left to crystallize. 2-[2-[4-(Diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide is obtained in a yield of 73% of theory; M.P. 119.degree.-120.degree. C.

The dihydrochloride, prepared in ethanol, melts at 230.degree. C., with decomposition.

The following compounds are also prepared by the above-described method:

2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide; yield 47% of theory; M.P. 111.degree.-112.degree. C., after recrystallization from ethanol.

2-[2-[2-[(4-diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetamide; the product, obtained in a crude state in a practically quantitative yield, may be used as such, without further purification, for the preparation of the corresponding acid (see Example 2.2).

2-[2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acet amide; the product, obtained in a crude state in a practically quantitative yield, may be used as such, without further purification, for the preparation of the corresponding acid (Example 2.2).

2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide; yield 54.7% of theory; M.P. 105.degree.-107.degree. C., after recrystallization from acetonitrile.

2-[2-[4-[(2-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide; yield 57% of theory; M.P. 129.degree.-130.degree. C., after recrystallization from benzene.

The dihydrochloride of this amide has also been prepared; it contains some monohydrochloride. M.P. 218.degree.-220.degree. C., after recrystallization from isopropyl alcohol.

2-[2-[4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride; yield 20% of theory; M.P. 175.degree.-176.degree. C. after recrystallization from acetonitrile.

2-[2-[2-[4-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]e thoxy]-acetamide;

2-[2-[2-[4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]-ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetam ide.

24.2 g (0.53 mole) of sodium hydride are added to a solution of 172.9 g (0.508 mole) of 2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-ethanol in 180 ml of dimethylformamide. When the addition is finished, the reaction mixture is heated to 40.degree. C. for 30 minutes. After cooling, 60 g (0.624 mole) of 2-chloroacetamide are added thereto in the course of 10 minutes. The temperature of the reaction mixture increases to 40.degree. C. and is maintained at this temperature for a further 30 minutes. After cooling, 30 ml of water are added, followed by evaporation to dryness. The evaporation residue is suspended in 1 liter water and the suspension obtained is extracted with benzene. The organic phase is dried over anhydrous potassium carbonate and then evaporated. The evaporation residue is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: chloroform-ethanol 95:5 v/v). The product obtained is dissolved in 45 ml of ethanol, to which are added 24 ml of a 5.1 N ethanolic solution of hydrochloric acid. There are obtained 19 g of 2-[2-2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride in a yield of 8% of theory; M.P. 196.degree.-197.degree. C., after recrystallization from acetonitrile.

The following compound is prepared by the above-described method:

2-[2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride; the product recrystallizes from isopropyl alcohol with one molecule of solvent of crystallization. Yield 11% of theory; M.P. 100.degree.-102.degree. C.

2.3 g (0.0057 mole) of methyl 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate are dissolved in 100 ml of anhydrous methanol. This solution is cooled to a temperature of 5.degree. to 10.degree. C. and then ammonia is bubbled through for 20 hours. The solvent is evaporated off in a vacuum and the residue is triturated with diethyl ether and left to crystallize, 1.2 g of 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenymethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide being obtained; yield 54% of theory; M.P. 109.degree.-110.degree. C.

The methyl 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate used as starting material is prepared in the following manner:

A mixture 87 g (0.30 mole) of 1-[(4-chlorophenylmethyl]-piperazine, 58 g (0.38 mole) of methyl (2-chloroethoxy)-acetate and 40.3 g (0.38mole) of sodium carbonate in 500 ml anydrous xylene is heated under reflux for 40 hours, with good stirring. The reaction mixture is then cooled and filtered and the solid is washed with benzene, the washed solid being discarded. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness and the evaporation residue is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: chloroform:methanol 97:3 v/v), 34 g (27.8% of theory) of the desired method ester thus being obtained.

The following two addition salts of this ester were also prepared:

the dihydrochloride; M.P. 123.degree.-125.degree. C.

the dimaleate; M.P. 128.degree.-130.degree. C.

16.8 g (0.0417 mole) of methyl 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate (prepared in the manner described above in Example 1.3) are dissolved in 65 ml of absolute ethanol. 42 ml of a 1 N ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide are then added thereto and the reaction mixture is heated under reflux for 4 hours. It is then cooled and the precipitate removed by filitration, after washing with diethyl ether. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness and the evaporation residue is triturated with diethyl ether aand left to crystallize, 10.5 g of hydroscopic potassium 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate being obtained. The yield is 56% of theory; M.P. 161.degree.-163.degree. C.

The potassium salt is dissolved in 100 ml of water and adjusted with 10% hydrochloric acid to a pH of 4. The solution is extracted with chloroform and the organic phase is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, whereafter it is evaporated to dryness. The evaporation residue is triturated with diethyl ether and left to crystallize, 7.5 g of 2-[2-[4-[(4-chloropheny)phenylmethyl[-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid being obtained. Yield 81% of theory; M.P. 110.degree.-115.degree. C.

The corresponding dihydrochloride, prepared in toluene in a yield of 80% of theory, melts at 225.degree. C.

A mixture of 19 g (0.054 mole) of 2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl[ethoxy[-acetamide (prepared in the manner described in Example 1.1) in 200 ml of ethanol and 27 ml of a 4 N ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide is heated under reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture is adjusted with 29.7 ml of 3.61 N hydrochloric acid to a pH of 6.3, whereafter the ethanol is evaporated off in a vacuum. The precipitate obtained is filtered off. After evaporation of the solvent, 17.4 g of crude 2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid are obtained. Yield 91% of theory; M.P. 100.degree. C.

The corresponding dihydrochloride melts are 217.degree.-218.degree. C., after recrystallization from isopropyl alcohol.

The following compounds are prepared by the above-described method:

2-[2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetic acid dihydrochloride; yield 57% of theory; M.P. 85.degree. C. (lyophylized; decomposition).

2-[2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acet ic acid dihydrochloride; yield 82% of theory; M.P. 112.degree. C. (lyophylized).

2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid hydrate; yield 100% of theory; M.P. not sharp (from 70.degree. C. onwards the product softens gradually).

2[2-[4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid dihydrochloride; yield 35% of theory; M.P. 214.degree.-217.degree. C. (acetonitrile; decomposition).

2-[2-[4-[(2-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid; yield 50% of theory; M.P. 96.degree.-100.degree. C. (lyophylized).

2-[2-[2-[4-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]e thoxy]-acetic acid.

2-[2-[2-[4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetic acid.

The following compounds according to the present invention were subjected to pharmacological testing and gave the results described hereinafter:

2-8 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride (compound A, prepared in Example 1.1);

2-[2-[4-[(4-chorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide (compound B, prepared in Examples 1.1 and 1.3);

2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide (compound C, prepared in Example 1.1);

2-[2-[4-[(2-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride (compound D, prepared in Example 1.1);

2-[2-[4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethly]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride (compound E, prepared in Example 1.1);

2[2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetamide dihydrochloride (compound F, prepared in Example 1.2);

2-[2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acet amide dihydrochloride (compound G, prepared in Example 1.2);

potassium 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetate (compound H, prepared in Example 2.1);

2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid (compound I, prepared in Example 2.1);

2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethy]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid dihydrochloride (compound J, prepared in Example 2.1);

2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid (compound K, prepared in Example 2.2);

2-[2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acetic acid dihydrochloride (compound L, prepared in Example 2.2);

2-[2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethoxy]-acet ic acid dihydrochloride (compound M, prepared in Example 2.2);

2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid hydrate (compound N, prepared in Example 2.2);

The following compounds, which are not according to the present invention (general formula I but in which m=0) were also submitted to the same pharmacological testing:

2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetamide (compound 1, prepared by the method described in Belgian Patent Specification No. 763,609); M.P. 204.degree. C.

2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]1-piperazinyl]-acetamide (compound 2; see H. B. WRIGHT and D. L. MARTIN, loc.cit; also prepared by the method described in Belgian Patent Specification No. 763,609); M.P. 145.degree. C.

2-[4-(diphenylmelthyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid(compound 3, prepared by method II, Example 2.2); M.P. 176.degree. C.

2-[4-[4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid (compound 4, also prepared by method II, Example 2.2); M.P. 106.degree.-108.degree. C.

This activity is determined in rats by means of the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (PCA) (see J. GOOSE and A. M. J. N. BlAIR, Immunology, 16, (1969), 749-760; and U. MARTIN and D. ROEMER, Arzneimittel-Forschung, 28, (5), (1978), 770-782).

Female rats are used, the sides of which have been partly shaved. Into the zone thus shaved there is injected intradermally, for passive sensitization of the animals, 0.05 ml of IGE antiovalbumin serum at a dilution such that, at the time of the PCA test, a distinct spot with a surface area of about 100 mm.sup.2 appears at the point of injection.

72 Hours after the injection, 0.25 ml of a solution of allergen containing a coloring agent (5 mg of ovalbumin and 6 mg of Evans Blue in 0.25 ml of a 0.9% aqueous solution of sodium chloride) is administered intravenously. At the point of intradermal injection, there appears a distinct blue spot, the surface of which is measured.

In order to test the activity of the compounds according to the present invention, the procedure is carried out in the same manner; however,

the test compound is administered orally 72 hours after injection of the serum;

15 minutes after this administration, 0.25 ml of the solution of the allergen is injected intravenously;

30 minutes after the administration of the allergen, the surface of the blue spot is measured.

The following Table I gives the immunological doses (ID 50 in .mu.mol/kg) which bring about, on average of the total number of animals submitted to the test, a reduction of 50% of the surface area of the colored spot.

From this table, it can be seen that the compounds of the present invention are active when administered per os, while sodium cromoglycate is inactive in this mode of administration, even though it is well known for its antiasthmatic activity when administered intravenously. On the other hand, compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 (not according to the present invention; m=0) prove to be of little interest.

These activities are measured in the guinea pig by the method of H. KONZETT and R. ROESSLER (Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmakol. 195, (1940), 71-74) an compared with those of theophylline.

Anaesthetized and curarized guinea pigs are subjected to artificial ventilation. The endotracheal pressure is recorded. Repetitive bronchial spasms are induced by successive and progressive intravenous injections of serotonin and histamine, respectively. The test compounds are also administered intravenously. The following Table II shows the doses of the compounds (ID 50 .mu.mol/kg) which inhibit 50%, on average of the total number of animals, of the induced bronchospasms:

The compounds of the present invention are devoid of cholinergic activity. It can be seen from this Table that the compounds of the present invention possess a remarkably good activity with regard to bronchospasms induced by serotonin and histamine, respectively, with a more marked selectivity towards the latter. In contradistinction thereto, compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 (not according to the invention; m=0) prove to be considerbly less active.

Furthermore, this test has shown the some of the compounds administered at a single dose possess an antihistamic activity of long duration. Thus, for example, compound J, administered in travenously to the guinea pig at a dose 1 of .mu.mol/kg, still retains an activity of 100% after 5 hours.

The behaviour is studied by means of Irwin's test (see S. IRWIN, "General philosophy and methodology of screening: a multidimensional approach"; Gordon Research Conference on Medicinal Chemistry, Aug. 3-7, 1959, at Colby Junior College, New London).

Progressive doses of the test compounds are administered intraperitoneally to groups of three male mice (body weight 18 to 22 g) and the general behaviour of the animals is observed according to known criteria.

The following reference compounds are used:

hydroxyzine=2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]-ethoxy]-e thanol.

oxazepm=7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl:2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one.

The following Table III gives the doses (in mg/kg) which induce the first manifestations of tranquilization in the animals:

It can be seen from this Table that the compounds according to the invention have little sedative effect in comparison with the reference compounds.

Furthermore, in this test, the toxicity of the compounds according to the present invention proves to be very low.

In the following Table IV, the lethal doses in mg/kg (two animals out of three) are given for compounds of the invention when administered intraperitoneally in mice:

If Tables III and IV (tranquilizing dose and lethal dose) are compared, it can be seen that for certain compounds the sedative effect only appears at a dose which is near the lethal dose.

The low toxicity of the compounds according to the present invention has been confirmed by the measure of the DL 50 toxicity when administered per os. Thus, for compound J, in Wistar rats DL 50 is 703 mg/kg for the male rat and 865 mg/kg for the female rat.

In mice, the DL 50 for the same compound is respectively 600 mg/kg (male mouse) and 752 mg/kg (female mouse).

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the present invention may be administered orally, parenterally or rectally. They may also be administered by nasal instillation (aerosols) or in the form of unguents or creams. The pharmaceutical compositions which can be used for oral administration may be solid or liquid, for example, in the form of uncoated or coated tablets, pills, dragees, gelatine capsules, solutions, syrups and the like. The compositions which can be used for parenteral administration may be any of those pharmaceutical compositions known for this mode of administration, for example, aqueous or oily solutions, suspensions or emulsions. For administration by the rectal route, the compositions containing the compounds of the present invention are generally used in the form of suppositories.

The pharmaceutical forms, such as injectable solutions, injectable suspensions, tablets, drops, suppositories and the like, are prepared by conventional pharmaceutical methods. The compounds of the present invention are mixed with a solid or liquid, non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and possibly also mixed with a dispersing agent, a distintegration agent, a stablilizing agent and the like. If appropriate, it is also possible to add preservations, sweeteners, coloring agents and the like.

The percentage of active compound in the pharmaceutical compositions may be varied within wide limits, according to the patient and the mode of administration and, in particular, the frequency of administration.

With regard to the posology, it may be varied within a wide range of dosage units, for example from 0.5 to 250 mg of active compound.

As an Example of a composition containing a compound of the present invention, the following formulation of a gelatine capsule for administration per os is given: