Title of Invention	PYRROLIDONE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PREPARATION
Abstract	Racemic or enantiomerically pure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives of the formula (I), processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of a disease which is mediated by a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, in particular Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia. ABSTRACT "pyrrolldone Derivatives and process for their Preparation" Racemic or enantiomerkally pure 4-pyrro-lidino derivatives of the formula (I), processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of a disease which is mediated by a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, in particular Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia.

Title of Invention

PYRROLIDONE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PREPARATION

Abstract

Racemic or enantiomerically pure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives of the formula (I), processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of a disease which is mediated by a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, in particular Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia. ABSTRACT "pyrrolldone Derivatives and process for their Preparation" Racemic or enantiomerkally pure 4-pyrro-lidino derivatives of the formula (I), processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of a disease which is mediated by a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, in particular Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia.

Full Text	The invention relates to racemic or enantiomericallypure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives, pro¬cesses for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of ilIness. More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula I wherein Q is =N-or =C(R24)-; X'Yis-CH2-CH2, -CH=CH- or-CH2-O-; R1 R'11 and R 12independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halogen,halogen-{C1-C6)-aIkyl, cyano, (C1-C16)-alkoly orhalogen-CC1-C6)- alkosy; R21 R22 and R23 independently from each other are selected 'from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R24 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R^3 is-NHR^; R4 is hydrogen; and R6 is-C(0)H,-C(0)-(C,-C3)-alkyl, C(0)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, -C(0)O(C1-C3)-a]It)d, -C(0)NH2 or -S02-(C,1-C3)-alkyl; (as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof.' j Even more particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula T wherein R' ishalosen,halogen-(C1-C5)-aIkyl, cyano, {C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6}-alkoxy; R21 ,R22 ,R23 and R24 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R3 is-NHR6 R4 is hydrogen; R6 is-CO-(C1-C3)-alkylor-SO2-(C1-C6)-aIkyl;and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof. It has been found that the compounds of general formula I and I* as well as individual \ isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof (hereinafter: Active Compounds) are / selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Monoamine oxidase (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4) is a flavin-containing enzyme lesponsible for the oxidative deamination of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, adienahne, or noradrenaline, and trace amines, e.g. phenylethyl-amine, as well as a number of amine xenobiotics. The enzyme exists in two forms, MAO-A and MAO-B, encoded by different genes [Bach et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4934-4938 (1988)] and differing in tissue distribution, structure and substrate specificity. MAO-A has higher affinity for serotonin, octopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline; whereas the natural substrates for MAO-B are phenylethylamine and tyramine. Dopamine is thought to be oxidised by both isoforms. MAO-B is widely distributed in several organs including brain [Cesura and Pletscher, Prog. Drug Research 38:171-297 (1992)]. Brain MAO-B activity appears to increase with age. This increase has been attributed to the gliosis associated with aging [Fowler et al., J. Neural. Transm. 49:1-20 (1980)]. Additionally, MAO-B activity is significantly higher in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease [Dostert et al, Bio-chem. Pharmacol. 38:555-561 (1989)] and it has been found to be highly expressed in astrocytes around senile plaques [Saura et al., Neuroscience 70:755-774 (1994)]. In this context, since oxidative deamination of primary monoamines by MAO produces NH3, aldehydes and H2O2, agents with established or potential toxicity, it is suggested that there is a rationale for the.use of selective MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of dementia and Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of MAO-B causes a reduction in the enzymatic inactivation of dopamine and thus prolongation of the availability of the neurotransmitter in dopa¬minergic neurons. The degeneration processes associated with age and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may also be attributed to oxidative stress due to increased MAO acti¬vity and consequent increased formation of H2O2 by MAO-B. Therefore, MAO-B inhibi¬tors may act by both reducing the formation of oxygen radicals and elevating the levels of monoamines in the brain. Given the implication of MAO-B in the neurological disorders mentioned above, there is considerable interest to obtain potent and selective inhibitors that would permit control over this enzymatic activity. The pharmacology of some known MAO-B inhibitors is for example discussed by Bentue-Ferrer et al. [CNS Drugs 6:217-236 (1996)]. Whereas a mapr limitation of irreversible and non-selective MAO inhibitor activity is the need to observe dietary precautions due to the risk of inducing a hypertensive crisis when dietary tyramine is ingested, as well as the potential for interactions with other medications [Gardner et al., J. Clin, Psychiatry 57:99-104 (1996)], these adverse events are of less concern with rever¬sible and selective MAO inhibitors, in particular of MAO-BThus, there is a need for MAO-B inhibitors with a high selectivity and without the adverse side-effects typical of irreversible MAO inhibitors with low selectivity for the enzyme) The following definitions of general terms used herein apply irrespective of whether the terms in question appear alone or in combination. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an," and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof denotes E- and Z-isomers, mixtures thereof as well as individual configurational isomers and mixtures thereof. The term "(CrCej-alkyl" used in the present application denotes straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residues with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, 5ec-butyl, t-butyl, and the like, preferably with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Accordingly, the term "(C1-C3)-alkyr' means a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The term "halogen" denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. "HaIogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl" or "halogen-(C1-C6)-alkoxy" means the lower alkyl residue or lower alkox)' residue, respectively, as defined herein substituted in any position with one or more halogen atoms as defined herein. Examples of halogen alkyl residues include, but are not limited to, 1,2-difluoiopropyl, 1,2-dichloropropyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, and the like. "Halogenalkoxy" in-eludes triiluoromethyloxy. "(C1-C6)-Alkoxy" means the residue -0-R, wherein Ris a lower alkyl residue as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy, and the like. "Pharraaceutically acceptable salts" of a compound means salts that are pharmaceutically. acceptable, which are generally safe, non-toxic, and neither bioiogically nor otherwise un¬desirable, and that possess the desired pharmacological activity of the parent compound. These salts are derived from an inorganic or organic acid or base. If possible, compounds of formula I may be converted into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It should be understood that pharmaceutically acceptable salts are included in the present invention. In another embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula F, wherein R^ is -NHR', R' is -C0^(C1-C3)-alkyl or -S02-{C1-C6)^allcyl, and R' is hydrogen. An example for such a compound is (RS)-N-U-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2>doxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acetamide. Compounds of formula F may be substituted by n R' selected from the group consisting of halogen, ha!ogen-{C1-C5)-alkyl, cyano, [C1-C3)-alkoxy or halogen-{C1-C6)-aIkox7, wherein n denotes an integer selected from 0,1, 2 and 3. Preferably n is 1 or 2. Preferred compounds of formula P are those, wherein R' is halogen or halogen-(Ci-C5)-alkyl. Especially preferred are those compounds of formula P, wherein R^ is fluorine, chlorine or trifluoromethyl. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I* wherein n is zero or 1. In yet another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I* wherein n is 1. Where the compounds are substituted by two or three R', each R^ can be the same or different. In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R^)-, wherein R^' is hydrogen, halogen or methyl. In another embodinient the inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-, =CF- or =C(CH3)-. In still an¬other embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =N-, In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein -X-Y- is -CH;-0-- In another embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I where¬in -X-Y- is --CH2-CH2- or -CH=CH-. In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R " and R'^ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethyl, q'ano, methoxy or halogen-methox)'. In another embodi¬ment the present invention pro^ddes compounds of formula I wherein R , R ' and R " are halogen, e.g. fluoro, e.g. 2,4,6-trifluoro, 2,4,5-trifluoro, 2,3,6-trifluoro, 2,3,4-trifluoro or 3,4,5-trifluoro. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.2 is hydrogen and R1 and R1.1' independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyloxy. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.2 is hydrogen and R1 and R independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of halogen and (C1-C6-alkyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1,2' is hydrogen, R1.1 is halogen and R1 is halogen or (C1-C6)-alkyI. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.1 and R1.2 are hydrogen and R1 is halogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6)-alkoxy. In still another embodiment the present inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.1' and R1.2 are hydrogen and R^ is halo¬gen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In still another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R^' and R'~ are hydrogen and R is fluoro, e.g. 2-fiuoro, 3-fluoro or 4-fluoro, chloro, e.g. 3-chloro, methyl, e.g. 4-methyl, halogenmethyl, e.g. 3-trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxy, e.g. 2-methoxy, 3-methoxy or 4-methoxy, or halogen-methoxy, e.g. 3-trifluoromethoxy. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R^' and R1.2 are hydrogen. In another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R and R'^ are hydrogen. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R is hydrogen. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R is -NHR' wherem R' is -C(0)H, -C(0)-CH3, -C(O)-CH2F, -C(0)-CHF2, -C(O)-CF3, -C(0)0-CH3, -C{0)-NH2 or -SO2-CH3. In one aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula 1 wherein the com¬pounds have (S)-configuration. In another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R')-, wherein R'' is hydrogen, X-Y is -CH2-O-; R1.1 and R1.2 are hydrogen; R' is hydrogen or halogen; R21, R22and R23 are hydrogen; R^ is -NHR^ R^ is hydrogen; and R^ is -C(0}H, -C(0)-(C1-C3)-aBcyl, C(0)-halogen-CCrC5)alkyl, -C(O)0(C1-C3)-alkyl, -C(0)NH2 or -S02-(C1-C3)-alkyl. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R24)-, wherein R24 is hydrogen, X-Y is -CH2-O-; R^-^ and R^'^ are hydrogen; R^ is hydrogen or halogen; R21 R22 and R23 are hydrogen; R^ is -NHR5 R4 is hydrogen; andR6 is -C(0)H, -C(0)-CH3, -C(0)-CH;F, -C(0)-CHF2, -C(0)-CF3, -C(0)0-CH3, -C(0)-NH2 or -SO^-CH.,. Examples of compounds of formula I include compounds selected from (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-p}Tro!idin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4"(3-fluDro-benzyloxy)-p}ienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}^acetamide, (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-plieny!]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (RS}-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide, (S)-N-(l-[4-(3-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide, (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fl-uoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide, (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester, (RS)-{i-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-urea, (RS)-N-{l-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y!}-methanesulfonamide, {S)-2-fluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy-)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-2,2-difluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}- acetamide, (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluDro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acet- amide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, {R)-N-{l-[4-(4-fIuoro-benzyloxy)-piienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl}-formamide, (RS)-N-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]'acetamide, (RS)-N-U-[4-(2-fluaro-benzylox7-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetainide, (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}--5-oxo-pyrrolidiii-3-yl)-acetamide, CRS)-N-(l-{4-[2"(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-p)Trolidin-3-yl)-acetamide, (RS)-K-\|l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y!}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzylox7)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin>3-yl}acetamide, (S)-N-{5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S}-N-fl-[4-(3-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO"pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{5-oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-ylj-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-meliiyl-benzxyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin'3-yl}-acetamideand (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-cyano-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO'pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, In another embodiment the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula 1 comprising reacting a compound of formula II (11) with an isocyanate or an acyl donating agent of formula Z-C(0)-(C1-C3)-alkyl, Z-C(O)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, Z-C(O)O[C1-C3)-alkyl, or Z-SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl wherein Z is an activating group, e.g. halogen or anhydride. Scheme I shows the main routes to compounds of the formula I. The intermediates III and IIIa may be reacted with itaconic acid IV neat at a temperature in the range of from 80C to aoo-c. The compounds of formula Va may be alkylated by Williamson-ether synthesis using an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl derivative selected from benzylic halides, tosylates, methane sulfonates (mesylates) and trifluoromethane sulfonates (triflates). Bases used can be, e.g. alcoholates or carbonates, like sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate. Preferred solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones at a temperature in the range of from 20'C and reflux temperature. Another approach is the Mitsunobu-coupling: an optionally substituted benzylic alcohol is reacted with a compound of formula Va in an inert solvent, e.g., diethyl ether or tetra-hydrofurane, using dialkyl-azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines, e.g., tributyl-or triphenyl-phosphine. The hydrolysis of compounds of formula Va can be performed by methods known per se like hydrolysis under acidic conditions, e.g. with hydrochloric acid, or basic conditions, e.g. lithium, sodium- or potassium hydroxide in mixtures of alcohols and water as the solvent. Compounds of formula II and IIa can be obtained starting from acid derivatives of formula V by nucleophilic migrations from a carbon to a nitrogen atom, such as e.g. by Hofmann or Curtius rearrangement, via the formation of the corresponding isocyanate. Subsequent treatment of the isocyanate by aqueous acid direcdy yields amines of formula 11. Treatment of the intermediate isocyanate with suitable alcohols gives the protected amino derivatives of formula IIa. For the treatment of the isocyanate, alcohols are selected which yield the typical carbamates used as amine protecting groups, e.g. tert-butoxycarb- onyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, or fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl. Their cleavage to the amine to yield compounds of formula II follows the protocols which are well known from the hterature. The further transformation to compounds of formula II can he performed by standard procedures, such as e.g. by reaction with activated acyl derivatives, e.g. acyl haJogenides or anhydrides, or by condensation reactions of the acid using e.g. carbodiimides as conden¬sation reagent or by reaction with isocyanates. In compounds of formula I or Ila wherein-X-Y-has the meaning of ~CH2-0-, the optionally substituted benzyl residue can function as a transient group which can be cleaved by hydro gen olysis. The resulting compounds of formula Via or Vlb can then be re-aLkylated by a different benzyl group under the aforementioned conditions. As known to those skilled in the art, this process is only possible on condition that R and PG (protecting group) are groups that are stable under the aforementioned reaction conditions for the hydrogenolysis and alkylation reaction. Another method to prepare compounds of formula I involves cross-coupling reactions of ar)istannanes [Lam et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 43:3091 (2002)], arylboronates [Lam et al., Synlett 5:674 (2000); Chan et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 39:2933 (1998)] or aryl halides [Buch-wald et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 118:7215 (1996)] with the corresponding pyrroHdones (scheme 2). wherein LG is a leaving group, e.g. halogen, e.g. CI, Br or I, or SnR3 or B(OH)2 and R^ is -NHR^ or alkoxycarbonyl. In accordance with the present invention, a possibility to prepare compounds of general formula III wherein -X-Y- is -CH2-O-, i.e. compounds of formula Illb, is shown in scheme 3: The intermediates of formula XII are accessible through nucleophiiic substitution of aromatic nitro compounds of formula XI containing p-substituted leaving groups with benzylic alcohols of formula X. Examples for leaving groups in para-position are halogens (F, CI, Br, 1), tosylates, mesylates or triflates. These substitution reactions can be conducted neat or in inert solvents like for example toluene or xylene. A preferred reaction temperature is in. the range of from 50C to 150°C. Alternatively, compounds of formula XII can be prepared by Williamson-ether synthesis, starting from p-nltrophenols of formula XIV and benzylic halides, tosylates, mesylates or triflates of formula XIII. Bases used can be for example alcoholates or carbonates (sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate). Preferred solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones at a temperature in the range of from 20°C to reflux temperature. Another approach is the Mitsunobu-coupling of benzylic alcohols with p-nitrophenols of formula XIV. The reaction is done as usual in inert solvents like for example diethyl ether or tetraliydrofiirane, using dialkyl-azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines, e.g. tributyl- or triphenyl-phosphme. The key intermediates of formula XII are reduced to the amino-compounds IIIb using :atalytic hydrogenation, e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ;thyl acetate or tetrahydrofurane. An alternative is the reduction of the nitro-group by metals like iron, tin, or zmc in acidic media like diluted hydrochloric acid or acetic acid. Metals can also be replaced by metal salts, e.g. tin-(II)-chloride. wherein LG is a leaving group, e.g. halogen, OTf, etc., and Y is a leaving group, e.g. tialogen, OTf, etc. or OH (for Mitsunobu-coupling), The intermediates of formula III wherein -X-Y- is -CH=CH-, i.e. compound of formula lllc. or wherein -X^Y- is -CH3-CH2-, i.e. compound of formula Illd, may be prepared by a procedure which is shown in scheme 4. The intermediates of formula XVII are accessible by olefination reaction of optionally substituted aromatic aldehydes of formula XV with dialkyl- (4-nitrobenzyl)-phosphonates of formula XVI in the presence of a base, e.g. sodium hydride, yielding the corresponding nitro-olefins of formula XVII. The key intermediates of formula XVII can be reduced selectively to the amino-olePn of formula IIIc by metals or metal salts, like e.g. tin-(II)-chloride or by catalytic hydro¬genation like e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofiirane as the solvent. The amino derivatives of formula Hid can be obtamed from the nitro derivatives of formula XVII or the amino-olefins of formula Ilk by hydrogenation using palladium on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofiirane as the solvent. Scheme 4 Compounds of general formula I can also exist in optical pure form. Separation into anti¬podes can be affected according to methods known per se, either at an early stage of the synthesis starting with compounds of formula V by salt formation with an optically active amine such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethylamine or (+)- or (-)-l-naphthyl-ethylamine and separation of the diastereomeric salts by firactional crystallisation or by derivatisation with a chiral auxiliary substance such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-2-butanoI, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethanQl, or (+)- or (-)-menthol and separation of the diastereomeric products by chromatography and/or crystallisation and subsequent cleavage of the bond to the chjral auxiliary substance;or, on the very last stage, by separation of the enantiomers of formula I by chromatography on a chiral phase. Furthermore, compounds of formula 1 can also be obtained from enantiopure intermediates obtained by biotransformation, e.g. byhydrolysisof esters of formula Va by enzymes, such as e.g. cholesterase from Candida cylindracea. In order to determine the absolute configuration of the pyrrolidinone deriva¬tive obtained, the pure diastereomeric salts or derivatives can be analysed by conventional spectroscopic methods, with X~ray spectroscopy on single crystals being an especially suit¬able method. The compounds of formula I are, as already mentioned above, monoamine oxidase B inhi¬bitors and can be used for the treatment or prevention of diseases in which 2vIAO-B inhibi¬tors might be beneficial. These include acute and chronic neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and memory deficits. Treatable neurological disorders ace for instance traumatic or chronic degenerative processes of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease, other types of dementia, minimal cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease. Other indica¬tions include psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, panic attack, social phobia, schizophrenia, eating and metabohc disorders such as obesity, as well as the prevention and treatment of withdrawal syndromes induced by abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other addictive drugs. Other treatable indications may be peripheral neuropathy caused by can¬cer chemotherapy (WO 97/33,572), reward deficiency syndrome (WO 01/34,172), or the treatment of multiple sclerosis (WO 96/40,095), and odier neuioinflammatory diseases. The compounds of formula I are especially usefid for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia. The pharmacological activity of the compounds was tested using the following method: The cDNAs encoding human MAO-A and MAO-B were transiently transfected into EBNA cells using the procedure described by Schlaeger and Christensen [Cytotechnoiogy 15:1-13 (1998)]. After transfection, ceRs were homogenised by means of a Polytron homogenizer in 20 mM Iris HCl buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 mM EGTA and 0.5 mM phenylmethane-sulfonyl fluoride. Cell membranes were obtained by centrifugation at 45,000 x g and, after two rinsing steps with 20 mM Tris HCl buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 mM EGTA, mem¬branes were eventually re-suspended in the above buffer and aliquots stored at -80°C until use. MAO-A and MAO-B enzymatic activity was assayed in 96-well-plates using a spectro-photometric assay adapted from the mediod described by Zhou and Panchuk-Voloshina [Analytical Biochemistry 253:169-174 (1997)]. Briefly, membrane aliquots were incubated in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, for 30 min at 37'C containing different con¬centrations of the compounds. After this period, the en2;}'matic reaction was started by the addition of the MAO substrate tyramine together with 1 U/ml horse-radish peroxidase (Roche Biochemicals) and SO [M N-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine (Amplex Red, Molecular Probes). The samples were further incubated for 30 min at 37°C in a final volume of 200 μl and absorbance was then determined at a wavelength of 570 nm using a SpectraMax plate reader (Molecular Devices). Background (non-specific) absorbance was determined in the presence of 10 μM clorgyhne for MAO-A or 10 pM L-deprenyl for MAO-B. IC5D values were determined from inhibition curves obtained using nine inhibitor concentrations in duplicate, by fitting data to a four parameter logistic equation using a computer program. The compounds of the present invention are specific MAO-B inhibitors. The IC50 values of preferred compounds of formula I as measured in the assay described above are in the range of 1 μM or less, typically 0.1 μM or less, and ideally 0.02 μM or less. The compounds of formula I can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceu¬tical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emul¬sions or suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions. The compounds of formula I can be processed with pharraaceutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and the like can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for soft gelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature of the active substance no carriers are, how¬ever, usually required in the case of soft gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for the produc¬tion of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants, such as alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils and the like, can be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula I, but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols and the like. In addition, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabi¬lizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They may also contain other therapeutically valuable substances. As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing a compound" of formula I and a therapeuti¬cally inert excipient are also an object of the present invention, as is a process for the pro¬duction of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more compounds of formula I and, if desired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into a galenical dosage form together with one or more therapeutically inert carriers. The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, the effective dosage for oral or parenteral administration is between 0.01-20 mg/kg/day, with a dosage of 0.1-10 mg/kg/day being preferred for all of the indications described. The daily dosage for an adult human being weighing 70 kg accordingly lies between 0.7-1400 mg per day, preferably between 7 and 700 mg per day. The following examples are provided for illustration of the invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being representative there¬of The abbreviation „RT" means „room temperature". Example 1: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluaro-benzylosy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acet-amide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid 18.8 g {94.4 mmol) of 4-ben2yloxyaniline are mixed with 12.28 g (94.4 mmol) itaconic acid. The solid mixture is heated to 130°C. After 20 min the molten material solidifies. After cooling, the restating solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 28.26 g (96 % of theory) of (RS)-i-(4-benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxyhc acid as a greyish sohd.MS:m/e = 311(M)+. b) (RS)-l-[4-Benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-carbonyl chloride A suspension of 9.50 g (30.5 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(3-benzylory)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroh-dine-3-carboxylic acid in 100 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 13.3 ml (183 mmol) of thionylchloride at RT during 18 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evapo¬rated under reduced pressure to dryness, then the residue is dispersed in toluene and eva¬porated to dryness again to yield quantitatively the (RS)-l-[4-benzylox7)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-carbonyl chloride as a yellowish solid which is used in the next step without further purification and characterisation. c) (RS)-[i-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester A solution of 0.20 g (0.6 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-benzylox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3- carbonyl chloride in 12 ml of toluene is cooled to 0°C and 0.058 g (0.9 mmol) of sodium azide are added. The reaction mixture is warmed to RT and stirring continued or 1 h. Thereafter, the mixture is heated to 80,C 1.88 ml (20 mmol) of tert-butanol are added and stirring continued for 1 h. For the working-up,the mixture is cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate and, consecutively, extracted with saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, water and brine. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude compound as a brownish sohd. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 2:1 mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 0.13 g (55% of theory) of (RS)-[l-(4-benzyi- ox7--phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e-400(M-}-NH4)^ d) (RS)-[l-(4-Hydrox7-phenyl)'5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester A solution of 82 mg (0.2 mmol) of (RS)-[l-C4-ben2yIox)-phenyI)-5-oxo-p)TrDlidm-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 2 mi of THF is hydrogenated in presence of 7 mg paUa-dium on carbon (10%) at ambient pressure and RT during 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtered over Dicalit, then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude (RS)-[l-(4-h7droxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester is obtained as a colorless oil, which is dkectiy engaged in the next step without further purifi¬cation and characterisation. e) (RS)-(l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzylox)'^)-phenyl]-5-oxo-p>TroHdin-3-yI}-carbainic acid tert- butyl ester A solution of 62 mg (0.21 mmol) of the crude (RS)-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrro-iidin-3-yl]-carbanuc acid tert-butyl ester in 3 ml of 2-butanone is treated with 0.031 ml (0.23 mmol) of 3-fiuorobenzyl-bromide and 59 mg (0.42 mmol) of potassium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 50°C far 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is di¬luted with ethyl acetate and extracted with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 2:1 mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 61 mg (72% of theory) of (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-carbamic add tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 401 (M+H)^. f) (RS)'4:-Amino-l-[4'(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride A solution of 49 mg (0.12 mmol) of (RS)-{l'[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO' pyTiolidin-3-yl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 1 ml of dioxane is treated with 0.10 ml of hydrochloric acid (37%). The yellowish solution is warmed to 45'C for I h. For the work¬ ing-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and the solid residue is triturated with ether. After filtration and drying, 33 mg (79% of theory) of (RS)-4-amino- l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride are obtained as a white solid. MS: m/e = 301 (M+H)+. g)(RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide A solution of 25 mg (0.07 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(S-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny[]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride in 1 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 22 μl (0.16 mmol) of triethylamine and cooled to 0°C. To this solution, 6 μl (COS mmol) of acetyl-chloride are added and stirring at 0°C is continued for 30 min. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated with 2 ml of ammonium hydroxide solution, the organic phase separated, thereafter dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5 mix¬ture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent There are obtained 20 mg (7S% of theory) of (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]'5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3--yl-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)"^. Example 2: (S)-N'{l-[4-C3-Huoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroUdin-3-yl}-acet-amide a) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxyoxyrphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-car'boxyIic acid In a metallic pan, 257.0 g (2.355 mol) of 4-aminophenol and 301.75 g (2.32 mol) of ita-conic acid are mixed in solid form. Under stirring with a metal spatula, the mixture is carefully heated on a heating plate. At 110-120°C the exothermic reaction starts under boiling and, while the temperature raises to 150°C, the reaction mass turns to a beige solid. The sandy product is left to cool down to RT within 1-2 hours. The crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid is engaged in the next step with¬out further purification or characterisation. b) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxyHc acid methyl ester In a 1014-necked ila&k equipped with a reflux condenser, a thermometer, and a mechani¬ cal stirrer, the crude (RS)-l-[4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carbox)'Iic acid is dissolved in a mixture of 5000 ml of methanol, 24 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and 400 ml of2,2-dimethoxypropane and stirred under reflux during 2 h- For the working-up, the reaction solution is reduced to half of its volume by distillation, then transferred into a 20 1 vessel. Under stirring at 40°C, a mixture of 2500 ml of water/ice (1:1) is added. Crystallisation starts immediately, and, thereupon, the fine white crystals are collected on a filter funnel. They are washed with a total of 2000 ml of cold water until the filtrate becomes colourless and neutral. The well pressed and pre-dried product from the filter funnel is dried under reducedpressure to yield 980 g (84% oftheory, 2 steps) of the (RS)- , l-(4,hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e = 234 (M+H)+. c) (R)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and (S)"l- (4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid A suspension of 50.22g (213.5rnmol) (KS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox>'lic acid methyl ester (98% HPLC) in 500ml cyclohexane is stirred moderately. By the addition of 2.01 O.lM sodium chloride, 50mM magnesium sulfate, 3mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 6.0 an emulsion/suspension is formed and re-adjusted to pH 6.0. The temperature is set to 30°C. Hydrolysis is started by the addition of 201mg of cholesterase from Candida cylindracea (Roche Apphed Science, Industrial Products, Enzyme Projects, Sandhofer Str. 116, D-6S305 Mannheim, Germany, order no. 10129046103) and the pH kept constant at 6.0 by the controlled addition of O.IN NaOH-solution (pH-stat) under moderate stirring. After a total consumption of 1016 ml of titrating agent (overnight; 48.6% conversion) the reaction mixture is ertracted with 3.51 and 2x2.5] dichloromethane and subsequently with 3.51 ethyl acetate. The combined dichloromethane phases are dried on sodium sulfate, evaporated and dried on HV to give 22.5g (95.6mmol; 44.8%) white crj'stals of ethyl (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)'5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboryIate; purity. HPLC: >99%; optical integrity: 95.3% e.e.; [a.]D = -21 .T (c=1.02; EtOH); MS: 235.1. The aqueous phase is adjusted to pH 2.2 with 32% hydrochloric acid and extracted with 3x3.51 ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried on sodium sulfate, evaporated and dried on HV to give 21.9g (99.0mmol; 46.4%) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid; purity HPLC: >99%; optical integrity 99.1% e.e.; [a]D = 25.4° {c=1.05; EtOH); MS: 221.1. d) (S)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A mixture of 26 g (117.5 mmol) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxQ-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylicacid, 0.66 ml of sulfuric acid, and 100 ml of dimethoxypropane in 700 ml of methanol are heated to reflux for 3 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is re¬duced to 4/5 of its volume, then the residue is added under stirring to a mixture of ice and water. The precipitated product is collected on a filter funnel, washed with cold water and finally dried under high vacuum to yield 23.7 g(86% of theory) of {S)-l-(4-hydToxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=234 (M-H)'^; optica! integrity: 97.4% e.e.. e) (S)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A solution 14.23g (110.6 mmol) of 3-fluoro-benzylalcohol and 27.19 g (10S.8 mmol) of triphenylphosphine in 150 ml of tetrahydrofurane is added dropwise within 50 min under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0°C to a solution of 23.65 g (100.5 mmol) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 21.62 g (100.5 mmol) of diisopropyl-azodicarboxylate in 200 ml of tetrahydrofiarane. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirring is continued for 18 hours. For the working-up, the mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. The solid residue is triturated in 400 ml of ether to leave a white solid mainly consisting of the product and triphenylphosphuioxide. After filtration, the sohd material is triturated in 100 ml of cold methanol to yield 23.5 g (68% of theory) of (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methyl ester as a white solid [MS: m/e=344 (M+H)+] together with traces of triphenylphosphine and diisopropylhydrazodicarboxylate. f) (S)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid A solution of 25.61 g (74.6 mmol) of (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl.]-5-oxo-pyrro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 650 ml of dioxane is treated with 175 ml of hydro¬chloric acid (37%). The mixture is heated at 50°C for 18 h in a closed flask. For the work- g-up, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude add as a llow solid. For purification, the crude acid is triturated at I (S)"4-Ainino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)'phenyI]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride solution of 20.0 g (61 mmol) of (S}-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenylI-5-oxo-p)'noIi-ine-S'Carboxylic acid in 300 ml ofdioxane Is treated with 6.7 ml (61 mmol) of N-methyi-lorphoiine. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is cooled to -8°C and 8.14 ml (61 mmo!) of iobutyi chloroformate are added. After stirring for 5 min, a solution of 7.98 g (121 mmol) 'f sodium azide in 40 ml water are added while the temperature rises to 0°C. After stirring or 70 min at 0°C, the suspension is filtered over Dicalit. The filtrate is diluted with 700 ml if toluene and transferred into a separatory funnel. The organic layer is separated, then vashed twice with 250 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and twice with 200 ml ofa saturated solution of sodium chloride. Thereafter, the organiclayer is Iried over sodium sulfate and, after addition of 400 ml of toluene, the solvent and the resi-iual isobutylalcohol are evaporated to end with a volume of about 350 ml. The solution is beated gradually to 80°C and kept at this temperature for 70 min. After cooling, the solu¬tion of the intermediate isocyanate is concentrated to about 300 ml and Is added dropwise to a solution of 25.4 ml of hydrochloric acid [37%) in 100 ml of dioxane while heating to 45'C. Finally, after complete addition, the temperature is raised to 60°C for 1 hour and the hydrochloride already starts to precipitate. The mixture is cooled to 0C and the sohd material formed is collected on a filter funnel. After washing with tert-butylm ethyl ether, the product is dried under high vacuum. There are obtained 14.6 g (71% of theory) of [S)-4-amino-l'[4-(3-fluoro-benzylDxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid. MS: m/e= 301 (M+H)+. h) (S)-N-{l-i4-(3--Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-[3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (S)-N-{1-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5--oxO'pyrrolidin-3-yl}~acetamJde as a crystalline white solid.MS:m/e=343(M+H)"'. Example 3: (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acet-amide a) (S)-l-[4-(3-F]uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2e), the alkylation of (R)-l-(4-hydrox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester [Example 2c)] with 3-fluorobenzylalcohol yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboryUc acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e=344 (M+H)"^. b) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 f), the hydrolysis of (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with hydro¬chloric acid (37%) in dioxane yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-f[uoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add as a white solid. MS: m/e=330 (M+H)"^. c) (R)-4-Amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add yields the (R)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro--ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid. MS: m/e=301 (M+H)^. d) (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-henzyloxy)'phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Ig), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (R)-N-{1-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy')-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrjrolidin-3-y]]-acetamide as a crystalline white sohd. MS: m/e= 343 (M-i-H)'. Example 4: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide A mixture of 190 mg (1.9 mmol) of acetic acid anhydride and 108 mg (2.3 mmol) of formic acid is prepared at 0'C, then heated to 60°C for 2 hours. After cooling to RT, the solution is diluted with 1 ml of dry tetrahydroflirane, before a solution of215mg (0.7 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-henzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one [Example If)] in 2 ml of dichlororoethane is added (the amine is obtained from the corresponding hydrochloride after treatment with triethylaroine and extraction from a mixture of di-chloromethane and water). The formed suspension is stirred for 1 hour. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with dichloromethane and washed twice with water. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. There are ob¬tained 126 mg (54% of theory) of (RS)-N-\|l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin'3-yI}-formamide as a white sohd. MS: m/e= 329 (M-rH)"^. Examples: (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-form-amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 4, the acylation of {S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin'2-one [Example 2g)] yields (S)-N-tl'[4-(3-fluoro-benjylo>:y)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-formamide as a white semi-solid (yield 81% of theory). MS: m/e= 329 (M+H)^. Example 6: (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yll-formamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 4, the acylation of (R)-4-amino-I-[4-C3-fluoro-ben2;yloxy)-phenyi]-pyrrohdin-2-one [Example 3c)] yields (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl[-formamideas a light yellow solid (yield 94% of theory). MS: m/e- 329 (M+H)"^. iiample?: (RS)-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5'OXO-pyrrolidin-3-yI}'Carbaraic acid methyl ester solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-ainino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzylox)0-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example If)] in 12 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0C and successivelf treated with 226 μl (1.6mmol} of triethylamine and 64 μl (0.8 mmol) of metliyl chloro formate. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 1 hour. For the worldng-up, dichloromethane and water are added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated. There are obtained 203 mg (76% oftheorjO of (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy -oxo-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yi}-carb-amic acid methyl ester as a white sohd. MS: m/e=359 (M+H)"^. Examples.- (RS}-jl-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo'pyrrolidin-3-y]}-urea A solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-pyTrohdin-2-one hydrochloride [Example.1f)] in 2 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamideis cooled to 0°C and successively treated with 386 μl (2.2 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropyl-amine and 307 μl (2.2 mmol) of trimethylsilylisocyanate. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under re¬duced pressure. The red residue is dissolved in dichloromethane and the organic phase washed with water. After separation of the organic layer and drying over sodium sulfate, it is evaporated to give a red oil. For purification, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a gradient of a 95:5- to 90:10-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After the chromatography, in addition, the product is triturated in ethyl acetate and sodium hydrogencarbonate atRT. There are obtained 153 mg [60% of theory) of (liS)-{}-[4-(3-13uoro-benzy]oxy)-phen)i]-5-oxo-pyrrDlidin-3-yl}-urea as a white solid. MS: m/e=344 (M+H)'. Example 9: (RS)-N-{l-[4-{3-Fluoro-l3enzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3'yl}-methanesutfonamide A solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-{3-fluoro-benz7loX7)-phenyl]-pyTrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example If)] in 8 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0°C and successively treatedwith 226 μl (2.2 mmol) oftriethylaraine and 64 \xi. (2.2 mmol) of methanesulfochloride. The mixture is stirred for 30 min at 0°C. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is washed twice with water, the organic layer is separated and dried over sodium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 235 mg (84% of theory) of (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-yl}-metiianesulfonamide as a white solid. MS: m/e=377 (M-H)"". Example 10: (Sj-2-Fluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide A solution of 100 mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzylox>')-phenyi]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 0.3 ml of N,N--dimethylformamide is treated successively with 100 μl (0.6 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropylamine and 55 \i\ (0.6 mmo!) of methyl fluoroacetate. The resulting beige suspension is heated to 50C for IS hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated, thereafter, the residue is dissolved in dichloromethane and the solution washed with 1 m] of hydrochloric acid (IN). The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and ei'aporated. For puri¬fication, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of di¬chloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 30 mg (28% of theory) of (S)-2-fluoro-N-{l'[4-(3-fluorO'"benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5~oxo-pyrrohdan-3'ylS-acetamideas a white solid. MS: m/e=378 (M+NH4)^. Example II: (S)-2,2-DifIuoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI}-acetamide A solution of 103 mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 0.5 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide is treated successively with 180 μl (1.0 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropylamine, 20 μl (0.3 mmol) of difluoroacetic acid, and 102 mg (0.3 mmol) of 0--(benzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetra- methyluronium-tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) at RT, and thereafter, stirred for 6 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue is dissolved in 3 ml of dichloromethane and the solution is washed with 1.5 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogenate and with 1.5 ml of hydrochloric acid (O.I N). The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. For purification, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 21 mg (18% of theory) of (S}-2,2-difluoro-N-{I-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e-396 (M+NH4)+. Example 12: (S)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-{ 1-14-(S-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroli-din-3-yl}-acetamide A solution of l0mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 2.5 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0°C and treated successively with 90μl (0.6 mmol) of triethylamine and 50 μl (0.33 mmol) of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride. The reaction mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred in total during 3.5 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with 2 ml of dichloromethane. The resulting solution is washed twice with 2 ml of water, the organic layer is separated, dried over sodiume sulfate, and evaporated. For purification, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 60 mg (51% of theory) of (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e=414 (M+NH4)^. Example 13: (RS)-N-{I-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-7l}-acetamide a) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester A solution of 5.0 g (21.3 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oso-p)Trohdine-3-carb-oxylic acid methyl ester [Example 2 b)] in 200 ml of 2-butanone is treated with 3.55 ml (27.6 mmol)pf 4-fluorobenryl-bromide and 5.88 g (42.5 mmol) of potassium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 90°C for 3 hours. For the worldng-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and extracted v.'ith water. The organic phase is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification^ the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 7.18 g (98% of theory) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro- 3eEzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox;'lic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e=344(M+H)+. b) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-3-carboxyUcacid A suspension of 7.12 g (20.7 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4r-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-plienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-B-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 10.3 ml of a solution of sodium hydroxide (IN) is prepared and tetrahydrofurane is added until a clear solution is obtained. The mixture is heated to 50°C for 1 hour. For the working-up, the tetrahydrofurane is evapo¬rated under reduced pressure. The white suspension obtained is diluted with water, then filtered. The white product is treated with toluene and evaporated under reduced pressure to remove most of the water. The azetropic distillation is repeated three times. There are obtained 5.78 g (85% of theory) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid. c) (RS)-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-henzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl!-carbamic acidtert- butyl ester A solution, of 5.16 g (15.7 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-p}Tro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid in 70 ml of tetrahydrofurane is treated with 1.76 ml (15.7 mmol) of N-methylmorpholine. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is cooled to -ICC and 2.08 ml (15.7 mmol) of isobutyl chloroformate are added. After stirring for 3 min, a solution of 2.06 g (31.3 mmol) of sodium azide in 10 ml of water are added while the temperature rises to 0°C. After stirring for 45 min at 0°C, the suspension is diluted with 200 ml toluene and transferred into a separatory funnel. The organic layer is washed twice with 1000 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate and twice with 100 ml of a saturated solution of sodium chloride. Thereafter, the organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated to end with a volume of about 80 ml. The solution is heated gra¬dually to 80°C and kept at this temperature for 30 min. Thereafter, 35.3 ml (376 mmol) of tert-butanol are added and the mixture is stirred at 80°C for 18 hours. Then the solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent.. There are obtained 4.82 g (77% of theory) of (RS)-\|l-[4-(4-flaGro-benzylox>0-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}-carb-amic acid tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e= 401 (M+H)"^. d) (RS)-4-Amino-I-[4-(4-fiuoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-pyrro!idin-2-one hydrochloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 f), the cleavage of the tert-butox}'-carbonyl group of the (RS)-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzloxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-carbamic add tert-butyi ester under acidic condition yields the (RS)-4-amino-I-[4-(4-tIuoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield S0% of theory). MS: m/e = 301 (M+H)"". e) (RS)-N-{l-[4-C4-Fiuoro-benzylox7)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-[4-{4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-oneyields the (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white sohd (yield 98% of theory). MS: m/e= 343 (M+H)^. Example 14: (K,)-N-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-5-ox:o-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide and (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzy'Ioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetainide The separation of 0.25 g (0,7 mmol) of the two enantiomers (RS)-N-U-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide (Example 13) is performed on a preparative chiral HPLC column (CHIRALPAK® AD, pressure: 17 bar, flow : 35 ml/min) using a 4:1 mixture of n-heptane and ethanol as the eluent. There are obtained 100 mg (39% of theory) of the first elating (R)-(+)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide [MS: m/e - 343 (M+ + H)] and 90 mg (35% of theory) of the later eluting isomer (S)-(-)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}" cetamide [MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)""], each as a white solid. ixample 15: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-p)Trolidin-3-yl}-form-amide LH an analogous manner to that described in Example 4a), the acylation of (RS)-4-amino-I-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyIox7-)-phenyl]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 13 d)] yields (RS)-N-U-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}'formamide as a white solid (yield 77.5% of theory). MS: m/e= 328 (M+H}^ Example 16: (RS)-N-[l-(4-Ben2yloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide a) (RS)'4-Ajnino-l-(4-benzyloxy'phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 f), the cleavage of the tert-butoxy-carbonyl group of the (RS)-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-ylj-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester [Example 1 c)] yields the (RS)-4-amino-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield 84% of theory). b) (RS)-N-[l-(4-Ben2yloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of the (RS)-4-amino-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (RS)-N- [l-(4-benzloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide as a white solid yield 21% of theory). MS: m/e= 325 (M+H)+. Example 17: (RS)-N-E]-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyIoxy-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide a) (RS)-l-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oso-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 13 a), the alkylation of the (RS}-I-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester [Example 2 b)] with 2-SuorobenzyI-bromide using cesium carbonate as the base at RT yields (RS}-I-[4-(2-fit3oro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light yellow solid ()'ie]d 82% of theory). b) (KS)-l-[4-{2-Fluoro'benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 13 b), the hydrolysis of the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as an off-white solid {yield 82% of theory). c) (RS)-4-Amino-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and the hydrolysis of the intermediate isocyanate fields the (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyl-oxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield 85% of theory). MS: m/e= 301 (M+H)+. d) (RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}-acetamide in an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-l4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one yields the (RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid (yield 98% of theory). MS: m/e=: 343 (M+H)+. Example 18: (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyI)-vinyI]-phenyIi-5-oxa-pyrrohdin-3-y!)-acetamide a) (E)-l-Fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene A suspension of 677 mg of sodium hydride {55% dispersion in oil) in 10 ml of N,N-di-methylformamide is cooled to 0°C. Thereupon, 5.61 g (20.5 mmol) of diethyl (4-nitro-benzyl)phDsphonate are added portionwise. The reaction mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 1.5 hours. Thereafter, the mixture is cooled to -10°C and a solution of 1.5 g (12.1 mmol) of 3-fluorobenzaldehyde in 5 ml N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise. Stirring is continued for 30 min at 0C, then at RT. For the working-up, ice and ethyl acetate are added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to yie]d the crude crystalline product, which, after recrysfallisation from a mixture of ether and heptane gives 2.41 g (82% of theory) of (E)-l~fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene as a yellow solid; MS: m/e^243(M)'. b) (E)-4-[2-(3-FIaoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenykmine A solution of 2.41 g(l0 mmol) (E)-l-fIuorO'3-[2-(4-nitrophenyI)ethenyI]-benzenein25 ml of ethyl acetate is flushed with argon and, thereafter, hydrogenated at RT and atmos¬pheric pressure during 4 hours using 0.241 g of platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst For the working-up, the catalyst is filtered over Dicaht and the resulting solution is eva¬porated under reduced pressure. The solid material obtained is crystallised from a mixture of ether and heptane to yield 1.32 g {62.5% of theory) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinylj-phenylamine as an orange solid; MS: m/e = 213 (M)"^. c) CRS)-(E)-l-[4-[2-(3-Fluoro-pheny!)-vinyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid A mixture of 600mg (2.8 mmol) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine and 366 m% (2.8 mmol) of itaconic acid is heated to 130°C. After 1 hour, the molten materia! is cooled to RT and, thereafter, the resulting solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 568 mg (62 % of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]'phenyll-5-oxo-pyrroli-dine-3-carboxylic acid as a fine yellow powder; MS: m/e = 324 (M-H)''. d) (RS)-(E)-(l-{4-[2-(3-F]uoro-phenyI)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl)-caTbamic . acid tert-butyl ester A solution of 150 mg (0.46 mmol) of (RS)-(E)-l-[442-(3-fiuoro-phenyl)-vinyl]'-phenyl}-S-oxo-pyrroHdine-S-carboxylic acid in 2 ml of tetrahydrofurane is cooled to -15°C and 63 mg (0.46 mmol) of isobutyl chloroformate are added dropwise. After 5 min, a solution of 60 mg (0.92 mmol) of sodium azide in 0.5 ml water is added. The mixture is stirred at 0C for 45 min, then left to warm to RT. Toluene is added and the diluted solution is ivashed with a saturated solution of sodium hydro gen carbonate. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is dis¬solved in 5 ml of toluene and the solution warmed to 80°C. After 30 min, 1.1 ml (1.2 mmol) oftert-butano! are added and heating is continued for 18 hours. For the worldng-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated and the crude product directly chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After crystallisation from ether, 104 mg (57% of theory) of (RS)-(E)- (l-{4-[2-(3-fluDro-phenyI)-vinyl]-phenyIi-5--oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yi)-carbamic acid tert-buty] ester are obtained as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e=397 (M+H)". e) (RS)-(E)-4-Amino-l-\|4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyi}-pyrrohdin-2-one hydro- chloride solution of 104 mg (0.26mmol) of (RS)-CE)-{l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phen7l)-vin7l]-ehenyl}5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yi)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 2.5 ml of tetrahydro-furane is treated with 192 mg of hydrochloric acid (37%). The mixture is warmed to 45^0 for 2 hours, then left under stirring for IS hours at RT. The product precipitates partially from the reaction mixture which is evaporated to yield the crude hydrochloride. This is recrystallised from ether to give 74 mg (85% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white soHd; MS: m/e=297 (M+H)^. f)(RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3^Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-7l)-acetamide A suspension of 61 mg (O.18 ramol) of (RS)-(E)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyJ)-vinyIj-phenyIJ-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride in 15 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 45 mg (0.44 mmol) of triethylamine. The mixture is cooled to 0C and, thereafter, 20 mg (0.26 mmol) of acetylchloride are added. After 1 hour at 0C, the mixture is left to warm to RT and is diluted with dichloromethane. After washing with water, the organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is crystallised from ether to yield 49 mg (78% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl] -phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl)-acetamide as a light brown solid; MS: m/e=339 (M+H)"^. Example 19: (RS)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-efhyl]-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrrolJdin-3-yl)-acetamide a) 4- [2- (3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl] -phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18b), thehydrogenation of (E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl)-benzene [Example 18a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) during 5 hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields quantitatively 4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny!amine as a yellow solid. MS: m/e= 215 (M) . b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoio-phenyi)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18c), the reaction of 4-(2-(3-fIuoro-phenyl)-ethyl]'phenylaminewifhitaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyi)-ethyl] -phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M^H)^. c) (RS)-(l-4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 Sd), the Curtius rearrangement of the (RS}-l-(4-[2-(3-Suoro-pbenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-5-oxo-p7rrolidineo-carboxylic acid and the treatment of the intermediate isocyanate with tert-butanol pelds the (l-{4--[2-(3' fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl J-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI)-carbamic add tert-butyl ester as an off-white solid (yield 36% of theory); MS: m/e= 399 (M-t-H)+. d) (RS}-4-Amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyI)-ethyI]-phenyl-pynolidin-2-one hydro¬ chloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18e), the cleavage of the tert-but-oxj'carbonyl group by hydrochlorid acid yields the (RS)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-Suoro-pheny])-ethyl]-pheny]}-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as an off-white solid (yield 67.5% of theory). MS: m/e= 299 (M+H)^ e) (IiS)-N-(l-!4-[2-(3-Piuoro-pheny])-ethy3]-phenyl}-5-DXO-pyTrohdin-3-yl)-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18f), the acetylation of the {ES)-4- amino-l-i4-l2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-pyrrolidin-2-one)'ieidsthe (RS)-N-(l- 14-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl)-acetamide as a white solid after crystallisation in ether (yield 85.6% of theory). MS: m/e== 341 (M+H)"". Example 20: (RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyTroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide a) 2-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine In an analogous manner to that described in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 33:2087-2093 (1990), the reaction of 4-fluorobenzylalcohol instead of benzylalcohol with 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine yields the 2-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine as a yellow solid. b) 6-(4-Fluoro--benzyloxy)-pyrridin-3-ylamine A mixture of 0.70 g (2.8 mmol) of 2-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine and 2.36 g (4.2 mmol) of iron powder in 35 ml of water and 0.7 ml of acetic acid is heated under reflux for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated under vigorous stirriiag with water and ethyl acetate, thereafter, filtered over a layer of Dicaht. The organic layer is sepa¬rated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. There are ob¬tained 0.28 g (45% of theory) of 6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylamine as a greenish solid which is engaged in the next step without farther purification. c) (RS)-l-[6-(4-Fluoro-benzyioxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example la), the reaction of 6-(4-fluoro- benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylamine with itaconic acid yields (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)- pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid as a green solid (yield 47% of theory). d) (RS)-4-Amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-pyridin-3-yI]-pyrrolidin-2-onedihydro- chloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of (RS)-l-[6-{4-£luoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid and treatment of the intermediate isocyanate yields (RS)-4-amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-pyrrohdin-2-one dihydrochloride as a light yellow solid. e) (RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (RS)-4-amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin'3-yl]-prrolidin-2-one dihydrochloride yields (RS)-N-jl-!6--{4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white sohd (yield 37% of theory). MS: m/e= 344 (M+H)^. Example 21: (S)-N-{l-[4-{3-Chloro--beiizyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirolidin-3-yl}-acetamide a) (S)-N-[l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI]-acetamide A solution of 4.67 g (13.6 mmol) of (S)-N-(l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroHdin-3-yI}-acetamide in 500 ml of tetrahydrofurane is hydrogenated in the presence of 726 mg palladium on carbon (10%) at ambient pressure and RT during 18 hours. The reaction not being complete, the catalyst is filtered over Dicalit and another 726 mg of palladium on carbon (10%) are added. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtered over Dicalit, then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude (S)-N-[l-(4-hydrox)'-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide is obtained as an off-white solid, which is directly engaged in the next step without farther purification. MS: m/e=235 (M+H)"^ b) (S)-N-{l--[4-(3-ChIoro-benzylox)')-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}'acetamide A solution of 15 mg (0.064 mmol) of (S)-N-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5'OXO-pyrrohdin-3-yl]-acetamidein 30 ml of acetone is treated with 0.01 ml (0.074 mmol) of 2-chlorobenz)'l-bromide and 22 mg (0.067 mmol) of cesium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 40°C for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtrated and evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on slica gel using a 19:1 mixture dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 17 mg (72% of theory) of (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yll-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 359.3 (M-t-H)^. Example 22: (S)-N-{l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrlidin-3"yl} acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)--N'[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-p)Tro]idin-3-y]]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 2,6-difluorQben2yl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 85% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e= 361.3 (M+H)+. Example 23; (S)-N-{5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-y]}' acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin.-3-yI]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 2i4,6-trifiuorobenzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 53% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e=: 379.4 (M+H)^ Example 24: (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-Methoxy-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yIi-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by altylation with 3-methoxybenzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 58% of theory as a white solid. MS; m/e= 355.2 (M+H)"^. Example 25: (S)-N-{5-Oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluaromethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-p-j'Troladin-3-yl}-acetarmide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)'N-[l-(4-hydrox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by aUcylation with 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40C overnight. Yield 55% of theory as a white sohd. MS: m/e= 393.3(M+H)'^. Example 26: (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-Methyl-benzy!oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from {S)"N-[1'{4-hydroxy"-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-y]]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 4-methylben2yl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 83% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e= 339.1(M+H)+. Example 27: (S}-N-{l-[4-(3-CyanQ-benz7loxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-prrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-{4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-axo-pyrroIidin-3-yI]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-(bromomethy)benzonitrile and cesium carbonate at 40C covernight. Yield 91% of theory as 3 light yellow solid. MS: m/e= 350.3(M+H)+. example A; Tablets Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventional manner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 100 Powdered lactose 95 White corn starch 35 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8 Na carboxymethylstarch. 10 Magnesium stearate 2 Tablet weight 250 Example B: Tablets Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventional manner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 2O0 Powdered lactose 100 White corn starch 64 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 12 Na carboxymethylstarch 20 Magnesium stearate 4 Tablet weight 400 Example C: Capsules Capsules of the following composition are produced: mg/Capsule Active ingredient 50 Crystalline lactose 60 Microcrystaillne cellulose 34 Talc 5 Magnesium stearate 1 Capsule fill weight 150 The active ingredient having a suitable particle size, the crystalline lactose and the micro-crystalline cellulose are homogeneously mixed with one another, sieved and thereafter talc and magnesium stearate are admixed. The final mixture is filled into hard gelatine capsules of suitable size. Example D: Injection solution An injection solution may have the following composition and is manufactured in usual manner: Active substance 1.0 mg 1 N HCi 20.0 μl acetic acid 0.5 mg NaCI S.O mg phenol 10.0 mg 1 N NaOH q.s. ad pH 5 H2O q.s. ad 1 ml WE CLAIM ; 1. A compound of the formula I wherein Q u=N-or=C{R24-; X-Y is -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH- or -CH2-O; R1, R11' and R12 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, h6logcn-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C5)-alkoxy; R21, R22 and R25 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R24 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R3 is-NHR6 R4 is hydrogen; and R6 is -C(O)H, -C(0)-(C1-C3)-alkyl, C(0)-halogen-'(C1-C3)alkyl> -C(O)O(C1-C3)-alkyl, - C(O)NH1 or -SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof. 2- The compound of claim 1 wherein Q is -C(R24)-. 3. The compound of claim 1 herein X-Y is -CH2-O-. 4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R1.1 and R1.2' are hydrogen and R1 is hydrogen or halogen. 5. The compound of claim 1 wherein R21, R22 and R23are hydrogen. 6. The compound of claim 1 wherein R24 is hydrogen. 7. The compound of daim 1 wherein R3 is -NHR6 wherein R6 is -C(O)H, -C(O)-CH5, .C(O)-CH2F. -C(O)-CHF2, -C(O)-CF3, -C(O)O-CH3. -C(O)-NH: or -SO3-CH3. 8. The compound of claim 1 wherein the compound has (S)-configuration. 9. The compound of claim 1 wherein the compound is slected from (RS) -N-{ 1 - [4- (3-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo)-pyrrolidin.-3-yl}-acetamide, (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidm-3-yl}-acetanude, (RS)-N-{l-[4-C3-fliioro-benzyloxy)-phen;^]-5-oxo-pyrTolidin-3-yl}-formamide, (S)-N-(l-l4-(3-fl,uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrcolidia-3-yl}-foraMimide, (R)-N-{l-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrro]idm-3-yl}-formamde, (RS)-fl-[4-(3-fluoro-benzydoxy)-phen)4]'5-oxo-pyrrolidm-3-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester, (RS)-{l-[4-{3-fiuoro-benzyldoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrfolidin-3-yl}-urea, (RS)-N- {1- [4- C3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phen)d] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yU -methanesulfonamide, (S)-2-fluoro-N-il-[4-(3-fluoro-benyyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrroKdin-3-yl-acetamide, {S)-2,2-difLuoro-N-{l-[4-(3-flworo-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yi}-acetamide, {S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrQlidin-3-yl-acetamide, (RS)-N-{ 1- [4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl} -acetamide, (R)-N-{ 1- [4-{4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl - acetamide, {S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl-acetamide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirrlidin-3-yl}-formamide, (RS)-N-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo~pyn-olidin-3-)dl]-acetamide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, {RS)-CE)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-pbcnyl)-vinyl]-phenthyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI)-acetamide. (RS)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl-ethyl-phenyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-acetain.ide, (RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzloxy)-pyndin-3-yl]-5-oa)-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-\| 1-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl} acetamide, (S)-N-{5-oxo-1-[4-(2,4,6-triftuoro-bcnzloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-3cetamide, CS)-N-n-[4-(3-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-l5-oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluoromethyi-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yI}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-meth'jd-benzloxy)-phenyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamideand (S)-N-U-(4-(3-cyano-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pynolidin-3-yl}-acetftmide. 10, The compound according to claim 1. having the formula I wherein R' is halogen, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1- C6)-alkoxy; R21, R22 , R23and R24' independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R3 is -NHR6; R4' is hydrogen; R6 IS -CO-(C1-C3)-alkyl or-S02-(C1-C3)-aklkyl; and n is O.L 2 or 3; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof 1 ]. A process for the manufacture of a compound of formula I according lo any one of claims I to 10, which process comprises : a) reacting a compound of formula with an isocyanate or an acyl donating agent of formula Z-C(0)-{C\|-C3)-aib,'l. 2-C(O)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, Z-C(O)O(C1-C3)-alkyl or 2-SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl wherein Z is an activating group, in particular a halogen or anhy dride or b) cross-coupling a compound of formula wherein LG is a leaving group, in particular C1, Br or I or SnR3 or B(OH)2. 12. A compound of formula I according to claim 1, when manufactured by a process according to claim 11. 13, A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound according to claim 1 or 10 and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

Full Text

The invention relates to racemic or enantiomericallypure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives, pro¬cesses for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of ilIness.
More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula I
wherein
Q is =N-or =C(R24)-;
X'Yis-CH2-CH2, -CH=CH- or-CH2-O-;
R1 R'11 and R 12independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen,halogen,halogen-{C1-C6)-aIkyl, cyano, (C1-C16)-alkoly orhalogen-CC1-C6)-
alkosy; R21 R22 and R23 independently from each other are selected 'from the group consisting of
hydrogen and halogen; R24 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R^3 is-NHR^; R4 is hydrogen; and R6 is-C(0)H,-C(0)-(C,-C3)-alkyl, C(0)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, -C(0)O(C1-C3)-a]It)d,
-C(0)NH2 or -S02-(C,1-C3)-alkyl; (as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof.' j
Even more particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula T

wherein
R' ishalosen,halogen-(C1-C5)-aIkyl, cyano, {C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6}-alkoxy;

R21 ,R22 ,R23 and R24 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting
of hydrogen and halogen; R3 is-NHR6 R4 is hydrogen;
R6 is-CO-(C1-C3)-alkylor-SO2-(C1-C6)-aIkyl;and
n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof.
It has been found that the compounds of general formula I and I* as well as individual \ isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof (hereinafter: Active Compounds) are / selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4) is a flavin-containing enzyme lesponsible for the oxidative deamination of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, adienahne, or noradrenaline, and trace amines, e.g. phenylethyl-amine, as well as a number of amine xenobiotics. The enzyme exists in two forms, MAO-A and MAO-B, encoded by different genes [Bach et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4934-4938 (1988)] and differing in tissue distribution, structure and substrate specificity. MAO-A has higher affinity for serotonin, octopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline; whereas the natural substrates for MAO-B are phenylethylamine and tyramine. Dopamine is thought to be oxidised by both isoforms. MAO-B is widely distributed in several organs including brain [Cesura and Pletscher, Prog. Drug Research 38:171-297 (1992)]. Brain MAO-B activity appears to increase with age. This increase has been attributed to the gliosis associated with aging [Fowler et al., J. Neural. Transm. 49:1-20 (1980)]. Additionally, MAO-B activity is significantly higher in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease [Dostert et al, Bio-chem. Pharmacol. 38:555-561 (1989)] and it has been found to be highly expressed in astrocytes around senile plaques [Saura et al., Neuroscience 70:755-774 (1994)]. In this context, since oxidative deamination of primary monoamines by MAO produces NH3, aldehydes and H2O2, agents with established or potential toxicity, it is suggested that there is a rationale for the.use of selective MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of dementia and Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of MAO-B causes a reduction in the enzymatic inactivation of dopamine and thus prolongation of the availability of the neurotransmitter in dopa¬minergic neurons. The degeneration processes associated with age and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may also be attributed to oxidative stress due to increased MAO acti¬vity and consequent increased formation of H2O2 by MAO-B. Therefore, MAO-B inhibi¬tors may act by both reducing the formation of oxygen radicals and elevating the levels of monoamines in the brain.

Given the implication of MAO-B in the neurological disorders mentioned above, there is considerable interest to obtain potent and selective inhibitors that would permit control over this enzymatic activity. The pharmacology of some known MAO-B inhibitors is for example discussed by Bentue-Ferrer et al. [CNS Drugs 6:217-236 (1996)]. Whereas a mapr limitation of irreversible and non-selective MAO inhibitor activity is the need to observe dietary precautions due to the risk of inducing a hypertensive crisis when dietary tyramine is ingested, as well as the potential for interactions with other medications [Gardner et al., J. Clin, Psychiatry 57:99-104 (1996)], these adverse events are of less concern with rever¬sible and selective MAO inhibitors, in particular of MAO-BThus, there is a need for MAO-B inhibitors with a high selectivity and without the adverse side-effects typical of irreversible MAO inhibitors with low selectivity for the enzyme)
The following definitions of general terms used herein apply irrespective of whether the terms in question appear alone or in combination. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an," and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The term "individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof denotes E- and Z-isomers, mixtures thereof as well as individual configurational isomers and mixtures thereof.
The term "(CrCej-alkyl" used in the present application denotes straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residues with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, 5ec-butyl, t-butyl, and the like, preferably with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Accordingly, the term "(C1-C3)-alkyr' means a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
The term "halogen" denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
"HaIogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl" or "halogen-(C1-C6)-alkoxy" means the lower alkyl residue or lower alkox)' residue, respectively, as defined herein substituted in any position with one or more halogen atoms as defined herein. Examples of halogen alkyl residues include, but are not limited to, 1,2-difluoiopropyl, 1,2-dichloropropyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, and the like. "Halogenalkoxy" in-eludes triiluoromethyloxy.
"(C1-C6)-Alkoxy" means the residue -0-R, wherein Ris a lower alkyl residue as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy, and the like.

"Pharraaceutically acceptable salts" of a compound means salts that are pharmaceutically. acceptable, which are generally safe, non-toxic, and neither bioiogically nor otherwise un¬desirable, and that possess the desired pharmacological activity of the parent compound. These salts are derived from an inorganic or organic acid or base. If possible, compounds of formula I may be converted into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It should be understood that pharmaceutically acceptable salts are included in the present invention.
In another embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula F, wherein R^ is -NHR', R' is -C0^(C1-C3)-alkyl or -S02-{C1-C6)^allcyl, and R' is hydrogen. An example for such a compound is (RS)-N-U-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2>doxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acetamide.
Compounds of formula F may be substituted by n R' selected from the group consisting of halogen, ha!ogen-{C1-C5)-alkyl, cyano, [C1-C3)-alkoxy or halogen-{C1-C6)-aIkox7, wherein n denotes an integer selected from 0,1, 2 and 3. Preferably n is 1 or 2. Preferred compounds of formula P are those, wherein R' is halogen or halogen-(Ci-C5)-alkyl. Especially preferred are those compounds of formula P, wherein R^ is fluorine, chlorine or trifluoromethyl. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I* wherein n is zero or 1. In yet another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I* wherein n is 1. Where the compounds are substituted by two or three R', each R^ can be the same or different.
In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R^*)-, wherein R^' is hydrogen, halogen or methyl. In another embodinient the inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-, =CF- or =C(CH3)-. In still an¬other embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =N-,
In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein -X-Y- is -CH;-0-- In another embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I where¬in -X-Y- is --CH2-CH2- or -CH=CH-.
In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R " and R'^ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethyl, q'ano, methoxy or halogen-methox)'. In another embodi¬ment the present invention pro^ddes compounds of formula I wherein R , R ' and R " are halogen, e.g. fluoro, e.g. 2,4,6-trifluoro, 2,4,5-trifluoro, 2,3,6-trifluoro, 2,3,4-trifluoro or 3,4,5-trifluoro. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.2 is hydrogen and R1 and R1.1' independently from each other are

selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyloxy. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.2 is hydrogen and R1 and R independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of halogen and (C1-C6-alkyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1,2' is hydrogen, R1.1 is halogen and R1 is halogen or (C1-C6)-alkyI. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.1 and R1.2 are hydrogen and R1 is halogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C6)-alkoxy. In still another embodiment the present inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein R1.1' and R1.2 are hydrogen and R^ is halo¬gen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In still another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R^' and R'~ are hydrogen and R is fluoro, e.g. 2-fiuoro, 3-fluoro or 4-fluoro, chloro, e.g. 3-chloro, methyl, e.g. 4-methyl, halogenmethyl, e.g. 3-trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxy, e.g. 2-methoxy, 3-methoxy or 4-methoxy, or halogen-methoxy, e.g. 3-trifluoromethoxy. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R^' and R1.2 are hydrogen.
In another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R , R and R'^ are hydrogen.
In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R is hydrogen.
In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R is -NHR' wherem R' is -C(0)H, -C(0)-CH3, -C(O)-CH2F, -C(0)-CHF2, -C(O)-CF3, -C(0)0-CH3, -C{0)-NH2 or -SO2-CH3.
In one aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula 1 wherein the com¬pounds have (S)-configuration.
In another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R'*)-, wherein R'' is hydrogen, X-Y is -CH2-O-; R1.1 and R1.2 are hydrogen; R' is hydrogen or halogen; R21, R22and R23 are hydrogen; R^ is -NHR^ R^ is hydrogen; and R^ is -C(0}H, -C(0)-(C1-C3)-aBcyl, C(0)-halogen-CCrC5)alkyl, -C(O)0(C1-C3)-alkyl, -C(0)NH2 or -S02-(C1-C3)-alkyl. In still another aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R24)-, wherein R24 is hydrogen, X-Y is -CH2-O-; R^-^ and R^'^ are hydrogen; R^ is hydrogen or halogen; R21 R22 and R23 are hydrogen; R^ is

-NHR5 R4 is hydrogen; andR6 is -C(0)H, -C(0)-CH3, -C(0)-CH;F, -C(0)-CHF2, -C(0)-CF3, -C(0)0-CH3, -C(0)-NH2 or -SO^-CH.,.
Examples of compounds of formula I include compounds selected from
(RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-p}Tro!idin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(S)-N-{l-[4"(3-fluDro-benzyloxy)-p}ienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}^acetamide,
(R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-plieny!]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(RS}-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide,
(S)-N-(l-[4-(3-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide,
(R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fl-uoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide,
(RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-carbamic acid methyl
ester, (RS)-{i-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-urea, (RS)-N-{l-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y!}-methanesulfonamide, {S)-2-fluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy-)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-2,2-difluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-
acetamide, (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluDro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acet-
amide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, {R)-N-{l-[4-(4-fIuoro-benzyloxy)-piienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl}-formamide, (RS)-N-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]'acetamide, (RS)-N-U-[4-(2-fluaro-benzylox7-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetainide, (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}--5-oxo-pyrrolidiii-3-yl)-acetamide, CRS)-N-(l-{4-[2"(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-p)Trolidin-3-yl)-acetamide, (RS)-K-|l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y!}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzylox7)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin>3-yl}acetamide, (S)-N-{5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S}-N-fl-[4-(3-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO"pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide, (S)-N-{5-oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-ylj-acetamide, (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-meliiyl-benzxyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin'3-yl}-acetamideand (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-cyano-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO'pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,

In another embodiment the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula 1 comprising reacting a compound of formula II
(11)
with an isocyanate or an acyl donating agent of formula Z-C(0)-(C1-C3)-alkyl, Z-C(O)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, Z-C(O)O[C1-C3)-alkyl, or Z-SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl wherein Z is an activating group, e.g. halogen or anhydride.
Scheme I shows the main routes to compounds of the formula I. The intermediates III and IIIa may be reacted with itaconic acid IV neat at a temperature in the range of from 80C
to aoo-c.
The compounds of formula Va may be alkylated by Williamson-ether synthesis using an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl derivative selected from benzylic halides, tosylates, methane sulfonates (mesylates) and trifluoromethane sulfonates (triflates). Bases used can be, e.g. alcoholates or carbonates, like sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate. Preferred solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones at a temperature in the range of from 20'C and reflux temperature.
Another approach is the Mitsunobu-coupling: an optionally substituted benzylic alcohol is reacted with a compound of formula Va in an inert solvent, e.g., diethyl ether or tetra-hydrofurane, using dialkyl-azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines, e.g., tributyl-or triphenyl-phosphine. The hydrolysis of compounds of formula Va can be performed by methods known per se like hydrolysis under acidic conditions, e.g. with hydrochloric acid, or basic conditions, e.g. lithium, sodium- or potassium hydroxide in mixtures of alcohols and water as the solvent.
Compounds of formula II and IIa can be obtained starting from acid derivatives of formula V by nucleophilic migrations from a carbon to a nitrogen atom, such as e.g. by Hofmann or Curtius rearrangement, via the formation of the corresponding isocyanate. Subsequent treatment of the isocyanate by aqueous acid direcdy yields amines of formula 11. Treatment of the intermediate isocyanate with suitable alcohols gives the protected amino derivatives of formula IIa. For the treatment of the isocyanate, alcohols are selected which yield the typical carbamates used as amine protecting groups, e.g. tert-butoxycarb-

onyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, or fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl. Their cleavage to the amine to yield compounds of formula II follows the protocols which are well known from the hterature.
The further transformation to compounds of formula II can he performed by standard procedures, such as e.g. by reaction with activated acyl derivatives, e.g. acyl haJogenides or anhydrides, or by condensation reactions of the acid using e.g. carbodiimides as conden¬sation reagent or by reaction with isocyanates.
In compounds of formula I or Ila wherein-X-Y-has the meaning of ~CH2-0-, the optionally substituted benzyl residue can function as a transient group which can be cleaved by hydro gen olysis. The resulting compounds of formula Via or Vlb can then be re-aLkylated by a different benzyl group under the aforementioned conditions. As known to those skilled in the art, this process is only possible on condition that R and PG (protecting group) are groups that are stable under the aforementioned reaction conditions for the hydrogenolysis and alkylation reaction.

Another method to prepare compounds of formula I involves cross-coupling reactions of ar)istannanes [Lam et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 43:3091 (2002)], arylboronates [Lam et al., Synlett 5:674 (2000); Chan et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 39:2933 (1998)] or aryl halides [Buch-wald et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 118:7215 (1996)] with the corresponding pyrroHdones (scheme 2).

wherein LG is a leaving group, e.g. halogen, e.g. CI, Br or I, or SnR3 or B(OH)2 and R^ is -NHR^ or alkoxycarbonyl.
In accordance with the present invention, a possibility to prepare compounds of general formula III wherein -X-Y- is -CH2-O-, i.e. compounds of formula Illb, is shown in scheme 3: The intermediates of formula XII are accessible through nucleophiiic substitution of aromatic nitro compounds of formula XI containing p-substituted leaving groups with benzylic alcohols of formula X. Examples for leaving groups in para-position are halogens (F, CI, Br, 1), tosylates, mesylates or triflates. These substitution reactions can be conducted neat or in inert solvents like for example toluene or xylene. A preferred reaction temperature is in. the range of from 50C to 150°C. Alternatively, compounds of formula XII can be prepared by Williamson-ether synthesis, starting from p-nltrophenols of formula XIV and benzylic halides, tosylates, mesylates or triflates of formula XIII. Bases used can be for example alcoholates or carbonates (sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate). Preferred solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones at a

temperature in the range of from 20°C to reflux temperature. Another approach is the Mitsunobu-coupling of benzylic alcohols with p-nitrophenols of formula XIV. The reaction is done as usual in inert solvents like for example diethyl ether or tetraliydrofiirane, using dialkyl-azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines, e.g. tributyl- or triphenyl-phosphme.
The key intermediates of formula XII are reduced to the amino-compounds IIIb using :atalytic hydrogenation, e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ;thyl acetate or tetrahydrofurane. An alternative is the reduction of the nitro-group by metals like iron, tin, or zmc in acidic media like diluted hydrochloric acid or acetic acid. Metals can also be replaced by metal salts, e.g. tin-(II)-chloride.

wherein LG is a leaving group, e.g. halogen, OTf, etc., and Y is a leaving group, e.g. tialogen, OTf, etc. or OH (for Mitsunobu-coupling),
The intermediates of formula III wherein -X-Y- is -CH=CH-, i.e. compound of formula lllc. or wherein -X^Y- is -CH3-CH2-, i.e. compound of formula Illd, may be prepared by a procedure which is shown in scheme 4. The intermediates of formula XVII are accessible by olefination reaction of optionally substituted aromatic aldehydes of formula XV with dialkyl- (4-nitrobenzyl)-phosphonates of formula XVI in the presence of a base, e.g. sodium hydride, yielding the corresponding nitro-olefins of formula XVII.
The key intermediates of formula XVII can be reduced selectively to the amino-olePn of formula IIIc by metals or metal salts, like e.g. tin-(II)-chloride or by catalytic hydro¬genation like e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofiirane as the solvent. The amino derivatives of formula Hid can be obtamed from the nitro derivatives of formula XVII or the amino-olefins of formula Ilk by

hydrogenation using palladium on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofiirane as the solvent.
Scheme 4

Compounds of general formula I can also exist in optical pure form. Separation into anti¬podes can be affected according to methods known per se, either at an early stage of the synthesis starting with compounds of formula V by salt formation with an optically active amine such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethylamine or (+)- or (-)-l-naphthyl-ethylamine and separation of the diastereomeric salts by firactional crystallisation or by derivatisation with a chiral auxiliary substance such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-2-butanoI, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethanQl, or (+)- or (-)-menthol and separation of the diastereomeric products by chromatography and/or crystallisation and subsequent cleavage of the bond to the chjral auxiliary substance;or, on the very last stage, by separation of the enantiomers of formula I by chromatography on a chiral phase. Furthermore, compounds of formula 1 can also be obtained from enantiopure intermediates obtained by biotransformation, e.g. byhydrolysisof esters of formula Va by enzymes, such as e.g. cholesterase from Candida cylindracea. In order to determine the absolute configuration of the pyrrolidinone deriva¬tive obtained, the pure diastereomeric salts or derivatives can be analysed by conventional spectroscopic methods, with X~ray spectroscopy on single crystals being an especially suit¬able method.
The compounds of formula I are, as already mentioned above, monoamine oxidase B inhi¬bitors and can be used for the treatment or prevention of diseases in which 2vIAO-B inhibi¬tors might be beneficial. These include acute and chronic neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and memory deficits. Treatable neurological disorders ace for instance traumatic

or chronic degenerative processes of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease, other types of dementia, minimal cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease. Other indica¬tions include psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, panic attack, social phobia, schizophrenia, eating and metabohc disorders such as obesity, as well as the prevention and treatment of withdrawal syndromes induced by abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other addictive drugs. Other treatable indications may be peripheral neuropathy caused by can¬cer chemotherapy (WO 97/33,572), reward deficiency syndrome (WO 01/34,172), or the treatment of multiple sclerosis (WO 96/40,095), and odier neuioinflammatory diseases.
The compounds of formula I are especially usefid for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia.
The pharmacological activity of the compounds was tested using the following method:
The cDNAs encoding human MAO-A and MAO-B were transiently transfected into EBNA cells using the procedure described by Schlaeger and Christensen [Cytotechnoiogy 15:1-13 (1998)]. After transfection, ceRs were homogenised by means of a Polytron homogenizer in 20 mM Iris HCl buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 mM EGTA and 0.5 mM phenylmethane-sulfonyl fluoride. Cell membranes were obtained by centrifugation at 45,000 x g and, after two rinsing steps with 20 mM Tris HCl buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 mM EGTA, mem¬branes were eventually re-suspended in the above buffer and aliquots stored at -80°C until use.
MAO-A and MAO-B enzymatic activity was assayed in 96-well-plates using a spectro-photometric assay adapted from the mediod described by Zhou and Panchuk-Voloshina [Analytical Biochemistry 253:169-174 (1997)]. Briefly, membrane aliquots were incubated in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, for 30 min at 37'C containing different con¬centrations of the compounds. After this period, the en2;}'matic reaction was started by the addition of the MAO substrate tyramine together with 1 U/ml horse-radish peroxidase (Roche Biochemicals) and SO [M N-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine (Amplex Red, Molecular Probes). The samples were further incubated for 30 min at 37°C in a final volume of 200 μl and absorbance was then determined at a wavelength of 570 nm using a SpectraMax plate reader (Molecular Devices). Background (non-specific) absorbance was determined in the presence of 10 μM clorgyhne for MAO-A or 10 pM L-deprenyl for MAO-B. IC5D values were determined from inhibition curves obtained using nine inhibitor concentrations in duplicate, by fitting data to a four parameter logistic equation using a computer program.

The compounds of the present invention are specific MAO-B inhibitors. The IC50 values of preferred compounds of formula I as measured in the assay described above are in the range of 1 μM or less, typically 0.1 μM or less, and ideally 0.02 μM or less.
The compounds of formula I can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceu¬tical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emul¬sions or suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions.
The compounds of formula I can be processed with pharraaceutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and the like can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for soft gelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature of the active substance no carriers are, how¬ever, usually required in the case of soft gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for the produc¬tion of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants, such as alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils and the like, can be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula I, but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols and the like.
In addition, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabi¬lizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They may also contain other therapeutically valuable substances.
As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing a compound" of formula I and a therapeuti¬cally inert excipient are also an object of the present invention, as is a process for the pro¬duction of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more compounds of formula I and, if desired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into a galenical dosage form together with one or more therapeutically inert carriers.
The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, the effective dosage for oral or parenteral administration is between 0.01-20 mg/kg/day, with a dosage of 0.1-10 mg/kg/day being preferred for all of the indications described. The daily dosage for an adult human being

weighing 70 kg accordingly lies between 0.7-1400 mg per day, preferably between 7 and 700 mg per day.
The following examples are provided for illustration of the invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being representative there¬of The abbreviation „RT" means „room temperature".
Example 1: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluaro-benzylosy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acet-amide
a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid
18.8 g {94.4 mmol) of 4-ben2yloxyaniline are mixed with 12.28 g (94.4 mmol) itaconic acid. The solid mixture is heated to 130°C. After 20 min the molten material solidifies. After cooling, the restating solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 28.26 g (96 % of theory) of (RS)-i-(4-benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxyhc acid as a greyish sohd.MS:m/e = 311(M)+.
b) (RS)-l-[4-Benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-carbonyl chloride
A suspension of 9.50 g (30.5 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(3-benzylory)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroh-dine-3-carboxylic acid in 100 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 13.3 ml (183 mmol) of thionylchloride at RT during 18 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evapo¬rated under reduced pressure to dryness, then the residue is dispersed in toluene and eva¬porated to dryness again to yield quantitatively the (RS)-l-[4-benzylox7)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-carbonyl chloride as a yellowish solid which is used in the next step without further purification and characterisation.
c) (RS)-[i-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester
A solution of 0.20 g (0.6 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-benzylox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-
carbonyl chloride in 12 ml of toluene is cooled to 0°C and 0.058 g (0.9 mmol) of sodium
azide are added. The reaction mixture is warmed to RT and stirring continued or 1 h.
Thereafter, the mixture is heated to 80,C 1.88 ml (20 mmol) of tert-butanol are added and
stirring continued for 1 h. For the working-up,the mixture is cooled, diluted with ethyl
acetate and, consecutively, extracted with saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution,
water and brine. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under
reduced pressure to yield the crude compound as a brownish sohd. For purification, the
material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 2:1 mixture of n-hexane and
ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 0.13 g (55% of theory) of (RS)-[l-(4-benzyi-
ox7--phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS:
m/e-400(M-}-NH4)^
d) (RS)-[l-(4-Hydrox7-phenyl)'5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester

A solution of 82 mg (0.2 mmol) of (RS)-[l-C4-ben2yIox)-phenyI)-5-oxo-p)TrDlidm-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 2 mi of THF is hydrogenated in presence of 7 mg paUa-dium on carbon (10%) at ambient pressure and RT during 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtered over Dicalit, then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude (RS)-[l-(4-h7droxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester is obtained as a colorless oil, which is dkectiy engaged in the next step without further purifi¬cation and characterisation.
e) (RS)-(l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzylox)'^)-phenyl]-5-oxo-p>TroHdin-3-yI}-carbainic acid tert-
butyl ester
A solution of 62 mg (0.21 mmol) of the crude (RS)-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrro-iidin-3-yl]-carbanuc acid tert-butyl ester in 3 ml of 2-butanone is treated with 0.031 ml (0.23 mmol) of 3-fiuorobenzyl-bromide and 59 mg (0.42 mmol) of potassium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 50°C far 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is di¬luted with ethyl acetate and extracted with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 2:1 mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 61 mg (72% of theory) of (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-carbamic add tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 401 (M+H)^.
f) (RS)'4:-Amino-l-[4'(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride
A solution of 49 mg (0.12 mmol) of (RS)-{l'[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO'
pyTiolidin-3-yl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 1 ml of dioxane is treated with 0.10 ml of
hydrochloric acid (37%). The yellowish solution is warmed to 45'C for I h. For the work¬
ing-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and the solid residue is
triturated with ether. After filtration and drying, 33 mg (79% of theory) of (RS)-4-amino-
l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride are obtained as a
white solid. MS: m/e = 301 (M+H)+.
g)(RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide A solution of 25 mg (0.07 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(S-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny[]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride in 1 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 22 μl (0.16 mmol) of triethylamine and cooled to 0°C. To this solution, 6 μl (COS mmol) of acetyl-chloride are added and stirring at 0°C is continued for 30 min. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated with 2 ml of ammonium hydroxide solution, the organic phase separated, thereafter dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5 mix¬ture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent There are obtained 20 mg (7S% of

theory) of (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]'5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3--yl-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)"^.
Example 2: (S)-N'{l-[4-C3-Huoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroUdin-3-yl}-acet-amide
a) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxyoxyrphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-car'boxyIic acid
In a metallic pan, 257.0 g (2.355 mol) of 4-aminophenol and 301.75 g (2.32 mol) of ita-conic acid are mixed in solid form. Under stirring with a metal spatula, the mixture is carefully heated on a heating plate. At 110-120°C the exothermic reaction starts under boiling and, while the temperature raises to 150°C, the reaction mass turns to a beige solid.
The sandy product is left to cool down to RT within 1-2 hours. The crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid is engaged in the next step with¬out further purification or characterisation.
b) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxyHc acid methyl ester
In a 1014-necked ila&k equipped with a reflux condenser, a thermometer, and a mechani¬
cal stirrer, the crude (RS)-l-[4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carbox)'Iic acid is
dissolved in a mixture of 5000 ml of methanol, 24 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and 400
ml of2,2-dimethoxypropane and stirred under reflux during 2 h- For the working-up, the
reaction solution is reduced to half of its volume by distillation, then transferred into a 20 1
vessel. Under stirring at 40°C, a mixture of 2500 ml of water/ice (1:1) is added.
Crystallisation starts immediately, and, thereupon, the fine white crystals are collected on a
filter funnel. They are washed with a total of 2000 ml of cold water until the filtrate
becomes colourless and neutral. The well pressed and pre-dried product from the filter
funnel is dried under reducedpressure to yield 980 g (84% oftheory, 2 steps) of the (RS)- ,
l-(4,hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e = 234 (M+H)+.
c) (R)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and (S)"l-
(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid
A suspension of 50.22g (213.5rnmol) (KS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox>'lic acid methyl ester (98% HPLC) in 500ml cyclohexane is stirred moderately. By the addition of 2.01 O.lM sodium chloride, 50mM magnesium sulfate, 3mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 6.0 an emulsion/suspension is formed and re-adjusted to pH 6.0. The temperature is set to 30°C. Hydrolysis is started by the addition of 201mg of cholesterase from Candida cylindracea (Roche Apphed Science, Industrial Products, Enzyme Projects, Sandhofer Str. 116, D-6S305 Mannheim, Germany, order no. 10129046103) and the pH kept constant at 6.0 by the controlled addition of O.IN NaOH-solution (pH-stat) under moderate stirring. After a total consumption of 1016 ml of titrating agent (overnight;

48.6% conversion) the reaction mixture is ertracted with 3.51 and 2x2.5] dichloromethane and subsequently with 3.51 ethyl acetate. The combined dichloromethane phases are dried on sodium sulfate, evaporated and dried on HV to give 22.5g (95.6mmol; 44.8%) white crj'stals of ethyl (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)'5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboryIate; purity. HPLC: >99%; optical integrity: 95.3% e.e.; [a.]D = -21 .T (c=1.02; EtOH); MS: 235.1. The aqueous phase is adjusted to pH 2.2 with 32% hydrochloric acid and extracted with 3x3.51 ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried on sodium sulfate, evaporated and dried on HV to give 21.9g (99.0mmol; 46.4%) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid; purity HPLC: >99%; optical integrity 99.1% e.e.; [a]D = 25.4° {c=1.05; EtOH); MS: 221.1.
d) (S)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester
A mixture of 26 g (117.5 mmol) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxQ-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylicacid, 0.66 ml of sulfuric acid, and 100 ml of dimethoxypropane in 700 ml of methanol are heated to reflux for 3 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is re¬duced to 4/5 of its volume, then the residue is added under stirring to a mixture of ice and water. The precipitated product is collected on a filter funnel, washed with cold water and finally dried under high vacuum to yield 23.7 g(86% of theory) of {S)-l-(4-hydToxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=234 (M-H)'^; optica! integrity: 97.4% e.e..
e) (S)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl
ester
A solution 14.23g (110.6 mmol) of 3-fluoro-benzylalcohol and 27.19 g (10S.8 mmol) of triphenylphosphine in 150 ml of tetrahydrofurane is added dropwise within 50 min under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0°C to a solution of 23.65 g (100.5 mmol) of (S)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 21.62 g (100.5 mmol) of diisopropyl-azodicarboxylate in 200 ml of tetrahydrofiarane. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirring is continued for 18 hours. For the working-up, the mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. The solid residue is triturated in 400 ml of ether to leave a white solid mainly consisting of the product and triphenylphosphuioxide. After filtration, the sohd material is triturated in 100 ml of cold methanol to yield 23.5 g (68% of theory) of (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methyl ester as a white solid [MS: m/e=344 (M+H)+] together with traces of triphenylphosphine and diisopropylhydrazodicarboxylate.
f) (S)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid
A solution of 25.61 g (74.6 mmol) of (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl.]-5-oxo-pyrro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 650 ml of dioxane is treated with 175 ml of hydro¬chloric acid (37%). The mixture is heated at 50°C for 18 h in a closed flask. For the work-

g-up, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude add as a llow solid. For purification, the crude acid is triturated at I (S)"4-Ainino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)'phenyI]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride solution of 20.0 g (61 mmol) of (S}-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenylI-5-oxo-p)'noIi-ine-S'Carboxylic acid in 300 ml ofdioxane Is treated with 6.7 ml (61 mmol) of N-methyi-lorphoiine. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is cooled to -8°C and 8.14 ml (61 mmo!) of iobutyi chloroformate are added. After stirring for 5 min, a solution of 7.98 g (121 mmol) 'f sodium azide in 40 ml water are added while the temperature rises to 0°C. After stirring or 70 min at 0°C, the suspension is filtered over Dicalit. The filtrate is diluted with 700 ml if toluene and transferred into a separatory funnel. The organic layer is separated, then vashed twice with 250 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and twice with 200 ml ofa saturated solution of sodium chloride. Thereafter, the organiclayer is Iried over sodium sulfate and, after addition of 400 ml of toluene, the solvent and the resi-iual isobutylalcohol are evaporated to end with a volume of about 350 ml. The solution is beated gradually to 80°C and kept at this temperature for 70 min. After cooling, the solu¬tion of the intermediate isocyanate is concentrated to about 300 ml and Is added dropwise to a solution of 25.4 ml of hydrochloric acid [37%) in 100 ml of dioxane while heating to 45'C. Finally, after complete addition, the temperature is raised to 60°C for 1 hour and the hydrochloride already starts to precipitate. The mixture is cooled to 0C and the sohd material formed is collected on a filter funnel. After washing with tert-butylm ethyl ether, the product is dried under high vacuum. There are obtained 14.6 g (71% of theory) of [S)-4-amino-l'[4-(3-fluoro-benzylDxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid. MS: m/e= 301 (M+H)+.
h) (S)-N-{l-i4-(3--Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-[3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (S)-N-{1-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5--oxO'pyrrolidin-3-yl}~acetamJde as a crystalline white solid.MS:m/e=343(M+H)"'.
Example 3: (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acet-amide
a) (S)-l-[4-(3-F]uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester

In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2e), the alkylation of (R)-l-(4-hydrox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester [Example 2c)] with 3-fluorobenzylalcohol yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboryUc acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e=344 (M+H)"^.
b) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 f), the hydrolysis of (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with hydro¬chloric acid (37%) in dioxane yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-f[uoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add as a white solid. MS: m/e=330 (M+H)"^.
c) (R)-4-Amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add yields the (R)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro--ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid. MS: m/e=301 (M+H)^.
d) (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-henzyloxy)'phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example Ig), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (R)-N-{1-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy')-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrjrolidin-3-y]]-acetamide as a crystalline white sohd. MS: m/e= 343 (M-i-H)'.
Example 4: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-formamide
A mixture of 190 mg (1.9 mmol) of acetic acid anhydride and 108 mg (2.3 mmol) of formic acid is prepared at 0'C, then heated to 60°C for 2 hours. After cooling to RT, the solution is diluted with 1 ml of dry tetrahydroflirane, before a solution of215mg (0.7 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-henzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one [Example If)] in 2 ml of dichlororoethane is added (the amine is obtained from the corresponding hydrochloride after treatment with triethylaroine and extraction from a mixture of di-chloromethane and water). The formed suspension is stirred for 1 hour. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with dichloromethane and washed twice with water. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. There are ob¬tained 126 mg (54% of theory) of (RS)-N-|l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin'3-yI}-formamide as a white sohd. MS: m/e= 329 (M-rH)"^.
Examples: (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-form-amide

In an analogous manner to that described in Example 4, the acylation of {S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin'2-one [Example 2g)] yields (S)-N-tl'[4-(3-fluoro-benjylo>:y)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-formamide as a white semi-solid (yield 81% of theory). MS: m/e= 329 (M+H)^.
Example 6: (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yll-formamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 4, the acylation of (R)-4-amino-I-[4-C3-fluoro-ben2;yloxy)-phenyi]-pyrrohdin-2-one [Example 3c)] yields (R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl[-formamideas a light yellow solid (yield 94% of theory). MS: m/e- 329 (M+H)"^.
iiample?: (RS)-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5'OXO-pyrrolidin-3-yI}'Carbaraic acid methyl ester
solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-ainino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzylox)0-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example If)] in 12 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0C and successivelf treated with 226 μl (1.6mmol} of triethylamine and 64 μl (0.8 mmol) of metliyl chloro formate. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 1 hour. For the worldng-up, dichloromethane and water are added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated. There are obtained 203 mg (76% oftheorjO of (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy -oxo-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yi}-carb-amic acid methyl ester as a white sohd. MS: m/e=359 (M+H)"^.
Examples.- (RS}-jl-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo'pyrrolidin-3-y]}-urea
A solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-pyTrohdin-2-one hydrochloride [Example.1f)] in 2 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamideis cooled to 0°C and successively treated with 386 μl (2.2 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropyl-amine and 307 μl (2.2 mmol) of trimethylsilylisocyanate. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under re¬duced pressure. The red residue is dissolved in dichloromethane and the organic phase washed with water. After separation of the organic layer and drying over sodium sulfate, it is evaporated to give a red oil. For purification, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a gradient of a 95:5- to 90:10-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After the chromatography, in addition, the product is triturated in ethyl acetate and sodium hydrogencarbonate atRT. There are obtained 153 mg [60% of theory) of

(liS)-{}-[4-(3-13uoro-benzy]oxy)-phen)i]-5-oxo-pyrrDlidin-3-yl}-urea as a white solid. MS: m/e=344 (M+H)'.
Example 9: (RS)-N-{l-[4-{3-Fluoro-l3enzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3'yl}-methanesutfonamide
A solution of 250 mg (0.74 mmol) of (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-{3-fluoro-benz7loX7)-phenyl]-pyTrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example If)] in 8 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0°C and successively treatedwith 226 μl (2.2 mmol) oftriethylaraine and 64 \xi. (2.2 mmol) of methanesulfochloride. The mixture is stirred for 30 min at 0°C. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is washed twice with water, the organic layer is separated and dried over sodium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 235 mg (84% of theory) of (RS)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-yl}-metiianesulfonamide as a white solid. MS: m/e=377 (M-H)"*".
Example 10: (Sj-2-Fluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide
A solution of 100 mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzylox>')-phenyi]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 0.3 ml of N,N--dimethylformamide is
treated successively with 100 μl (0.6 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropylamine and 55 \i\ (0.6 mmo!) of methyl fluoroacetate. The resulting beige suspension is heated to 50C for IS hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated, thereafter, the residue is dissolved in dichloromethane and the solution washed with 1 m] of hydrochloric acid (IN). The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and ei'aporated. For puri¬fication, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of di¬chloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 30 mg (28% of theory) of (S)-2-fluoro-N-{l'[4-(3-fluorO'"benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5~oxo-pyrrohdan-3'ylS-acetamideas a white solid. MS: m/e=378 (M+NH4)^.
Example II: (S)-2,2-DifIuoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI}-acetamide
A solution of 103 mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 0.5 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide is treated successively with 180 μl (1.0 mmol) of N-ethyl-diisopropylamine, 20 μl (0.3 mmol) of difluoroacetic acid, and 102 mg (0.3 mmol) of 0--(benzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-

methyluronium-tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) at RT, and thereafter, stirred for 6 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue is dissolved in 3 ml of dichloromethane and the solution is washed with 1.5 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogenate and with 1.5 ml of hydrochloric acid (O.I N). The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. For purification, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 21 mg (18% of theory) of (S}-2,2-difluoro-N-{I-[4-(3-fluoro-benzloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e-396 (M+NH4)+.
Example 12: (S)-2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-{ 1-14-(S-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroli-din-3-yl}-acetamide
A solution of l0mg (0.3 mmol) of (S)-4-amino-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 2g)] in 2.5 ml of dichloromethane is cooled to 0°C and treated successively with 90μl (0.6 mmol) of triethylamine and 50 μl (0.33 mmol) of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride. The reaction mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred in total during 3.5 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with 2 ml of dichloromethane. The resulting solution is washed twice with 2 ml of water, the organic layer is separated, dried over sodiume sulfate, and evaporated. For purification, the crude material is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 60 mg (51% of theory) of (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e=414 (M+NH4)^.
Example 13: (RS)-N-{I-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-7l}-acetamide
a) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester
A solution of 5.0 g (21.3 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oso-p)Trohdine-3-carb-oxylic acid methyl ester [Example 2 b)] in 200 ml of 2-butanone is treated with 3.55 ml (27.6 mmol)pf 4-fluorobenryl-bromide and 5.88 g (42.5 mmol) of potassium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 90°C for 3 hours. For the worldng-up, the reaction mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and extracted v.'ith water. The organic phase is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification^ the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture dichloromethane and methanol as the eiuent. There are obtained 7.18 g (98% of theory) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-

3eEzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox;'lic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e=344(M+H)+.
b) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-3-carboxyUcacid
A suspension of 7.12 g (20.7 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4r-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-plienyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-B-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 10.3 ml of a solution of sodium hydroxide (IN) is prepared and tetrahydrofurane is added until a clear solution is obtained. The mixture is heated to 50°C for 1 hour. For the working-up, the tetrahydrofurane is evapo¬rated under reduced pressure. The white suspension obtained is diluted with water, then filtered. The white product is treated with toluene and evaporated under reduced pressure to remove most of the water. The azetropic distillation is repeated three times. There are obtained 5.78 g (85% of theory) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid.
c) (RS)-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-henzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl!-carbamic acidtert-
butyl ester
A solution, of 5.16 g (15.7 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-p}Tro-lidine-3-carboxylic acid in 70 ml of tetrahydrofurane is treated with 1.76 ml (15.7 mmol) of N-methylmorpholine. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is cooled to -ICC and 2.08 ml (15.7 mmol) of isobutyl chloroformate are added. After stirring for 3 min, a solution of 2.06 g (31.3 mmol) of sodium azide in 10 ml of water are added while the temperature rises to 0°C. After stirring for 45 min at 0°C, the suspension is diluted with 200 ml toluene and transferred into a separatory funnel. The organic layer is washed twice with 1000 ml of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate and twice with 100 ml of a saturated solution of sodium chloride. Thereafter, the organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated to end with a volume of about 80 ml. The solution is heated gra¬dually to 80°C and kept at this temperature for 30 min. Thereafter, 35.3 ml (376 mmol) of tert-butanol are added and the mixture is stirred at 80°C for 18 hours. Then the solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent.. There are obtained 4.82 g (77% of theory) of (RS)-|l-[4-(4-flaGro-benzylox>0-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}-carb-amic acid tert-butyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e= 401 (M+H)"^.
d) (RS)-4-Amino-I-[4-(4-fiuoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-pyrro!idin-2-one hydrochloride
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 f), the cleavage of the tert-butox}'-carbonyl group of the (RS)-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzloxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-carbamic add tert-butyi ester under acidic condition yields the (RS)-4-amino-I-[4-(4-tIuoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield S0% of theory). MS: m/e = 301 (M+H)"".
e) (RS)-N-{l-[4-C4-Fiuoro-benzylox7)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide

In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-[4-{4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-oneyields the (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white sohd (yield 98% of theory). MS: m/e= 343 (M+H)^.
Example 14: (K,)-N-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-5-ox:o-pyrroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide and (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzy'Ioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetainide
The separation of 0.25 g (0,7 mmol) of the two enantiomers (RS)-N-U-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide (Example 13) is performed on a preparative chiral HPLC column (CHIRALPAK® AD, pressure: 17 bar, flow : 35 ml/min) using a 4:1 mixture of n-heptane and ethanol as the eluent. There are obtained 100 mg (39% of theory) of the first elating (R)-(+)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide [MS: m/e - 343 (M+ + H)] and 90 mg (35% of theory) of the later eluting isomer (S)-(-)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}" cetamide [MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)"*"], each as a white solid.
ixample 15: (RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-p)Trolidin-3-yl}-form-amide
LH an analogous manner to that described in Example 4a), the acylation of (RS)-4-amino-I-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyIox7-)-phenyl]-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride [Example 13 d)] yields (RS)-N-U-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}'formamide as a white solid (yield 77.5% of theory). MS: m/e= 328 (M+H}^
Example 16: (RS)-N-[l-(4-Ben2yloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide
a) (RS)'4-Ajnino-l-(4-benzyloxy'phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 f), the cleavage of the tert-butoxy-carbonyl group of the (RS)-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-ylj-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester [Example 1 c)] yields the (RS)-4-amino-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield 84% of theory).
b) (RS)-N-[l-(4-Ben2yloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of the (RS)-4-amino-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride yields the (RS)-N- [l-(4-benzloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide as a white solid yield 21% of theory). MS: m/e= 325 (M+H)+.

Example 17: (RS)-N-E]-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyIoxy-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide
a) (RS)-l-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oso-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl
ester
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 13 a), the alkylation of the (RS}-I-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester [Example 2 b)] with 2-SuorobenzyI-bromide using cesium carbonate as the base at RT yields (RS}-I-[4-(2-fit3oro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light yellow solid ()'ie]d 82% of theory).
b) (KS)-l-[4-{2-Fluoro'benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 13 b), the hydrolysis of the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as an off-white solid {yield 82% of theory).
c) (RS)-4-Amino-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of the (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and the hydrolysis of the intermediate isocyanate fields the (RS)-4-amino-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyl-oxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white solid (yield 85% of theory). MS: m/e= 301 (M+H)+.
d) (RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]}-acetamide
in an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (R)-4-amino-l-l4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one yields the (RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white solid (yield 98% of theory). MS: m/e=: 343 (M+H)+.
Example 18: (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyI)-vinyI]-phenyIi-5-oxa-pyrrohdin-3-y!)-acetamide
a) (E)-l-Fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene
A suspension of 677 mg of sodium hydride {55% dispersion in oil) in 10 ml of N,N-di-methylformamide is cooled to 0°C. Thereupon, 5.61 g (20.5 mmol) of diethyl (4-nitro-benzyl)phDsphonate are added portionwise. The reaction mixture is left to warm to RT and stirred for 1.5 hours. Thereafter, the mixture is cooled to -10°C and a solution of 1.5 g (12.1 mmol) of 3-fluorobenzaldehyde in 5 ml N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise. Stirring is continued for 30 min at 0C, then at RT. For the working-up, ice and ethyl acetate are added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over

magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to yie]d the crude crystalline product, which, after recrysfallisation from a mixture of ether and heptane gives 2.41 g (82% of theory) of (E)-l~fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene as a yellow solid; MS: m/e^243(M)'.
b) (E)-4-[2-(3-FIaoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenykmine
A solution of 2.41 g(l0 mmol) (E)-l-fIuorO'3-[2-(4-nitrophenyI)ethenyI]-benzenein25 ml of ethyl acetate is flushed with argon and, thereafter, hydrogenated at RT and atmos¬pheric pressure during 4 hours using 0.241 g of platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst For the working-up, the catalyst is filtered over Dicaht and the resulting solution is eva¬porated under reduced pressure. The solid material obtained is crystallised from a mixture of ether and heptane to yield 1.32 g {62.5% of theory) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinylj-phenylamine as an orange solid; MS: m/e = 213 (M)"^.
c) CRS)-(E)-l-[4-[2-(3-Fluoro-pheny!)-vinyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic
acid
A mixture of 600mg (2.8 mmol) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine and 366 m% (2.8 mmol) of itaconic acid is heated to 130°C. After 1 hour, the molten materia! is cooled to RT and, thereafter, the resulting solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 568 mg (62 % of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]'phenyll-5-oxo-pyrroli-dine-3-carboxylic acid as a fine yellow powder; MS: m/e = 324 (M-H)'*'.
d) (RS)-(E)-(l-{4-[2-(3-F]uoro-phenyI)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl)-caTbamic .
acid tert-butyl ester
A solution of 150 mg (0.46 mmol) of (RS)-(E)-l-[442-(3-fiuoro-phenyl)-vinyl]'-phenyl}-S-oxo-pyrroHdine-S-carboxylic acid in 2 ml of tetrahydrofurane is cooled to -15°C and 63 mg (0.46 mmol) of isobutyl chloroformate are added dropwise. After 5 min, a solution of 60 mg (0.92 mmol) of sodium azide in 0.5 ml water is added. The mixture is stirred at 0C for 45 min, then left to warm to RT. Toluene is added and the diluted solution is ivashed with a saturated solution of sodium hydro gen carbonate. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is dis¬solved in 5 ml of toluene and the solution warmed to 80°C. After 30 min, 1.1 ml (1.2 mmol) oftert-butano! are added and heating is continued for 18 hours. For the worldng-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated and the crude product directly chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After crystallisation from ether, 104 mg (57% of theory) of (RS)-(E)- (l-{4-[2-(3-fluDro-phenyI)-vinyl]-phenyIi-5--oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yi)-carbamic acid tert-buty] ester are obtained as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e=397 (M+H)".
e) (RS)-(E)-4-Amino-l-|4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyi}-pyrrohdin-2-one hydro-
chloride

solution of 104 mg (0.26mmol) of (RS)-CE)-{l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phen7l)-vin7l]-ehenyl}5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yi)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester in 2.5 ml of tetrahydro-furane is treated with 192 mg of hydrochloric acid (37%). The mixture is warmed to 45^0 for 2 hours, then left under stirring for IS hours at RT. The product precipitates partially from the reaction mixture which is evaporated to yield the crude hydrochloride. This is recrystallised from ether to give 74 mg (85% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as a white soHd; MS: m/e=297 (M+H)^.
f)(RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3^Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-7l)-acetamide
A suspension of 61 mg (O.18 ramol) of (RS)-(E)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyJ)-vinyIj-phenyIJ-pyrroIidin-2-one hydrochloride in 15 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 45 mg (0.44 mmol) of triethylamine. The mixture is cooled to 0C and, thereafter, 20 mg (0.26 mmol) of acetylchloride are added. After 1 hour at 0C, the mixture is left to warm to RT and is diluted with dichloromethane. After washing with water, the organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is crystallised from ether to yield 49 mg (78% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl] -phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl)-acetamide as a light brown solid; MS: m/e=339 (M+H)"^.
Example 19: (RS)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-efhyl]-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrrolJdin-3-yl)-acetamide
a) 4- [2- (3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl] -phenylamine
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18b), thehydrogenation of (E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl)-benzene [Example 18a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) during 5 hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields quantitatively 4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny!amine as a yellow solid. MS: m/e= 215 (M) .
b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoio-phenyi)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18c), the reaction of 4-(2-(3-fIuoro-phenyl)-ethyl]'phenylaminewifhitaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyi)-ethyl] -phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M^H)^.
c) (RS)-(l-4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 Sd), the Curtius rearrangement of the (RS}-l-(4-[2-(3-Suoro-pbenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-5-oxo-p7rrolidineo-carboxylic acid

and the treatment of the intermediate isocyanate with tert-butanol pelds the (l-{4--[2-(3' fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl J-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI)-carbamic add tert-butyl ester as an off-white solid (yield 36% of theory); MS: m/e= 399 (M-t-H)+.
d) (RS}-4-Amino-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyI)-ethyI]-phenyl-pynolidin-2-one hydro¬
chloride
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18e), the cleavage of the tert-but-oxj'carbonyl group by hydrochlorid acid yields the (RS)-4-amino-l-{4-[2-(3-Suoro-pheny])-ethyl]-pheny]}-pyrrolidin-2-one hydrochloride as an off-white solid (yield 67.5% of theory). MS: m/e= 299 (M+H)^
e) (IiS)-N-(l-!4-[2-(3-Piuoro-pheny])-ethy3]-phenyl}-5-DXO-pyTrohdin-3-yl)-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 18f), the acetylation of the {ES)-4-
amino-l-i4-l2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-pyrrolidin-2-one)'ieidsthe (RS)-N-(l-
14-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl)-acetamide as a white solid
after crystallisation in ether (yield 85.6% of theory). MS: m/e== 341 (M+H)"".
Example 20: (RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyTroIidin-3-yl}-acetamide
a) 2-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine
In an analogous manner to that described in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 33:2087-2093 (1990), the reaction of 4-fluorobenzylalcohol instead of benzylalcohol with 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine yields the 2-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine as a yellow solid.
b) 6-(4-Fluoro--benzyloxy)-pyrridin-3-ylamine
A mixture of 0.70 g (2.8 mmol) of 2-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine and 2.36 g (4.2 mmol) of iron powder in 35 ml of water and 0.7 ml of acetic acid is heated under reflux for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated under vigorous stirriiag with water and ethyl acetate, thereafter, filtered over a layer of Dicaht. The organic layer is sepa¬rated, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. There are ob¬tained 0.28 g (45% of theory) of 6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylamine as a greenish solid which is engaged in the next step without farther purification.
c) (RS)-l-[6-(4-Fluoro-benzyioxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid
In an analogous manner to that described in Example la), the reaction of 6-(4-fluoro-
benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylamine with itaconic acid yields (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-
pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid as a green solid (yield 47% of theory).
d) (RS)-4-Amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-pyridin-3-yI]-pyrrolidin-2-onedihydro-
chloride

In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2 g), the Curtius rearrangement of (RS)-l-[6-{4-£luoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-ylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid and treatment of the intermediate isocyanate yields (RS)-4-amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-pyrrohdin-2-one dihydrochloride as a light yellow solid. e) (RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1 g), the acetylation of (RS)-4-amino-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin'3-yl]-prrolidin-2-one dihydrochloride yields (RS)-N-jl-!6--{4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdin-3-yl}-acetamide as a white sohd (yield 37% of theory). MS: m/e= 344 (M+H)^.
Example 21: (S)-N-{l-[4-{3-Chloro--beiizyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirolidin-3-yl}-acetamide
a) (S)-N-[l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI]-acetamide
A solution of 4.67 g (13.6 mmol) of (S)-N-(l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroHdin-3-yI}-acetamide in 500 ml of tetrahydrofurane is hydrogenated in the presence of 726 mg palladium on carbon (10%) at ambient pressure and RT during 18 hours. The reaction not being complete, the catalyst is filtered over Dicalit and another 726 mg of palladium on carbon (10%) are added. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtered over Dicalit, then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude (S)-N-[l-(4-hydrox)'-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide is obtained as an off-white solid, which is directly engaged in the next step without farther purification. MS: m/e=235 (M+H)"^
b) (S)-N-{l--[4-(3-ChIoro-benzylox)')-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-yl}'acetamide
A solution of 15 mg (0.064 mmol) of (S)-N-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5'OXO-pyrrohdin-3-yl]-acetamidein 30 ml of acetone is treated with 0.01 ml (0.074 mmol) of 2-chlorobenz)'l-bromide and 22 mg (0.067 mmol) of cesium carbonate and the mixture is stirred at 40°C for 4 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is filtrated and evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on slica gel using a 19:1 mixture dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained 17 mg (72% of theory) of (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yll-acetamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 359.3 (M-t-H)^.
Example 22: (S)-N-{l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrlidin-3"yl} acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)--N'[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-p)Tro]idin-3-y]]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is

prepared by alkylation with 2,6-difluorQben2yl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 85% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e= 361.3 (M+H)+.
Example 23; (S)-N-{5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-y]}' acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin.-3-yI]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 2i4,6-trifiuorobenzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 53% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e=: 379.4 (M+H)^
Example 24: (S)-N-{l-[4-(3-Methoxy-benzyIoxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yIi-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by altylation with 3-methoxybenzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 58% of theory as a white solid. MS; m/e= 355.2 (M+H)"^.
Example 25: (S)-N-{5-Oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluaromethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-p-j'Troladin-3-yl}-acetarmide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)'N-[l-(4-hydrox7-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroiidin-3-yl]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by aUcylation with 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40C overnight. Yield 55% of theory as a white sohd. MS: m/e= 393.3(M+H)'^.
Example 26: (S)-N-{l-[4-(4-Methyl-benzy!oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from {S)"N-[1'{4-hydroxy"-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrohdin-3-y]]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 4-methylben2yl bromide and cesium carbonate at 40°C overnight. Yield 83% of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e= 339.1(M+H)+.
Example 27: (S}-N-{l-[4-(3-CyanQ-benz7loxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-prrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 21b), starting from (S)-N-[l-{4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-axo-pyrroIidin-3-yI]-acetamide [example 21a] the title compound is

prepared by alkylation with 3-(bromomethy)benzonitrile and cesium carbonate at 40C covernight. Yield 91% of theory as 3 light yellow solid. MS: m/e= 350.3(M+H)+.
example A; Tablets
Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventional manner:
mg/Tablet
Active ingredient 100
Powdered lactose 95
White corn starch 35
Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8
Na carboxymethylstarch. 10
Magnesium stearate 2
Tablet weight 250
Example B: Tablets
Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventional manner:
mg/Tablet
Active ingredient 2O0
Powdered lactose 100
White corn starch 64
Polyvinylpyrrolidone 12
Na carboxymethylstarch 20
Magnesium stearate 4
Tablet weight 400
Example C: Capsules
Capsules of the following composition are produced:
mg/Capsule
Active ingredient 50
Crystalline lactose 60
Microcrystaillne cellulose 34
Talc 5
Magnesium stearate 1
Capsule fill weight 150

The active ingredient having a suitable particle size, the crystalline lactose and the micro-crystalline cellulose are homogeneously mixed with one another, sieved and thereafter talc and magnesium stearate are admixed. The final mixture is filled into hard gelatine capsules of suitable size.
Example D: Injection solution
An injection solution may have the following composition and is manufactured in usual manner:
Active substance 1.0 mg
1 N HCi 20.0 μl
acetic acid 0.5 mg
NaCI S.O mg
phenol 10.0 mg
1 N NaOH q.s. ad pH 5
H2O q.s. ad 1 ml

WE CLAIM ; 1. A compound of the formula I
wherein
Q u=N-or=C{R24-;
X-Y is -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH- or -CH2-O;
R1, R11' and R12 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen, halogen, h6logcn-(C1-C6)-alkyl, cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-C5)-alkoxy; R21, R22 and R25 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen and halogen; R24 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R3 is-NHR6 R4 is hydrogen; and R6 is -C(O)H, -C(0)-(C1-C3)-alkyl, C(0)-halogen-'(C1-C3)alkyl> -C(O)O(C1-C3)-alkyl, -
C(O)NH1 or -SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof.
2- The compound of claim 1 wherein Q is -C(R24)-.
3. The compound of claim 1 herein X-Y is -CH2-O-.
4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R1.1 and R1.2' are hydrogen and R1 is hydrogen or halogen.
5. The compound of claim 1 wherein R21, R22 and R23are hydrogen.
6. The compound of claim 1 wherein R24 is hydrogen.
7. The compound of daim 1 wherein R3 is -NHR6 wherein R6 is -C(O)H, -C(O)-CH5, .C(O)-CH2F. -C(O)-CHF2, -C(O)-CF3, -C(O)O-CH3. -C(O)-NH: or -SO3-CH3.

8. The compound of claim 1 wherein the compound has (S)-configuration.
9. The compound of claim 1 wherein the compound is slected from
(RS) -N-{ 1 - [4- (3-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(S)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo)-pyrrolidin.-3-yl}-acetamide,
(R)-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidm-3-yl}-acetanude,
(RS)-N-{l-[4-C3-fliioro-benzyloxy)-phen;^]-5-oxo-pyrTolidin-3-yl}-formamide,
(S)-N-(l-l4-(3-fl,uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrcolidia-3-yl}-foraMimide,
(R)-N-{l-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrro]idm-3-yl}-formamde,
(RS)-fl-[4-(3-fluoro-benzydoxy)-phen)4]'5-oxo-pyrrolidm-3-yl}-carbamic acid methyl ester,
(RS)-{l-[4-{3-fiuoro-benzyldoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrfolidin-3-yl}-urea,
(RS)-N- {1- [4- C3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phen)d] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yU -methanesulfonamide,
(S)-2-fluoro-N-il-[4-(3-fluoro-benyyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrroKdin-3-yl-acetamide,
{S)-2,2-difLuoro-N-{l-[4-(3-flworo-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-yi}-acetamide,
{S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrQlidin-3-yl-acetamide,
(RS)-N-{ 1- [4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl} -acetamide,
(R)-N-{ 1- [4-{4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl - acetamide,
{S)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl-acetamide,
(RS)-N-{l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirrlidin-3-yl}-formamide,
(RS)-N-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo~pyn-olidin-3-)dl]-acetamide,
(RS)-N-{l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
{RS)-CE)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-pbcnyl)-vinyl]-phenthyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yI)-acetamide.
(RS)-N-(l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl-ethyl-phenyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-acetain.ide,
(RS)-N-{l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzloxy)-pyndin-3-yl]-5-oa)-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(S)-N-{l-[4-(3-chloro-benzloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(S)-N-| 1-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl} acetamide,
(S)-N-{5-oxo-1-[4-(2,4,6-triftuoro-bcnzloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-3cetamide,
CS)-N-n-[4-(3-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamide,
(S)-N-l5-oxo-l-[4-(4-trifluoromethyi-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yI}-acetamide,
(S)-N-{l-[4-(4-meth'jd-benzloxy)-phenyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetamideand
(S)-N-U-(4-(3-cyano-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pynolidin-3-yl}-acetftmide.

10, The compound according to claim 1. having the formula I*

wherein
R' is halogen, halogen-(C1-C6)-alkyl cyano, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(C1-
C6)-alkoxy;
R21, R22 , R23and R24' independently from each other are selected from the group
consisting of hydrogen and halogen;
R3 is -NHR6;
R4' is hydrogen;
R6 IS -CO-(C1-C3)-alkyl or-S02-(C1-C3)-aklkyl; and
n is O.L 2 or 3;
as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof
1 ]. A process for the manufacture of a compound of formula I according lo any one of claims I to 10, which process comprises : a) reacting a compound of formula

with an isocyanate or an acyl donating agent of formula Z-C(0)-{C|-C3)-aib,'l.

2-C(O)-halogen-(C1-C3)alkyl, Z-C(O)O(C1-C3)-alkyl or 2-SO2-(C1-C3)-alkyl
wherein Z is an activating group, in particular a halogen or anhy dride
or
b) cross-coupling a compound of formula

wherein LG is a leaving group, in particular C1, Br or I or SnR3 or B(OH)2.
12. A compound of formula I according to claim 1, when manufactured by a
process according to claim 11.
13, A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound according to claim 1 or
10 and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

Documents:

0410-chenp-2005 abstract-duplicate.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 abstract.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 claims-duplicate.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 claims.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 correspondence-others.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 correspondence-po.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 description (complete)-duplicate.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 description (complete).pdf

0410-chenp-2005 form-1.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 form-18.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 form-26.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 form-3.pdf

0410-chenp-2005 form-5.pdf

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Patent Number

219261

Indian Patent Application Number

410/CHENP/2005

PG Journal Number

23/2008

Publication Date

06-Jun-2008

Grant Date

28-Apr-2008

Date of Filing

17-Mar-2005

Name of Patentee

F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

Applicant Address

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	THOMAS, Andrew, William
2	RODRIGUEZ-SARMIENTO, Rosa, Maria
3	KRUMMENACHER, Daniela
4	WIRZ, Beat
5	WOSTL, Wolfgang
6	IDING, Hans
7	JOLIDON, Synese

PCT International Classification Number

C07D207/26

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2003/010356

PCT International Filing date

2003-09-18

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	02021319.5	2002-09-20	EUROPEAN UNION