| Title of Invention | PYRROLIDONE DERIVATIVES AS MAOB INHIBITORS |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The invention relates to racemic or enantiomerically pure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives, processes lor their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of illness, e.g. which are mediated by monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, in particular Alzheimer's disease or senile dementia. |
| Full Text | The invention relates to racemic or enantiomericaily pure 4-pyrrolidino derivatives, pro¬cesses for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives, and their use in the prevention and treatment of illness. More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula 1 wherein Q is=N-or=C(RM)-; X-Y is -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH- or -CH2-O-; R1, RU and Rl 2 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halogen, (,Ci-C6)-alkyl,ha"logen-(Ci-Cfi)-allcyl,cyano,(Ci-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-{ Ci-Q)-alkoxy; R21, R22 and R23 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R2* is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R3 is -C(0)N(H)CH3 or -CH2CN; and R* is hydrogen; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula I* wherein R1 is halogen, halogen-(CrQJ-alkyl, cyano, {Q-QJ-alkoxyorhalogen-fC-^-alkoxv; R21, R22, R23 and R24 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; Rs is-CONHRVCHiCNor-CN; R* is hydrogen; R5 is methyl; and n isO, I, 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 responsible for the oxidative deamination of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, 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)1 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. PhssmAOol. 38-.555-561 (T.9%9^ and it has heeo. found to he. highJ-V expressed in. astrocytes around senile plaques [Saura et al., Neurosdence 70:755-774 (1994)]. In this context, since oxidative deamination of primary monoamines by MAO produces NHj, aldehydes and H202, 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 wim 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 ofHi02by 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 BentuS-Ferrer et a]. [CNS Drugs 6:217-236 (1996)]. Whereas a major limitation of irreversible and non-selective MAO inhibitor activity is the need to observe dietary precautions due lo the risk of inducing a hypertensive crisis when dietary tyramine is ingested, as well as the potential for interactions with other medications [Gardner et ah, 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-B. Thus, 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 "(CrQJ-alkyT 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-propyi, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, and the like, preferably with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Accordingly, the term "(Q-C3)-alley!" means a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The term "halogen" denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. "Halogen-tCpCj-alkyT or "halogen- (CrC6)-alkoxy" means the lower fikfl residue or lower alkoxy residue, respectively, as defined herein substituted in any position with one or more halogen atoms as defined herein. Examples of halogenalkyl residues include, but are not limited to, 1,2-difluoropropyl, 1,2-dichloropropyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, and the like. "Halogenalkoxy" in¬cludes trifluoromethyloxy, "(Ci-CeJ-Alkoxy" means the residue -O-R, wherein R is a lower alkyl residue as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy, and the like. "Pharmaceutically acceptable salts" of a compound means salts that are pharmaceutically acceptable, which are generally safe, non-toxic, and neither biologically 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, Active Compounds may be converted into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It should be under¬stood that pharmaceutically acceptable salts are included in the present invention. A more preferred group of compounds of formula I* are those wherein R3 is -CO-NHR5 and R5 is methyl. Examples of such compounds are the following: (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethyl¬amide, (R)-l-[4-{3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine"3-carboxylicacidmethylamide, (RS)-[l-[4-C3,4-difluoro-betuyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynoHdme-3-carboKyUcacidmethYl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[3-fiuoro-4-(3-fluorO-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid Diethylamide, (RS)-l-[2-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-caiboxylicacid methylamide, (R£H-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUc acid methylamide, and (R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide. A further preferred group of compounds of formula I* are those, wherein R3 is -CH2CN andR4 is hydrogen. (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yll- acetonitrile is an example for such a compound. Compounds of formula I* may be substituted by n Rl selected from the group consisting of halogen, halogen-(Ci-QJ-aUcyl, cyano, (Ci-Q)-alkoxy or halogen-(Ci-Cj)-alkoxy, wherein n denotes an integer selected from 0, ], 2 and 3. Preferably n is 1 or 2. Preferred compounds of formula I* are those, wherein Rl is halogen or haiogen-(Ci-C«)-aIkyl. Especially preferred are those compounds of formula I*, wherein R1 is fluorine, chlorine or trifluoromethyL 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(R34)-, wherein Ru is hydrogen, halogen or methyl. In another embodiment the inven¬tion provides compounds of formula 1 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^-O-. 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 R1, Ru and R1 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1, Ru and R12 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-tri0uoro. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Ru is hydrogen and R1 and Ru independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (Ci-Ce)-alkyl, halogen-(C]-Q)-alkyi, cyano, (Ci-C$)-aUcoxy or halogen-(Ci-C^-alkoxy. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula 1 wherein R1"1 is hydrogen and R1 and R1" independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of halogen and (Ci-Q)-alkyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1,2 is hydrogen, Ru is halogen and Rl is halogen or (Ci-CsJ-aJkyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Ru and Rl 2 are hydrogen and R1 is halogen, (Ci-C6)-alkyl, halogen-(CpC^-allcyl, cyano, tCrQValkoxy or ha\ogen-(CrQ}-alkoxy. In still another embodiment the present inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein R1" and R1"2 are hydrogen and Rl is halo¬gen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In still another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"1 and Rl" are hydrogen and R1 is fluoro, e.g. 3-Quoro or 4-fluoro, chloro, e.g. 3-chloro, halogenmethyl, e.g. 3-trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxy, e.g. 2-methoJcy, 3-methoxy or 4-methory, or halogen-methoxy, e.g. 3-trifluorometboxy. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1, Rl"! and Ru are hydrogen. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R21, R11 and RM are hydrogen. In another embodiment the present invention provides com¬pounds of formula I wheiein. R21 and R.2J are hydrogen and R22 is fluoro. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R" is -C(0)N(H)CHj. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R3 is -CH:CK In one aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein the com¬pounds have (R)-configuration. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R24)-. wherein RM is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; -X-Y- is -CH2-0-; R1, RM and R1"2 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hajo-gen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R2\ R~2 and Ra are hydrogen; and R1 is -C( 0)N(H)CH3. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-; -X-Y- is -CH2-O-; R1, Ru and R""s independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R", R22 and R23 are hydrogen; and R3 is -C(0)N(H)CH3.}n still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-; -X-Y- is -CH2-0-; RL1 and R,a are hydrogen and R1 is fluoro, chloro, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R21, R21 and Ra are hydrogen; and R3is-C(0)N(H)CH3. Examples of compounds of formula I include compounds selected from (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynolidine-3-carboxyhc acid methyl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-I-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyBc acid methyl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2J4,6-trifiuoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyi]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid Diethylamide, (R5)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4J5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxvlicacid methyl amide, (RS)-5-oxo-]-[4-(2,3>6-trifluoro-ben^yIoxy)-pheny]]-pyrrolidine-3-cai"box)dJcacid Diethylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-t7JSuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrro)idine-3-carboxyli£:acid methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(5-fluorO"2-methyi-benzyloxy)"phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylii:acjd methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-metboxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4-(2-methoxy-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbo]cyIicacid methyl-amide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-pheiiylJ-pyrTolicline-3-carboxylica<:id diethylamide> (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluororoethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyJ]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]icacid metliylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-cyano-benzylox)")-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-pheiiyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4"(4-flaoro-bcnzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidirie-3-ca.rboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4"(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrro!idiiie-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[3-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[2-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny!]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-l2J5-dafluoro-4-[3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-pbenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (S)-l-I4-f3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R}-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pynoUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (S)-i-C4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxyhc acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(3-fiuoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro]idiiie-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(3-chIoro-benzyloxy)-pheny!]-5-oxo-pynoIidine-3-carboxyIicacidmethyIamide, (R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-berizyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carbcixylic acid methyl-amide, CR)-5-oxo-l-(4-(2,4,6-Crifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiit acid methyl- amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-diQuoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-ylj-acetonitrile, (RSJ"U-^-fS-fluoro-benzyloxyJ-phenyil-S-oxo-pyrroiidin-S-yll-acetonitrile, (RSJ-Il-t^benzyloxy-phen^-S-oxo-pyrrolidin-S-ylJ-acetonitrile, (RS)-(E)-l-f4-[2-(3-fluoro-plienyl)-vinyl]-phenyn-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd methylamide, (RS)-(E}-l-{4-!2-(4-meth.03cy-phenyt)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pytrolidine-3-caiboxyiicacid methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl3-pheiiyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid Diethylamide, (RS)-{E)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxy]icadd methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (RS)-l-(4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidijie-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-{4-fiuoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyJicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-l4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)"ethyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd methylamide, (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoio-benryloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxQ-pyrrolidmc-3-carboxylLcadd methylamide, and (RS)-l-[4-{2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic add methyl¬amide. In another embodiment the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula I comprising reacting a compound of formula II In accordance with the present invention, scheme 1 shows the main routes to compounds of the formula I wherein R3 is-C(0)N(H)CH3, i.e. compounds of formula I**". The reaction of the intermediates IV and IVa with itaconic acid V is preferentially done neat at temperatures between 80°C and 2008C. Compounds of formula Ha and IVa are then transformed to esters of formula lib and Via by methods known per se. Compounds of formula Via can then be alkylated by Williamson-ether synthesis using optionally substituted benzylic halides, tosylates, mesylates or triflates. Bases used can be, e.g., alcoholates or carbonates, like e.g. sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate. Examples for solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones. The temperature may be, e.g. in the range of from 20°C to reflux temperature. Another approach is the Mitsunobu-coupling of optionally substituted benzylic alcohols with phenol Via. The reaction maybe done as usual in inert solvents like, e.g., diethyl ether or tetrahydrofurane, using dialkyi-azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines (e.g. tributyl- or triphenyl-phosphine)- The hydrolysis of compounds of formula Via car 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. Amides of formula I** or \1b can be obtained by aminolysis of esters of formula lib or Via with amines of formula R -NH2 at a temperature in the range of from room temperature (RT) and 120"C, e.g. in sealed tubes using solvents inert under these conditions, like e.g. dimethoxyethane, dioxane, or methanol. Alternatively, acids of formula [la may be trans¬formed into compounds of formula I** using standard procedures. They can be activated via, e.g., acid chloride or mixed anhydride. Especially for the preparation of enantiopure derivatives, condensation reagents like carbodiimides, e.g. dicyclohexyi-carbodiimide, or benzotriazol derivatives, e.g. 0-(benzotria2ol-l-yl)-N,N,N",N"-tetramethyluronmm-hexa-fluorophosphate (HBTU) may be applied. Another method to prepare compounds of formula I involves cross-coupling reactions of arylstannanes [Lam et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 43:3091 (2002)1, 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 pyrrolidanes (scheme 2). In accordance with the present invention, a possibility to prepare the intermediates of general formula IV, wherein -X-Y- is-CHj-O-, i.e. a compound of formula IVb, is shown in scheme 3: The intermediates of formula XII are accessible through nucleophilic substitution of aromatic nitro compounds of formula XI containing p-substituted leaving groups with benzyhc alcohols of formula X. Leaving groups in para-position can be, e.g., halogens (F, CI, Br, I), tosylates, mesylates or trifiates. These substitution reactions can be conducted neat or in inert solvents like, e.g., toluene or xylene. The reaction temperature maybe in the range of from 50°C to 150SC. Alternatively, compounds of formula XII can be prepared by Wuliamson-efher synthesis, starting from p-nitrophenols of formula XTV and benzyhc halides, tosylates, mesylates or trifiates of formula XIII. Bases used can be, e.g., alcoholates or carbonates (sodium, potassium or cesium carbonate). Examples for solvents are lower alcohols, acetonitrile or lower ketones. The temperature may be in the range of from 20"C to reflux temperature. Another approach is the Mitsur.obu-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 tetrahydrofurane, using dialkyl azo-dicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines like e.g. tributyl- or triphenyi-phosphine. The key intermediates of formula XVII can be reduced selectively to the amino-olefins of formula IVd using catalytic hydrogenation like e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the cata¬lyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofurane as the solvent, or, by metals or metal salts, like e.g. tin-(II)-chloride. The amino derivatives of formula IVe can be ob¬tained directly from the nitro derivatives of formula XVII or from the amino-olefins of formula IVd by hydrogenation using palladium on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alco¬hols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofurane as the solvent. Alternatively, compounds of formula II can be reduced to the intermediate compound of formula III. This may be done by first converting the acids of formula II into their esters (alcohol / acid catalysis) followed by reduction with reagents like sodium borohydride in solvents like tetrahydrofurane at a temperature in the range of from 20°C to 65°C. Activa¬tion of the alcohol of formula III via mesylate or triflate and reaction with sodium or potassium cyanide at a temperature in the range of from 40°C to 80°C leads to the desired compounds of formula I wherein R is CH2CN, i.e. nitriles of formula lb. Scheme 5 Compounds of general formula I can also exist in optical pure form. Separation into anti¬podes can be affected according methods known per se, either at an early stage of the syn¬thesis , e.g. starting with compounds of formula 11a by salt formation with an optically ac¬tive amine such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethylamine or (+)- or (-)-l-naphthyl-ethylamine and separation of the diastereomeric salts by fractional crystallisation, or by derivatisation with a chiral auxiliary substance such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-2-butanol, (+)- or {-)-l-phenylethano), or (+}- or (-)-menthol and separation of the diastereomeric products by chromatography and/or crystallisation and subsequent cleavage of the bond to the chiral 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 I can a\sobe obtained &om tsrasrtiopvi."ie vntome&iates obtamtd t.7 biotransformation, e.g. by hydrolysis of esters of formula Via 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, e.g. with X-ray spectroscopy on single crystals. The Active Compounds are, as already mentioned above, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors and can be used for the treatment or prevention of diseases in which MAO-B inhibitors might be beneficial. These include acute and chronic neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and memory deficits. Treatable neurological disorders are for instance traumatic or chronic degenerative processes of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer"s disease, other types of dementia, rninima] cognitive impairment or Parkinson"s disease. Other indica¬tions include psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, panic attack, social phobia, schizophrenia, eating and metabolic 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 other neuroinQammatory diseases. The Active Compounds are especially useful 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 [Cytotechnology 15:1-13 (1998)]. After transfection, cells were homogenised by means of a Polytron homogenizer in 20 mM Tris HC1 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 HC1 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 method described by Zhou and Panchuk-Voloshina [AnalyticalBiochemistry 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 enzymatic reaction was started by the addition of the MAO substrate tyramine together with 1 U/mi horse-radish peroxidase (Roche Biochemicals) and 80 uM 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 ul 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 uM clorgyline for MAO-A or 10 uM L-deprenyl for MAO-B. ICso 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 Active Compounds as measured in the assay described above are in the range of 1 uM or less, typically 0.1 uM or less, and ideally 0.02 uM or less. The Active Compounds can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectaliy, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenteral!}*, e.g. in the form of injection solutions. The Active Compounds can be processed with phaimaceuticatly inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Lactose, com 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 Active Compounds, 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 an Active Compound and a therapeutically 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 Active Compound 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)-HM3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5 - oxo-pyrroadin e - 3- carboxyu c acid methylamide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benz)1oxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidJne-3-carboxylic add 18.8 g (94.4 mmol) 4-benzyloxyaniline are mixed with 12.28 g {94.4 mmol) itaconic acid. The mixture is heated to 130°C. After 2Q min the melted material solidifies. The resulting solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 28.26 g (96%) of a greyish solid. MS: m/e = 311 (M+). b) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidirie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester 7.46 g (24 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid is dis¬solved in amixtureof4flmldichloromethane and 7.5 ml methanol. 0.13 ml concentrated sulfuric acid is added and the reaction mixture hold under reflux over night. The solvent is evaporated and the residue triturated with diethyl ether to yield 7.26 g (93%) of a colorless solid (used in the next step without further purification). c) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid methyl ester 7.26 g (22.3 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl) -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester is dissolved in 200 ml tetrahydrofuran. After addition of 726 mg palladium 10% on charcoal hydrogenation is performed at RT and norma] pressure. After 3 hours, the catalyst is filtered off and the solvent evaporated to yield 6.04 g of crude product (used in the next step without further purification). d) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester 6.04 g (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-caxboxylic acid methyl ester, 7.10 g (51.4 mmol) potassium carbonate and 5.34 g 3-fluorobenzyl bromide are suspended in 250 ml ethyl methyl ketone. The reaction mixture is heated at 90DC for 5 hours, cooled and poured into water. Extraction with ethyl acetate gives a crude material which is subjected to chromatography (silica gel, n-hexane / ethyl acetate 1:1). This gives 2.10 g (24 %) of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 344.3 (M+ H) *. e) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide 300 mg (0.87 mmol) (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methyl ester is dissolved in a mixture of 1 ml N,N-dimethylformamide and 0.18 ml of a 33 % solution of methylamine in ethanol. The reaction vessel is tightly stopped and hold at 120°C for 48 hours. Water is added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. Drying and evaporation yields 92 mg (31 %) of a slightly yellowish product MS: m/e = 343.3 (M + H) Example 2: {RSHl-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxv)-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide a) (RS)-l"(4-Hydroxyoxy-phen),])-5-oxo-pyrralidirc"-3-carboxylicadd In a metallic pan, 257.0 g (2.355 mol) of 4-aminophertol and 30175 g (2.32 mol) of ita-conic acid are mixed in solid form. Under stirring with a metal spatula, the mixture was carefully heated on a heating plate. The temperature was measured by a thermometer. At 60°C, the powder started to become viscous, at 110-120°C it became liquid and the colour turned to dark brown while the rest of solid material was also dissolved. The exothermic reaction started under boiling and, while the temperature raised to 150°C, the reaction mass turned to a beige solid The sandy product was left to cool down to RT within 1-2 hours. The crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid was engaged in the next step without further purification or characterisation. b) (RS)-l-(4~Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In a JO 14-necked flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a thermometer, and a mechani¬cal stirrer, the crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-pheny))-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid is dissolved in a mixture of 5000 ml of methanol, 24 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and 400 ml of 2,2-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 201 vessel. Under stirring at 40°C, a mixture of 2500 ml of water/ice (1:1) is added. Crystallisation started immediately, and, thereupon, the fine white crystals are collected on a filter funnel. Tey are washed with total 2000 ml of cold water until the filtrate, at the beginning brownish-rose, becomes colourless and neutral. The well pressed and pre-dried product from the filter funnel is dried under reduced pressure to yield 980 g (84% of theory, 2 steps) of the {RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-p>TroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e = 234 (M+ H)+. c) (RS)-l-(4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxyIic add methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id), the alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroudine-3-carboxyhc acid methyl ester with 4-fluoro-benzylbromide in presence of potassium carbonate yields the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-ben2yl-oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light yellow powder; MS: m/e = 344 (M+ H)+. d) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Huoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhcacid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example le), the aminolysis of the (RS)-l-[4-{4>fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrou"dijie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with methyiamine in a sealed tube at 80"C in ethanol during 18 h yields the the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide as a white powder; MS: m/e = 343 (M+ H)+. The compounds of Examples 3 to 16 are obtained in an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylk acid methyl ester, prepared following Example lc) or Example 2b)>by alkylation of the phenol and subsequent aminolysis of the ester: Example 3: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-bcn2y]oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-chlorobenzyI chloride to obtain the (RS)-l-[4-{3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a colorless solid and, thereupon, treatment with methyiamine in ethanol at 80°C during 18 h to yield the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield : 73 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 359 (M+ H)+. Example 4: (RS)-[l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3,4-difluorobenzyl bromide to obtain the {RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a colorless solid [85% of theory; MS: m/e = 362.2 (M++ H)] and, thereupon, treatment with methyiamine to yield the (RS)-[l-[4-{3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield : 7 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 361 (M+ H)Example 5: (RS)-[l-[4-{2,6-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTTolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-{4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxytic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 2,6-difluorobenzyl bromide to obtain the (Rs)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a yellowish oil and, thereupon, treatment with methyiamine in ethanol at S0°C during 18htoyiddthe(RSVU-^"\2"fi- The title compound is prepared by alkylatiori of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo.. pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,4,5-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-{2,4)5-trifl.uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carbox^icacid methyl ester as a white solid (83% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyi¬amine yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-{2,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyTrohdine-3-carb-oxyiic acid Diethylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+. ExampleS: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,3,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxQ-pvrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,3,6-triGuorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-l4-(2,3,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUcline-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a light yellow solid (73% of theory, MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+], which, there¬upon, by treatment with methyiamine yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,6-trifluoro-benzyl-oxy)-pheny3] -pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, Yield : 64 % of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e = 379 (M+ H)Example 9: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trif]uoro-benzvloxy)-phenyi]-pyrrou,dine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxypheny];-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,3,4-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the fRS}-5-oxo-l-[4"(2,3,4-trifluoro-benz>-loxy)-pheny]]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methyl ester as a white solid (94% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyl-amine in ethanol at 50°C yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-pherjyl]-pyrrolidine-3-c8rboxylic acid methylamide. Yield: 99 % of theory as a white solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)Example 10: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyTToUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylk acid methyl ester with 2,4,6-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyIoxy)-pheny]]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a white solid {99% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyl¬amine in ethanol at 50°C yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny)]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield : 99 % of theory as a white solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+. Example 11: (RS)-l-[4^(5-Ruoio-2-methyl-benzyloxy)-pheriyS]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title.compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methy! ester with 5-fluoro-2-methylbenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-l-[4-(5-fluoro-2-methyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid [71% of theory, MS: m/e=358 (M+H)+] which, there¬upon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 60 °C during 4 h yields the (RS)-l-[4-(5-fluoro-2-methy]-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl¬amide. Yield: 53 % of theory as a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 357 (M+ H)+. Example 12: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Methoxy-benzyioxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-methoxybenzyl bromide to obtain the (RS)-l-[4-(3-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidme-3-carboxylic acid methy] ester as a yellowish oil and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 DC during 18 h to yield the (RS)-l-[4-(3-methoxy-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxi."lic acid methylamide. Yield ; 75 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 355 (M+ H)+- Example 13: (RS)-I-[4-(2-Methoxy-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroU^lme-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alleviation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2-methoxybenzylbromide giving the (RS)-l-[4-(2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToliduie-3-carboxylic acid methy] ester as a light yellow oil [83% of theory, MS:m/e=355 (M+H)+ which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °C yields the (RS)-l-[4-(2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToIidine-3-carboxyJic acid methylamide. Yield: 47 % of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e = 355 (M+ H)+. Example 14: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3-triQuoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylk acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-1 -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 3-trifluoromethoxybenzyl bromide giving the(RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carboxyHc acid methyl ester as a white solid [40% of theory, MS: m/e=410 (M+H)+] which, there¬upon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °C yields the (RS)-5-oxo-H4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-ben2y]oxy)-phenyl]"pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield: 59 % of theory as a white powder. MS: m/e = 409 (M+ H)"*. Example 15: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzylory)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 1c)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl chloride to obtain the {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethy]-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carboxyhcacid methyl ester as a yellowish solid and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80°C during 18 h to yield the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifiuoromethyl-benzyioxy)-phenyI]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyuc add methylamide. Yield: 54 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 393 (M+H)*. Example 16: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Cyano-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxypheriyl)-5-oxO-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester with 3-cyanobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-l-{4-£3-cyano-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]icaddmetb).,leite!-asa light yellow solid [69% of theory, MS: m/c-351 (M+H)"] which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 DC yields the (RS)-l-[4-(3-cyano-benzy]oxy)-phetfyl!-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxyIic acid methylamide. Yield: 79 % of theory as a white powder. MS: m/e = 350 (M+ H)". Example 17: {RS)-l-[4-(3-FIuoro-benzylo3cy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pYn"olidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (RS)-l-{4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2a), 4-amino-o-cresol is reacted with itaconic acid at 140DC during 10 rain to yield the (RS)-l-(4-bydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrtolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e - 234 (M-H)T which directly used in the next step, b) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyJ-pheriyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methyl ester In analogy to the esterification described in Example 2b), the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid is reacted with methanol in presence of sulfuric acid to yield the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-memyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light brown solid; MS: m/e - 250 (M+H)+. c) (RS)-l-((4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In analogy to the alkylation described in Example Id), the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3~methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pynoIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester is reacted with 3-fluorobenzyl bromide in presence of potassium carbonate in DMF at 80°C to yield the (RS)-l-[(4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidirie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light brown oil; MS: m/e = 375 (M+NH4)d) (RS)-l-I(4-(3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-3-rnethyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyTTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide In analogy to the aminolysis described in Example le), the (RS)-l-[(4~(3-fhioro-benZyl-oxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyn-olidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester is treated ifl a sealed tube with methylarcine in ethanol at 60°C for 18h to yield the (RS)-l-[(4-(3-fluoro-benzyioxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroudbe-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide as a light yellow solid; MS: at/e = 357 (M+H)"*. Example 18: (RS)-1-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methyi-pheriyl)-5-axo-pyrrolidine-3-carbo;cy]ic acid [Example 17b)] with 4-fluorobenzyibromide, in analogy to Example Id), giving the (RS)-l-l4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxv)-3-methyl-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxylic acid methylester as a light brown solid [26% of theory, MS: m/e=358 (M+H)+] which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 "C, in analogy to Example le), yields the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fliioro-benzyloxy)-3-memyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield : 79 % of theory as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 357 (M+ H)+. Example 19: (RS)-I-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-3-methyd-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToIidiae-3-carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-I-(4-hydroxy-3-raethyi-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid [Example 17b)J with 3-chlorobenzylchloride, in analogy to Example Id), giving the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-pbenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUc acid methylester as a light brown oil [47% of theory, MS: m/e=374 (M+H)+] which, thereupon, by treatment with methyiamine in ethanol at 60 "C, in analogy to Example 3e), yields the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzy\oxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide. Yield: 61 % of theory as an white solid. MS:m/e = 373(M+H)"r. Example 20: {RS)-l-[3-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) 2-Fluoro-l-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-4-nitro-benzene A mixture of 10.0 g (63.7 mmol) 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol, 17.6 g (127 mmo!) potassium carbonate and 13.24 g (70.0 mmol) 3-fluorobenzyl bromide in 200 ml ethyl methyl ketone is hold overnight at 80°C. The reaction mixture is diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. Crystallisation from diethyl ether / n-hexane gives 12.68 g (75 %) of a slightly yellow solid. MS: m/e = 265.1 (M+). b) 3-Ruoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine 12.68 g (47.8 mmol) 2-fluoro-l-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-4-nitro-benzene is dissolved in 150 ml ethyl acetate. 1.27 g platinum 5 % on charcoal is added and the mixture is hydrogena-ted at RT and normal pressure for 6 hours. The catalyst is filtered off and the solution eva¬porated to yield 11.03 g (98 %} of a dark brown liquid. MS: m/e = 235.1 (M*). c) (RS)-l-[3-Fluoro^-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidirie-3-carboxylicacid The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example la) from 3-fiuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxyj-phenylamine ard itaconic acid. Yield : 86 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 346.1 (M-H). 3) (RS)-l-[3-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benz}"loxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTroHdine-3-carboxyHcacid uethylamide 500 mg (1.44 mmol) (RS}-l-[3-fluoro-4-(3-fluoto-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-S-carboxyiit acid is suspended in 5 ml dichloromethane. 0.52 ml (7.2 mmol) thionyl :h)oride is added and the reaction mixture bold at 40°C overnight. The solvent is evapora¬ted and the crude acid chloride is again dissolved in 5 ml dichloromethane. 0.76 ml (7.2 mmol) of a 33% solution of methyiamine in ethanol is added and the mixture heated to 40°C for 6 hours. Water is added and the product is extracted with ethyl acetate. Chroma¬tography (silica gel, dichloromethane / methanol) yields 348 mg (67 %) of a pink solid. MS: m/e = 361.2 (M+H)". Example 21: (RS)-l-[2-Ruoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide a) 2-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzy]oxy)-l-nitro-benzene The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20a) from 3-fluoro-4-nitrophenol and 3-fluoro benzyl bromide. Yield: 100% of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 265.0 (M+). b) 2-Fluoro-4-(3-fiuoro-ben2yloxy)-phenylamine The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20b) by hydrogenation of 2-fiuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-l-nitro-benzene. Yield: 98 % of a dark brown liquid. MS: m/e = 235.0 (MT), c) (RS)-l-[2-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20c) from 2-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine and itaconic acid. Yield: 67 % of a purple solid. MS: m/e = 346.1 (M+H)+. d) (RS)-l-[2-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20d) from (RS)-l-[2-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and methyiamine. Yield: 39 % of a brownish solid. MS: m/e = 361.2 (M+H)Example 22: (RS)-l-[2,5-Difluora-4-(3-f]uoro-berizyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToUdine-3-caxboxyiic acid methylaimde a) l,4-Difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-benzene A mixture of 2.35 g {18.6 mmol) of 3-fluorobenzyhlcohol and 0.55 g (1.7 mmol) of tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyljamine is treated portionwise under stirring with 1.06 g (18.6 mmol) of potassium hydroxide. Stirring is continued for 10 min if necessary under slight heating to reach a homogenous reaction mixture. Thereafter, 3.0 g (16.9 mmol) of 2,4,5-trifluoronitrobenzene are added dropwise. The reaction mixture becomes solid and is heated to 100°C for 2 hours.. For the working-up, the mixture is cooled to RT, then 25 *nl water and 25 ml ethyl acetate are added and stirring continued for 30 min. The organic layer is separated and the aqueous layer is extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are washed with water, then twice with 2N hydrochloric acid and finally with water. After drying over magnesium sulfate, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure. During evaporation, the byproduct, l-nuoro-2,4-bis-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-5-nitro-benzene precipitates. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 4:l-mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 2.63 g (55% of theory) of the l,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-benzene as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 283 (M)"1. b) 2,5-Difluoro-4~(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenylarnine A solution of 2.63 g (9.3 mmol) of l,4-difluoro-2-(3-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-benzefle in 25 ml of ethyl acetate is hydrogenated with Pt/C (5%) as the catalyst under normal pressure during 3 hours. For the working-up, the catalyst was filtered over a Dicalit iay£r and the solution evaporated under reduced pressure. There are obtained 2.25 g (95% of theory) of 2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyioxy)-phenylamine as a brown solid; MS: m/e=253 (M)+. The crude product is engaged in the next step without further purification. c) (RS)-l-[2,5-Difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example la), 2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyioxy)-phenylamine was reacted with itaconic acid to yield (RS)-l-[2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-ben^loxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid (34.5% oftheory) as a grey solid; MS: m/e=363 (M-H)+. d)(RS)0-[2,5-Difiuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-py!Tolidine-3-carboxyiic acid Diethylamide A solution of 365 mg (1.0 mmol) of (RS)-]-[2,5-difluoro-4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid is treated with 178 mg(l.] mmol) oflj"-carbonyi-diimidazole, and the mixture is heated at 50DC for 2 hours. Thereafter, the solution is cooled to RT and 47 mg (1.5 mmol) of methylamine (33% solution in ethanol) are added. After 18 hours the reaction is not complete, so that another 47 mg (1.5 mmol) of methyi-amine (33% solution in ethanol) are added and stirring is continued for 24 hours at 50eC. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. For puri- fication, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of di-chloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained, after crystallization from ether, 136 mg (36% of theory) of the (RS)-l-{2,5-diSuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phen^j-S-oxo-pyrrGlidine-S-carboxylic acid Diethylamide as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 379(M+H)*. Example 23: (RSH-(4~Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroudiiie-3-carboxyiic acid methyl-amide The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20d) from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and methylamine. Yield: 73 % of a slightly yellow solid. MS: m/e = 325.4 (M+H)*. Example 24: (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-berjzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add mcthylamide a) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUcacid 3.5 g (10.2 mmol) of [Rac] l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrondme-3-carb-oxylic acid methyl ester (Example Id) are dispersed in 11.2 ml of a IN solution of sodium hydroxide, and tetrahydrofuran is added to such an extent that a clear solution is obtained. Thereupon, the reaction mixture is heated to 50°C during 1 h. For the working-up, the cooled solution is treated with 11.2 ml of IN hydrochloric acid and THF evaporated under reduced pressure while the product starts to precipitate. The product is filtered and dried under vacuum to yield 2.39 g (71% of theory) of a white solid which is used in the next step without further purification. b){RS)-l-(4-(3-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyiJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-(3RS)-carbony!ch]oride A dispersion of 2.37 g (7.2 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-py77-olidine-3-carboxyi3c acid in 50 ml of dichlorometbane is treated with 3.1 ml (43.2 mmol) of thionylcbJoride at RT during 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness, then the residue is dispersed in toluene and evaporated to dryness again to yield quantitatively the acid chloride as a yellowish solid which is used in the next step without further purification. c) (3RS)-l44-(3-Huoro-benz)doxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrroHdine-3-carboxylic acid (1R)-phenyl-ethyl ester A solution of 2.49 g (7.2 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTo-lidine-(3RS)-carbonyl chloride in 42 ml of dichlorornethane is prepared and cooled to 0°C. The solution of 0.73 g (6.0 mmol) of (R)-(+)-l-phenylethanol in a mixture of 10 ml of di¬chlorornethane and 0.48 ml pyridine is added dropwise. After complete addition, the reac- tion mixture is warmed to RT and stirring continued for 20 min. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and 3.84 g of a yellowish solid resi¬due are obtained. For purification, the materia! obtained is chromatographed on silica gd by Qas-chromatography using a gradient ofn-hexane to a 4:1 mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained ].96g(76% of theory) of the mixture of die two diastereomers as a white solid. MS: m/e = 434 {M+HJ*. d) (3R)-l-[4-(3-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1R)- phenyl-ethyi ester and (3S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyiJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carb- oxylic acid (] R)-phenyl-ethyl ester The separation of 1.80 g (4.2 mmol) of the two isomers (Example 24c) 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 763 mg {42.4% of theory) ofthe first eluting isomer (3R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirolidine-3-carboxylicacid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester (MS: m/e = 434 (M++ H)] and 860 mg (47.8% of theory) ofthe later eluting isomer (3S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxyIicacid (lR)-phenyl-ethyt ester [MS: m/e = 434 (M+H)+], each as a white solid. e) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylicacid A solution of0.622g (1.44 mmol) of (3R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester in 17 ml of dioxane is treated with 1.68 ml of hydrochloric acid (37%) and the mixture is heated to 50°C during 18 h. For the work-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and the yeilowish residue obtained is triturated with ethyl acetate at -10°C. The mixture is filtered and the white solid dried under vacuum to yield 344 mg (73% of theory) ofthe (R)-acid which is used in the next step without further purification. MS: m/e = 328 (M-H)*. f) (R)-l-[4-{3-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroh"dine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide A solution of 0.339 g (1.03 mmol) of (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrTO-lidine-3-carboxyiic acid in 21 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, cooled to 0°C, is treated consecutively with 0.15 ml (1.13 mmol) of triethylamine, 0,390 g (1.03 mmol) of HBTU, 0.085 g (1.24 mmol) of methylamine hydrochloride, and 0.15 ml (1.13 mmol) of triethylamine. The reaction is stopped after 30 min and the orange coloured solution is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is triturated in ethyl acetate, the white solid product is filtered, thereafter dissolved in dichloromethane and the solution washed three times with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate, then evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 231 mg (66% of theory) of a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)*; [a]ses = -25.48° (c= 0.954, CH2C12). Example 25: (S)-l-[4~(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (S)-l-[4-(3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdme-3 methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f)> by condensing (S)-l-[4-{3-Quoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynoIidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (S)-l-[4-[3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)+; [alsn = +28.17° (c= 0.831, CH2C12). Example 26: (R)-l-[4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) CRS)-I-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrroIiQ*ine-3-carbonyI chloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24b), starting from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (Example la) by treatment with thionylchloride there is obtained (RS)-l-(4-benzylQxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride as a yellowish solid which is directly used in the next step without further purification. b) (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethy) ester and (3S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyi ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24c) and 24d), starting from (RS)-1-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride by reaction with (R)-{+)-l-phenylethanol there is obtained the mixture of the two isomers (3RS)-l-(4-benzyl-oxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (iR)-phenyl-ethyl ester which is separated on a preparative cbira) HLPC column (conditions see Example 24d) to yield the first eluting (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)"5-oxo-pyiTohdine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyiester [MS; m/e = 416 (M+ + H)J and (3S)-l-(4-berizyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo~pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: ro/e = 416 (M+H)*] as a white solid each. c) (3R)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-pheny!)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-catboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24e), starting from (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrtolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester by acidic hydrolysis of the ester there is obtained {3R)-l-{4-benzyloxy-phenyi)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid which is used in the next step without further purifica¬tion. MS: m/e = 310 (M-H)+. d) (R)-l-(4-Benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacidmethyiamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f),by condensing (R)-l-(4- benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (R)-l-(4-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrro- lidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 325 (M+H)+; [a]sj9 = -27.55° (c= 0.958, CH2C13). Example 27: (S)-l-(4-Benzyioxy-phenyi)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic add methyl-amide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-pbenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24b), starting from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (Example la) by treatment with thionykhloride there is obtained (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride as a yellowish solid which is directly used in the next step without further purification. b) (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-pheny]~ethyl ester and (3S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl- ethyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24c and 24d, starting from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride by reaction with (R)-(+)-l-phenylethanol there is obtained the mixture of the two isomers (3RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroh"dine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester which is separated on a preparative chiral HLPC column (CHIRALPAK* AD, pressure: 17 bar, flow: 35 ml/min) using a 4:1 mixture of n-heptane and isopropanol as the eluent) to yield the first during (3R)- l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl) -5 -oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 416 (M* + H)] and (3S)-l-{4-benzyioxy-phenyl)-5 -oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carb-oxyhc acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 416 (M+H)""] as a white solid each. c) (S)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24e, starting from (3S.-l-(4-benzyl- oxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyi-ethyl ester by acidic hydrolysis of the ester there is obtained (3S)-l-(4-benzyioxy-pbenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3- carboxylic acid as a white solid which is used in the next step without further purification. M&m/e = 310(M-H)+. d) (S)-l-(4-Benzyloxy)-ph"enyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidiDe-3-carbo)C)dic acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24i, by condensing (S)-l-(4-benzyi- oxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (S)-l-(4-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3- caiboxylic acid methylaraide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 325 (M+H)+; [a]^ ~ +32.02" (c= 1.037, CB2CL2). Example 28: (R)-l-[4-(4-Fluoto-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyTTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylajnide a) (R)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrtoHdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A suspension of 2.51 g (10.6 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyn:oudine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 10 ml of phosphate buffer [cfKH^O*) = 0.05 mol/1], 25 ml of sodium sulfate solution [cfNa^SO*) = 4 mol/1], 45 ml of deionised water, and 20 ml of tert-butylmethylether is adjusted to pH 6.0. Under moderate stirring, 51.3 mg of cholester-ase from Candida cylindracea (Roche Applied Science, Industrial Products, Enzyme Projects, Sandhofer Str. 116, D-66305 Mannheim, Germany, order no. 10129046103) are added in solid form. By an automatic pH-Stat-System, the pH is kept constant at 6.0 by addition of sodium hydroxide solution [c(NaOH) = 1.0 mol/1] at RT. The progress of the reaction is followed by the consumption of sodium hydroxide solution. After the addition of 5.21 ml of of sodium hydroxide solution, the reaction is stopped by addition of dichloromethane. The organic layer is separated, then washed three times with water, thereafter, dried over sodium sulfate, and finally evaporated. The crude ester is a slightly rose oil which after trituration in tert-butylmethylether at RT is obtained as a white solid. The product is collected on a filter funnel and yields after drying under high vacuum at RT 1.11 g (443% of theory) of (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrou"diae-3-carboxylic acid methyi ester, m.p.: 122.9°C; optical integrity: 97.9% e.e.; [apD = -35.2 (c=l,162g/100 ml CHCW. b) (R)-l-[4-(4-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A solution of 550 mg (4.3 mmol) of 4-fluoro-benzylalcohol and 1.27 g (4.7 mmol) of tri-phenyiphosphine in 7 ml of tetrahydrofurane is added dropwise at 0°C to a solution of 1.11 g (4.7 mmol) of (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid methyl ester and 1.01 g (4.7 mmol) ofdiisopropyl azodicarboxylate in 11ml of tetrahydro-furane. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirring is continued for 18 hours. For tlJe working-up, after addition of 2 g of silica gel the reaction mixture is evaporated under re¬duced pressure. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using first a 2:l-mixture, then a 1:1-mixture of heptane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 1.39 g"(95% of theory) of (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-?-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=344 (M+H)-1 ■ c) (R)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxO"pyn-oIidine-3-carboxylic acid A solution of 1.27 g (3.7 mmol) of {R)-l-[4-{4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyiToli-dine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester in 77 ml of dioxane is treated with 8.64 ml of hydro¬chloric acid (37%). The mixture is heated at 52°C for 18 h in a closed flask. For the work¬ing-up, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude acid as a yellowish solid. For purification, the crude acid is triturated at -5°C in 10 ml of ethyl acetate. The solid is collected on a filter funnel and then dried under high vaccum to yield 0.624g(51%oftheory)of (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid as a white solid; MS: m/e=330 (M+H)+. d) (R)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24 f)i by condensing the (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pbenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent the (R)-l- [4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide is obtained as a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 Example 29: (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide (cf. Example 24) a) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrondine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester [Example 28 a)] with 3-fluorobenzylalcohol yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroli-dine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 344 (M+H)+. b) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTroIicline-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yieldsthe(R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidme-3-carboxylicaci(lasa white solid. MS: m/e = 328 (M+H)+. c) (R)-l-[4-(3-Ruoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidine~3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24 f), the condensation ofthe{R)-l-[4"(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylLC acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToliditje-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide as a white soiid.MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)+. Example 30: {R)-l-[4-(3-C^oro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide a) (R)-l-(4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the allegation of the (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28 a)] with 3-chlorobenzylaicohol yields the (R)-I-[4-(3-chJoro-benzyioxy)-phenyII-5-oxo-pyrroIi-dine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 360 {M+H)+. b) {R)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-l4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benxyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 344 (M+H)+. c)(R)-l-[4-{3-Chloro-benzyioxy)-phenyI]-5~oxc-pyrrolidme-3-carboxyltcacid methyiamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), the condensation of the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynolidine--3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyiamide as a white soiid.MS: m/e = 359 (M+H)+. Example 31: (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difiuoro-beniyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroudine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide a) (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-ben2yioxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the {R)-l-(4- hydioxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUc acid methyl ester [Example 28a)] with 2,6-difluoroben2yialcohol yields the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo- pyrrolidine-3-carboxyJic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 362 (M+H)*. b)(R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylicacjd In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-djfluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxyIicacidmethyi ester yields the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-difiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyIj-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 346 (M+H)". c) (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyiJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), the condensation of the (R)-l- l4-{2,6-difluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methyl- amine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyl- oxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide as a white solid.MS: m/e = 361 (M+H)+. Example 32: (R)-5-Oxo-1-[4-(2,4,6-trifiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4)6-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the {R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28a)] with 2,4,6-trifluorobenzylalcohol yields the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-{2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy) -phen¬yl] -pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 380 (M+H)+, b) (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-pyirolidine-3-carboxyh"cacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28 c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyTrolidine-3-carboxyHcacid methyl ester yields the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carb-oxylic acid as a white solid. MS; m/e = 364 (M+H)+. c) (R}-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,416-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24 f), the condensation of the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyljc acid with methyl-amine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-pyrrolidiae-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white soli&MS: m/e = 379 (M+Hf. Example 33: (RS)-l-[4-(3,4"Difluoro-beii2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyiTolidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile a) (RS)-1 - [4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one 2.0 g {5.54 mmol) (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-ben2)doxy}-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methyl ester is dissolved in 50mlTHF. 1.05 g (27.7 mmol) of sodium boro-hydride is added and the reaction mixture boiled under reflux for 24 hours. Water is added and the product is extracted with ethyl acetate to yield 1.68 g (91%) of a yellowish solid. MS: m/e = 334.3 (M+H)*. b)(RS)-l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-beri2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile 30Dmg {0.9 mmol) (RS)-]-[4-f3,4-Dirluoro-ben27]oxy)-pheny]]-4-bydroxymeth>"l-pyrro-lidin-2-one and 0.136 mg (1.35 mraol) triethylamme are dissolved in 20 ml dichloro-methane and cooled to 0DC. 155 mg (1.35 mmol) methanesulfonyl chloride is added. The mixture is stirred at 0°C for 30 min then at RT for 3 hours, then washed successively with water, 1 M hydrochloric acid, 10% sodium hydrogen carbonate and saturated sodium chloride solution. Drying and evaporation gives the crude mesylate, which is dissolved in 2 ml N.N-dimethylformamide. 110 mg (2.25 mmol) sodium cyanide is added and the reac¬tion mixture is hold at 100°C for 24 hours. Hydrolysis and extraction with ethyl acetate gives the crude nitrile, which is subjected to chromatography (silica gel, dichloromethane / methanol). Yield : 20 % of a brownish solid. MS: m/e = 343.1 (M+ H)+. Example 34: (RS)-{l-[4-(3-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-S-oxo-pyTroIidin-3-yIf-aceto-nitrile a) (RS)-l-[4-{3-Fluoro-ben;yloxy)-phenyl]-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin"2-one The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33a) from (RS)-l-[4-(3-9uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToIiduie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and sodium boro-hydiide. Yield: 82 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 316.3 (M+ H)+. b) (RS)-{l-[4-(3-FIuoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33b) from (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one, methanesulfonyl chloride and sodium cyanide. Yield: 27 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 325.2 {M+ H)+. Example 35: (RS)-[l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidin-3-yi]-acetonitrile a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrTolidin-2-one The tide compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33a) from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy- phenyl)-5-oxo-pyriolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and sodium borohydride. Yield: 82 % of a colorless solid. MS; m/e = 298.3 (M+H)*. b)(RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-chloromethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one 740 mg (2.49 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidjn-2-one is dissolved in 20 ml toluene. 1.08 ml (14.9 mmol) thionyl chloride is added and the mixture refluxed for 6 hours. Evaporation and chromatography (silica gel, n-hexane / ethyl acetate 1:1) yields 123 mg (16%) of a brownish semisolid. MS: m/e = 315.2 (M+). c) (RS)-[l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-y]]-acctonitxile 123 mg (0.39 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-chloromethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one is dissolved in 2.5 ml N,\-dimethyiformamide. After addition of 29 mg (0.58 mmol) sodium cyanide and 6 mg (0.04 mmol) sodium iodide, the mixture is hold at 120°C for 15 min. Dilution with water and extraction with ethyl acetate yields 44 mg (37 %) of a brownish solid. MS: m/e = 307.3 (M+H)+. Example 36: (RS)-(E)-l-!4-[2-(3-F!uoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylh5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyik acid methylamide a) (E)-l-Huoro-3-|2-(4-riitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene A suspension of 677 mg of sodium hydride (55% dispersion in oil) in 10 ml ofN,N-di-methyiforniamide are cooled to 0"C. Thereupon, 5.61 g (20.5 mmol) of diethyl (4-niiro-benzyljphosphoaate 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-fJuorobenzaIdehyde in 5 ml N.N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise. Stirring is continued for 30 min at 0°C, then at RT. For the working-up, ice and ethyl acetate is added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over magne¬sium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude crystalline product, which after recrystallisation from a mixture of ether and heptane gives 2.41 g(82% of theory) of (E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzeneas a yellow solid; MS: m/e=243(M)+. b) (E)-4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyiamine A solution of 2.41 g (10 mmol) (E)-I-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyi]-benzene in 25 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 Dicalit 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-fiuoro-phenyi)-vinyl]-phenylamine as an orange solid; MS: m/e = 213 (M)+. c)(RS)-(E)-l-)4-[2-(3-Ruoro-phenyl)-vin>d]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyiTolidme-3-carboxyiic acid A mixture of 600 mg (2.8 mmol) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine and 366 mg (2.8 mmol) of itaconic acid is heated to 130 °C. After 1 hour, the molten material is cooled to RT and, thereafter, the resulting solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 568 mg (62 % of theory) of (RS)-{E)-H4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrro!i-dine-3-carboxylic acid as a fine yellow powder; MS: m/e = 324 (M-H)+. d)(RS>(E)-l-{4-{2-(3-F]uoro-pheny])»vinyIj-phenj"lJ-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxylic acidmethylamjde A suspension of 300 mg (0.92 mmol) of (E)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-pheoyl}-5-Qxo-pyrroudine-3-carboxyIic acid in 5 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 549 mg (4.6 mmol) of thionylchloride and heated to 45°C for 18 hours. Thereafter, the reaction mix¬ture is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude acid chloride obtained is dissolved in 5 ml of dry dichloromethane, then, at RT, 0.58 ml (4.61 mmol) of a solution of methyiamine in ethanol (33%) is added and stirring continued for 3 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated with water and dichloromethane. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. For purification, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After crystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane and ether, there are obtained 207 mg (66% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-3uoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid rnethylamide as a light brown solid; MS:m/e = 339(M+H)+. Example 37: (RS)-(E)-l-i4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroHdirie-3-carboxyiic acid rnethylamide a) (E)-l-Methoxy-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenylJ-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36a), the reaction of diethyl {4-nitrobenzyljphosphonate with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-methoxy-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene as ayellow solid; MS: m/e= 255 (M+H)+. b) (E)-4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyi)-vinyi]-phenyiamine A mixture of 10.1 g (40 mmol) of (E)-l-methoxy-4-[2-{4-nitropheny3)ethenyl]-benzene in 70 ml of ethanol und 130 ml of hydrochloric acid (25%) is heated to 110°C. Portion-wise, 15 g of tin are added and stirring is continued for 4.5 hours at 110°C. For the work¬ing-up, the reaction mixture is cooled and neutralised with a solution of sodium hydroxide. The mix ture is transferred to a separatory funnel where it is extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evapora¬ted. The residue is triturated in ether and, thereafter, the remaining solid is collected on a filter funnel. There are obtained 6.15 g (69% of theory) of (E)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylarmne as a yellow crystals; MS: m/e= 226 (M+H)+. c) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-l2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyt)-vinyl]-phenylamine with iraconic acid yields the {RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl] -phenyl|-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a brown solid; MS: m/e= 336 (M-H)+. d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyi)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A solution of 700 mg (2.1 mmol) of {RS)-(E)-l-j4-[2-{4-methoxy-pheny])-vinyl]-phenyI]-5-oxo~pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid in 7 ml of dichloromethane and 0.7 ml of methanol is treated with 1 drop of sulfuric acid and heated at 40°C for 20 hours. For the working-up, the solvent is evaporated, thereafter, the residue is treated with with water and ethyl acetate. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate,and evaporated under reduced pressure. After crystallization from ether of the crude ester, 584 mg (80% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester are obtained as a light brown solid; MS; m/e=352 (M+H)+. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Memoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyli-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide Asolutionof400mg{l.l mmol) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl|-S-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 1.4 ml of a solution of methylamine in ethanol (33%) is heated at 90°C for 18 h in a sealed vial. For the working-up, the cooled solution is treated with water to precipitate the product The solid material is collected on a filter funnel, washed with water, finally, with heptane. After crystallization of the crude amide from a mixture of N,N-dirneihylformamide and methanol, 98 mg {25% of theory) of(RS)-(E)-lv{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl]-5--oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide are obtained as a light brown solid; MS: m/e = 351 {M+H)"1". Example 38: (RS)-(E)-l-i4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-vmyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolicane-3-carboxyUc acid methylamide a) (E)-l-Methoxy-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyi]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36a), the reaction of diethyl (4- nitrobenzyl)phospoonate with 3-methoxybenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-methoxy-3-[2-{4- mttophe«)d)ethejiyI]-benzene as ayeljowsolid; MS; m/e= 255 (M+H)*. b)(E)-4-[2-(4-Memoxy-phenyl)-vmyl]-phenylaaiine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37b), the reduction of (E)-l-meth- oxy-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyi)ethenyl] -benzene using tin yields the (E)-4-[2-(3-methoxy- phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine as a brown oil; MS: m/e= 226 (M+H) c) (RS)-(E)-l-f4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl|-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylk acid Ln an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4-[2-(3-medioxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-pbenylarnine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-(E)-1 -{4- [2-{3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl]-5-Qxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylicacidasabrown solid; MS: m/e= 336 (M-HJ*. d) (RSJ-tEJ-l-J^^-tS-Memoxy-phenyO-vinyll-phenyll-S-oxo-pyrrolidine-S-carbojcjiic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esteriScation of (RS)-{B)-l-{4-[2-(3-niethoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylJc acid methyl ester as a brown solid; MS: m/e= 352 {M+H)T. e)(RS)-(E)-l-j4-f2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the arninolysis of (RS)-(E)-1-(4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl }-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-(E)-I-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl )-vinyi] -phenyl j -5- oxo-pyrrolidjne-3-carboxybc acid Diethylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 351 (M+H)+. Example 39: (RS)-(E)-I-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrQUdine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenryl)phosphonate with 4-fluorobenjaldehyde yields the (E)-l-fluoro-4-[2-(4* nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene as a yellow crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 243 (M)*. b) (E)-4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 b), the reduction of (E)-l-fluoro-3- [2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene with tin yields the (E)-4- [2-(4~fluoro-phenyl). vmyi]-phenylarnineas a white solid; MS: 214 (M+H)+- c) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyli-5-oxo-pyrTob"dine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyi]-phenylamin« with itaamic acid yields the (R$ME)-1-J4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid which was directly engaged in the next step without further purification and characterisation. d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluo]-o-phenyl)-vinyl)-phenyl)o-oxo-pyrrolidine-3"Carbojr-Iic acid methyl ester In an analogous maimer to that described in Example 37 d), theesterificationorVRSN^.-l-|4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyHc acid yields the (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyii-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methyl ester. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-viiiyl]-plienyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)-(E)-1-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-viny!]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methylamide as a white solid; MS: m/e= 339 (M+H)+. Example 40: (RS)-l-l4-[2-(3-CMoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyH-5-oxo-pyrTolidiDe-3-carboxytic acid methylamide a)(E)-l-Chloro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4- nitrobenzyl)phosphonate with 3-chlorobenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-ch)oro-3-[2-(4- nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene as an orange crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 259 (M)T. b)4-[2-(3-Chloro-pbeny])-ethyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of {E)-l- chloro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene using platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst but with a reaction time of 18 hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields the 4-[2-(3-ch!oro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine as a dark brown oil; MS: m/e= 232 (M+H)+. c)(RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-Chloro-pheny!)-etiiyU-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]icadd In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c}, the reaction of 4-[2-(3- chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-]4-[2-(3-chloro- phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as an off-white solid; MS: m/e=342 (M-H)+. d) (US)- l-J4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-etbyl]-pherjyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-ca7boxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-l- {4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-emy]]-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUc acid yields the (RS)- l-(4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=358 (M+H)+. e) (RS)-(E)-l-j4-[2-{3-Chloro-phenyl)-vinyIj-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e)» the aminolysis of (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phcny\)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy)ic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)- ]-J4-i2-(3-chJoro-pheny])-ethyl]-p!ienyI}-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 357 (M+H)*. Example 41: (RS)-l-i4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheDyl}-5-oxo-pyrrQlidine-3-carboxyhc acid methylamide a)(E)-l-Chloro-4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4- nitrobenzyljpbosphonate with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-chloro-4-[2-(4- nitrophenyl)ethenyJ]-benzene as an yellow crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 259 (M)"*. b)4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of(E)-l- chloro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene using platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst but with a reaction time of IS hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields the 4-[2-(4-chJoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylairane as a light yellow solid; MS: nVe=232 (M+H)+. c) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-CUoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl5-5-oxo-pynolidine-3-carboxyIicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-[2-{4-cMoro-phenyl)-ethyl}-pnenyWmiiewitri itaconicacid yields the (RS)-l-K-l2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as an off-white solid; MS: m/e= 342 (M-Hf. d) (RS)- 1 -{4- [2-(4-ChJoro-phenyl)-e£hyI]-pheny}}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-l-i4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-pyiToUdine-3-carboxyiic acid yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(4-cbJoro-pbeny])-etbyl]-pheny]}-5-oxo-pyn-olidine-3-carboxyiicacid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=357 (M)+. *)(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-viny!]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)-1 -}4- [2-(4-chloro-plienyl)-ethyl]-pheny]}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yiddsthe(RS)-l-[4-[2-(4-cMoro-pheny])-ethy]]-plieny]}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid methylamide as a white solid; MS: m/e= 357 (M+H) Example 42: (RS)-l-{4-i2-f3-Fluoro-phenyl)-eihyl}-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine--3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) 4-[2-(3-Fluoro-pheny]j-ethyl:-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyi)ethenyP -benzene [Example 36a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) as the catalyst yields me4-[2-(3-fluoro-pheny[)-ethyll-phenyiamine as a yellow solid; MS: m"e= 215 (M>+. b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethy{]-ptienyJ|-5-oxo-pyTroJiduie-3-carboxyiicadd Ln an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyi)-ethyl]-phenylanaine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l -{4-(2-(3-mioro-phenyl}-ethyl}-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyn-ob"dine-3-carboxylic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M-H)+. c) (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 d), the esterification of (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyI)-ethylI-pheny!|-5-oxo-pyrroIid!ne-3-carboxylic acid and reaction of the intermediate acid chloride with methylamine yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl) -ethyl] -phenyl }-5-oxo-pyrrolidine- 3- carboxyiic acid methylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 341 {M+Hf. Example 43; {RS)-I-[4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-emyl}-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiaraide a) 4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-1 -fluoro-4-j2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene [Example 39 a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) as the catalyst yields the 4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine as a light red solid; MS: m/e= 216 (M+H)T. b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phcnyi}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid ID an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-|2-(4-fiuoro- phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)- ethyI}-pben)^}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid as a white solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M- H)+. c)(RS)- l-f4-[2-{4-F]uoro-pheny])-ethyll-pheny]}-5-oxo-pyirolidine-3-carboxyIicacid methyl ester In an analogous mann& to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-]-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)-1-{4-[2-(4-9uoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-p)Tro!idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e= 342 (M+H)+. d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-{4-Fluoro-pheoyl)-vinyli-phenyU-5-nxo-pyrrolidine-3"Carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)- l-{4- [2-(4-fluoro-phenyi)-ethyi]-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluorD-p}]eny])-et)5j"J]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carbo^yl"c acid methylamide as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 341 (M+H)+. Example 44: (RS)-I-{4-[Z-(3Methoxy-phenyI}-ethyI]-phenylf-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide a)4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylainine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-l-Suoro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyJ]-benzene [Example 38 a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) as the catalyst yields the 4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-phenylamine as a light red solid; MS: m/e= 228 (M+H)+. b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic ^cid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c). the reaction of 4-[2-(3-meth-oxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-(4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as awhite solid; MS: m/C= 338 (M-H)+. c) (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3Methoxy-phenyt)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy1ic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esteriScation of (RS)-l-{4- [2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl] -phenyl} -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyI)-ethylI-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxydicacid methyl ester as a light yellow oil; MS: m/e= 354 (M+H)+. d)(RS)-(E)-l-i4-[2-(3-Metboxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrdidme-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethylj-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-caiboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methylamide as a white solid; MS: m/e= 353 (M+H)*, Example 45: (RS)-l-[6-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) 2-(4-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitra-pyridine In an analogous manner to that described in J. Medicinal Chem. 33:2087-93 (1990), the reaction 4-fluorobenzyJalcohol instead of benzylalcohol with 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine yields the 2-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridirie as a yellow solid. b) 6-(4-Huoro-benzyloxy)-pyridm-3-y3amine 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 stirring with water and ethyl acetate, thereafter, filtered over a layer of Dicalit. 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-benzytoxy)-pyridin-3-yiamine as a greenish solid which is engaged in the next step without further purification. c)(RS)-l-[6-(4-Fluoro-beri2yloxy)-pyridin-3-yl|-5-oxo-pyrTO]idine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 6-(4-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-pvridin-3-ylambie with itaconic acid yields the crude (RS)-I-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyJoxy)-pyridin-3-vl]-5-0Xo-pvrrolidJDe-3-carboxy]ic acid as a green solid {yield 47% of theory). d) (RS)-l-[6-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide Asohition of 105 mg (0.3 mmol) of (RS)-]-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yIl-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid in 5 ml N,N-dimethylformamide is treated with 58 mg (0.35 mmol) of N,N-carbonyl-diimidazole, and the mixture is stirred at RT for 15 min. There¬after, 26 mg (0.38 mmol) of methyiamine hydrochloride and 50 ul (0.35 mmol) of triethyl-amine are added. After 30 min, the solvent is evaporated 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 15 mg (15% of theory) of (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide as a green oil which solidifies on standing.MS: m/e= 344 (M+H)+. Example A: Tablets Tablets of the following composition arc produced in a conventional manner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 100 Powdered lactose 95 White com starch 35 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8 R4 is hydrogen; R5 is methyl; and n isO, 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 responsible for the oxidative deamination of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, 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 MAQ-B, encoded by different genes [Bach et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 85:4934-4938 (1983)] 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 phenylethyiamine 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 NHj, aldehydes and H2Oj, 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 Hj02 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 (1995)]. Whereas a major 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 a]., J. Qin. Psychiatry 57:99-104 (1996)], these adverse events are of less concern with rever¬sible and selective MAO inhibitors, in particular of MAO-B. Thus, 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, [t 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 cortfigurational isomers and mixtures thereof. The term "(Ci-CJ-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-butyi, sec-butyl, t-butyl, and the like, preferably with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Accordingly, the term "(Q-CsJ-alkyl" means a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The term "halogen" denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. "Halogen-(Cj-CfJ-alkyT or "halogen-lCj-C6)-alkoxy" means the lower alley! residue or tower alkoxy residue, respectively, as defined herein substituted in any position with one or more halogen atoms as defined herein. Examples of halogenalkyl residues include, but are not limited to, 1,2-difluoropropyl, 1,2-dichloropropyl, triSuoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, and 3,3,3-trifiuoropropyl, and the like. "Halogenalkoxy" in¬cludes trifluoromethyloxy, "(Q-QJ-AIkoxy" means the residue -O-R, wherein R is a lower alkyl residue as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy, and the like. "Pharmaceutically acceptable salts" of a compound means salts that are pharmaceutically acceptable, which are generally safe, non-toxic, and neither biologically 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, Active Compounds may be converted into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It should be under¬stood that pharmaceutically acceptable salts are included in the present invention. A more preferred group of compounds of formula I* are those wherein R3is-CO-NHRs and R* is methyl. Examples of such compounds are the following: (RS)-l-l4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroliciine-3-caTboxyhcacidmethylamide, (RS)-[l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(2,6-difluoro"beniyJoxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-p>Trolidme-3-carboxyiicaddrnethyi-amide, {RS)-l-[4-[3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[3-fluoro-4-(3-fluorO"benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid Diethylamide, (RS)-l-[2-nuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-1 -(i-benzylDxy-phenyiyS-oxo-pyrrDlidine-l-carboxybc add Diethylamide, and (R)-l-(4-benzyIoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. A further preferred group of compounds of formula I* are those, wherein R3 is -CH2QJ and R* is hydrogen. (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrolidin-3-yt}-acetonitrile is an example for such a compound. Compounds of formula I* may be substituted by n R1 selected from the group consisting ofhalogen, halogen-(d-QJ-aJkyl. cyano, {Ci-CeJ-alkoxyorhalogen-fQ-CsJ-alkoxy, wherein n denotes an integer selected from 0,1, 2 and 3. Preferably n is 1 or 2. Preferred compounds of formula I* are those, wherein Rl is halogen or halogen-(Ci-C6)-alkyl. Especially preferred are those compounds of formula]*, wherein R1 is fluorine, chloride or trifluoromethyl. Where the compounds are substituted by two or three R1, each R1 can be the same or different. In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(R2, In one embodiment the invention provides compounds of formula I wherein -X-Y- is -CH2-O-. 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 R1, R1"1 and R1"2 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethy), cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R",RU and R1"2 are halogen, e.g. fluoro, e.g. 2,4,6-trifluoro, 2,4,5-trifluoro, 2,3,6-trifluoro, 2,3,4-trifiuoro or 3,4,5-trifluoro. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"1 is hydrogen and R1 and R1"1 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (Ci-GO-alkyl, halogen-fCi-Ce)-alkyl, cyano, (Ci-QJ-alkoxy or halogen-(CrC6)-alkoxy. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"2 is hydrogen and R1 and R!i independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of halogen and (Ci-Ce)-alkyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"1 is hydrogen, R1"1 is halogen and R1 is halogen or (Ci-Cs)-aBcyl. In still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1,1 and R1"2 are hydrogen and Rl is halogen, (CrQO-alkyl, halogen-(d-Q)-alkyl" cyano, (Ci-Cfi)-alkoxy or halogen-fQ-QValkoxy. In still another embodiment the present inven¬tion provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"1 and RLI are hydrogen and R! is halo¬gen, methyi, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy. In still another embodi¬ment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R1"1 and RJ,a are hydrogen and R1 is fluoro, e.g. 3-fluoro or 4-fluoro, chloro, e.g. 3-chloro, halogenmethyl, e.g. 3-trifiuoromethyl, 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 R1, R1"1 and RlJ are hydrogen. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula 1 wherein R11, RM and RH are hydrogen. In another embodiment the present invention provides com¬pounds of formula I wherein R21 and R23 are hydrogen and R23 is fluoro. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R3 is -C(0)N(H)CH3- In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein R3 is -CH2CN. In one aspect the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein the com¬pounds have (R)-configuration. In one embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =C(RM)-, wherein RM is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; -X-Y- is -CH;-0-; R1, R" and Ru independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo¬gen, methyl, haJogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R21, R22 and R23 are hydrogen; and R3 is -C(0)N(H)CH3. In another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-; -X-Y- is -CHrO-; R1, R1"1 and R1"2 independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R2\ R22 and R2J are hydrogen; and R3 is -C(0)N(H)CH3. In Still another embodiment the present invention provides compounds of formula I wherein Q is =CH-; -X-Y- is -CH2-0-; RU and RIJ are hydrogen and R1 is fluoro, chloro, halogenmethyl, cyano, methoxy or halogen-methoxy; R21, R22 and R23 are hydrogen; and R3is-C(0)N(H)CH3. Examples of compounds of formula I include compounds selected from (RS)-I-[4-(3-fluoro-ben2yIoxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylicacidmethyJ- amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl3-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, {RS)-[I-(4-{3J4-difluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacidmeth)d-amide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6"trifluoro-berizyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhcacid methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3J6-trifluoro-bcnzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methylamide, (RS)-5"OXO-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifltiOro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-l4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-p>Trolidine-3.carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(5-fluoro-2-methyi-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-metboxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl¬amide, (RS)-l-[4-(2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoroitiethyl-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-cyano-benzylox)")-phenyl]-S-oxo-pyjTolidme-3-carboxylic acid methyl¬amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro]iduie-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RSJ-l-IS-fluoro^-tS-fluoro-benzyloxyJ-pheii^l-S-oxo-pyrrolidine-S-carboxyh"cacid methylamide, fRS)-l-j2-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pbeny]J-5-oxo-pyiTo]idine-3-carboxylicacid methylainide, (RS)-l-[2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benryloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy!icacid methylamide, (RS)-H4-benzyloxy-pbenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-l4-(3-fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbQxyHc acid methylamide, (S)-l-[4-(3-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (S)-l-(4-benzyioxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(3-8uoro-benzy)oxy)-phenyl]-5-cofo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-l-[4-(3-chIoro-ben2yloxy)-phcnyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacidmethy!arnide, (R)-l-[4-(2,6-djfiuoro-bcnzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-ben2y]oxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrobdin-3-yIJ-acctDnitrile, (RS)"|l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyTro]idiri-3-yl}-acetonitrile, (RS)-[l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-y]]-acetonitrile, (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2"(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicac-id methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-{4-{2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-pbenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-14-[2-(3-memoxy-phenyl)-™iyl]-pheny]}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic:acid methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-pheny])-vinyl]-pheny]}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicafid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (RS)-l-l4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyI}-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxyIicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-l4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-p>Trolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, {RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-fiuoro-phenyl)-ethylj-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-etbyl]-pheny]t-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicarid methylamide, and (RS)-l-[4-(2-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroudine-3-carboxylic add methyl¬amide. In another embodiment the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula 1 comprising reacting a compound of formula II Amides of formula I" or VIb can be obtained by aminolysisof esters of formula lib or Via with amines of formula R -NHj at a temperature in the range of from room temperature (RT) and 120°C, e.g. in sealed tubes using solvents inert under these conditions, like e.g. dimethoxyethane, dioxane, or methanol. Al ternatively, acids of formula Ila may be trans¬formed into compounds of formula I** using standard procedures. They can be activated via, e.g., acid chloride or mixed anhydride. Especially for the preparation of enantiopure derivatives, condensation reagents like carbodiimides, e.g. dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, or benzotriazol derivatives, e.g. 0-(benzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N",N"-tetramethyluronium-hexa-fluorophosphate (HBTU) may be applied. range of from 20°Cto reflux temperature. Another approach is theMitsunobu-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 tetrahydrofurane, using dialkyi azo-ciicarboxylates in the presence of phosphines like e.g. tributy]- or triphenyl-phosphine. The key intermediates of formula XVII can be reduced selectively to the amino-olefins of formula IVd using catalytic hydrogenation like e.g. using platinum on charcoal as the cata¬lyst in lower alcohols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofhrane as the solvent, or, by metals or metal salts, like e.g. thv(II)-chloride. The amino derivatives of formula FVccan be ob¬tained directly from the nitro derivatives of formula XVII or from the amino-olefins of formula IVd by hydrogenation using palladium on charcoal as the catalyst in lower alco¬hols, ethyl acetate or tetrahydrofbrane as the solvent. Alternatively, compounds of formula II can be reduced to the intermediate compound of formula III. This may be done by first converting the acids of formula II into their esters (alcohol / acid catalysis) followed by reduction with reagents like sodium borohydride in solvents like tetrahydrofurane at a temperature in the range of from 20°C to 65°C. Activa¬tion of the alcohol of formula III via mesylate or triflate and reaction with sodium or potassium cyanide at a temperature in the range of from 40°C to 80aC leads to the desired compounds of formula I wherein R3 is CH2CN, i.e. nitriles of formula lb. Scheme 5 Compounds of general formula I can also exist in optical pure form. Separation into Anti¬podes can be affected according methods known per se, either at an early stage of the syn¬thesis , e.g. starting with compounds of formula 11a by salt formation with an optically ac¬tive amine such as, for example, (+)- or (-)-l-phenylethylarnine or (+}- or (-)-l-naph,thyI-ethylamine and separation of the diastereomeric salts by fractional crystallisation, or by derivatisation with a chiral auxiliary substance such as, for example, {+)- or C-)-2-butanol, (+)- or (-)-l-phenyiethanol, or (+)- or (-)-menthol and separation of the diastereomeric products by chromatography and/or crystallisation and subsequent cleavage of the bond to the chiral 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 I can afso be obtained from enantiopure intermediates obtained by biotransformation, e.g. by hydrolysis of esters of formula Via by enzymes, such as e.g. cholesterase from Candida cylindmcea. 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, e.g. with X-ray spectroscopy on single crystals. The Active Compounds are, as already mentioned above, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors and can be used for the treatment or prevention of diseases in which MAO-B inhibitors might be beneficial. These include acute and chronic neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and memory deficits. Treatable neurological disorders are 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 metabolic 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 other neuroinflammaiory diseases. The Active Compounds are especially useful 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 EfiNA cells using the procedure described by Schlaeger and Christensen [Cytotechnology 15:1-13 (1998)), After transfettioa, cells "weje^iOTaogenisedhyweans of apDlytxonhomogenizgj in 20 mM Tris Hd buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 mM EGTA and 0.5 mM phenyimethane_ sulfonyl fluoride. Cell membranes were obtained by centrihigation at 45,000 x g and, after two rinsing steps with 20 mM Tris HC1 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 method described by Zhou and Panchuk-Voloshina [Analytical Biochemistry 253:169-174 (I997)]. 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 enzymatic reaction was started by the addition oftne MAO substrate fyramine together with 1 Ufod horse-radish peroxidase (Roche Biochemicals) and 80 uM N-acetyl^^-dihydroxyphenoxazine (Amplex Red, Molecular Probes). The samples were further incubated for 30 min at 37°C in a final volume of 200 ul and absorbance was th^n 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 uM clot-gyline for MAO-A or 10 uM L-deprenyl for MAO-B. IC50 values were determined frc>m 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 Active Compounds as measured in the assay described above are in the range 0f 1 uM or less, typically 0.1 uM or less, anq ideally 0.02 [iM or less. The Active Compounds can be used as niedicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutic^ preparations. The pharmaceutical prepavations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions Qr suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectaliy, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions. The Active Compounds can be processed with pharmaceutically 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 lidu"d 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, £an be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of Active Compounds, but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural 01 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 tBe osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They may also contain oth£r therapeutically valuable substances. As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing an Active Compound and a therapeutically inert excipient are also an ohject oi the present invention, as is a process for the pro¬duction of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more Active Compound 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, he fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, the effective dosage for oral or parental 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 arid 700 mg per day. The following examples are provided for illustration of the invention. They should net 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)-l-[4~(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-pbenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid 18.8 g (94.4 mmol) 4-benzyloxyaniline are mixed with 12.28 g (94.4 mmo!) itaconic acid The mixture is heated to 130"C. After 20 min the melted material sohdifies. The resulting solid is triturated with ethyl acetate to yield 28.26 g (96 %) of a greyish solid. MS: m/e = 311 (M+). b) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methyl ester 7.46 g (24 mmol) (RS)-l-{4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid is dis¬solved in amixtureof40mldichloromethane and 7.5 ml methanol. 0.13 ml concentrated sulfuric acid is added and the reaction mixture hold under reflux over night The solvent is evaporated and the residue triturated with diethyl ether to yield 7.26 g (93%) of a colorless solid (used in the next step without further purification). c) (RS)-t-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroSidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester 7.26 g (22.3 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester is dissolved in 200 ml tetrahydrofuran. After addition of 726 mg palladium 10% on charcoal hydrogenation is performed at RT and normal pressure. After 3 hours, the catalyst is filtered off and the solvent evaporated to yield 6.04 g of crude product (used in the next step without further purification). d) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester 6.04 g (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 7.10 g (51.4 mmol) potassium carbonate and 5.34 g 3-fluorobenzyl bromide are suspended in 250 ml ethyl methyl ketone. The reaction mixture is heated at 90°C for 5 hours, cooled and poured into water. Extraction with ethyl acetate gives a crude material which is subjected to chromatography (silica gel, n-hexane / ethyl acetate 1:1). This gives 2.10 g (24 %) of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 344.3 (M+ H) *. e) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3"Carboxylicacid methylamide 300 mg (0.87 mmol) (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxjdic acid methyl ester is dissolved in a mixture of 1 ml N,N-dimethylfbrmarnide and 0.18 ml of a 33 % solution of methylamine in ethanol. The reaction vessel is tightly stopped and hold at 120°C for 48 hours. Water is added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. Drying and evaporation yields 92 mg (31 %) of a slightly yellowish product MS: m/e = 5 343.3 (M+H)+. Example 2: (RS)-[l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzylox\-)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide a) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In a metallic pan, 257.0 g (2.355 mol) of 4-aminophenoI and 301.75 g [2.32 mol) of ita-conic acid are mixed in solid form. Under stirring with a metal spatula, the mixture was carefully heated on a heating plate. The temperature was measured by a thermometer. At 60°C, the powder started to become viscous, at 110-12D°C it became liquid and the colour turned to dark brown while the rest of solid material was also dissolved. The exothermic reaction started under boiling and, while the temperature raised to 150°C, the reaction mass turned to a beige solid. The sandy product was left to cool down to RT within 1-2 hours. The crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid was engaged in the next step without further purification or characterisation. b) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In a 1014-necked flask equipped with a reflux condenser, a thermometer, and a mechani¬cal stirrer, the crude (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyosy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyb"c add is dissolved in a mixture of 5000 ml of methanol, 24 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid and 400 ml of 2,2-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 201 vessel. Under stirring at 40°C, a mixture of 2500 ml of water/ice (1:1) is added. Crystallisation started immediately, and, thereupon, the fine white crystals are collected on a filter funnel. Tey are washed with total 2000 ml of cold water until the filtrate, at the beginning brownish-rose, becomes colourless and neutral. The well pressed and pre-dn^ product from the filter funnel is dried under reduced pressure to yield 980 g (84% of theory, 2 steps) of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic ac"d methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e = 234 (M+ H)c) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-bcnzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id), the alleviation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyoxy-phenyt)-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 4-fluoro-benzylbromide in presence of potassium carbonate yields the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fruoro-benzyl-oxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light yellow powder; MS: m/e = 344 (M+ H)*. d) (RS)-l-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl]- 5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example le), the aminolysis of the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroliciine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with. methylamine in a sealed tube at 80DG in ethanol during 18 h yields the the (RS)-l -[4-(4-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide as a white powder; MS: m/e = 343 (M+ H)+. The compounds of Examples 3 to 16 are obtained in an analogous mariner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from {RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, prepared following Example lc) or Example 2b), by alkylation of the phenol and subsequent aminolysis of the ester; Example 3: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylie acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-chlorobenzyl chloride to obtain the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a colorless solid and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80°C during 18 h to yield the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phen)d]-5-oxo-pyn"olidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield: 73 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 359 {M+ H)+. Example 4: (RS)-[l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenjd]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3,4-difluorobenzyl bromide to obtain the (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxD-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester as a colorless solid [85% of theory; MS: m/e = 362.2 (M++ H)] and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine to yield the (RS)-[ l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield : 7 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 361 (M+ Hf. Examples: (RS)-[l-[4-(2,6-Difiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxyiic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-{4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carbDxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the tide compound is prepared by alkylation with 2,6-difiuorobenzyl bromide to obtain the (IlS)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroHdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a yellowish oil and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at S0DC during 18 h to yield the (R5)-[l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrmlidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide. Yield: 33 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 361 (M+ H)+. Example 6: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carborylic add methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-{4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester with 2,4,6-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-pyrTolidine-3-carboxyUcacid methyl ester which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine yields the {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield : 97 % of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e = 379 (M+ H)Example 7: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,5-trifluoro-beri2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,4,5-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a white solid (83% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyl¬amine yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-{2,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxyhc acid methyiamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+. Example 8: (RS)-5-Oxo-l~ [4-(2,3,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,3,6-trifluorobenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-{2,3,6-tri9uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a light yellow solid (73% of theory, MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+], which, there¬upon, by treatment with methylamine yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,6-trifluoro-ben2yI-oxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield: 64 % of theory as a white solid. MS: m/e = 379 (M+ H)+. Example 9: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzvloxy)-phenyl]--pyrroudine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alleviation of the {RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,3,4 -trifiuorobenzyl bromide giving the {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifluDro-benryloxy}-phenyIj-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyl;cacid methyl ester as a white solid (94% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyl-amine in ethanol at 50°C yields the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. Yield: 99 % of theory as a white solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)+. Example 10: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3A5-trifluoro-ben2yloiy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiarnide The tide compound is prepared by allegation of the (RS)-1 -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2,4,6-trifluorobenzyi bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a white solid (99% of theory) which, thereupon, by treatment with methyl-amine in ethanol at 50°C yields the {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzy5oxy)-phenyi]-pyrTolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide. Yield : 99 % of theory as a white solid; MS: m/e=379 (M+H)Example 11: (RS)-l-[4-(5-Fluoro-2-meth)d-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxylic add methylamide The title, compound is prepared by alleviation of the (RS)-l-{4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 5-fluoro-2-methylbenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-l-[4-(5-fiuoro-2-methyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid [71% of theory, MS: m/e=358 (M+H)+] which, there¬upon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 60 °C during 4 h yields the (RS)-l-H-(5-fiuoro-2-methy]-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl¬amide. Yield: 53 % of theory as a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 357 (M+ H)+. Example 12: CRS)-l-[4-(3-Methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from {R5)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrCilidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the tide compound is prepared by alfeylation with 3-methoxybenzyl bromide to obtain the (RS)-l -[4-(3-methoxy-ben2yioxy)-phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a yellowish oil and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °C during 18 h to yield the (RS)-l-[4-(3-memoxy-ben2yloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield: 75 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 355 (M+ H)+. Example 13: (RS)-l-[4-(2-Methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 2-methoxybenzylbromide giving the (RS)-l-[4-C2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light yellow oil [83% of theory, MS:m/e=355 (M+H)+ which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °C yields the (RS)-l-[4-(2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTOlidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield: 47 % of theory as a White solid. MS: m/e = 355 (M+ H)+. Example 14: (RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3-triQuoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide The titie compound is prepared by alkyiation of the (RS)-J -(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 3-trifluoromethoxybenzyl bromide giving the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-caTboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid [40% of theory, MS: m/e=410 (M+H)+] which, there¬upon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at BO °C yields the {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield : 59 % of theory as a white powder. MS: m/e = 409 (M+ H)Example 15: {RS)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethyI-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example Id) and e), starting from (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example lc)] the title compound is prepared by alkylation with 3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl chloride to obtain the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrohdine-3-carboxyhcacid methyl ester as a yellowish solid and, thereupon, treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80°C during 18 h to yield the (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethyl-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic add methyiamide. Yield: 54 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 393 (M+ H)+. Example 16: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Cyano-benzyloxy)-pheayl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic add methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alkylation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxyphenyi}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-earboxylic acid methyl ester with 3-cyanobenzyl bromide giving the (R5)-l-[4-{3-cyano-benzylo:xy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pvrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylester as ft light yellow solid [69% of theory, MS: m/e=351 (M+H)"] which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °C yields the (RS)-l-[4-(3-cyano-benzyloxy)-phenyl!~ 5-oxo-pyrroliduie-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide. Yield : 79 % of theory as a white powder. MS: m/e = 350 (M+ H)Example 17: (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-3-methyI"phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide a) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 2a), 4-amino-o-cresol is reacted with itaconic acid at 140°C during 10 min to yield the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-metbyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e = 234 (M-H)* which directly used in the next step. b) (RS)-l-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-earboxylic acid methyl ester In analogy to the esterification described in Example 2b), the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-earboxylic acid is reacted with methanol in presence of sulfuric acid to yield the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-memyl-phenyi)-5-oxo-pyrroUduie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light brown solid; MS: m/e = 250 (M+H)+. c) (RS)-l-[(4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrro!idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In analogy to the alkylation described in Example Id), the (RS)-] -(4-hydroxy-3-methyl -phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-earboxylic acid methyl ester is reacted with 3-fluorobenzyl bromide in presence of potassium carbonate in DMF at 80°C to yield the (RS)-l-[(4-(3-fluoro-benz>ioxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroridirie-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a light brown oil; MS: m/e = 375 {M+NH«)+. d) (RS)-l-[(4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic add methyl amide In analogy to the aminolysis described in Example le), the (RS)-l -[(4-(3-fluoro-ben£)^-Oxy)-3-methyl-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester is treated in a sealed tube with methylamine in ethanol at 60°C for lBh to yield the (RS)-l-[{4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e = 357 (M+H)+. Example 18: {RS)-l-[4-(4-F]uoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic add methyiamide The title compound is prepared by alleviation of the (RS)-l -(4-hydroxy-3-methyI-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid [Example 17b)] with 4-fluorobenzylbromide, in analogy to Example Id), giving the(RS)-]-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxv;.3-rnethyl-phenyl!-5-oxa-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylester as a light brown solid [26% of theory, M.S: m/e=358 (M+H)+] which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in ethanol at 80 °c, in analogy to Example le), yields the (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-pbenyi]-5_ oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide. Yield : 79 % of theory" as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 357 (M+H)". Example 19: (RSJ-l-^-CS-Chloro-benzyloxyJ-S-methyl-phenyll-S-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-^. carboxylic acid methylamide The title compound is prepared by allegation of the (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methyi-pheny])-5-oxo~pyirolidine-3-carboxylk acid [Example 17b)j with 3-chlorobenzyichloride, in analogy to Example Id), giving the (RS)-l-[4-(3-cHoro-benzyIoxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]v5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylester as a light brown oil [47% of theory, MS: m/e=374 (M+H)+] which, thereupon, by treatment with methylamine in elhanol at 60 °C, in analogy to Example le), yields the (RS)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-pheny|]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide. Yield : 61 % of theory as an white solid. MS: m/e = 373 (M+ H)+. Example 20: {RS)-l-[3-Fluoro-4-(3-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3^ carboxylic acid methylamide a) 2-Fluoro-l-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-4-nitro-benzene A mixture of 10.0 g (63.7 mmol) 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol, 17.6 g (127 mmol) potassium carbonate and 13.24 g (70.0 mmol) 3-fluorobenzyl bromide in 200 ml efhyi methyl ketone is hold overnight at 80°C. The reaction mixture is diluted with water and extracted with ethyi acetate. Crystallisation from diethyl ether / n-hexane gives 12.68 g (75 %) of a slightly yellow solid. MS: m/e = 265.1 (M+). b) 3-Ruoro-4-(3-nuoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine 12.68 g (47.8 mmol) 2-fluoro-]-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-4-nitro-berizene is dissolved in 450 ml ethyl acetate. 1.27 g platinum 5 % on charcoal is added and the mixture is hydrogeria. ted at RT and normal pressure for 6 hours. The catalyst is filtered off and the solution tva. porated to yield 11.03 g (98 %) of a dark brown liquid. MS: m/e = 235.1 (M+). c) (RS)-l-[3-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic^cid The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example la) from 3-fiuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine and itaconic acid. Yield: 86 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 346.1 (M-H). d) (RS)-l-[3-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-ben2\"loxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3"carboxyHcacid methylamide 500 mg (1.44 mmol) (RS)-l-[3-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxa-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy)ic acid is suspended in 5 ml dichloromethane. 0.52 ml (7.2 mmol) thiony) chloride is added and the reaction mixture hold at 40°C overnight. The solvent is evapora¬ted and the crude acid chloride is again dissolved in 5 ml dichloromethane. 0.76 ml (7.2 mmol) of a 33% solution of raethyiamine in ethanol is added and the mixture heated to 40°C for 6 hours. Water is added and the product is extracted with ethyl acetate. Chroma¬tography (silica gel, dichloromethane I methanol) yields 348 mg (67 %) of a pink solid. MS: m/e = 361.2 {M+H)Example 21; (RS)-l-[2-HuoKK4-(3-9uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiine-3--carboxylic acid methylamide a) 2-Ruoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-l-nitro-benzene The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20a) from 3-fluoro-4-nitrophenol and 3-fluoro benzyl bromide. Yield: 100% of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 265.0 (M+). b) 2-FIuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20b) by hydrogenation of 2-fluoro-4~(3-QuoTo-ben2yioxy)-l -nitre-benzene. Yield: 98 % of a dark brown hquid. MS: mSt = 235.0 (M+). c) (RS)-l-[2-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)"phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20c) from 2-Buoro-4-(3-fluoro- benzyloxy)-phenylamine and itaconic acid. Yield: 67 % of a purple solid. MS: m/e = 346.1 (M+H)d) (RS)-l-[2-Fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pheriyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyuCacid methylaiaide The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20d) from (RS)-l-[2-fluoro-4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and methylamine. Yield; 39 % of a brownish solid. MS: m/e = 361.2 (M+H)+. Example 22: (RS)-l-[2,5-Difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzy3oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-earboxylic acid methylamide a) l,4-Difluoro-2-(3-auoro-benzylaxy)-5-nitra-benzene A mixture of 2.35 g (18.6 mmo}) of 3-fluorobenzy]akohol and 0.55 g (1.7 mmol) oftiis{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethy!) amine is treated portionwise under stirring with 1.06 g {18.6 mmo!) of potassium hydroxide. Stirring is continued for 10 min if necessary under slight heating to reach a homogenous reaction mixture. Thereafter, 3.0 g (16.9 mrnol) of 2,4,5-trifluoronitrobcnzene are added dropwise. The reaction mixture becomes solid and is heated to 100°C for 2 hours.. For the working-up, the mixture is cooled to RT, then 25 ml Water and 25 ml ethyl acetate are added and stirring continued for 30 min. The organic layer is separated and the aqueous layer is extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are washed with water, then twice with 2N hydrochloric acid and finally with water. After drying over magnesium sulfate, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure. During evaporation, the byproduct, l-fluoro-2,4-bis-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-5-nitro-benzene precipitates. For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using a 4:l-mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 2.63 g (55% of theory) of the l,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-benzy{oxy)-5-ni"tro-benzene as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 283 (M)"1. b) 2,5 - Di fluoro - 4- (3 - fluoro -benzyloxy) - phenylamine A solution of 2.63 g (9.3 mmol) of l,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-benzene in 25 ml of ethyl acetate is hydrogenated with Pt/C (5%) as the catalyst under normal pressure during 3 hours. For the working-up, the catalyst was filtered over a Dicalit layer and the solution evaporated under reduced pressure. There are obtained 2.25 g (95% of theory) of 2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy) -phenylamine as a brown solid; MS: m/e=253 (M)*. The crude product is engaged in the next step without further purification. c)(RS)-l-[2,5-Difluoro-4-(3-Quoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroliduie-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example la), 2,5-difluoro-4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylamine was reacted with itaconic acid to yield (RS)-l-[2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-beDzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIicacid (34.5% of theory) as a grey solid; MS: m/e=363 (M-H)+. d) (RS)-lv[2,5-Difiuoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid diethylamide A solution of 365 mg(1.0 mmol) of (R5)-l-[2,5-difluoro-4-{3-fiuoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid is treated with 178 mg (1.1 mmol) of l.l"-carbonyi-diimidazole, and the mixture is heated at 50*C for 2 hours. Thereafter, the solution is cooled to RT and 47 mg (1.5 mmol) of metiiylamine (33% solution in ethanol) are added. After 18 hours the reaction is not complete, so that another 47 mg (1.5 mmol) of methyl-amine (33% solution in ethanol) are added and stirring is continued for 24 hours at 50°C. For the working-up. the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. For puri- fication, the material obtained is chroma tographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of di¬chloromethane and methanol as the eluent. There are obtained, after crystallization from ether, 136 mg {56% of theory) of the(RS)-I-[2,5-difiuoro-4-(3-fIuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyn-olidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as an off-white solid. MS: m/e = 379(M+Hr. Example 23: (RS)-l-{4-Benzyioxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrToUdiiie-3-carboKylic acid methyl-amide The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 20d) from {RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid and methylamine. Yield : 73 % of a slightly yellow solid. MS: m/e = 325.4 (M+Hf. Example 24: (R)-l-[4r(3-Fluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroh"dine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (RS)-l-f4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid 3.5 g (10.2 mmol) of [Rac] l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzy!oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid roethyi ester (Example Id) are dispersed in 11.2 ml of a IN solution of sodium hydroxide, and tetrahydrofuran is added to such an extent that a clear solution is obtained. Thereupon, the reaction mixture is heated to 50°C during 1 h. For the working-up, the cooled solution is treated with 11.2 ml of IN hydrochloric acid and THF evaporated under reduced pressure while the product starts to precipitate. The product is filtered and dried under vacuum to yield 2.39 g (71% of theory) of a white solid which is used in the next step without further purification. b) (RS)-I-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-(3RS)-carbonyl chloride A dispersion of 2.37 g (7.2 mmol) of (RS)-l-l4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid in 50 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 3.1 ml (43.2 mmol) of thionyichloride at RT during 18 h. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness, then the residue is dispersed in toluene and evaporated to dryness again to yield quantitatively the acid chloride as a yellowish solid which is used in the next step without further purification. c) (3RS)-l-[4-(3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidhie-3-carboxylic acid (1R)-phenyl-ethyi ester A solution of 2.49 g (7.2 mmol) of (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro-lidine-(3RS)-carbonyl chloride in 42 ml of dichloromethane is prepared and cooled to 0°C. The solution of 0.73 g (6.0 mmol) of (RM+)-l-phenyiethanoI in a mixture of 10 ml of di¬chloromethane and 0.48 ml pyridine is added dropwise. After complete addition, the reac- tion mixture is warmed to RT and stirring continued for 20 min. For the working-up, ijjt reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and 3.84 g of a yellowish solid i^\. due are obtained. For purification, the materia] obtained is chromatographed on silica gel by Qas-chromatography using a gradient of n-hexane to a 4:1 mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 1.96 g (76% of theory) of the mixture of the two diastereomers as a white solid. MS: m/e = 434 (M+H)+. d) (3R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1R)> phenyl-ethyl ester and (3S)-l-[4-(3-£luoro-benzyIoxy)-phenji]-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-C4j-b-oxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester The separation of 1.80 g (4.2 mmol) of the two isomers (Example 24c) 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 763 mg (42.4% of theory) of the first eluting isomer (3R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-$-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhcacid (IR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 434 (M* + H)] ^nd 860 mg (47.8% of theory) of the later eluting isomer (3S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 434 (M+H)+), each as a white solid. e) (R)-l-(4-(3-F]uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid A solution of 0.622 g (1.44 mmol) of (3R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhc acid (1R)-phenyl-ethyl ester in 17 ml of dioxane is treated with 1.68 ml of hydrochloric acid (37%) and the mixture is heated to 50°C during 18 h. For the work-up, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and the yellowish residue obtained is triturated with ethyl acetate at -10°C. The mixture is filtered and th.e white solid dried under vacuum to yield 344 mg (73% of theory) of the (R)-acid which is used in the next step without further purification. MS: m/e = 328 (M-HV*. f) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide A solution of 0.339 g (1.03 mmol) of (S)-l-l4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro-Iidine-3-carboxylic acid in 21 ml of N,N-dimethylfonnamide, cooled to 0°C, is treated consecutively with 0.15 ml (1.13 mmol) of triethylamine, 0.390 g (1.03 mmol) of HBT\j$ 0.085 g (1.24 mmol) of methylamine hydrochloride, and 0.15 ml (1.13 mmol) of triethylamine. The reaction is stopped after 30 min and the orange coloured solution is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is triturated in ethyl acetate, the white solid product is filtered, thereafter dissolved in dkhloromethane and the solution washed three times with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate, then evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 231 mg (66% of theory) of a -white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)+; [a]5S9 = -25.48° (c= 0.954, CHJOJ). Example 25: (S)-l-[4-(3-FIuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic add methylamide a) (S)-]-[4-(3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24e), starting from (3S)-1- [4-(3-0uoro-benzyloxy)-pheny!j-5-oxo-pyn"olidirte-3-carboxyiic add (lR)-pbenyi-ethyl ester (Example 24d) by addic hydrolysis of the ester there is obtained (S)-l-[4-(3-£luoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add as a white solid which is used in the next step without further purification. MS: mJe = 328 (M-H)+. b) (S)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), by condensing (S> 1- [4-(3-Quoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic add with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (S)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyJ]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add methylamide as a white solid. MS: mte = 343 (M+H)+; [a]5B9 = +28.17° (c= 0.831, CH2C12). Example 26: (R)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carborylic acid methylamide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbonyl chloride In art analogous manner to that described in Example 24b), starting from (RS)-l-(4-benzyioxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (Example la) by treatment with tnionylchloride there is obtained ester and (3S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24c) and 24d), starting from (RS)-1-(4-benzyloxy-pheny\)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-caibonyl chloride by reaction with (R)-(+)-l-phenylethanol there is obtained the mixture of the two isomers (3RS)-l-(4-benzy!-oxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic add (IR)-phenyl-ethyl ester which is separated on a preparative chiial HLPC column (conditions see Example 24d) to yield the first eluting (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyi)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic add (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 416 (M+ + H)] and (3S)-l-(4-benzyIoxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester iMS: m/e = 416 (M+H)+J as a -white solid each. c) (3R)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3--carboxYlic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24e), starting from (3R)-I -(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester by acidic hydrolysis of the ester there is obtained (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid as a white solid which is used in the next step without further purifica¬tion. MS: m/e = 310 (M-H)+. d) (R)-l-(4-Benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylaniide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), by condensing {R}-l-(4- benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (R)-l-(4-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrro- lidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 325 (M+H)+; [OJSBS = -27.55° (c= 0.958, CH2C12). Example 27: (S)-l-(4-Benzylaxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide a) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carbonyl chloride In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24b)j starting from (RS)-l-{4-benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (Example la) by treatment with thionylcbloride there is obtained (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrroliduie-3-carbonyl chloride as a yellowish solid which is directly used in the next step without further purification. b) (3R)-I-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester and (3S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl- ethyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24c and 24d, starting from (RS)-l-(4-ben2y]oxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyirolidme-3-carbonyl chloride by reaction with (R)-(+)-l-phenylethanol there is obtained the mixture of the two isomers (3RS)-l-(4-ben2yloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-cavboxyUc acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester which is separated on a preparative chiral HLPC column (CHIRALPAK* AD, pressure: 17 bar, flow: 35 ml/min) using a 4:1 mixture of n-heptane and isopropanol as the eluent) to yield the first eluting (3R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidiiie-3-carboxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-ethyl ester [MS: m/e = 416 (M* + H)] and (3S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carb-oxylic acid (lR)-phenyl-efhyl ester [MS: m/e = 416 (M+H)+] as a white solid each. c) (S)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrrobdine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24e, starting from (3S;-l-(4-benzyl- oxy-phenyt)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylk acid (IR)-pbenyi-ethyi ester by acidic hydrolysis of the ester there is obtained (3S)-l-(4-benzyioxy-paenyl)-5-oxo-pyTTolidine-3- carboxylic acid as a white solid which is used in the next step without furthei purification. MS:m/e = 310{M-H)T. d) (S)-l-{4-Benryloxy)-ph,enyl)-5-oxo-pynoIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f, by condensing (S)-l-(4-benzyl- oxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroudine-3-carboxyuc acid with methyiamine using HBTU as the condensation agent there is obtained (S)-l-(4-benzyloxy)-phenyl )-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3- carboxylic acid methyiamide as a white solid. MS: m/e = 325 (M+H)+; [a]s& = +32.02° (c= 1.037, CH2CI2). Example 28: (R)-l-[4-(4^Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide a) (R)-l-(4-Hydxoxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pynoLidine-3-carboKylic acid methyl ester A suspension of 2.51 g (10.6 mmol) of (RS)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyi)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 10 ml of phosphate buffer [c(KH2PO*) = 0.05 mol/l], 25 ml of sodium sulfate solution [c(NaiS04) = 4 mol/l], 45 ml of deionised water, and 20 ml of tert-butylmethylether is adjusted to pH 6.0. Under moderate stirring, 51.3 mg of cbolester-ase from Candida cylindracea (Roche Applied Science, Industrial Products, Enzyme Projects, Sandhofer Str. 116, D-68305 Mannheim, Germany, order no. 10129046103) are added in solid form. By an automatic pH-Stat-System, the pH is kept constant at 6.0 by addition of sodium hydroxide solution [c(NaOH) = 1.0 mol/l] at RT. The progress of the reaction is followed by the consumption of sodium hydroxide solution. After the addition of 5.21 ml of of sodium hydroxide solution, the reaction is stopped by addition of dichloromethane. The organic layer is separated, then washed three times with water, thereafter, dried over sodium sulfate, and finally evaporated. The crude ester is a slightly rose oil which after trituration in tert-butylmethylether at RT is obtained as a white solid. The product is collected on a filter funnel and yields after drying under high vacuum at RT 1.11 g (44.3% of theory) of (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyI)-5-oxo-pyrroLidine-3-carboxyhc acid methyl esten m.p.: 122.9°C; optical integrity: 97.9% e.e.; [a]*D = -35.2 {c=1.162g/100 ml CHds). b) (R)4-[4-(4-Huoro-ben2^oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester A solution of 550 mg (4.3 mmol) of 4-fluoro-benzyIalcohol and 1.27 g (4.7 mmol) of tri-phenyiphosphine in 7 ml of tetrahydrofurane is added dropwise at 0°C to a solution of 1.11 g (4.7 mmol) of (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrroHdine-3-carboxylic add methyl ester and 1.01 g (4.7 mmol) of diisopropyl azodicarboxylate in 11ml of tetrahydro-furane. The mixture is left to warm to RT and stirring is continued for 18 hours. For the working-up, after addition of 2 g of silica gel the reaction mixture is evaporated under re¬duced pressure, For purification, the material obtained is chromatographed on silica gel using Erst a 2:1-mixture, then a l:l-mixture of heptane and ethyl acetate as the eluent. There are obtained 1.39 gT95% of theory) of (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=344 (M+H}+. c) (R)-l-[4-{4-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-caTboxylicacid A solution of 1.27 g (3.7 mmol) of (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToli-dine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 77 ml of dioxane is treated with 8.64 ml of hydro¬chloric acid (37%). The mixture is heated at 52°C for 18 h in a closed flask. For the work¬ing-up, the solution is evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude acid as a yellowish solid. For purification, the crude acid is triturated at -5°C in 10 ml of ethyl acetate. The solid is collected on a filter funnel and then dried under high vaccum to yield 0.624 g (51% of theory) of (R)-I-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid; MS: m/e=330 (M+H)+. d) (R)-l-[4-(4-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl- amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24 f). by condensing the (R)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent the (R)-l -[4-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl} -S-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide is obtained as a white solid. MS: m/e = 343 (M-f-H)*. Example 29: (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide (cf. Example 24) a) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyn"olidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyJ)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28 a)] with 3-fluorobenzylalcohol yields die (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroli-dine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 344 (M+H)+. b){R)-l-[4-(3-Huoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]--5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxyiicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrToliduie-3-carboxyhc acid methyl ester yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrroh\Iine-3-carboxyu"c acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 328 (M+H)+. c) (R)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24 f), the condensation of the (R)-l-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyt]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white solid.MS: m/e = 343 (M+H)+. Example 30: (R)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (R)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbaxyhc acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28 a)) with 3-chlorobenzylalcohol yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroli-dine-3-carboxylic arid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 360 {M+H)+. b) (R)-l-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylJc acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro!idine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 344 methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), the condensation of the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid with methylamine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyltc acid methylamide as a white solid.MS: m/e = 359 (M+H)*. Example 31: (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-ben2yloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b), the alkylation of the (R)-l-(4- hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28a)] with 2,6-difluorobenzylalcohoI yields the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo- pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 362 {M+H)+. b)(R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-l-[4-(2,6-djfluoio-benzyloxyVphenylV5-oxo-p-/iiolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (R)-l-|4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyIoxy)-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxyi!c acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 346 (M+HT- c) (R)-l-[4-(2,6-Difluoro-ben2yloxy}-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 24f), the condensation of the (R)-l - [4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid with methyl- amine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the {R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyl- oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pynolidine-3-carboxyiic acid Diethylamide as a white solid.MS: m/e = 361 (M+H)+. Example 32: (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2)4,6-Trifluoro-benzy]oxy)-phenyi]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyhcacid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28b J, the allegation of the (R)-l-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester [Example 28a}] with 2,4,6-trifluorobenzylalcohol yields the {R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyIoxy)-phen-yl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a white solid. MS: m/e = 380 (M+H)+. b) (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-{2,4)6-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyTrohdine-3-carhoxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 28 c), the acidic hydrolysis of the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifiuoro-benryloxy)-pbenyli-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester yields the (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrroUdine-3-carb- oxylic acid as a white solid. MS: m/e = 364 (M+H)+. c){R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2A6-Trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described ui Example 24 f), the condensation of the (R)-5-oxo-l-i4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrTolidiiie-3-carboxyhc acid with methyl-amine using HBTU as the condensation agent yields the (R)-5-Oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-Trifluoro-benryloxy) -phenyl] -pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white soli&MS: m/e = 379 (M+H)+. Example 33: (!W}-l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-beDzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidui-3-yl}-acetonitrile a) (RS)-l-[4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrohdin-2-one 2.0 g(5.54 mmo!)(RS)-l-i4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-ca.rh-oxyltc acid methyl ester is dissolved in 50 ml THF. 1.05 g (27.7 mmol) of sodium boro-hydride is added and the reaction mixture boiled under reflux for 24 hours. Water is added and the product is extracted with ethyl acetate to yield 1,6S g (91%) of a yellowish solid. MS: m/e = 334.3 (M+ HJf. b) (RS)-l-i4-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrob"din-3-yl}-acetonitrile 300 mg (0.9 mmol) (RS)-l-U-(3,4-DifluDio-benzyloxy)-pheny])-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrro-lidin-2-one and 0.136 mg (1.35 mmol) triethylamine are dissolved in 20 ml dichloro¬methane and cooled to 0°C. 155 mg (1.35 mmol) methanesulfonyl chloride is added. The mixture is stirred at 0"C for 30 min then at RT for 3 hours, then washed successively with water, 1 M hydrochloric acid, 10% sodium hydrogen carbonate and saturated sodium chloride solution. Drying and evaporation gives the crude mesylate, which is dissolved in 2 ml N.N-dimethylformamide. 110 mg (2.25 mmol) sodium cyanide is added and the reac¬tion mixture is hold at 100°C for 24 hours. Hydrolysis and extraction with ethyl acetate gives the crude nitrile, which is subjected to chromatography (silica gel, dichloromethane / methanol). Yield : 20 % of a brownish solid. MS: m/e = 343.1 (M+ H)1". Example 34: (RS)-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-hen2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrroIidin-3-ylf-aceto-nitrile a) (RS)-l-[4-(3-Fluoro-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-4-hydroxymethyi-pyrTolidin-2-one The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33a) from (RS)-l-l4-(3-fluoio-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrobdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester and sodium boro-hydride. Yield: 82 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 316.3 (M+ H)\ b)(RS)-{l-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33b) from (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one, methanesulfonyl chloride and sodium cyanide. Yield: 27 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 325.2 (M+ H)Example 35: (RS)-[l-(4^Benzyloxy-phenyJ)-5-oxo-pyrroUdin-3-yl]-acetorutrile a)(RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one The title compound is prepared in analogy to Example 33a) from (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy- phenyl)-5-oxo-pyTio\idkie-3-carboxyUc acid methyl ester and sodium borohydride. Yield: 82 % of a colorless solid. MS: m/e = 298.3 (M+Hf. b) (RS)-l-(4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-chloromethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one 740 mg (2.49 mmol) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxymelhyi-pyTroHdm-2-one is dissolved in 20 ml toluene. 1.08 ml (14.9 mmol) thionyl chloride is added and the mixture refluxed for 6 hours. Evaporation and chromatography (silica gel, n-hexane / ethyl acetate 1:1) yields 123 mg(I6%) of a brownish semisolid. MS: m/e= 315.2 (M+). c) (RS)-!l-l4-Benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyiroUdin-3-y]]-acetonitriIe 123 mg (0.39 mmoi) (RS)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-4-ch]oromethyI-pyrrolidin-2-one is dissolved in 2.5 ml N,\-dimethylformamide. After addition of 29 mg (0.58 mmol) sodium cyanide and 6 mg (0.04 mmol) sodium iodide, the mixture is hold at 320°C for 15 min. Dilution with water and extraction with ethyl acetate yields 44 mg (37 %) of a brownish solid MS: m/e = 307.3 (M+H)+. Example 36: (RS)-(E)-1 -{4- [2-(3- Fhioro-phenyi}- vinyl] -phenyl} -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methylamide 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 are cooled to 0°C. Thereupon, 5.61 g {20.5 mmol) of diethyl (4-nitro-benzyl)phosphonate 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-fluorobenzaldehydein5 ml N,N-dirnethylformamide is added dropwise. Stirring is continued for 30 min at 0°C, then at RT. For the working-up, ice and ethyl acetate is added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is separated, dried over magne¬sium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the crude crystalline product, which after recrystallisation 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-Fluoro-phenvl)-vmyl]-phenylamine A solution of 2.41 g (10 mmol) {E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-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 Dicalit 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-fJuoro-pheny])-vinyi]-phenyiamine as an orange solid; MS: m/e = 213 (M)"*". c)(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-nuoro-phenyl)-viny]]-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrrohdme-3-carboxyhc acid A mixture of 600 mg (2.8 mmol) of (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vmyI]-pheny]amine and 366 mg (2.8 mmol) of itaconic add is heated to 130 °C. After 1 hour, the molten material 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-phenyI)-viny]j-phenyl|-5-oxo-pyrro!i-dbe-3-carboxyiic acid as a fine yellow powder; MS: m/e = 324 (M-H)*. d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-j2-(3-Fluoro-pheny3)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxytic acid methylamide A suspension of 300 mg (0.92 mmol) of (E)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-pheny))-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid in 5 ml of dichloromethane is treated with 549 mg (4.6 mmol) of thionylchloride and heated to 4SCC for 18 hours. Thereafter, the reaction mix¬ture is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude acid chloride obtained is dissolved in 5 ml of dry dichloromethane, then, at RT, 0.58 ml (4.61 mmol) of a solution of methylamine in ethanol (33%) is added and stirring continued for 3 hours. For the working-up, the reaction mixture is treated with water and dichloiomethane. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium Sulfate and evaporated. For purification, the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel using a 95:5-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as the eluent. After crystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane and ether, there are obtained 207 mg (66% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-nWo-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methylamide as a light brown solid; MS:m/e = 339(M+H)+. Example 37: (RS)-(E)-1^4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyli-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (E)-l-Methoxy-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenzyOphosphonate with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-methoxy-4-[2~(4-nitrophenyi)ethenyl]-benzene as a yellow solid; MS: m/e= 255 (M+H)*. b)(E)-4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl}-phenylamine A mixture of 10.1 g (40 mmol) of (E)-l-methoxy-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene in 70 ml of ethanol und 130 ml of hydrochloric acid (25%) is heated to 110"C. Portion-wise, 15 g of tin are added and stirring is continued for 4.5 hours at 110°C. For the work¬ing-up, the reaction mixture is cooled and neutralised with a solution of sodium hydroxide. The mix hire is transferred to a separatory funnel where it is extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and evapora¬ted. The residue is triturated in ether and, thereafter, the remaining solid is collected on a filter funnel. There are obtained 6.15 g (69% of theory) of (E)-4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyij-phenylamine as a yellow crystals; MS: m/e= 226 (M+HJ+. c)(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Memoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine--3-carboxylic add In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4-."2-(4-mcthoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylaminewithitaconic acid yields the (RS)-(E)-l-{4-;2-(4-methoxy-phenyI)-vinyI]-phenyi}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a brown solid; MS: m/e= 336 (M-H)+. d) (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-C4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid methyl ester A solution of 700 mg (2.1 mmol) of (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyI]-phenyIJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid in 7 ml of dicUoromethane and 0.7 ml of methanol is treated with 1 drop of sulfuric acid and heated at 40°C for 20 hours. For the working-up, the solvent is evaporated, thereafter, the residue is treated with with water and ethyl acetate. The organic layer is separated, dried over magnesium sulfate,and evaporated under reduced pressure. After crystallization from ether of the crude ester, 584 mg {80% of theory) of (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyi)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyn"oUdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester are obtained as a light brown solid; MS; m/e=352 (M+H)+. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyij-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroIidjne-3-carboxyhc acid Diethylamide A solution of 400 mg (1.1 mmol) of(RS)-(E)-l-)4-(2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxy]ic acid methyl ester in 1.4 ml of a solution of methylamine in ethanol (33%) is heated at 90°C for 18 h in a sealed vial. For the working-up, the cooled solution is treated with water to precipitate the product The solid material is collected on a filter funnel, washed with water, finally, with heptane. After crystalHzation of the crude amide from a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide and methanol, 98 mg (25% of theory) of(RS)-(E)-l-)4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl|-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide are obtained as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 351 (M+H) . Example 38: (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-{3-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinyI]-phenyl!-5-oxo-pyrrQUdine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (E)-l-Methoxy-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenzyl)phosphonate with 3-methoxybenzaldebyde yields the (E)-l-methoxy-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyljethenyi] -bemcne as a yellow solid; MS: m/e= 255 (M+H)+. b) (E)-4-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl) -vinyl) -phenyJamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37b), the reduction of (E)- 1-meth-oxy-3- [2* (4-nitrophenyl)ethenylJ -benzene using tin yields the (E)-4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine as a brown oil; MS: m/e= 226 (M+H)+. c) (RS)-(E)-l-i4-;2-(3-Methoxy-phenyI)-viny]]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4-[2-(3- methoxy-pheny])-vinyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS}-(E)-l-{4- [2-(3- memoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a brown solid) MS:m/e=336(M-H)*. d)(RS)-(E)-l-!4-l2-(3-Memoxy-phenyl)-vinyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyn-olidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-(E)- l-{4-[2-{3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carboxyiic acid yields the(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyIl-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrro!idine-3-carbox>dic acid methyl ester as a brown solid; MS: m/e= 352 (M+H)+, e)(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-vinylJ-phenyli-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)-(E)-1- {4-[2-(3-mefhoxy-phenyl)-vinyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3~methoxy-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-axo-pyrrolidine- 3-carboxylic acid metiiylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 351 (M+HJ+. Example 39: (RS)-(E)^-l4-[2-(4-Huoro-phenyl)-vmyl]-pheiiyI}-5-oxo-pyTrolidme-3-carboxylk ^cid methylamide a) (E)-l-Fluoro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenzyl)phosphonate wim 4-fiuorobenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-fluoro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene as a yellow crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 243 (M)+. b) (E)-4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyI]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 b), the reduction of {E)-l-fluoro 3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyll-beiizene with tin yields the (E)-4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)- viny]]-phenyiamine as a white solid; MS: 214 (M+H)+. c)(RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-{4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyIic acid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of (E)-4- [2-(4- fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-{E)-l-{4-[2-(4- fluoio-phenyi)-vinyl] -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid which was directly engaged in the next step without further purification and characterisation. d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyI)-virjyl]-pheny!)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3"Carboxylic acid methy] ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esteri6cation of (RS;-[^,_ H4-(2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS}-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacicl methyl ester. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyTrolidiiie-3-carboxylic acid methylaixiide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)-(E)- ]. j4-[2-(4-fiuoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl est?r yields the (RS)"(E)-l-!4-[2-{4-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carb. oxylic acid methylamide as a white solid; MS: m/e= 339 (M+H)Example 40: (RS)-l-j4-[2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrTolidiiie-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (E)-l-CbJoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyi] -benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenzyl)phosphonate with 3-chlorobenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-chloro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene as an orange crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 259 (M)+. b) 4-[2-(3-Chloro-pbenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-l. chloro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl] -benzene using platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst but with a reaction time of 18 hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields the 4-[2-(3-chlor6-phenyl)-ethyl] -phenylamine as a dark brown oil; MS: m/e= 232 (M+H)+. c)(RS)-l-l4-[2-(3-Chloio-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrTolidine-3-carboxylicarid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-i4-[2-(3-chlort). phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pynolidine-3-carboxyu"c acid as an off-white solid; MS: m/e=342 (M-H)+. d) (RS)- l-(4-[2-{3-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyirolJdine-3-carboxylic ad£ methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 A), the esterification of (RS)- L 14-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-chloro-pheny!)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicadd methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=358 (M+H)"1. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(3-ChIoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyrrDlldine-3-carboxy!ic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-caiboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)- l-{4-l2-(3-cbJoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 357 (M+H)+. Example 41: (RS)-l-i4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl}-phenyI}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) (E)-l-CHoro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 a), the reaction of diethyl (4-nitrobenzyl)phosphonate with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde yields the (E)-l-chloro-4-{2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene as an yellow crystalline solid; MS: m/e= 259 (M)T. b) 4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyIamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-l~ chloro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene using platinum on carbon (5%) as the catalyst but with a reaction time of 18 hours and simultaneous reduction of the double bond yields the 4-[2-(4-chloro-pheny!)-ethyl) -phenylamine as a light yellow solid; MS; m/e=232 (M+H)+. c)(RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-Chloro-pheny])-ethyi]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-|4-[2-(4-chlofO-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid as an off-white solid; MS: m/e=342 (M-H)*. d) (RS)- U{4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phen)d)-5-oxo-pyTroUdine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrroHdine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e=357 (M)+. e) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-vinylj-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyHc acid methylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)- 1- {4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-{4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a white solid; MS; m/e= 357 (M+H)+. Example 42: (RSH-{4-[2-f3-Fluoro-phenyl)-emyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a) 4-[2-(3-Huoro-phenyV)-«byl;-phenyiamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (E)-l-fluoro-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyi)ethenyr-benzene [Example 36 a)] using palladium on carbon (10%}asthecatalystyieldsthe4-!2-(3"fluoro-phenyO-ethylJ-phenyIamineasa yellow solid; MS: m/e= 215 (M)". b) {RS)-l-l4-[2-(3-Huoro-phenyi)-ethyll-phenyI}-5-oxo-pyrrolidirie-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-l2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl] -phenylamine with itaconjc acid yields the(RS)-l-(4-[2-(3-fiuoro-pheny])-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrro!idine-3-carboxylic acid as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M-H)c) (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-(3-Fluoro-phen>i)-vinyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide In an analogous manner to chat described in Example 36 d), the esterification of (RS)-l-{4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and reaction of the intermediate acid chloride with methylamine yields the (RS)- l-{4-l2-(3-Quoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide as a light yellow solid; MS: m/e= 341 (M+H)T. Example 43; (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-F]uoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-S-oxo-pyirolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide a)4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b), the hydrogenation of (£)-l-fluoro-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene [Example 39 a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) as the catalyst yields the 4 4M4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine as a light red solid; MS: rale= 216 (M+Hf. b) (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyI)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-l2-{4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the {RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyn-oh^Une-3-carboxylicacid as a white solid; MS: m/e= 326 (M-H)+. c) (RS)- l-{4-[2-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carboxyIic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esterification of (RS)-l -{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-pheny])-ethyl|"pheny-]}-5-oxo-p\-rrolidine-3-carboxy]icacid methyl ester as a white solid; MS: m/e= 342 (M+H)d) (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-{4-F]uoro-pheny])-vinyl]-pheny!}-5-nxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS)- I-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-pheny])-ethy[]-phenyil-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-(4-Quoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny]J-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiic acid Diethylamide as a light brown solid; MS: m/e= 341 (M+H)+. Example 44: (RS)-I-{4-[2-(3Methoxy-phenyl}-ethylJ-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyiamide a)4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethy]]-phenylamine In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 b)> the hydrogenation of (E)-l- fluorO-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-benzene [Example 38 a)] using palladium on carbon (10%) as the catalyst yields the 4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenylamine as a light red solid; MS: m/e= 228 (M+H)+. b)(RS)-i-t4-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-pheny\l-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylicacid In an analogous manner to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 4-[2-{3-meth- oxy-phenyl)-eth,yl]-phenylamine with itaconic acid yields the (RS)-l-(4-(2"(3-methoxy- phenyl) -ethyl] -phenyl }-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid; MS: m/e= 338 (M-H)+. c) (RS)- l-{4-[2-(3Methoxy-phenyi)-etbyl]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 d), the esteriflcation of (RS)-l- {4-[2-{3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyI]-phenyl[-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid yields the (RS)- I-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyI)-ethyl]-phenyI}-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester as a light yellow oil; MS: m/e= 354 (M+H)*. d){RS)-(E)-l-{4-l2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyirolidine-3-carboxyHc acid Diethylamide In an analogous manner to that described in Example 37 e), the aminolysis of (RS> l-{4-[2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-phenyl)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyb"c add methyl ester yields the (RS)- l-{4-[2-{3-methoxy-phenyl)-emyI]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrrohdine-3-carb-oxylic acid Diethylamide as a white solid; MS: m/e= 353 {M+H)"1. Example 45: (RS)-1 - [6- (4-Fluorc^benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-y}3-5-oxo-pyrroliciuie-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide a) 2-{4-Ruoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridine In an analogous manner to that described in J. Medicinal Chem. 33:2087-93 (1990), the reaction 4-fluorobenzylalcohol instead of benzylalcohol with 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine yields the 2-(4-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-5-nitro-pyridirie as a yellow solid. b)6-(4-Huoro-berizyloxy)-pyridin-3-yIamine 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 stirring with water and ethyl acetate, thereafter, filtered over a layer of Dicalit. 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-fiuoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yiamine as a greenish solid which is engaged in the next step without further purification. c)(I^)-l-[6-(4-Huoro-berizyloxy)-pyridin-3-yIJ-5-oxo-pyTrolidine-3-carboxy)icacid In an analogous manner, to that described in Example 36 c), the reaction of 6-(4-Suovo-benzy]oxy)-pyridui-3-ylamine with itaconic acid yields the crude (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzy]oxy)-pyridin-3-yij-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid as a green solid (yield 47% of theory). d) (RS)-l-E6-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl amide Asolution of 105 mg (0.3 mmol) of (RS)-]-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid in 5 ml N,N-dimethylformamide is treated with 58 mg (0,35 mmol) of N,N-carbonyl-diiraidazole, and the mixture is stirred atRT for 15 min. There¬after, 26 mg (0.38 mmol) of methyiamine hydrochloride and 50 ul (0.35 mmol) of triethyt-amine are added. After 30 min, the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a 98:2-mixture of dichloromethane and methanol as theeluent. There are obtained 15 mg (15% of theory) of (RS)-l-[6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3-yl]-5-oxo-pyirolidine-3-carboxylic acid Diethylamide as a green oil which solidifies on standing.MS: m/e= 344 (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 3 5 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8 WE CLAIM : 1. A compound of the formula I (I) wherein Q is=N-or=C(R^"")-; X-y is -CHi-CH;-, -CH=CH- or -CH2-O-; R , R * and R independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (Ci-Gs)-alkyl, halogen-(CrCsJ-alkyl, cyano, (Ci-C6)-alkoxy or halogen-(Ci-Cs)-alkoxy; R^", R^^ and R" independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R^* is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; R" is-CCO)N(H)CH3or-CHiCN;and R* is hydrogen; as well as individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures thereof, 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is =C(R^*)-, wherein R^* is hydrogen, halogen or methyl. 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein -X-Y- is -CHj-O-. 4. The compound accoring to daim ] wherein R^ R^"^ and R^"" independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halogenmethi^, cyano, mcthoxy or halogen-methoxy. 5. The compound according to daim 1 wherein R^", R^^ and R^* are hydrogen^ 6. The compound according to daim 1 wherein R^ is -C(0)N(H)CH3. 7. The compound according to daim 1 wherein the compound has (R)-configuration. 8. The compound according to daim 1 wherein the compound is selected from [RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyTrohdine-3-carboxylicaridmeth>^- amide. {RS)-[l-(4-(4-fluoio-benzy\oxy)-phenyli-5-oxo-pyrroiidine-3-carbox>-licacidiiiethyi-amide, iRS)-l-[4-(3-chloio-benzyloxy)-phenylj-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-[l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzy]oTy)-phen}^]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicac;dn:ediy;^ amide, (RS)-Il-14-(2,6-diauoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyn-olidine-3-carboxyUc acid methyl-amide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifiuoro-benzyloxy)-pbenyl}-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicadd methyJamide, {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-C2,4,5-trifiuoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUc acid methylamide, {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,6-tri9uoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxj4icacid methjdamide, (RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyi]-pyrrolidine-3-carbox>dicacid methyilamide, (RS)-5-oxo-1 - [4-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyloxy)-phenyl] -pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methj^amide, CRS)-l-[4"(5-fluoro-2-methy!-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, {RS)-l-[4-(3-methoxy-benzy]oxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyTroIidine-3"CarboxyIic acid methyl-amide, (RS)-l-[4"(2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-pheny]]-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, {RS)-5-oxo-l-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxy-ben2yloxy)-phenyl]-pyiTolidine-3-carboxyiicadd methylamide, (RS)-5-oxo-I-[4-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzyIo}cy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4"(3-cyano-ben2y]oxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboKy!icacidineth)d- amide, (RS)-l-[4-(3-fluoro-benzyIoxy)-3-methy]-phenyI]-5-oxo-pyiTolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-[4-(4-fluoro-benzytoxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyiTolidiiie-3-carbox)^cacid methylamide, {RS)-l-[4-(3-chloio-benzyloxy)-3-methyl-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3"Carboxylicacid me&yiamide. (RS)-l-[3"auorQ-4-(3-fluQio-ben2yloKy)-phenylS-S-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-caTboxy!icac;d methjd amide, (RS)-l-[2-fluo^o-4-(3-fiuoro-ben^yIo^y)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidme-3-ca^boxylicacid metb)4amide, (RS)-l-[2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phenylJ-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyiicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-(4-benzy]oxy-pheny])-5-oxo-pyrroIidiiie-3-carboxylicaddniethWamide, (R)-l-[4-C3-fluoro-benzy!oxy)-phenyi]-5-oxo-pyrroUdine-3-carboxylicacidmeth>^amide, (S)-l-[4-(3-BuoTo-benzyloxy)-phenyl)-5 -0X0-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylaniide, (R)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-5-oxo"pyTrolidine-3--carboxylicacidmethyiamide, {S)-l-(4-benzyloxy-phen^)-5-oxo-pyrro[idine-3-carboxyiic acid methjiamide, (R)-l-[4"(4-fluoro-benz)doxy)-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidiae-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, (R)-I-[4-{3-fluoro-benzyloxy)-phen)i]-5-oxo-pyrroIidine-3-carboxylic acid raeth>^amide, (R)-l-[4-(3-chloro-benzyloxy)-pheii)d]-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacidmeth)daiiude, {R)-l-[4-(2,6-difluoro-benzyioxy)-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox)dic acid methyl-amide, (R)-5-oxo-l-[4-(2,4,6-trifluoro-benz)4oxy)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl-amide, {RS)-l-[4-(3,4-difluoro-benzyIox)")-phenyl]-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile, (RS)-{l-[4-(3-fluoro-benz)doxy)-phen)i]-5-ojco-pyrroiidin-3-yl}-acetonitrile, (RS)-[l-(4-benz>doxy-phen>^)-5-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-)i]-acetonitrde, (RS)-(E)-l-i4-[2-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-vinyl]-phenyll-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-{4-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-vinyi]-pheny!)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid meth)damide, (RS)-(E)-l-i4-l2-{3-methoxy-phen)i)-vinyl]-plien>^l-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxyUcacid methylamide, (RS)-(E)-l-(4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyI)-vinyI]-phenyI}-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide, (RS)-l-14-[2-(3-diloro-phen)4)-ethy]]-phen>d)-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carbox)^cacid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phen)d)-ethyl]-pheii)d}-5-oxo-pyrroHdiiie-3-carboxyUcacid methylamide, (RS)-l-{4-{2-(3-fiMoio-phenvl)-ethyll-phenyl!-5-OKO-pyn:Qlidine-3-carboKyliC3cid meth)damide, (RS)-l-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-pheiiyl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-5-oxo-pyrro]idine-3-carboxylicacid methylamide. (RS)-l-{4-{2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl-phenyI} 5-oxo-pyrroiidine- 3-carboxvlic acid methylamide, (RS)- I [6-[4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-pyridin-3yl} -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide, and (RS) -1- [4-(2--f]uoro-benzyloxy) -phenyl] -5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carhoxylic acid methylamide. 9. A process for the preparation of compounds of formula I according to claim I comprising reacting a compound of formula H wherein R", R", R"^ R.^", R^^, R^^ R^ -X-Y- and Q have the meanings as defined in claim 1 and R* is hydrogen or (C]-C6)-alkyl (a) with an amine of formula H2N- CH3 via activation with acid chloride mixed anhydride or condensation reagent carbodiimide or benzotriazole condensation reagent, obtaining compounds of formula I wherein R^ is —C{0)N(H)CH3; or (b) reducing a compound of formula II at a temperature in the range of from 20° C toeS^Ctoa compound of formula III wherein R", R", R" ^R.^", R^^, R^^ R", -X-Y- and Q have the meanings as defined in claim 1 and reacting this compound with a cyanide salt at a temperature of from 40 C to 80 C obtaining compounds of formula I wherein R is CHiCN. lO. A compound ofthe formula I* wherein R" is halogen, halogen-(CrC6)-aUcyl, cyano, {Ci-Cs)-aikoxy or halc)gen-(Cj-C«)-aUcoxy; R^\ R^^, R" and R" indepeodent]y from each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen; R^ is-CONHR\-CHzCNor-CN; R"* is hydrogen; R^ is meth)d; and n isO, 1,2 or 3; as well as individual isomeiSi racemic ot non-iacemic mixtures thereof. J J A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound according to claim 1 or H and pharmaceutically acceptable otcipients. 12. The invention as hereinbefore described. |
|---|
| Patent Number | 224270 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Patent Application Number | 420/CHENP/2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PG Journal Number | 47/2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 21-Nov-2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant Date | 10-Oct-2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Filing | 17-Mar-2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of Patentee | F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Applicant Address | 124, Grenzacherstrasse, CH-4070 Basle, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inventors:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCT International Classification Number | C07D207/26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCT International Application Number | PCT/EP03/10384 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCT International Filing date | 2003-09-18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PCT Conventions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||