Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to isoindoline derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such isoindoline derivatives, and the use of such isoindoline derivatives for therapeutic purposes. The isoindoline derivatives are GlyT1 inhibitors. Dysfunction of glutamatergic pathways has been implicated in a number of disease states in the human central nervous system (CNS) including but not limited to schizophrenia, cognitive deficits, dementia, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease and bipolar disorder. A large number of studies in animal models lend support to the NMDA hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia.

NMDA receptor function can be modulated by altering the availability of the co-agonist glycine. This approach has the critical advantage of maintaining activity-dependent activation of the NMDA receptor because an increase in the synaptic concentration of glycine will not produce an activation of NMDA receptors in the absence of glutamate. Since syn- aptic glutamate levels are tightly maintained by high affinity transport mechanisms, an increased activation of the glycine site will only enhance the NMDA component of activated synapses.

Two specific glycine transporters, GlyT1 and GlyT2 have been identified and shown to belong to the Na/CI-dependent family of neurotransmitter transporters which includes taurine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), proline, monoamines and orphan transporters. GlyT1 and GlyT2 have been isolated from different species and shown to have only 50% identity at the amino acid level. They also have a different pattern of expression in mammalian central nervous system, with GlyT2 being expressed in spinal cord, brainstem and cerebellum and GlyT1 present in these regions as well as forebrain areas such as cortex, hippocampus, septum and thalamus. At the cellular level, GlyT2 has been reported to be expressed by glycinergic nerve endings in rat spinal cord whereas GlyT1 appears to be preferentially expressed by glial cells. These expression studies have led to the suggestion that GlyT2 is predominantly responsible for glycine uptake at glycinergic synapses whereas GlyT1 is involved in monitoring glycine concentration in the vicinity of NMDA receptor expressing synapses. Recent functional studies in rat have shown that blockade of GlyT1 with the potent inhibitor (N-[3-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3-(4'-phenylphenoxy)propyl])- sarcosine (NFPS) potentiates NMDA receptor activity and NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation in rat. Molecular cloning has further revealed the existence of three variants of GlyT1 , termed GlyT-1 a, GlyT-1 b and GlyT-1 c, each of which displays a unique distribution in the brain and peripheral tissues. The variants arise by differential splicing and exon usage, and differ in their N-terminal regions.

The physiological effects of GlyT1 in forebrain regions together with clinical reports showing the beneficial effects of GlyT1 inhibitor sarcosine in improving symptoms in schizophrenia patients suggest that selective GlyT1 inhibitors represent a new class of antipsychotic drugs.

Glycine transporter inhibitors are already known in the art, for example:

WO 2003055478

WO 2005023261

(see also Hashimoto K., Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery, 2006, 1 , 43-53; Harsing L.G. et al., Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2006, 13, 1017-1044; Javitt D.C, Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 984-997; Lindsley, C.W. et al., Current Topics in Medicinal Chemis- try, 2006, 6, 771-785; Lindsley C.W. et al., Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2006, 6, 1883-1896).

It was one object of the present invention to provide further glycine transporter inhibitors. Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to isoindoline derivatives of the formula (I)

wherein

R is R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - or -CN;

R ¹ is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, halogenated alkyl, trialkylsilylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyi, aminoalkyi, alkylaminoalkyi, dialkylaminoalkyi, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyi, alkyloxycarbonylaminoalkyi, alkylaminocarbonylaminoalkyi, dialkylaminocarbonyla- minoalkyl, alkylsulfonylaminoalkyl, (optionally substituted arylalkyl) aminoalkyi, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclylalkyl, cycloalkyl, al- kylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, halogenated alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, ami- nocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, (halogenated alkyl)aminocarbonyl, arylaminocar- bonyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogenated alkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, aminoalkoxy, alkylaminoalkoxy, dialkylamino- alkoxy, alkylcarbonylaminoalkoxy, arylcarbonylaminoalkoxy, alkoxycarbonylamino- alkoxy, arylalkoxy, alkylsulfonylaminoalkoxy, (halogenated alkyl)sulfonylamino- alkoxy, arylsulfonylaminoalkoxy, (arylalkyl)sulfonylaminoalkoxy, heterocyclyl- sulfonylaminoalkoxy, heterocyclylalkoxy, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, alkylthio, halogenated alkylthio, alkylamino, (halogenated alkyl)amino, dialkylamino, di- (halogenated alkyl)amino, alkylcarbonylamino, (halogenated alkyl)carbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, alkylsulfonylamino, (halogenated alkyl)sulfonylamino, aryl- sulfonylamino or optionally substituted heterocyclyl;

W is -NR - or a bond; is optionally substituted alkylene or a bond; Q is -S(0) ₂ - or -C(O)-;

Y is -NR ⁹ - or a bond; A ² is optionally substituted alkylene, alkylene-CO-, -CO-alkylene, alkylene-O-alkylene, alkylene-NR ¹⁰ -alkylene, optionally substituted alkenylene, optionally substituted al- kynylene, optionally substituted arylene, optionally substituted heteroarylene or a bond; X ¹ is -0-, -NR ¹¹ -, -S-, optionally substituted alkylene, optionally substituted alkenylene, optionally substituted alkynylene;

R ² is hydrogen, halogen, alkyi, halogenated alkyi, hydroxyalkyi, -CN, alkenyl, alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogenated alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyloxy, arylalkoxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, amino- sulfonyl, amino, alkylamino, alkenylamino, nitro or optionally substituted heterocy- clyl, or two radicals R ² together with the ring atoms to which they are bound form a 5- or 6-membered ring; R ³ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyi or alkoxy, or two radicals R ³ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group;

R ⁴ is hydrogen, alkyi, cycloalkylalkyi, halogenated alkyi, hydroxyalkyi, alkoxyalkyi, ami- noalkyl, CH ₂ CN, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, -CHO, alkylcarbonyl, (halogenated al- kyl)carbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenyl, -C(=NH)NH ₂ , -C(=NH)NHCN, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, amino, -NO or het- erocyclyl;

X ² is -0-, -NR ⁶ -, -S-, >CR ^12a R ^12b or a bond;

X ³ is -0-, -NR ⁷ -, -S-, >CR ^13a R ^13b or a bond;

R ⁵ is optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl or optionally substituted heterocyclyl; is hydrogen or alkyi; R ⁷ is hydrogen or alkyl;

R ⁸ is hydrogen or alkyl; R ⁹ is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, aminoalkyi, optionally substituted arylalkyi or hetero- cyclyl, or

R ⁹ , R ¹

together are alkylene, or

R ⁹ is alkylene that is bound to a carbon atom in A ² and A ² is alkylene or to a carbon atom in X ¹ and X ¹ is alkylene;

R ¹⁰ is hydrogen, alkyl or alkylsulfonyl;

R ¹¹ is hydrogen or alkyl, or

R ⁹ , R ¹¹

together are alkylene; is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, alkylaminoalkyi, dialkylaminoalkyi, hetero- cyclylalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or hydroxy; is hydrogen or alkyl, or

^12b

together are carbonyl or optionally substituted alkylene, wherein one -CH ₂ - of alkylene may be replaced by an oxygen atom or -NR ¹⁴ -; is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, alkylaminoalkyi, dialkylaminoalkyi, hetero- cyclylalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or hydroxy; is hydrogen or alkyl, or

^13b

together are carbonyl or optionally substituted alkylene, wherein one -CH ₂ - of alkylene may be replaced by an oxygen atom or -NR ¹⁵ -; R is hydrogen or alkyl; and

R ¹⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl, or a physiologically tolerated salt thereof.

Thus, the present invention relates to isoindoline derivatives having the formula (la)

wherein R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

Further, the present invention relates to isoindoline derivatives of formula (I) wherein R -CN, i.e. isoindoline derivatives having the formula (lb)

wherein R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

Said compounds of formula (I), i.e., the isoindoline derivatives of formula (I) and their physiologically tolerated salts, are glycine transporter inhibitors and thus useful as pharmaceuticals. The compounds of formula (I) display good to moderate metabolic stability.

The present invention thus further relates to the compounds of formula (I) for use in therapy- The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a carrier and a compound of formula (I).

In particular, said compounds, i.e., the isoindoline derivatives and their physiologically tolerated salts, are inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT1.

The present invention thus further relates to the compounds of formula (I) for use in inhibiting the glycine transporter. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting the glycine transporter GlyT1 and corresponding methods of inhibiting the glycine transporter GlyT1 .

Glycine transport inhibitors and in particular inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT1 are known to be useful in treating a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

The present invention thus further relates to the compounds of formula (I) for use in treating a neurologic or psychiatric disorder. The present invention further relates to the compounds of formula (I) for use in treating pain.

The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a neurologic or psychiatric disorder and correspond- ing methods of treating said disorders. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for treating pain and corresponding methods of treating pain.

The present invention f rmula (II):

wherein L is an amino-protecting group, Y is NR ⁹ , and A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

Detailed description of the Invention Provided that the isoindoline derivatives of the formula (I) of a given constitution may exist in different spatial arrangements, for example if they possess one or more centers of asymmetry, polysubstituted rings or double bonds, or as different tautomers, it is also possible to use enantiomeric mixtures, in particular racemates, diastereomeric mixtures and tautomeric mixtures, preferably, however, the respective essentially pure enantio- mers, diastereomers and tautomers of the compounds of formula (I) and/or of their salts.

According to one embodiment, an enantiomer of the isoindoline derivatives of the present invention has the following formula

wherein R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

According to another embodiment, an enantiomer of the isoindoline derivatives of the pre- sent invention has the following fo

wherein R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein. The physiologically tolerated salts of the isoindoline derivatives of the formula (I) are especially acid addition salts with physiologically tolerated acids. Examples of suitable physiologically tolerated organic and inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, CrC ₄ -alkylsulfonic acids, such as methanesulfonic acid, cycloaliphatic sulfonic acids, such as S-(+)-10-camphor sulfonic acid, aromatic sulfonic acids, such as benzenesulfonic acid and toluenesulfonic acid, di- and tricarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, adipic acid and benzoic acid. Other utilizable acids are described, e.g., in Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung [Advances in drug research], Volume 10, pages 224 ff., Birkhauser Verlag, Basel and Stuttgart, 1966. The physiologically tolerated salts of the isoindoline derivatives also include salts of a physiologically tolerated anion with an isoindoline deriv- atives wherein one or more than one nitrogen atom is quaternized, e.g. with an alkyl residue (e.g. methyl or ethyl).

The present invention moreover relates to compounds of formula (I) as defined herein, wherein at least one of the atoms has been replaced by its stable, non-radioactive isotope (e.g., hydrogen by deuterium, ¹² C by ¹³ C, ¹⁴ N by ¹⁵ N, ¹⁶ 0 by ¹⁸ 0) and preferably wherein at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a deuterium atom.

Of course, such compounds contain more of the respective isotope than this naturally occurs and thus is anyway present in the compounds (I).

Stable isotopes (e.g., deuterium, ¹³ C, ¹⁵ N, ¹⁸ 0) are nonradioactive isotopes which contain one or more additional neutron than the normally abundant isotope of the respective atom. Deuterated compounds have been used in pharmaceutical research to investigate the in vivo metabolic fate of the compounds by evaluation of the mechanism of action and metabolic pathway of the non-deuterated parent compound (Blake et al. J. Pharm. Sci. 64, 3, 367-391 (1975)). Such metabolic studies are important in the design of safe, effective therapeutic drugs, either because the in vivo active compound administered to the patient or because the metabolites produced from the parent compound prove to be toxic or car- cinogenic (Foster et al., Advances in Drug Research Vol. 14, pp. 2-36, Academic press, London, 1985; Kato et al., J. Labelled Comp. Radiop armaceut, 36(10):927-932 (1995); Kushner et al., Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol., 77, 79-88 (1999).

Incorporation of a heavy atom particularly substitution of deuterium for hydrogen, can give rise to an isotope effect that could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drug. This effect is usually insignificant if the label is placed at a metabolically inert position of the molecule.

Stable isotope labeling of a drug can alter its physico-chemical properties such as pKa and lipid solubility. These changes may influence the fate of the drug at different steps along its passage through the body. Absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion can be changed. Absorption and distribution are processes that depend primarily on the molecular size and the lipophilicity of the substance. These effects and alterations can affect the pharmacodynamic response of the drug molecule if the isotopic substitution affects a region involved in a ligand-receptor interaction.

Drug metabolism can give rise to large isotopic effect if the breaking of a chemical bond to a deuterium atom is the rate limiting step in the process. While some of the physical properties of a stable isotope-labeled molecule are different from those of the unlabeled one, the chemical and biological properties are the same, with one important exception: be- cause of the increased mass of the heavy isotope, any bond involving the heavy isotope and another atom will be stronger than the same bond between the light isotope and that atom. In any reaction in which the breaking of this bond is the rate limiting step, the reac- tion will proceed slower for the molecule with the heavy isotope due to "kinetic isotope effect". A reaction involving breaking a C--D bond can be up to 700 percent slower than a similar reaction involving breaking a C--H bond. If the C--D bond is not involved in any of the steps leading to the metabolite, there may not be any effect to alter the behavior of the drug. If a deuterium is placed at a site involved in the metabolism of a drug, an isotope effect will be observed only if breaking of the C--D bond is the rate limiting step. There is evidence to suggest that whenever cleavage of an aliphatic C--H bond occurs, usually by oxidation catalyzed by a mixed-function oxidase, replacement of the hydrogen by deuterium will lead to observable isotope effect. It is also important to understand that the incor- poration of deuterium at the site of metabolism slows its rate to the point where another metabolite produced by attack at a carbon atom not substituted by deuterium becomes the major pathway a process called "metabolic switching".

Deuterium tracers, such as deuterium-labeled drugs and doses, in some cases repeated- ly, of thousands of milligrams of deuterated water, are also used in healthy humans of all ages, including neonates and pregnant women, without reported incident (e.g. Pons G and Rey E, Pediatrics 1999 104: 633; Coward W A et al., Lancet 1979 7: 13; Schwarcz H P, Control. Clin. Trials 1984 5(4 Suppl): 573; Rodewald L E et al., J. Pediatr. 1989 1 14: 885; Butte N F et al. Br. J. Nutr. 1991 65: 3; MacLennan A H et al. Am. J. Obstet Gynecol. 1981 139: 948). Thus, it is clear that any deuterium released, for instance, during the metabolism of compounds of this invention poses no health risk.

The weight percentage of hydrogen in a mammal (approximately 9%) and natural abundance of deuterium (approximately 0.015%) indicates that a 70 kg human normally con- tains nearly a gram of deuterium. Furthermore, replacement of up to about 15% of normal hydrogen with deuterium has been effected and maintained for a period of days to weeks in mammals, including rodents and dogs, with minimal observed adverse effects (Czajka D M and Finkel A J, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1960 84: 770; Thomson J F, Ann. New York Acad. Sci 1960 84: 736; Czakja D M et al., Am. J. Physiol. 1961 201 : 357). Higher deuter- ium concentrations, usually in excess of 20%, can be toxic in animals. However, acute replacement of as high as 15%-23% of the hydrogen in humans' fluids with deuterium was found not to cause toxicity (Blagojevic N et al. in "Dosimetry & Treatment Planning for Neutron Capture Therapy", Zamenhof R, Solares G and Harling O Eds. 1994. Advanced Medical Publishing, Madison Wis. pp.125-134; Diabetes Metab. 23: 251 (1997)).

Increasing the amount of deuterium present in a compound above its natural abundance is called enrichment or deuterium-enrichment. Examples of the amount of enrichment include from about 0.5, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21 , 25, 29, 33, 37, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 63, 67, 71 , 75, 79, 84, 88, 92, 96, to about 100 mol %.

The hydrogens present on a particular organic compound have different capacities for exchange with deuterium. Certain hydrogen atoms are easily exchangeable under physio- logical conditions and, if replaced by deuterium atoms, it is expected that they will readily exchange for protons after administration to a patient. Certain hydrogen atoms may be exchanged for deuterium atoms by the action of a deuteric acid such as D ₂ S0 ₄ /D ₂ 0. Alternatively, deuterium atoms may be incorporated in various combinations during the syn- thesis of compounds of the invention. Certain hydrogen atoms are not easily exchangeable for deuterium atoms. However, deuterium atoms at the remaining positions may be incorporated by the use of deuterated starting materials or intermediates during the construction of compounds of the invention. Deuterated and deuterium-enriched compounds of the invention can be prepared by using known methods described in the literature. Such methods can be carried out utilizing corresponding deuterated and optionally, other isotope-containing reagents and/or intermediates to synthesize the compounds delineated herein, or invoking standard synthetic protocols known in the art for introducing isotopic atoms to a chemical structure. Relevant pro- cedures and intermediates are disclosed, for instance in Lizondo, J et al., Drugs Fut,

21 (1 1 ), 1 1 16 (1996); Brickner, S J et al., J Med Chem, 39(3), 673 (1996); Mallesham, B et al., Org Lett, 5(7), 963 (2003); PCT publications W01997010223, WO2005099353, W01995007271 , WO2006008754; US Patent Nos. 7538189; 7534814; 7531685;

7528131 ; 7521421 ; 7514068; 751 1013; and US Patent Application Publication Nos.

20090137457; 20090131485; 20090131363; 200901 18238; 200901 1 1840; 20090105338; 20090105307; 20090105147; 20090093422; 20090088416; 20090082471 , the methods are hereby incorporated by reference.

The organic moieties mentioned in the above definitions of the variables are - like the term halogen - collective terms for individual listings of the individual group members. The prefix C _n -C _m indicates in each case the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

Unless indicated otherwise, the term "substituted" means that a radical is substituted with 1 , 2 or 3, especially 1 , substituent which are in particular selected from the group consist- ing of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, hydroxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl-alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy- Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, amino-C C ₄ -alkyl, C C ₄ -alkenyl, OH, SH, CN, CF ₃ , 0-CF ₃ , COOH, 0-CH ₂ - COOH, d-Ce-alkoxy, C C ₆ -alkylthio, C ₃ -C ₇ -cycloalkyl, COO-C C ₆ -alkyl, CONH ₂ , CONH- d-Ce-alkyl, S0 ₂ NH-C C ₆ -alkyl, CON-(C C ₆ -alkyl) ₂ , S0 ₂ N-(CrC ₆ -alkyl) ₂ , NH ₂ , NH-Ci-C ₆ - alkyl, N-(C C ₆ -alkyl) ₂ , NH-(C C ₄ -alkyl- C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl), NH-CO-C C ₆ -alkyl, NH-S0 ₂ -C C ₆ - alkyl, S0 ₂ -C C ₆ -alkyl, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, 0-C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, 0-CH ₂ -C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, CONH-C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, S0 ₂ NH-C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, CONH-C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl, S0 ₂ NH-C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl, S0 ₂ -C ₆ -Ci ₂ - aryl, NH-S0 ₂ -C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, NH-CO-C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, NH-S0 ₂ -C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl, NH-CO-C ₃ - Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl, wherein aryl and heterocyclyl in turn may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy. The term halogen denotes in each case fluorine, bromine, chlorine or iodine, in particular fluorine or chlorine.

CrC ₄ -Alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of an alkyl group are methyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkyl such as ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n- butyl, 2-butyl, iso-butyl or tert-butyl. CrC ₂ -Alkyl is methyl or ethyl, CrC ₃ -alkyl is additionally n-propyl or isopropyl.

CrC ₆ -Alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples include methyl, C ₂ -C ₄ -alkyl as mentioned herein and also pentyl, 1 -methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropyl,

1 .2- dimethylpropyl, 1 -methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1 ,1 - dimethylbutyl, 1 ,2-dimethylbutyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl,

3.3- dimethylbutyl, 1 -ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 - ethyl-1 -methylpropyl and 1 -ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

Halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corre- sponding number of identical or different halogen atoms, such as in halogenomethyl, di- halogenomethyl, trihalogenomethyl, (R)-l -halogenoethyl, (S)-l -halogenoethyl, 2- halogenoethyl, 1 ,1 -dihalogenoethyl, 2,2-dihalogenoethyl, 2,2,2-trihalogenoethyl, (R)-1 - halogenopropyl, (S)-l -halogenopropyl, 2-halogenopropyl, 3-halogenopropyl, 1 ,1 - dihalogenopropyl, 2,2-dihalogenopropyl, 3,3-dihalogenopropyl, 3,3,3-trihalogenopropyl, (R)-2-halogeno-1 -methylethyl, (S)-2-halogeno-1 -methylethyl, (R)-2,2-dihalogeno-1 - methylethyl, (S)-2,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethyl, (R)-1 ,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethyl, (S)-1 ,2- dihalogeno-1 -methylethyl, (R)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 -methylethyl, (S)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 - methylethyl, 2-halogeno-1 -(halogenomethyl)ethyl, 1 -(dihalogenomethyl)-2,2- dihalogenoethyl, (R)-l -halogenobutyl, (S)-l -halogenobutyl, 2-halogenobutyl, 3- halogenobutyl, 4-halogenobutyl, 1 ,1 -dihalogenobutyl, 2,2-dihalogenobutyl, 3,3- dihalogenobutyl, 4,4-dihalogenobutyl, 4,4,4-trihalogenobutyl, etc. Particular examples include the fluorinated C C ₄ alkyl groups as defined, such as trifluoromethyl.

C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, such as in benzyl.

Hydroxy-CrC ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon at- oms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein one or two hydrogen atoms are replaced by one or two hydroxyl groups, such as in hydroxyme- thyl, (R)-l -hydroxyethyl, (S)-l -hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (R)-l -hydroxypropyl, (S)-1 - hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, (R)-2-hydroxy-1 -methylethyl, (S)-2- hydroxy-1 -methylethyl, 2-hydroxy-1 -(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, (R)-l -hydroxybutyl, (S)-1 - hydroxybutyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl. Ci-C ₆ -Alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein one or two hydrogen atoms are replaced by one or two alkoxy groups having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, such as in methoxymethyl, (R)-l -methoxyethyl, (S)-l -methoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, (R)-l -methoxypropyl, (S)-l -methoxypropyl, 2- methoxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, (R)-2-methoxy-1-methylethyl, (S)-2-methoxy-1 - methylethyl, 2-methoxy-1 -(methoxymethyl)ethyl, (R)-l -methoxybutyl, (S)-l -methoxybutyl, 2-methoxybutyl, 3-methoxybutyl, 4-methoxybutyl, ethoxymethyl, (R)-l -ethoxyethyl, (S)-1 - ethoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, (R)-l -ethoxypropyl, (S)-l -ethoxypropyl, 2-ethoxypropyl, 3- ethoxypropyl, (R)-2-ethoxy-1 -methylethyl, (S)-2-ethoxy-1 -methylethyl, 2-ethoxy-1 - (ethoxymethyl)ethyl, (R)-l -ethoxybutyl, (S)-l -ethoxybutyl, 2-ethoxybutyl, 3-ethoxybutyl, 4- ethoxybutyl.

Amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an amino group, such as in aminomethyl, 2-aminoethyl.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in par- ticular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ - alkylamino group, in particular by a Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino group, such as in methylaminome- thyl, ethylaminomethyl, n-propylaminomethyl, iso-propylaminomethyl, n-butylaminomethyl, 2-butylaminomethyl, iso-butylaminomethyl or tert-butylaminomethyl. Di-Ci-C ₆ -Alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a di-CrC ₆ - Alkylamino group, in particular by a di-Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino group, such as in dimethyla- minomethyl.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ - alkylcarbonylamino group, in particular by a Ci-C ₄ -alkylcarbonylamino group, such as in methylcarbonylaminomethyl, ethylcarbonylaminomethyl, n-propylcarbonylaminomethyl, iso-propylcarbonylaminomethyl, n-butylcarbonylaminomethyl, 2- butylcarbonylaminomethyl, iso-butylcarbonylaminomethyl or tert- butylcarbonylaminomethyl.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylaminocarbonylamino-Ci-C4-alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonylamino group, in particular by a Ci-C ₄ -alkylaminocarbonylamino group, such as in methylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, ethylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, n- propylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, iso-propylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, n- butylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, 2-butylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, iso- butylaminocarbonylaminomethyl or tert-butylaminocarbonylaminomethyl.

Di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonylamino group, in particular by a di-Ci-C ₄ -alkylaminocarbo- nylamino group, such as in dimethylaminocarbonylaminomethyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl- aminoethyl, dimethylaminocarbonylamino-propyl. Ci-C ₆ -Alkylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a Ci-C ₆ - alkylsulfonylamino group, in particular by a Ci-C ₄ -alkylsulfonylamino group, such as in methylsulfonylaminomethyl, ethylsulfonylaminomethyl, n-propylsulfonylaminomethyl, iso- propylsulfonylaminomethyl, n-butylsulfonylaminomethyl, 2-butylsulfonylaminomethyl, iso- butylsulfonylaminomethyl or tert-butylsulfonylaminomethyl.

(C6-Ci2-Aryl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino-Ci-C4 alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a (C6-Ci2-aryl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino group, in particular a (C ₆ -Ci2-aryl-Ci-C2-alkyl)amino group, such as in benzylaminomethyl.

C ₃ -Ci2-Heterocyclyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, in particular 1 or two carbon atoms, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl, such as in N-pyrrolidinylmethyl, N-piperidinylmethyl, N-morpholinylmethyl.

C ₃ -Ci2-Cycloalkyl is a cycloaliphatic radical having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. In particu- lar, 3 to 6 carbon atoms form the cyclic structure, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclo- pentyl and cyclohexyl. The cyclic structure may be unsubstituted or may carry 1 , 2, 3 or 4 C1-C4 alkyl radicals, preferably one or more methyl radicals. Carbonyl is >C=0.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylcarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-C(O)-, wherein R is an alkyl radical hav- ing from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include acetyl, propionyl, n-butyryl, 2-methylpropionyl, pivaloyl.

Halogenated CrC ₆ -alkylcarbonyl is CrC ₆ -alkylcarbonyl as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a correspond- ing number of identical or different halogen atoms. Examples include fluoromethylcarbon- yl, difluoromethylcarbonyl, trifluoromethylcarbonyl. Further examples are 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroeth- 2-ylcarbonyl, 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroprop-3-ylcarbonyl.

C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Arylcarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-C(O)-, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include benzoyl.

CrC ₆ -Alkoxycarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-O-C(O)-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methoxycarbonyl and tert-butyloxycarbonyl.

Halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxycarbonyl is a CrC ₆ -alkoxycarbonyl as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms. C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Aryloxycarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-O-C(O)-, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include phenoxycarbonyl.

Cyano is -C≡N. Aminocarbonyl is NH ₂ C(0)-.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylaminocarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-NH-C(O)-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylaminocarbonyl.

(Halogenated Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl is a Ci-C ₄ -alkylaminocarbonyl as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different hydrogen atoms. C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Arylaminocarbonyl is a radical of the formula R-NH-C(O)-, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include phenyla- minocarbonyl. C ₂ -C ₆ -Alkenyl is a singly unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, e.g. vinyl, allyl (2-propen-1 -yl), 1 -propen-1 -yl, 2-propen-2-yl, methallyl(2- methylprop-2-en-1 -yl) and the like. C ₃ -C ₅ -Alkenyl is, in particular, allyl, 1 -methylprop-2-en- 1 -yl, 2-buten-1 -yl, 3-buten-1 -yl, methallyl, 2-penten-1 -yl, 3-penten-1 -yl, 4-penten-1 -yl, 1 - methylbut-2-en-1 -yl or 2-ethylprop-2-en-1 -yl.

C ₂ -C ₆ -Alkynyl is a singly unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, e.g. ethynyl, 2-propyn-1 -yl, 1 -propyn-1 -yl, 2-propyn-2-yl and the like. C ₃ -C ₅ -Alkynyl is, in particular, 2-propyn-1 -yl, 2-butyn-1 -yl, 3-butyn-1 -yl, 2-pentyn-1 -yl, 3-pentyn-1 -yl, 4- pentyn-1 -yl.

CrC ₄ -Alkylene is straight-chain or branched alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples include methylene and ethylene. A further example is propylene.

C ₂ -C ₄ -Alkenylene is straight-chain or branched alkenylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

C ₂ -C ₄ -Alkynylene is straight-chain or branched alkynylene group having from 2 to 4 car- bon atoms. Examples include propynylene.

C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Aryl is a 6- to 12-membered, in particular 6- to 10-membered, aromatic cyclic radical. Examples include phenyl and naphthyl. C ₃ -Ci ₂ -Arylene is an aryl diradical. Examples include phen-1 ,4-ylene and phen-1 ,3-ylene.

Hydroxy is -OH.

CrC ₆ -Alkoxy is a radical of the formula R-0-, wherein R is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6, in particular 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples include meth- oxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, 2-butoxy, iso-butoxy (2-methylpropoxy), tert.-butoxy pentyloxy, 1 -methylbutoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, 3-methylbutoxy, 2,2- dimethylpropoxy, 1 -ethylpropoxy, hexyloxy, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropoxy, 1 ,2-dimethylpropoxy, 1 - methylpentyloxy, 2-methylpentyloxy, 3-methylpentyloxy, 4-methylpentyloxy, 1 ,1 - dimethylbutyloxy, 1 ,2-dimethylbutyloxy, 1 ,3-dimethylbutyloxy, 2,2-dimethylbutyloxy, 2,3- dimethylbutyloxy, 3,3-dimethylbutyloxy, 1 -ethylbutyloxy, 2-ethylbutyloxy, 1 ,1 ,2- trimethylpropoxy, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropoxy, 1 -ethyl-1-methylpropoxy and 1 -ethyl-2- methylpropoxy. Halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxy is a straight-chain or branched alkoxy group having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms, such as in halogenomethoxy, dihalogenomethoxy, trihalogenomethoxy, (R)-l -halogenoethoxy, (S)-l -halogenoethoxy, 2-halogenoethoxy, 1 ,1 - dihalogenoethoxy, 2,2-dihalogenoethoxy, 2,2,2-trihalogenoethoxy, (R)-1 - halogenopropoxy, (S)-l -halogenopropoxy, 2-halogenopropoxy, 3-halogenopropoxy, 1 ,1 - dihalogenopropoxy, 2,2-dihalogenopropoxy, 3,3-dihalogenopropoxy, 3,3,3- trihalogenopropoxy, (R)-2-halogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (S)-2-halogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (R)- 2,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (S)-2,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (R)-1 ,2-dihalogeno-1 - methylethoxy, (S)-1 ,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (R)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 -methylethoxy, (S)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 -methylethoxy, 2-halogeno-1 -(halogenomethyl)ethoxy, 1 -(dihaloge- nomethyl)-2,2-dihalogenoethoxy, (R)-l -halogenobutoxy, (S)-l -halogenobutoxy, 2- halogenobutoxy, 3-halogenobutoxy, 4-halogenobutoxy, 1 ,1 -dihalogenobutoxy, 2,2- dihalogenobutoxy, 3,3-dihalogenobutoxy, 4,4-dihalogenobutoxy, 4,4,4-trihalogenobutoxy, etc. Particular examples include the fluorinated Ci-C ₄ alkoxy groups as defined, such as trifluoromethoxy.

CrC ₆ -Hydroxyalkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one or two hydrogen atoms are replaced by hydroxy. Examples include 2-hydroxyethoxy, 3-hydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxypropoxy, 1 -methyl-2- hydroxyethoxy and the like.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkoxy-CrC ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one or two hydrogen atoms are replaced by one or two alkoxy radicals having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methoxymethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, 1 - methoxyethoxy, 3-methoxypropoxy, 2-methoxypropoxy, 1 -methyl-1 -methoxyethoxy, eth- oxymethoxy, 2-ethoxyethoxy, 1 -ethoxyethoxy, 3-ethoxypropoxy, 2-ethoxypropoxy, 1 - methyl-1 -ethoxyethoxy and the like.

Amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon at- oms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an amino group. Examples include 2-aminoethoxy.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkylamino group having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylaminomethoxy, ethylaminomethoxy, n-propylaminomethoxy, iso- propylaminomethoxy, n-butylaminomethoxy, 2-butylaminomethoxy, iso- butylaminomethoxy, tert-butylaminomethoxy, 2-(methylamino)ethoxy, 2- (ethylamino)ethoxy, 2-(n-propylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso-propylamino)ethoxy, 2-(n- butylamino)ethoxy, 2-(2-butylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso-butylamino)ethoxy, 2-(tert- butylamino)ethoxy. Di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C4-alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a di- alkylamino group having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include dimethylaminomethoxy, diethylaminomethoxy, N-methyl-N- ethylamino)ethoxy, 2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy, 2-(diethylamino)ethoxy, 2-(N-methyl-N- ethylamino)ethoxy.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an al- kylcarbonylamino group wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylcarbonylaminomethoxy, ethyl- carbonylaminomethoxy, n-propylcarbonylaminomethoxy, iso- propylcarbonylaminomethoxy, n-butylcarbonylaminomethoxy, 2- butylcarbonylaminomethoxy, iso-butylcarbonylaminomethoxy, tert-butylcarbonyl- aminomethoxy, 2-(methylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(ethylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(n- propylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso-propylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(n- butylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(2-butylcarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso-butylcarbonyl- amino)ethoxy, 2-(tert-butylcarbonylamino)ethoxy. C ₆ -Ci2-Arylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₆ - Ci2-arylcarbonylamino group as defined herein. Examples include 2- (benzoylamino)ethoxy. Ci-C ₆ -Alkoxycarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkoxycarbonylamino group wherein the alkoxy group has from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, ethoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, n-propoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, iso- propoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, n-butoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, 2- butoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, iso-butoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, tert- butoxycarbonylaminomethoxy, 2-(methoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(ethoxycarbonyl- amino)ethoxy, 2-(n-propoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso-propoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(n-butoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(2-butoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(iso- butoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethoxy.

C ₂ -C ₆ -Alkenyloxy is a radical of the formula R-0-, wherein R is a straight-chain or branched alkenyl group having from 2 to 6, in particular 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples include vinyloxy, allyloxy (2-propen-1 -yloxy), 1 -propen-1 -yloxy, 2-propen-2-yloxy, methal- lyloxy (2-methylprop-2-en-1 -yloxy) and the like. C ₃ -C ₅ -Alkenyloxy is, in particular, allyloxy, 1 -methylprop-2-en-1 -yloxy, 2-buten-1 -yloxy, 3-buten-1 -yloxy, methallyloxy, 2-penten-1 - yloxy, 3-penten-1 -yloxy, 4-penten-1 -yloxy, 1 -methylbut-2-en-1 -yloxy or 2-ethylprop-2-en-1 - yloxy.

C ₆ -Ci2-Aryl-Ci-C4-alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl group as defined herein. Examples include benzyloxy.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkyl- sulfonylamino group having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include 2-(methylsulfonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(ethylsulfonylamino)ethoxy, 2- [(2-methylpropyl)sulfonylamino]ethoxy.

(Halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)sulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkylsulfonylamino group having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein the alkyl group is halogenated. Examples include 2- (trifluoromethylsulfonylamino)ethoxy. C ₆ -Ci2-Arylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₆ -Ci ₂ - arylsulfonylamino group as defined herein. Examples include 2- (phenylsulfonylamino)ethoxy, 2-(naphthylsulfonylamino)ethoxy. (C6-Ci2-Aryl-Ci-C6-alkyl)sulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a (C6-Ci2-aryl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)sulfonylamino group, preferably by a (C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl-Ci- C ₂ -alkyl)sulfonylamino group. Examples include 2-(benzylsulfonylamino)ethoxy. C ₃ -Ci2-Heterocyclylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₃ -Ci2-heterocyclylsulfonylamino group as defined herein. Examples include 2- (pyridin-3-yl-sulfonylamino)ethoxy. C ₃ -Ci2-Heterocyclyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy is an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein, wherein one hydrogen atom is replaced by a C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl group as defined herein. Examples include 2-(N-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy, 2-(N- morpholinyl)ethoxy and 2-(N-imidazolyl)ethoxy. CrC ₂ -Alkylenedioxo is a radical of the formula -0-R-0-, wherein R is a straight-chain or branched alkylene group having from 1 or 2 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylenedioxo. C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Aryloxy is a radical of the formula R-0-, wherein R is an aryl group having from 6 to 12, in particular 6 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include phenoxy. C ₃ -Ci ₂ -Heterocyclyloxy is a radical of the formula R-0-, wherein R is a C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl group having from 3 to 12, in particular from 3 to 7 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include pyridin-2-yloxy.

CrC ₆ -Alkylthio is a radical of the formula R-S-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio, 1 -methylbutylthio, 2-methylbutylthio, 3- methylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylpropylthio, 1 -ethylpropylthio, hexylthio, 1 ,1 - dimethylpropylthio, 1 ,2-dimethylpropylthio, 1 -methylpentylthio, 2-methylpentylthio, 3- methylpentylthio, 4-methylpentylthio, 1 ,1 -dimethylbutylthio, 1 ,2-dimethylbutylthio, 1 ,3- dimethylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylbutylthio, 2,3-dimethylbutylthio, 3,3-dimethylbutylthio, 1 - ethylbutylthio, 2-ethylbutylthio, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1 -ethyl- 1 -methylpropyl and 1 -ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

Halogenated CrC ₆ -alkylthio is a radical of the formula R-S-, wherein R is a halogenated alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include halogenomethylthio, dihalogenomethylthio, trihalogenomethylthio, (R)- 1 -halogenoethylthio, (S)-l -halogenoethylthio, 2-halogenoethylthio, 1 ,1 - dihalogenoethylthio, 2,2-dihalogenoethylthio, 2,2,2-trihalogenoethylthio, (R)-1 - halogenopropylthio, (S)-l -halogenopropylthio, 2-halogenopropylthio, 3- halogenopropylthio, 1 ,1 -dihalogenopropylthio, 2,2-dihalogenopropylthio, 3,3-dihalo- genopropylthio, 3,3,3-trihalogenopropylthio, (R)-2-halogeno-1 -methylethylthio, (S)-2- halogeno-1 -methylethylthio, (R)-2,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethylthio, (S)-2,2-dihalogeno-1 - methylethylthio, (R)-1 ,2-dihalogeno-1 -methylethylthio, (S)-1 ,2-dihalogeno-1 - methylethylthio, (R)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 -methylethylthio, (S)-2,2,2-trihalogeno-1 - methylethylthio, 2-halogeno-1 -(halogenomethyl)ethylthio, 1 -(dihalogenomethyl)-2,2- dihalogenoethylthio, (R)-l -halogenobutylthio, (S)-l -halogenobutylthio, 2- halogenobutylthio, 3-halogenobutylthio, 4-halogenobutylthio, 1 ,1 -dihalogenobutylthio, 2,2- dihalogenobutylthio, 3,3-dihalogenobutylthio, 4,4-dihalogenobutylthio, 4,4,4- trihalogenobutylthio, etc. Particular examples include the fluorinated Ci-C ₄ alkylthio groups as defined, such as trifluoromethylthio.

CrC ₆ -Alkylsulfinyl is a radical of the formula R-S(O)-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include me- thylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, propylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl, pentylsulfinyl, 1 -methylbutylsulfinyl, 2-methylbutylsulfinyl, 3-methylbutylsulfinyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1 - ethylpropylsulfinyl, hexylsulfinyl, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1 ,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1 - methylpentylsulfinyl, 2-methylpentylsulfinyl, 3-methylpentylsulfinyl, 4-methylpentylsulfinyl, 1.1- dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1 ,2-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 2,2- dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 3,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1- ethylbutylsulfinyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfinyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1 ,2,2- trimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl and 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

CrC ₆ -Alkylsulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, propylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl, pentylsulfonyl, 1- methylbutylsulfonyl, 2-methylbutylsulfonyl, 3-methylbutylsulfonyl, 2,2- dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1 -ethyl propylsulfonyl, hexylsulfonyl, 1 ,1-dimethylpropylsulfonyl,

1.2- dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-methylpentylsulfonyl, 2-methylpentylsulfonyl, 3- methylpentylsulfonyl, 4-methylpentylsulfonyl, 1 ,1-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,2- dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,3- dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 3,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl and 1- ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

(Halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl)sulfonyl is a CrC ₆ -alkylsulfonyl as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corre- sponding number of identical or different halogen atoms.

C ₆ -Ci2-Arylsulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include phenylsulfonyl. (C ₆ -Ci2-Aryl-Ci-C4-alkyl)sulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -, wherein R is a C ₆ - Ci2-aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl radical, in particular a C ₆ -Ci2-aryl-Ci-C2-alkyl radical as defined herein. Examples include benzylsulfonyl.

C ₃ -Ci2-Heterocyclylsulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -, wherein R is C3-C12- heterocyclyl as defined herein.

Aminosulfonyl is NH ₂ -S(0) ₂ -.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylaminosulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-NH-S(0) ₂ - wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylaminosulfonyl, ethylaminosulfonyl, n-propylaminosulfonyl, iso- propylaminosulfonyl, n-butylaminosulfonyl, 2-butylaminosulfonyl, iso-butylaminosulfonyl, tert-butylaminosulfonyl. Di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminosulfonyl is a radical of the formula RR'N-S(0) ₂ - wherein R and R' are independently of each other an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 car- bon atoms as defined herein. Examples include dimethylaminosulfonyl, diethylaminosul- fonyl, N-methyl-N-ethylaminosulfonyl.

C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Arylaminosulfonyl is a radical of the formula R-NH-S(0) ₂ - wherein R is an aryl radi- cal having from 6 to 12, preferably 6 carbon atoms as defined herein.

Amino is NH ₂ .

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylamino is a radical of the formula R-NH- wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, in particular from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, iso-propylamino, n-butylamino, 2-butylamino, iso-butylamino, tert-butylamino.

(Halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino is a Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms.

Di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino is a radical of the formula RR'N- wherein R and R' are independently of each other an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, in particular from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include dimethylamino, diethylamino, N-methyl-N-ethylamino.

Di-(halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino is a di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms.

Ci-C ₆ -Alkylcarbonylamino is a radical of the formula R-C(0)-NH-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, in particular from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein.

Examples include acetamido (methylcarbonylamino), propionamido, n-butyramido, 2- methylpropionamido (isopropylcarbonylamino), 2,2-dimethylpropionamido and the like.

(Halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)carbonylamino is a Ci-C ₆ -alkylcarbonylamino as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms. C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Arylcarbonylamino is a radical of the formula R-C(0)-NH-, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include phenylcar- bonylamino.

C ₂ -C ₆ -Alkenylamino is a radical of the formula R-NH-, wherein R is a straight-chain or branched alkenyl group having from 2 to 6, in particular 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples include vinylamino, allylamino (2-propen-1 -ylamino), 1 -propen-1 -ylamino, 2-propen-2- ylamino, methallylamino (2-methylprop-2-en-1 -ylamino) and the like. C ₃ -C ₅ -Alkenylamino is, in particular, allylamino, 1 -methylprop-2-en-1 -ylamino, 2-buten-1 -ylamino, 3-buten-1 - ylamino, methallylamino, 2-penten-1 -ylamino, 3-penten-1 -ylamino, 4-penten-1 -ylamino, 1 - methylbut-2-en-1 -ylamino or 2-ethylprop-2-en-1 -ylamino. Ci-C ₆ -Alkylsulfonylamino is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -NH-, wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6, in particular from 1 to 4 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include methylsulfonylamino, ethylsulfonylamino, n-propylsulfonylamino, iso- propylsulfonylamino, n-butylsulfonylamino, 2-butylsulfonylamino, iso-butylsulfonylamino, tert-butylsulfonylamino.

(Halogenated Ci-C ₆ alkyl)sulfonylamino is a Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonylamino as defined herein, wherein at least one, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4 or all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by 1 , 2, 3, 4 or a corresponding number of identical or different halogen atoms. C ₆ -Ci ₂ -Arylsulfonylamino is a radical of the formula R-S(0) ₂ -NH-, wherein R is an aryl radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms as defined herein. Examples include

phenylsulfonylamino.

Nitro is -N0 ₂ .

C ₃ -Ci ₂ -Heterocyclyl is a 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic radical including a saturated heterocyclic radical, which generally has 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 ring forming atoms (ring members), an unsaturated non-aromatic heterocyclic radical, which generally has 5, 6 or 7 ring forming atoms, and a heteroaromatic radical (hetaryl), which generally has 5, 6 or 7 ring forming atoms. The heterocyclic radicals may be bound via a carbon atom (C-bound) or a nitrogen atom (N-bound). Preferred heterocyclic radicals comprise 1 nitrogen atom as ring member atom and optionally 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected, independently of each other from O, S and N. Likewise preferred heterocyclic radicals comprise 1 heteroatom as ring member, which is selected from O, S and N, and optionally 1 , 2 or 3 further nitrogen atoms as ring members.

Examples of C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl include:

C- or N-bound 3-4-membered, saturated rings, such as

2-oxiranyl, 2-oxetanyl, 3-oxetanyl, 2-aziridinyl, 3-thiethanyl, 1 -azetidinyl, 2-azetidinyl, 3- azetidinyl;

C-bound, 5-membered, saturated rings, such as

tetrahydrofuran-2-yl, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl, tetra- hydropyrrol-2-yl, tetrahydropyrrol-3-yl, tetrahydropyrazol-3-yl, tetrahydro-pyrazol-4-yl, tet- rahydroisoxazol-3-yl, tetrahydroisoxazol-4-yl, tetrahydroisoxazol-5-yl, 1 ,2-oxathiolan-3-yl, 1 ,2-oxathiolan-4-yl, 1 ,2-oxathiolan-5-yl, tetrahydroisothiazol-3-yl, tetrahydroisothiazol-4-yl, tetrahydroisothiazol-5-yl, 1 ,2-dithiolan-3-yl, 1 ,2-dithiolan-4-yl, tetrahydroimidazol-2-yl, tet- rahydroimidazol-4-yl, tetrahydrooxazol-2-yl, tetrahydrooxazol-4-yl, tetrahydrooxazol-5-yl, tetrahydrothiazol-2-yl, tetrahydrothiazol-4-yl, tetrahydrothiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3-dioxolan-2-yl, 1 ,3- dioxolan-4-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiolan-2-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiolan-4-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiolan-5-yl, 1 ,3-dithiolan-2- yl, 1 ,3-dithiolan-4-yl, 1 ,3,2-dioxathiolan-4-yl;

C-bound, 6-membered, saturated rings, such as

tetrahydropyran-2-yl, tetrahydropyran-3-yl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-3- yl, piperidin-4-yl, tetrahydrothiopyran-2-yl, tetrahydrothiopyran-3-yl, tetrahydrothiopyran-4- yl, 1 ,3-dioxan-2-yl, 1 ,3-dioxan-4-yl, 1 ,3-dioxan-5-yl, 1 ,4-dioxan-2-yl, 1 ,3-dithian-2-yl, 1 ,3- dithian-4-yl, 1 ,3-dithian-5-yl, 1 ,4-dithian-2-yl, 1 ,3-oxathian-2-yl, 1 ,3-oxathian-4-yl, 1 ,3- oxathian-5-yl, 1 ,3-oxathian-6-yl, 1 ,4-oxathian-2-yl, 1 ,4-oxathian-3-yl, 1 ,2-dithian-3-yl, 1 ,2- dithian-4-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-2-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-4-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl, hexahydropyrazin-2-yl, hexahydropyridazin-3-yl, hexahydropyridazin-4-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3- oxazin-2-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-oxazin-4-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-oxazin-5-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-oxazin- 6-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-thiazin-2-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-thiazin-4-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-thiazin-5-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-thiazin-6-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-thiazin-2-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-thiazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-oxazin-2-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-oxazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,2-oxazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,2- oxazin-4-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,2-oxazin-5-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,2-oxazin-6-yl;

N-bound, 5-membered, saturated rings, such as

tetrahydropyrrol-1 -yl (pyrrolidin-1 -yl), tetrahydropyrazol-1 -yl, tetrahydroisoxazol-2-yl, tetra- hydroisothiazol-2-yl, tetrahydroimidazol-1 -yl, tetrahydrooxazol-3-yl, tetrahydrothiazol-3-yl; N-bound, 6-membered, saturated rings, such as

piperidin-1 -yl, hexahydropyrimidin-1 -yl, hexahydropyrazin-1 -yl (piperazin-1 -yl), hexahydro- pyridazin-1 -yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-oxazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,3-thiazin-3-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4- thiazin-4-yl, tetrahydro-1 ,4-oxazin-4-yl (morpholin-1 -yl), tetrahydro-1 ,2-oxazin-2-yl; C-bound, 5-membered, partially unsaturated rings, such as

2,3-dihydrofuran-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrofuran-3-yl, 2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl, 2,5-di-hydrofuran-3-yl, 4,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl, 4,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl, 2,3-dihydro-thien-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,5-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,5-dihydrothien-3-yl, 4,5-dihydrothien-2-yl, 4,5-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-2-yl, 2,5- dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydro- 2H-pyrrol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydro-5H-pyrrol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydro-5H- pyrrol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H- pyrazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H- pyrazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl, 2,3- dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl, 4,5- dihydroisothiazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothiazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydroisothiazol-5-yl, 2,5- dihydroisothiazol-3-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazol-5-yl, 2,3- dihydroisothiazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroisothiazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydroisothiazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydro- 1 H-imidazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydro- 1 H-imidazol-2-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydro- 1 H-imidazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydrooxazol- 4-yl, 4,5-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 2,5- dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydrothiazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydrothiazol-5-yl, 2,5-dihydrothiazol-

2- yl, 2,5-dihydrothiazol-4-yl, 2,5-dihydrothiazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydro- thiazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrothiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3-dioxol-2-yl, 1 ,3-dioxol-4-yl, 1 ,3-dithiol-2-yl, 1 ,3- dithiol-4-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiol-2-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiol-4-yl, 1 ,3-oxathiol-5-yl;

C-bound, 6-membered, partially unsaturated rings, such as

2H-3,4-dihydropyran-6-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydropyran-5-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydropyran-4-yl, 2H-3,4- dihydropyran-3-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydropyran-2-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydrothiopyran-6-yl, 2H-3,4- dihydrothiopyran-5-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydrothiopyran-4-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydrothiopyran-3-yl, 2H-3,4- dihydrothiopyran-2-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridin-6-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridin-5-yl,

1 .2.3.4- tetrahydropyridin-4-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetra-hydropyridin-3-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridin-2- yl, 2H-5,6-dihydropyran-2-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydropyran-3-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydropyran-4-yl, 2H-5,6- dihydropyran-5-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydropyran-6-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydrothiopyran-2-yl, 2H-5,6- dihydrothiopyran-3-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydrothiopyran-4-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydrothiopyran-5-yl, 2H-5,6- dihydrothiopyran-6-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-2-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl,

1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-5-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-6-yl,

2.3.4.5- tetrahydropyridin-2-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl, 2,3,4, 5-tetrahydropyridin-5-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridin-6-yl, 4H-pyran-2-yl, 4H-pyran-3-yl-

, 4H-pyran-4-yl, 4H-thiopyran-2-yl, 4H-thiopyran-3-yl, 4H-thiopyran-4-yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyridin-2-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyridin-3-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyridin-4-yl, 2H-pyran-2-yl, 2H- pyran-3-yl, 2H-pyran-4-yl, 2H-pyran-5-yl, 2H-pyran-6-yl, 2H-thiopyran-2-yl, 2H-thiopyran-

3- yl, 2H-thiopyran-4-yl, 2H-thiopyran-5-yl, 2H-thiopyran-6-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyridin-2-yl, 1 ,2- dihydro-pyridin-3-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyridin-5-yl, 1 ,2-dihydro-pyridin-6- yl, 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-yl, 3,4-dihydropyridin-3-yl, 3,4-dihyd ro-pyridin-4-yl, 3,4- dihydropyridin-5-yl, 3,4-dihydropyridin-6-yl, 2,5-dihydropyridin-2-yl, 2,5-dihydropyridin-3-yl,

2.5- dihydropyridin-4-yl, 2,5-dihydropyridin-5-yl, 2,5-dihydropyridin-6-yl, 2,3-dihydropyridin- 2-yl, 2,3-dihydropyridin-3-yl, 2,3-dihydropyridin-4-yl, 2,3-dihydropyridin-5-yl, 2,3- dihydropyridin-6-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-

5.6- dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-5-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-6-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-3- yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-4-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-5-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2- thiazin-6-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-3-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-4-yl, 4H-5,6-di- hydro-1 ,2-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-6-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-3-yl, 4H- 5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-4-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-5-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-6- yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2- oxazin-5-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-6-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-3-yl, 2H-3,6- dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-4-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-5-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-6-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2- oxazin-5-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-6-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-3-yl, 2H-3.4- dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-4-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-5-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-6-yl, 2,3,4, 5-tetrahydropyridazin-3-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridazin-4-yl, 2,3,4,5- tetrahydropyridazin-5-yl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridazin-6-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-3-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-4-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-3-yl, 1 ,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridazin-4-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetra-hydropyridazin-5-yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-6-yl, 1 ,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridazin-3-yl, 1 ,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridazin-4-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3- oxazin-2-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-oxazin-4-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-5,6- dihydro-1 ,3-oxazin-6-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-thiazin-2-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-thiazin-4-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-thiazin-5-yl, 4H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,3-thiazin-6-yl, 3,4,5-6- tetrahydropyrimidin-2-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-6-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazin-2-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazin- 5-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrimidin-2-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-yl, 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-6-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 ,4-thiazin-2-yl, 2,3- dihydro-1 ,4-thiazin-3-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 ,4-thiazin-5-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 ,4-thiazin-6-yl, 2H-1 ,3- oxazin-2-yl, 2H-1 ,3-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-1 ,3-oxazin-5-yl, 2H-1 ,3-oxazin-6-yl, 2H-1 ,3-thiazin-2- yl, 2H-1 ,3-thiazin-4-yl, 2H-1 ,3-thiazin-5-yl, 2H-1 ,3-thiazin-6-yl, 4H-1 ,3-oxazin-2-yl, 4H-1 ,3- oxazin-4-yl, 4H-1 ,3-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-1 ,3-oxazin-6-yl, 4H-1 ,3-thiazin-2-yl, 4H-1 ,3-thiazin-4- yl, 4H-1 ,3-thiazin-5-yl, 4H-1 ,3-thiazin-6-yl, 6H-1 ,3-oxazin-2-yl, 6H-1 ,3-oxazin-4-yl, 6H-1 ,3- oxazin-5-yl, 6H-1 ,3-oxazin-6-yl, 6H-1 ,3-thiazin-2-yl, 6H-1 ,3-oxazin-4-yl, 6H-1 ,3-oxazin-5- yl, 6H-1 ,3-thiazin-6-yl, 2H-1 ,4-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-1 ,4-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-1 ,4-oxazin-5-yl, 2H-1 ,4- oxazin-6-yl, 2H-1 ,4-thiazin-2-yl, 2H-1 ,4-thiazin-3-yl, 2H-1 ,4-thiazin-5-yl, 2H-1 ,4-thiazin-6- yl, 4H-1 ,4-oxazin-2-yl, 4H-1 ,4-oxazin-3-yl, 4H-1 ,4-thiazin-2-yl, 4H-1 ,4-thiazin-3-yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyridazin-3-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyridazin-4-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyridazin-5-yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyridazin-6-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyrazin-2-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin-2-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin- 3-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin-5-yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin-6-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyrimidin-4-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyrimidin-5-yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyrimidin-6-yl, 3,4- dihydropyrimidin-2-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-4-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-5-yl or 3,4- dihydropyrimidin-6-yl;

N-bound, 5-membered, partially unsaturated rings, such as

2,3-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-1 -yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-1-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl, 2,5- dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-1-yl, 2,5-dihydroisoxazol-2-yl, 2,3- dihydroisoxazol-2-yl, 2,5-dihydroisothiazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoxazol-2-yl, 4,5-dihydro-1 H- imidazol-1 -yl, 2,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-1 -yl, 2,3-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-1 -yl, 2,3- d i hyd rooxazol-3-y 1 , 2 , 3-d i hyd roth iazol-3-y I ; N-bound, 6-membered, partially unsaturated rings, such as

1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-1 -yl, 1 ,4-dihydro-pyridin-1 -yl, 1 ,2- dihydropyridin-1 -yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-5,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-2-yl, 2H- 3,6-dihydro-l ,2-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-3,6-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-2-yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-oxazin-2- yl, 2H-3,4-dihydro-1 ,2-thiazin-2-yl, 2,3 _! 4,5-tetrahydropyridazin-2-yl _! 1 ,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridazin-2-yl, 1 ,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridazin-1 -yl, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydropyrimidin-1 -yl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl, 2,3-dihdro-1 ,4-thiazin-4-yl, 2H- 1 ,2-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-1 ,2-thiazin-2-yl, 4H-1 ,4-oxazin-4-yl, 4H-1 ,4-thiazin-4-yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyridazin-1 -yl, 1 ,4-dihydropyrazin-1 -yl, 1 ,2-dihydropyrazin-1 -yl, 1 ,4- dihydropyrimidin-1 -yl or 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-3-yl; C-bound, 5-membered, heteroaromatic rings, such as

2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, pyrrol-2-yl, pyrrol-3-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, isoxa- zol-3-yl, isoxazol-4-yl, isoxazol-5-yl, isothiazol-3-yl, isothiazol-4-yl, isothiazol-5-yl, imidaz- ol-2-yl, imidazol-4-yl, oxazol-2-yl, oxazol-4-yl, oxazol-5-yl, thiazol-2-yl, thiazol-4-yl, thiazol- 5-yl, 1 ,2,3-oxadiazol-4-yl, 1 ,2,3-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1 ,2,4,-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1 ,2,4- thiadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolyl-2-yl, 1 ,2,3-triazol-4-yl, 1 ,2,4-triazol-3-yl, tetrazol-5-yl;

C-bound, 6-membered, heteroaromatic rings, such as

pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl (4-pyridyl), pyridazin-3-yl, pyridazin-4-yl, pyrimidin-2- yl, pyrimidin-4-yl, pyrimidin-5-yl, pyrazin-2-yl, 1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl, 1 ,2,4-triazin-3-yl, 1 ,2,4- triazin-5-yl, 1 ,2,4-triazin-6-yl, 1 ,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-yl;

N-bound, 5-membered, heteroaromatic rings, such as

pyrrol-1 -yl, pyrazol-1 -yl, imidazol-1 -yl, 1 ,2,3-triazol-1 -yl, 1 ,2,4-triazol-1 -yl, tetrazol-1 -yl.

Heterocyclyl also includes bicyclic heterocycles, which comprise one of the described 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic rings and a further anellated, saturated or unsaturated or aromatic carbocycle, such as a benzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexene or cyclohexadiene ring, or a futher anellated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, this heterocyclic ring being saturated or unsaturated or aromatic. These include quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, in- dolizinyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzthienyl, benzo[b]thiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl and benzimidazolyl. Examples of 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic compounds comprising an anellated cycloalkenyl ring include dihydroindolyl, dihydroindoliz- inyl, dihydroisoindolyl, dihydrochinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl, chromenyl and chromanyl.

C ₃ -Ci2-Heteroarylene is a heteroaryl diradical. Examples include pyrid-2,5-ylene and pyr- id-2,4-ylene.

With respect to the compounds' capability of inhibiting glycine transporter 1 , the variables R, R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁵ , R ¹⁷ preferably have the following meanings which, when taken alone or in combination, represent particular embodiments of the isoindoline derivatives of the formula (I) or any other formula disclosed herein.

In said formula (I), there may be one or more than one substituent R, R ² and/or R ³ . More particularly, there may be up to 3 substituents R ² , and up to 7 substituents R ³ . Preferably there is one substituent R and 1 , 2 or 3 substituents R ² . Formula (I) may thus be depicted as follows:

wherein a is 1 , 2 or 3, b is 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 and c is 1. If there is more than one radical R ² , these may be the same or different radicals. If there is more than one radical R ³ , these may be the same or different radicals.

According to one embodiment, R is cyano. Preferably, R is R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - and R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

R ¹ is hydrogen, d-C ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or n- pentyl), C ₃ -Ci2-cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or cyclo- hexylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. 3-fluoroprop-1 -yl, 3-chloroprop-1 -yl or 3,3,3- trifluoroprop-1 -yl), tri-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-silyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. trimethylsilylethyl), hydroxy-CrC ₄ - alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. ethoxyethyl), amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₆ - alkyloxycarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-CrC ₆ - alkylaminocarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, (optionally substituted C6-Ci2-aryl-Ci-C6-alkyl)amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl- CrC ₄ -alkyl, optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci2-heterocyclyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl or cyclobutyl), CrC ₆ -alkylcarbonyl, CrC ₆ -alkoxycarbonyl, halogenated CrC ₆ - alkoxycarbonyl, C ₆ -Ci2-aryloxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonyl, (halo- genated Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, C ₆ -Ci2-arylaminocarbonyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl (e.g. prop- 1 ,2-en-1 -yl), C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl (e.g. phenyl, 2- methylphenyl), hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy (e.g. tert-butyloxy), halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxy, C C ₆ -hydroxyalkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Cr C ₄ -alkoxy, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₆ - Ci2-arylcarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxycarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci ₂ - aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, (halogenated CrC ₆ - alkyl)sulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C6-Ci2-arylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, (C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl-Ci- C6-alkyl)sulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₃ -Ci2-heterocyclylsulfonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, C ₃ - Ci2-heterocyclyl-CrC ₄ -alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryloxy, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyloxy, CrC ₆ -alkylthio, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkylthio, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, (halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino, di-CrC ₆ - alkylamino (e.g. dimethylamino), di-(halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino, Ci-C ₆ - alkylcarbonylamino, (halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)carbonylamino, C ₆ -Ci2-arylcarbonylamino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylsulfonylamino, (halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)sulfonylamino, C ₆ -Ci ₂ - arylsulfonylamino or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-pyridyl, 2-thienyl, 4- methyl-2-thienyl, 5-methyl-2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2-thienyl, 2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl, 1 ,2-diazol- 4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -ethyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -difluormethyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 2- methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 2-methyl-1 ,3-thiazol-5-yl, 2,4-dimethyl-1 ,3- thiazol-5-yl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1 -methyl-pyrrol-3-yl, 2-pyridyl, 1 -methyl-1 ,2-diazol-3-yl, 1 - methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 ,2-dimethyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 5-methylisoxazol-3-yl or 1 -methyl-1 ,2,4-triazol-3-yl).

Preferably, R ¹ is CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, n-butyl or n- pentyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or cyclo- hexylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. 3-fluoroprop-1 -yl, 3-chloroprop-1 -yl or 3,3,3- trifluoroprop-1 -yl), tri-(Ci-C ₄ -alkyl)-silyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. trimethylsilylethyl), CrC ₆ -alkoxy- CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. ethoxyethyl), amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-CrC ₆ - alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkyloxycarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₆ - alkylaminocarbonylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cy- clopropyl or cyclobutyl), C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl (e.g. prop-1 ,2-en-1 -yl), optionally substituted C ₆ - Ci ₂ -aryl (e.g. phenyl), hydroxy, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, (halogenated Ci-C ₆ -alkyl)amino, di-d- C ₆ -alkylamino or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-pyridyl, 2-thienyl, 4- methyl-2-thienyl, 5-methyl-2-thienyl, 5-chloro-2-thienyl, 2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl, 1 ,2-diazol- 4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -ethyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -difluormethyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 2- methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 2-methyl-1 ,3-thiazol-5-yl, 2,4-dimethyl-1 ,3- thiazol-5-yl or 3-pyrrolidinyl).

In particular, R ¹ is CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. ethyl or n-propyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl-CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclobutyl), or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-pyridyl, 1 -methyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 3-oxetanyl, 1 -methyl-pyrrol-3-yl).

In connection with R ¹ , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, such as phenyl or naphthyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy, CrC ₄ -haloalkoxy, amino, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino, Ci-C ₄ -dialkylamino, morpholino and piperidinyl. The same applies to substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl in substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl. In connection with R ¹ , substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl in particular includes C ₃ -C-| ₂ - heterocyclyl, such as pyridyl, thienyl, diazolyl, quinolinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl or mor- pholinyl, pyrrolyl, isoxazolyl and triazolyl being further examples of such C ₃ -C-| ₂ - heterocyclyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, d-C ₄ -haloalkyl, CrC ₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy, C1-C4- haloalkoxy, Ci-C ₄ -alkylsulfonyl, amino, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino, Ci-C ₄ -dialkylamino, C ₆ -C-| ₂ - arylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g., morpholino or piperidinyl). The same applies to substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl such as C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heteroaryl in substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl-CrC ₄ -alkyl such as C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heteroaryl-CrC ₄ -alkyl.

According to one embodiment, W is -NR ⁸ - and Y is a bond. According to an alternative embodiment, W is a bond and Y is -NR ⁹ -. According to a further alternative embodiment, W is a bond and Y is a bond, especially if R ¹ is a nitrogen-bound radical, e.g. nitrogen- bound heterocyclyl such as piperazinyl or morpholinyl.

According to one embodiment, Q is -S(0) ₂ -. According to an alternative embodiment, Q is -C(O)-.

According to a particular embodiment, -W-A ¹ -Q-Y- is -W-A ¹ -S(0) ₂ -NR ⁹ -, -NR ⁸ -S(0) ₂ -, -A ¹ - S(0) ₂ - or -S(0) ₂ -. According to a further particular embodiment, -W-A ¹ -Q-Y- is -W-A ¹ -CO- NR ⁹ - or -NR ⁸ -CO-.

A ¹ is optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene or a bond. In connection with A ¹ , substituted C C ₄ -alkylene in particular includes CrC ₄ -alkylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl and cyano. Preferably, A ¹ is a bond. If A ¹ is C C ₄ -alkylene, W is preferably -NR ⁸ -.

A ² is optionally substituted C C ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2-ethylene), C C ₄ -alkylene-CO-, -CO- C C ₄ -alkylene, Ci-C ₄ -alkylene-0-Ci-C ₄ -alkylene, Ci-C ₄ -alkylene-NR ¹⁰ -Ci-C ₄ -alkylene, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylene, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -heteroarylene or a bond. Additionally, A ² may be optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylen or optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene. Preferably, A ² is optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2- ethylene). More preferably, A ² is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2-ethylene). Alternatively, it is preferred that A ² is optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylene, in particular C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylene selected from the group consisting of phen-1 ,4-ylene and phen-1 ,3-ylene, or optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -heteroarylene, in particular C ₆ -Ci ₂ -heteroarylene selected from the group consisting of pyrid-2,5-ylene and pyrid-2,4-ylene. If A ² is a bond, X ¹ is preferably optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene. Alternatively, if A ² is a bond, X ¹ is in particular optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene. In connection with A ² , substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene in particular includes CrC ₄ -alkylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, d- C ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl and cyano. In connection with A ² , substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene in particular includes C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl and cyano. In connection with A ² , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylene in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC ₄ -alkyl, C1-C4- haloalkyl, CrC ₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy, CrC ₄ -haloalkoxy, C1-C4- alkylsulfonyl, amino, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino, Ci-C ₄ -dialkylamino, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl (e.g., morpholino or piperidinyl).

In connection with A ² , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -heteroarylene in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ - heteroarylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl, CrC ₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy, CrC ₄ -haloalkoxy, CrC ₄ -alkylsulfonyl, amino, Ci-C ₄ -alkylamino, Ci-C ₄ -dialkylamino, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g, morpholino or piperidinyl).

X ¹ is -0-, -N R ¹¹ -, -S- or optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. -CH ₂ -, 1 ,2-ethylene or 1 ,3-popylene). In connection with X ¹ , substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene in particular includes C C ₄ -alkylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl and cyano. Additionally, X ¹ may be optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene (e.g. propynylene). In connection with X ¹ , substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene in particular includes C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl and cyano. Preferably, X ¹ is -0-, -N R ¹¹ , -S-. More preferably, X ¹ is -0-. Alternatively, it is preferred if X ¹ is optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. -CH ₂ -, 1 ,2-ethylene or 1 ,3-propylene).

According to a particular embodiment, A ² is a bond and X ¹ is optionally substituted Ci-C ₄ - alkylene, optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene or optionally substituted C ₂ -C ₄ - alkynylene.

According to a particular embodiment, R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - is R ¹ -S(0) ₂ -N H-A ² -X ¹ -, R ¹ -N H- S(0) ₂ -A ² -X ¹ -, R ¹ -C(0)-N H-A ² -X ¹ - or R ¹ -N H-C(0)-A ² -X ¹ -. According to a particular embodiment, the structural element -Y-A ² -X ¹ - comprises at least 2, 3 or 4 atoms in the main chain. According to further particular embodiments the struc- tural element -Y-A ² -X ¹ - has up to 4, 5 or 6 atoms in the main chain, such as 2 to 6, 2 to 5 or 2 to 4 atoms in the main chain, especially 2, 3 or 4 atoms in the main chain.

According to a further particular embodiment, -Y-A ² -X ¹ - is -CrC ₄ -alkylene-0- or -NR ⁹ -Ci- C ₄ -alkylene-0-, with -Y-A ² -X ¹ - preferably having 2 to 6, 3 to 5 and especially 4 atoms in the main chain. Particular examples of -Y-A ² -X ¹ - include -(CH ₂ )3-0- and -NR ⁹ -(CH ₂ )2-0-. In this particular embodiment, R ⁹ is as defined herein and preferably R ⁹ is hydrogen, Ci-C ₆ - alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl) or C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), or R ⁹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene that is bound to a carbon atom in A ² which is CrC ₄ -alkylene.

According to a further particular embodiment, -Y-A ² -X ¹ - is -NR ⁹ -Ci-C ₄ -alkylene- (e.g. -NH- CH ₂ -, -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - or -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ -), with -Y-A ² -X ¹ - preferably having 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4 and especially 2, 3 or 4 atoms in the main chain. In this particular embodiment, R ⁹ is as defined herein and preferably R ⁹ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl) or C ₃ -C-| ₂ - cycloalkyi (e.g. cyclopropyl); or R ⁹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene that is bound to a carbon atom in X ¹ which is CrC ₄ -alkylene.

According to a further particular embodiment, -Y-A ² -X ¹ - is -NR ⁹ -C ₂ -C ₄ -alkenylene- or -NR ⁹ - C ₂ -C ₄ -alkynylene- (e.g. -NH-CH ₂ -C≡C-), with -Y-A ² -X ¹ - preferably having 2 to 6, 3 to 5 and especially 4 atoms in the main chain. In this particular embodiment, R ⁹ is as defined herein and preferably is R ⁹ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl) or C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl or cyclobutyl).

According to a further particular embodiment, -Y-A ² -X ¹ - is -CrC ₄ -alkylene- (e.g. -(CH ₂ ) ₂ -), with -Y-A ² -X ¹ - preferably having 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4 and especially 2 atoms in the main chain.

According to a further particular embodiment, the structural motif -Y-A ² -X ¹ as disclosed herein is bound to Q being -S(0) ₂ - or -C(O)-. Particular examples for this embodiment include compounds of the invention wherein R is R ¹ -S(0) ₂ -Y-A ² -X ¹ or R ¹ -C(0)-Y-A ² -X ¹ . The radical R and in particular the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - may, in principle, be bound to the 4-, 5- , 6, or 7-position of the isoindoline skeleton:

In said formulae, R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein. Further particular examples include isoindoline derivatives of the above formulae wherein the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - is replaced by the radical -CN.

Isoindoline derivatives having the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - (or the radical -CN) in the 5-, 6-, 7-position are preferred. Particularly preferred are isoindoline derivatives having the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - (or the radical -CN) in the 6-position.

In addition to the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - (or the radical -CN), the isoindoline deriva- tives of the invention may have one or more than one further substituent bound to the benzene ring. In these positions, the skeleton of the isoindoline derivatives may thus be substituted with one or more than one radical R ² . If there is more than one radical R ² , these may be the same or different radicals. In particular, in 4-, 5-, 6- and/or 7-position, the isoindoline skeleton may be substituted with one or more than one radical R ² . The isoindo- line derivatives of the invention may therefore be represented by one of the following formulae:

or by corresponding formulae wherein the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - is replaced by the radical -CN,

wherein R ^2a , R ^2b , R ^2c , R ^2d independently have one of the meanings given for R ² , and R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

R ² is hydrogen, halogen (e.g. fluorine), CrC ₆ -alkyl, halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl, hydroxy-d- C ₄ -alkyl, -CN, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkynyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, hydroxy, d- C ₆ -alkoxy, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxycarbonyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyloxy, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl- Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy, CrC ₆ -alkylcarbonyloxy, CrC ₆ -alkylthio, CrC ₆ -alkylsulfinyl, CrC ₆ - alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenylamino, nitro or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl, or two radicals R ² together with the ring atoms to which they are bound form a 5- or 6 membered ring. An optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered ring that is formed by two radicals R ² together with the ring atoms to which they are bound is, for instance, a benzene ring.

In connection with R ² , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, such as phenyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halo- gen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, cyano, Ci-C ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy.

In connection with R ² , substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl in particular includes C ₃ -C-| ₂ - heterocyclyl, such as morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₄ -haloalkyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy and Ci-C ₄ -haloalkoxy.

Preferably, R ² is hydrogen, halogen (e.g. fluorine) or CrC ₆ -alkoxy. In particular, R ² is hydrogen or halogen (e.g. fluorine).

According to a particular embodiment, the isoindoline derivatives of the invention have one of the following formulae:

or a corresponding formula wherein the radical R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ - is replaced by the radical -CN,

wherein R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein. Particularly preferred are isoindoline derivatives of the following formula:

wherein R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q, Y, A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein, with R ² preferably being halogen, in particular fluorine.

In 1 -, and/or 3-position, the isoindoline derivatives of the invention may be substituted with one or more than one radical R ³ . If there is more than one radical R ³ , these may be the same or different radicals. The isoindoline derivatives of the invention may therefore be represented by the following formula: wherein R ^3a , R ^3b , R ^3c independently have one of the meanings given for R ³ ; and R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are as defined herein.

R ³ is hydrogen, halogen, C C ₆ -alkyl, C C ₆ -alkoxy, or two radicals R ³ (i.e. R ^3a and R ^3b ) together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group.

Preferably, R ³ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl or CrC ₆ -alkoxy, or two radicals R ³ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group. In particular, R ³ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl), or two radicals R ³ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group.

R ⁴ is hydrogen, d-C ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl-Ci- C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. 2-fluoroethyl or 2,2,2- trifluoroethyl), hydroxy-CrC ₄ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkoxy-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₆ -Ci ₂ - aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), CH ₂ CN , -CHO, CrC ₄ -alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl or isopropylcarbonyl), (halogenated C1-C4- alkyl)carbonyl (e.g. fluoromethylcarbonyl, difluoromethylcarbonyl, trifluoromethylcarbonyl, 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroeth-2-ylcarbonyl or 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroprop-3-ylcarbonyl), C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylcarbonyl (e.g. phenylcarbonyl), CrC ₄ -alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. ethoxycarbonyl or tert-butyloxycarbonyl), C ₆ - Ci ₂ -aryloxycarbonyl (e.g. phenoxycarbonyl), Ci-C ₆ -alkylaminocarbonyl, C ₂ -C ₆ -alkenyl, - C(=N H)N H ₂ , -C(=N H )N HCN , C C ₆ -alkylsulfonyl, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylsulfonyl, amino, -NO or C ₃ - Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-oxetanyl).

Preferably, R ⁴ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ - cycloalkyl-CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. 2-fluoroethyl or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl), amino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), CH ₂ CN , CrC ₄ -alkylcarbonyl (e.g. methylcarbonyl or isopropylcarbonyl), (hal- ogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl)carbonyl (e.g. fluoromethylcarbonyl, difluoromethylcarbonyl or trifluoromethylcarbonyl), C ₆ -Ci ₂ -arylcarbonyl (e.g. phenylcarbonyl), CrC ₄ -alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. ethoxycarbonyl or tert-butyloxycarbonyl), C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryloxycarbonyl (e.g. phenoxycarbonyl), -C(=N H)N H ₂ , -C(=N H)N H CN , C C ₆ -alkylsulfonyl, amino, -NO or C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-oxetanyl). In particular, R ⁴ is hydrogen, d-C ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl or n-propyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl- CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclopropylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. 1 ,1 , 1 -trifluoroeth-2-yl), C ₃ -Ci2-cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), (halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl)carbonyl (e.g. trifluoro- methylcarbonyl), or C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-oxetanyl).

X ² is -0-, -NR ⁶ -, -S-, >CR ^12a R ^12b or a bond. Preferably, X ² is >CR ^12a R ^12b .

X ³ is -0-, -NR ⁷ -, -S-, >CR ^13a R ^13b or a bond. Preferably, X ³ is a bond. Thus, it is preferred if X ² is >CR ^12a R ^12b and X ³ is a bond.

R ^12a is hydrogen, optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-Ci- C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci2-heterocyclyl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ - aryl or hydroxy. Preferably, R ^12a is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl.

R ^13a is hydrogen, optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, di-Ci- C ₆ -alkylamino-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl-Ci-C ₆ -alkyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ - aryl or hydroxy. Preferably, R ^13a is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. In connection with R ^12a and R ^13a , substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl in particular includes CrC ₆ -alkyl substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, CrC ₄ -alkoxy and amino.

In connection with R ^12a and R ^13a , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, such as phenyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy and CrC ₄ -haloalkoxy.

R ^12b is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. According to a particular embodiment, R ^12b is hydrogen. R ^13b is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. According to a particular embodiment, R ^13b is hydrogen.

Alternatively, R ^12a and R ^12b , or R ^13a and R ^13b , together are carbonyl or, preferably, optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,3-propylene), wherein one -CH ₂ - of CrC ₄ -alkylene may be replaced by an oxygen atom, or -NR ¹⁴ - or -NR ¹⁵ -.

In connection with R ^12a and R ^12b , or R ^13a and R ^13b , substituted C C ₄ -alkylene in particular includes CrC ₄ -alkylene substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, CrC ₄ -alkyl, CrC ₄ -haloalkyl, cyano, CrC ₄ -alkoxy and C1-C4- haloalkoxy.

According to a particular embodiment, R ^12a is CrC ₆ -alkyl and R ^12b is hydrogen or Ci-C ₆ - alkyl, or R ^13a is C C ₆ -alkyl and R ^13b is hydrogen or C C ₆ -alkyl. According to a further particular embodiment, R ^12a is hydrogen and R ^12b is hydrogen, or R ^13a is hydrogen and R ^13b is hydrogen. According to a further particular embodiment, R ^12a and R ^12b together are optionally substituted 1 ,3-propylene, or R ^13a and R ^13b together are optionally substituted 1 ,3-propylene.

R ⁵ is optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl (e.g. phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl; 3-cyanophenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, 3- methoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,5- difluorophenyl, 3-fluoro-5-chlorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl or 3,4- dichlorophenyl,), optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl) or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl. In connection with R ⁵ , substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl in particular includes C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl, such as cyclopropyl or cyclohexyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl, CN, hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxy, amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-CrC ₆ - alkylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl.

In connection with R ⁵ , substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl in particular includes C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, such as phenyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen (e.g. F, CI, Br), optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl), halogenated Ci-C ₆ - alkyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), CN, hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy (e.g. methoxy), halogenated Ci-C ₆ - alkoxy, amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl.

In connection with R ⁵ , substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl in particular includes C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl, CN, hydroxy, Ci-C ₆ - alkoxy, halogenated CrC ₆ -alkoxy, amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino and C ₃ - Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl.

In connection with R ⁵ , C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl in particular is C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heteroaryl. Preferably, R ⁵ is optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -aryl, in particular as in the isoindoline derivatives of the formula:

wherein R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ are as defined herein, and

R ^17a , R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e independently are hydrogen, halogen (e.g. F, CI or Br), optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl), halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), CN, hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy (e.g. methoxy), amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino or C ₃ - Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl.

It is also preferred if R ⁵ is optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci ₂ -heteroaryl, in particular as in the isoindoline derivatives of the formula:

wherein R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ are as defined herein, and

R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e independently are hydrogen, halogen (e.g. F, CI or Br), optionally substituted CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl), halogenated CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), CN, hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy (e.g. methoxy), amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino or C ₃ - Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl.

According to a particular embodiment, the invention relates to isoindoline derivatives of the formula: wherein R, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ are as defined herein, R ⁵ preferably being optionally substituted aryl and in particular optionally substituted phenyl as disclosed herein.

In connection with R ⁵ or R ^17a , R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e , substituted C C ₆ -alkyl in particular includes CrC ₆ -alkyl, especially CrC ₄ -alkyl, substituted with 1 , 2 or 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, CrC ₆ -alkoxy, amino, Ci-C ₆ -alkylamino, di-CrC ₆ - alkylamino and C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. morpholinyl or piperidinyl).

According to a particular embodiment, R ^17a , R ^17b , R ^17d , R ^17e are hydrogen and R ^17c is different from hydrogen (para-mono-substitution).

According to a further particular embodiment, R ^17a , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e are hydrogen and R ^17b is different from hydrogen (meta-mono-substitution).

According to a further particular embodiment, R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e are hydrogen and R ^17a is different from hydrogen (meta-ortho-substitution). In connection with R ^17a , R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e , C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl in particular includes morpholinyl, imidazolyl and pyrazolyl.

R ⁶ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R ⁶ is hydrogen. R ⁷ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R ⁷ is hydrogen.

R ⁸ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R ⁸ is hydrogen.

R ⁹ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), ami- no-CrC ₆ -alkyl, optionally substituted C ₆ -Ci2-aryl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl or C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3- azetidinyl). Preferably, R ⁹ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl or ethyl).

According to a particular embodiment, R ⁹ and R ¹ together are CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,3-1 ,2- ethylene or propylene) so as that R ⁹ and R ¹ together with the atom in Q to which R ¹ is bound and the nitrogen atom to which R ⁹ is bound form an heterocyclic ring having, in particular, 4, 5 or 6 ring member atoms (including the nitrogen atom and Q). With W and A ¹ both being a bond, such a ring may be represented by the following partial structure:

wherein A ² , X ¹ , Q are as defined herein (e.g. S(0) ₂ ) and n is 0, 1 , 2, 3 or 4.

According to a further particular embodiment, R ⁹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. methylene or 1 ,3- propylene) that is bound to a carbon atom in A ² and A ² is CrC ₄ -alkylene so that R ⁹ and at least part of A ² together with the nitrogen atom to which R ⁹ is bound form an N-containing heterocyclic ring having, in particular, 4, 5, 6 or 7 ring member atoms (including the nitrogen atom). Such a ring may be represented by the following partial structure:

wherein R ¹ , W, A ¹ , Q and X ¹ are as defined herein, p is 1 or 2, r is 0, 1 or 2 and q is 0, 1 or 2. In this particular embodiment, X ¹ preferably is -0-. Particular combinations of p, r and q include p=1 , r=0, q=1 ; and p=1 , r=0, q=0. Alternatively, p is 0, r is 3 and q is 1 , with X ¹ preferably being -0-.

According to a further particular embodiment, R ⁹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. methylene or 1 ,3- propylene) that is bound to a carbon atom in X ¹ and X ¹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2- ethylene) so that R ⁹ and at least part of X ¹ together with the nitrogen atom to which R ⁹ is bound form an N-containing heterocyclic ring having, in particular, 4, 5, 6 or 7 ring member atoms (including the nitrogen atom). With A ² being a bond, such a ring may be represented by the following partial structure:

wherein R ¹ , W, A ¹ and Q are as defined herein, p is 1 or 2, r is 0, 1 or 2 and q is 0, 1 or 2. Particular combinations of p, r and q include p=1 , r=0, q=0.

R ¹⁰ is hydrogen, CrC ₆ -alkyl or CrC ₆ -alkylsulfonyl. Preferably, R ¹⁰ is hydrogen. R ¹¹ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R ¹¹ is hydrogen.

Alternatively, R ⁹ , R ¹¹ together are CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. ethylene). R is hydrogen or Ci-C ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R is hydrogen.

R ¹⁵ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl. Preferably, R ¹⁵ is hydrogen.

Particular embodiments of isoindoline derivatives of the invention result if

R is R ¹ -W-A ¹ -Q-Y-A ² -X ¹ -;

R ¹ is CrC ₆ -alkyl (e.g. ethyl or n-propyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl (e.g. cyclo- propylmethyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclobutyl), or optionally substituted C ₃ -Ci ₂ - heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-pyridyl, 1 -methyl-1 ,2-diazol-4-yl, 1 -methyl-1 ,3-diazol-4-yl, 3- oxetanyl, 1 -methyl-pyrrol-3-yl);

W is a bond;

A ¹ is a bond;

Q is -S(0) ₂ -;

Y is -NR ⁹ - or a bond;

A ² is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2-ethylene) or a bond;

X ¹ is -O- or optionally substituted CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. methylene, 1 ,2-ethylene or 1 ,3- propylene);

R ² is hydrogen or halogen (e.g. fluorine);

R ³ is hydrogen or CrC ₆ -alkyl, or two radicals R ³ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbonyl group;

R ⁴ is hydrogen, d-C ₆ -alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl or n-propyl), C ₃ -Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl-Ci-C ₄ -alkyl

(e.g. cyclopropylmethyl), halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl (e.g. 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoroeth-2-yl), C ₃ -

Ci ₂ -cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl), (halogenated CrC ₄ -alkyl)carbonyl (e.g. trifluoro- methylcarbonyl), or C ₃ -Ci ₂ -heterocyclyl (e.g. 3-oxetanyl);

X ² is >CR ^12a R ^12b ;

X ³ is a bond;

R ⁵ is optionally substituted phenyl (e.g. phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3- fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4- chlorophenyl) or optionally substituted pyridyl (e.g. 2-pyridyl);

R ⁹ is hydrogen, or

R ⁹ is CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. methylene) that is bound to a carbon atom in X ¹ and X ¹ is C

C ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,2-ethylene);

R ^12a is hydrogen;

R ^12b is hydrogen; or together are CrC ₄ -alkylene (e.g. 1 ,3-propylene). Further particular compounds of the present invention are the individual isoindoline derivatives of the formula (Id) as listed in the following tables 1 to 12 and physiologically tolerated salts thereof:

Table 1

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is hydrogen and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

Table 2

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-F and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ¹² , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

Table 3

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-CI and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ¹² , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

Table 4

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-CF ₃ and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

Table 5

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 4-F and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

Table 6 Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is hydrogen, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 4-CI and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 7

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is hydrogen and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 8

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-F and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 9

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-CI and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 10

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 3-CF ₃ and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 1 1

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 4-F and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448). Table 12

Compounds of the formula (Id) wherein R ² is 7-F, R ³ is hydrogen, R ¹⁷ is 4-CI and the combination of R ¹ , -Y-A ² -X ¹ -, >CR ^12a R ^12b , R ⁴ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A (A-1 to A-448).

R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-1 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

X

/

A-2. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-3. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-4. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-5. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-6. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-7. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-8. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

X

/

A-9. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-10. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-1 1 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H i Nf R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-12. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-13. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-14. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-15. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

&

/

A-16. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-17. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-18. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

N

A-19. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-20. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-21 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-22. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

/ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-64. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-65. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-66. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-67. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-68. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-69. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-70. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-71 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-72. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-73. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-74. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃ i Nf R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-75. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-76. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-77. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-78. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-79. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-80. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-81 . -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-82. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-83. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-84. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-85. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₃

X

/ tin R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-1 17. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-1 18. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-1 19. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-120. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

&

/

A-121 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-122. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-123. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-124. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-125. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-126. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-127. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

/ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-128. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-129. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-130. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-131 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-132. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-133. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-134. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-135. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-136. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-137. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-138. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

I R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-170. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-171 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-172. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-173. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-174. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-175. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-176. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-177. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-178. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-179. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-180. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

I R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-181 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-182. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-183. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/

A-184. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-185. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-186. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-187. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ - CH ₂ CH ₃

A-188. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-189. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-190. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/

A-191 . -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-192. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-193. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-194. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-195. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-196. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-197. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-198. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-199. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-200. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-201 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-202. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-214. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH3

A-215. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH3

A-216. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH3

A-217. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH3

A-218. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-219. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-220. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-221 . -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-222. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

I R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-223. -NH-CH2- -CH2CH2CH ₃

A-224. -NH-CH2- -CH2CH2CH ₃

A-225. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

X

/

A-226. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-227. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-228. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-229. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH2- -H

A-230. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-231 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-232. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

X

/

A-233. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-234. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH2- -H R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-235. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-236. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-237. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-238. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -H

A-239. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-240. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-241 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-242. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-243. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-244. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-245. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-246. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

X

/

A-247. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-248. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

^X

A-249. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-250. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-251 . -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-252. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -H

A-253. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -H

X

/

A-254. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -H

A-255. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -H

^X

A-256. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -H i Nf

R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-287. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-288. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-289. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-290. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

^X

A-291 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-292. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-293. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-294. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-295. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-296. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-297. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-298. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃ i Nf R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-299. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-300. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-301 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-302. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

X

/

A-303. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-304. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-305. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-306. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-307. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-308. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₃

A-309. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₃

X

/ tin R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-341 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-342. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-343. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-344. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/

A-345. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-346. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-347. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-348. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-349. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-350. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-351 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-352. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-353. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-354. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-355. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-356. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-357. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-358. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-359. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-360. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-361 . -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

A-362. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₃

I R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-394. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-395. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-396. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-397. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-398. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-399. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-400. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-401 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-402. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-403. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-404. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

I R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-405. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-406. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -0- -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-407. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/

A-408. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-409. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-410. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-41 1 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ - CH ₂ CH ₃

A-412. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-413. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-414. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

X

/

A-415. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-416. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-417. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-418. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-419. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-420. -NH-CH ₂ - -CH ₂ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-421 . -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-422. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-423. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-424. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-425. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃

A-426. -NH-(CH ₂ ) ₃ - -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ R ¹ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - _{> C R} 12a _R 12b R ⁴

A-447. -NH-CH2- -CH2CH2CH ₃

A-448. -NH-CH2- -CH2CH2CH ₃

ih

Further particular compounds of the present invention are the individual isoindoline derivatives of the formula (Id) as listed in tables 1 to 12 and physiologically tolerated salts thereof wherein the radical R ¹ -S(0) ₂ -Y-A ² -X ¹ - is replaced by the radical -CN.

Further particular compounds of the present invention are the isoindoline derivatives disclosed in preparation examples and physiologically tolerated salts thereof. These include for each preparation example the exemplified compound as well as the corresponding free base and any other physiologically tolerated salts of the free base (if the exemplified com- pound is a salt), or any physiologically tolerated salt of the free base (if the exemplified compound is a free base). These further include enantiomers, diastereomers, tautomers and any other isomeric forms of said compounds, be they explicitly or implicitly disclosed.

The compounds of the formula (I) can be prepared by analogy to methods which are well known in the art. Suitable methods for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) are outlined in the following schemes.

Scheme 1 .

Scheme 2.

Scheme 3.

The acid addition salts of the isoindoline derivatives of formula (I) are prepared in a customary manner by mixing the free base with a corresponding acid, optionally in solution in an organic solvent, for example a lower alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol, an ether, such as methyl tert-butyl ether or diisopropyl ether, a ketone, such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, or an ester, such as ethyl acetate.

The isoindolines derivatives of formula (II):

wherein L is an amino-protecting group, Y is NR ⁹ , and A ² , X ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , X ² , X ³ , R ⁵ are defined as herein are useful as intermediates in the preparation of GlyT1 inhibitors, in particular those of formula (I).

Suitable amino-protecting groups are well known in the art such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J. F. W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973; and T. W. Greene & P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, 1991.

According to a particular embodiment, L is optionally substituted alkylcarbonyl (e.g., tert- butylcarbonyl), optionally substituted arylcarbonyl, optionally substituted arylalkycarbonyl (e.g., benzylcarbonyl), optionally substituted alkoxycarbonyl (e.g., methoxycarbonyl or tert-butyloxycarbonyl), optionally substituted aryloxycarbonyl (e.g. phenoxycarbonyl) or optionally substituted arylalkoxycarbonyl. The compounds of the formula (I) are capable of inhibiting the activity of glycine transporter, in particular glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1 ).

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention as inhibiting the glycine transporter activity, in particular GlyT1 activity, may be demonstrated by method- ology known in the art. For instance, human GlyTI c expressing recombinant

hGlyT1 c_5_CHO cells can be used for measuring glycine uptake and its inhibition (IC ₅₀ ) by a compound of formula (I).

Amongst the compounds of the formula (I) those are preferred which achieve effective inhibition at low concentrations. In particular, compounds of the formula (I) are preferred which inhibit glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1 ) at a level of IC ₅₀ < 1 μΜοΙ, more preferably at a level of IC ₅ o < 0.5 μΜοΙ, particularly preferably at a level of IC ₅ o < 0.2 μΜοΙ and most preferably at a level of IC ₅ o < 0.1 μΜοΙ. The compounds of formula (I) display good to moderate metabolic stability.

The metabolic stability of a compound can be measured for example by incubating a solution of this compound with liver microsomes from particular species (for example rat, dog or human) and determining the half-life of the compound under these conditions (RS Obach, Curr Opin Drug Discov Devel. 2001 , 4, 36-44). It is possible in this connection to conclude from an observed longer half-life that the metabolic stability of the compound is improved. The stability in the presence of human liver microsomes is of particular interest because it makes it possible to predict the metabolic degradation of the compound in the human liver. Compounds with increased metabolic stability (measured in the liver micro- some test) are therefore probably also degraded more slowly in the liver. The slower metabolic degradation in the liver may lead to higher and/or longer-lasting concentrations (active levels) of the compound in the body, so that the elimination half-life of the compounds of the invention is increased. Increased and/or longer-lasting active levels may lead to a better activity of the compound in therapeutic treatment. In addition, an improved metabol- ic stability may lead to an increased bioavailability after oral administration, because the compound is subject, after absorption in the intestine, to less metabolic degradation in the liver (so-called first pass effect). An increased oral bioavailability may, owing to an increased concentration (active level) of the compound, lead to a better activity of the compound after oral administration.

Amongst the compounds of the formula (I) those are particularly preferred which display good to moderate metabolic stability towards human liver microsomes. In particular, com- pounds of the formula (I) are preferred which display a microsomal clearance at a level of mCI < 1000 μΙ/min/mg, more preferably at a level of mCI < 500 μΙ/min/mg, particularly preferably at a level of mCI < 100 μΙ/min/mg and most preferably at a level of mCI < 50 μΙ/min/mg.

The compounds of the formula (I) according to the present invention are thus useful as pharmaceuticals.

The present invention therefore also relates to pharmaceutical compositions which com- prise an inert carrier and a compound of the formula (I).

The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of the formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting the glycine transporter GlyT1 , and to corresponding methods of inhibiting the glycine transporter GlyT1.

The NMDA receptor is central to a wide range of CNS processes, and its role in a variety of diseases in humans or other species has been described. GlyT1 inhibitors slow the removal of glycine from the synapse, causing the level of synaptic glycine to rise. This in turn increases the occupancy of the glycine binding site on the NMDA receptor, which increases activation of the NMDA receptor following glutamate release from the presynaptic terminal. Glycine transport inhibitors and in particular inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT1 are thus known to be useful in treating a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Further, glycine A receptors play a role in a variety of diseases in humans or other species. Increasing extracellular glycine concentrations by inhibiting glycine transport may enhance the activity of glycine A receptors. Glycine transport inhibitors and in particular inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT1 are thus useful in treating a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

The present invention thus further relates to the use of the compounds of the formula (I) for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a neurologic or psychiatric disorder, and to corresponding methods of treating said disorders.

According to a particular embodiment, the disorder is associated with glycinergic or glu- tamatergic neurotransmission dysfunction.

According to a further particular embodiment, the disorder is one or more of the following conditions or diseases: schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder including schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition and substance- induced psychotic disorder, including both the positive and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychoses; cognitive disorders including dementia (associated with Alzhei- mer's disease, ischemia, multi-infarct dementia, trauma, vascular problems or stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, perinatal hypoxia, other general medical conditions or substance abuse); delirium, amnestic disorders or cognitive impairment including age related cognitive decline; anxiety disorders including acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attack, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, substance-induced anxiety disorder and anxiety due to a general medical condition; substance-related disorders and addictive behaviors (including substance-induced delirium, persisting dementia, persisting amnestic disorder, psychotic disorder or anxiety disorder; tolerance, dependence or withdrawal from substances including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics); obesity, bulimia nervosa and compulsive eating disorders; bipolar disorders, mood disorders including depressive disorders; depression including unipolar depression, sea- sonal depression and post-partum depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), mood disorders due to a general medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders; learning disorders, pervasive developmental disorder including autistic disorder, attention deficit disorders including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder; movement disorders, including akine- sias and akinetic-rigid syndromes (including Parkinson's disease, drug-induced parkinsonism, postencephalitic parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, parkinsonism-ALS dementia complex and basal ganglia calcification), medication-induced parkinsonism (such as neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia, neuroleptic- induced acute akathisia, neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia and medication-induced postural tremor), Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, muscular spasms and disorders associated with muscular spasticity or weakness including tremors; dyskinesias [including tremor (such as rest tremor, postural tremor and intention tremor), chorea (such as Sydenham's chorea, Huntington's disease, benign hereditary chorea, neuroacanthocy- tosis, symptomatic chorea, drug-induced chorea and hemiballism), myoclonus (including generalised myoclonus and focal myoclonus), tics (including simple tics, complex tics and symptomatic tics), and dystonia (including generalised dystonia such as iodiopathic dystonia, drug-induced dystonia, symptomatic dystonia and paroxymal dystonia, and focal dystonia such as blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, spas- modic torticollis, axial dystonia, dystonic writer's cramp and hemiplegic dystonia)]; urinary incontinence; neuronal damage including ocular damage, retinopathy or macular degeneration of the eye, tinnitus, hearing impairment and loss, and brain edema; emesis; and sleep disorders including insomnia and narcolepsy. According to a further particular embodiment, the disorder is pain, in particular chronic pain and especially neuropathic pain. Pain can be classified as acute and chronic pain. Acute pain and chronic pain differ in their etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Acute pain, which occurs following tissue injury, is self-limiting, serves as an alert to ongo- ing tissue damage and following tissue repair it will usually subside. There are minimal psychological symptoms associated with acute pain apart from mild anxiety. Acute pain is nociceptive in nature and occurs following chemical, mechanical and thermal stimulation of A-delta and C-polymodal pain receptors. Chronic pain, on the other hand, serves no protective biological function. Rather than being the symptom of tissue damage it is a disease in its own right. Chronic pain is unrelenting and not self-limiting and can persist for years, perhaps decades after the initial injury. Chronic pain can be refractory to multiple treatment regimes. Psychological symptoms associated with chronic pain include chronic anxiety, fear, depression, sleeplessness and impairment of social interaction. Chronic non-malignant pain is predominantly neuropathic in nature and involves damage to either the peripheral or central nervous systems.

Acute pain and chronic pain are caused by different neuro-physiological processes and therefore tend to respond to different types of treatments. Acute pain can be somatic or visceral in nature. Somatic pain tends to be a well localised, constant pain and is described as sharp, aching, throbbing or gnawing. Visceral pain, on the other hand, tends to be vague in distribution, paroxysmal in nature and is usually described as deep, aching, squeezing or colicky in nature. Examples of acute pain include post-operative pain, pain associated with trauma and the pain of arthritis. Acute pain usually responds to treatment with opioids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Chronic pain, in contrast to acute pain, is described as burning, electric, tingling and shooting in nature. It can be continuous or paroxysmal in presentation. The hallmarks of chronic pain are chronic allodynia and hyperalgesia. Allodynia is pain resulting from a stimulus that normally does not ellicit a painful response, such as a light touch. Hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to normally painful stimuli. Primary hyperalgesia occurs immediately within the area of the injury. Secondary hyperalgesia occurs in the undamaged area surrounding the injury. Examples of chronic pain include complex regional pain syndrome, pain arising from peripheral neuropathies, post-operative pain, chronic fatigue syndrome pain, tension-type headache, pain arising from mechanical nerve injury and severe pain associated with diseases such as cancer, metabolic disease, neurotropic viral disease, neurotoxicity, inflammation, multiple sclerosis or any pain arising as a consequence of or associated with stress or depressive illness. Although opioids are cheap and effective, serious and potentially life-threatening side effects occur with their use, most notably respiratory depression and muscle rigidity. In addition the doses of opioids which can be administered are limited by nausea, emesis, con- stipation, pruritis and urinary retention, often resulting in patients electing to receive sub- optimal pain control rather than suffer these distressing side-effects. Furthermore, these side-effects often result in patients requiring extended hospitalisation. Opioids are highly addictive and are scheduled drugs in many territories.

The compounds of formula (I) are particularly useful in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression including unipolar depression, seasonal depression and postpartum depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), learning disorders, pervasive developmental disorder including autistic disorder, attention deficit disorders including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, tic disorders including Tourette's disorder, anxiety disorders including phobia and post traumatic stress disorder, cognitive disorders associated with dementia, AIDS dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, spasticity, myoclonus, muscle spasm, tinnitus and hearing impairment and loss are of particular importance.

Particular cognitive disorders are dementia, delirium, amnestic disorders and cognitive impartment including age-related cognitive decline.

Particular anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disor- der and panic attack.

Particular schizophrenia or psychosis pathologies are paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated schizophrenia and substance-induced psychotic disorder. Particular neurologic disorders that can be treated with the compounds of of the formula (I) include in particular a cognitive disorder such as dementia, cognitive impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Particular psychiatric disorders that can be treated with the compounds of of the formula (I) include in particular an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder such as depression or a bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder.

Within the context of the treatment, the use according to the invention of the compounds of the formula (I) involves a method. In this method, an effective quantity of one or more compounds or the formula (I), as a rule formulated in accordance with pharmaceutical and veterinary practice, is administered to the individual to be treated, preferably a mammal, in particular a human being. Whether such a treatment is indicated, and in which form it is to take place, depends on the individual case and is subject to medical assessment (diagnosis) which takes into consideration signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions which are pre- sent, the risks of developing particular signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions, and other factors. As a rule, the treatment is effected by means of single or repeated daily administration, where appropriate together, or alternating, with other drugs or drug-containing preparations. The invention also relates to the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions for treating an individual, preferably a mammal, in particular a human being. Thus, the compounds of the formula (I) are customarily administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions which comprise an inert carrier (e.g. a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient) together with at least one compound according to the invention and, where appropriate, other drugs. These compositions can, for example, be administered orally, rectally, transdermal- ly, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly or intranasally.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutical formulations are solid medicinal forms, such as powders, granules, tablets, in particular film tablets, lozenges, sachets, cachets, sugar- coated tablets, capsules, such as hard gelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules, suppositories or vaginal medicinal forms, semisolid medicinal forms, such as ointments, creams, hydrogels, pastes or plasters, and also liquid medicinal forms, such as solutions, emulsions, in particular oil-in-water emulsions, suspensions, for example lotions, injection preparations and infusion preparations, and eyedrops and eardrops. Implanted release devices can also be used for administering inhibitors according to the invention. In addition, it is also possible to use liposomes or microspheres.

When producing the compositions, the compounds according to the invention are optionally mixed or diluted with one or more carriers (excipients). Carriers (excipients) can be solid, semisolid or liquid materials which serve as vehicles, carriers or medium for the active compound.

Suitable carriers (excipients) are listed in the specialist medicinal monographs. In addition, the formulations can comprise pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preservatives; antioxidants; antiirri- tants; chelating agents; coating auxiliaries; emulsion stabilizers; film formers; gel formers; odor masking agents; taste corrigents; resin; hydrocolloids; solvents; solubilizers; neutralizing agents; diffusion accelerators; pigments; quaternary ammonium compounds; re- fatting and overfatting agents; raw materials for ointments, creams or oils; silicone deriva- tives; spreading auxiliaries; stabilizers; sterilants; suppository bases; tablet auxiliaries, such as binders, fillers, glidants, disintegrants or coatings; propellants; drying agents; opacifiers; thickeners; waxes; plasticizers and white mineral oils. A formulation in this regard is based on specialist knowledge as described, for example, in Fiedler, H.P., Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe fur Pharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete [Encyclopedia of auxil- iary substances for pharmacy, cosmetics and related fields], 4 ^th edition, Aulendorf: ECV- Editio-Cantor-Verlag, 1996. The compounds of formula (I) may also be suitable for combination with other therapeutic agents.

Thus, the present invention also provides:

i) a combination comprising a compound of formula (I) with one or more further therapeutic agents;

ii) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a combination product as defined in i) above and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient;

iii) the use of a combination as defined in i) above in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a disorder, disease or condition as defined herein;

iv) a combination as defined in i) above for use in treating or preventing a disorder, disease or condition as defined herein;

v) a kit-of-parts for use in the treatment of a disorder, disease or condition as defined herein, comprising a first dosage form comprising a compound of formula (I) and one or more further dosage forms each comprising one or more further therapeutic agents for simultaneous therapeutic administration,

vi) a combination as defined in i) above for use in therapy;

vii) a method of treatment or prevention of a disorder, disease or condition as defined herein comprising administering an effective amount of a combination as defined in i) above;

viii) a combination as defined in i) above for treating or preventing a disorder, disease or condition as defined herein.

The combination therapies of the invention may be administered adjunctively. By adjunc- tive administration is meant the coterminous or overlapping administration of each of the components in the form of separate pharmaceutical compositions or devices. This regime of therapeutic administration of two or more therapeutic agents is referred to generally by those skilled in the art and herein as adjunctive therapeutic administration; it is also known as add-on therapeutic administration. Any and all treatment regimes in which a patient receives separate but coterminous or overlapping therapeutic administration of the compounds of formula (I) and at least one further therapeutic agent are within the scope of the current invention. In one embodiment of adjunctive therapeutic administration as described herein, a patient is typically stabilized on a therapeutic administration of one or more of the components for a period of time and then receives administration of another component.

The combination therapies of the invention may also be administered simultaneously. By simultaneous administration is meant a treatment regime wherein the individual components are administered together, either in the form of a single pharmaceutical composition or device comprising or containing both components, or as separate compositions or devices, each comprising one of the components, administered simultaneously. Such com- binations of the separate individual components for simultaneous combination may be provided in the form of a kit-of-parts.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a psychotic disorder by adjunctive therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one antipsychotic agent. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a psychotic disorder in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one antipsychotic agent. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a psychotic disorder in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one antipsychotic agent.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a psychotic disorder by adjunctive therapeutic administration of at least one antipsychotic agent to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of at least one antipsychotic agent in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a psychotic disorder in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). The inven- tion further provides at least one antipsychotic agent for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a psychotic disorder in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I).

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a psychotic disorder by simultaneous therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) in combination with at least one antipsychotic agent. The invention further provides the use of a combination of compounds of formula (I) and at least one antipsychotic agent in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. The invention further provides a combination of compounds of formula (I) and at least one antipsychotic agent for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. The invention further provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one antipsychotic agent in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one antipsychotic agent in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. The invention further provides the use of at least one antipsychotic agent in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. The invention further provides at least one antipsychotic agent for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of a psychotic disorder. In further aspects, the invention provides a method of treatment of a psychotic disorder by simultaneous therapeutic administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds of formula (I) and at least one mood stabilising or antimanic agent, a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds of formula (I) and at least one mood stabilis- ing or antimanic agent, the use of a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds of formula (I) and at least one mood stabilising or antimanic agent in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a psychotic disorder, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds of formula (I) and at least one mood stabilising or antimanic agent for use in the treatment of a psychotic disorder.

Antipsychotic agents include both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. Examples of antipsychotic drugs that are useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to: butyrophenones, such as haloperidol, pimozide, and droperidol; phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine, mesoridazine, trifluoperazine, perphenazine, fluphenazine, thiflupromazine, prochlorperazine, and acetophenazine; thioxanthenes, such as thiothixene and chlorprothixene; thienobenzodiazepines; dibenzodiazepines; benzisoxazoles; dibenzothiazepines; imidazolidinones; benziso- thiazolyl-piperazines; triazine such as lamotrigine; dibenzoxazepines, such as loxapine; dihydroindolones, such as molindone; aripiprazole; and derivatives thereof that have antipsychotic activity.

Examples of tradenames and suppliers of selected antipsychotic drugs are as follows: clozapine (available under the tradename CLOZARIL®, from Mylan, Zenith Goldline, UDL, Novartis); olanzapine (available under the tradename ZYPREX®, from Lilly); ziprasidone (available under the tradename GEODON®, from Pfizer); risperidone (available under the tradename RISPERDAL®, from Janssen); quetiapine fumarate (available under the tradename SEROQUEL®, from AstraZeneca); haloperidol (available under the tradename HALDOL®, from Ortho-McNeil); chlorpromazine (available under the tradename THORAZINE®, from SmithKline Beecham (GSK)); fluphenazine (available under the tradename PROLIXIN®, from Apothecon, Copley, Schering, Teva, and American Pharmaceutical Partners, Pasadena); thiothixene (available under the tradename NAVANE®, from Pfizer); trifluoperazine (10-[3-(4-methyl-1 -piperazinyl)propyl]-2- (trifluoromethyl)phenothiazine di- hydrochloride, available under the tradename STELAZINE®, from Smith Klein Beckman); perphenazine (available under the tradename TRILAFON®; from Schering); thioridazine (available under the tradename MELLARIL®; from Novartis, Roxane, HiTech, Teva, and Alpharma) ; molindone (available under the tradename MOBAN®, from Endo); and loxapine (available under the tradename LOXITANE(D; from Watson). Furthermore, benperidol (Glianimon®), perazine (Taxilan®) or melperone (Eunerpan®) may be used. Other antipsychotic drugs include promazine (available under the tradename SPARINE®), triflur- promazine (available under the tradename VESPRI N®), chlorprothixene (available under the tradename TARACTAN®), droperidol (available under the tradename INAPSINE®), acetophenazine (available under the tradename TINDAL®), prochlorperazine (available under the tradename COMPAZINE®), methotrimeprazine (available under the tradename NOZINAN®), pipotiazine (available under the tradename PIPOTRIL®), ziprasidone, and hoperidone.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease by adjunctive therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease by adjunctive therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a neurodegen- erative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). The invention further provides at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of for- mula (I).

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease by simultaneous therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) in combination with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides the use of a combination of compounds of formula (I) and at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides a combination of compounds of formula (I) and at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Dis- ease. The invention further provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides the use of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease in the manufac- ture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease. The invention further provides at least one agent suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alz- heimer Disease.

Examples of agents suitable for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer Disease that are useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to: cholinesterase inhibitors, agents targeting nicotinic or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, NMDA receptors, amyloid formation, mitochondrial dysfunctions, disease associated cal- pain activity, neuroinflamation, tumor necrosis factor receptors, NF-kappaB, peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma, Apolipoprotein E variant 4 (ApoE4), disease- associated increase of the HPA axis, epileptic discharges, vascular dysfunction, vascular risk factors, and oxidative stress.

Suitable cholinesterase inhibitors which may be used in combination with the compounds of the inventions include for example tacrine, donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine.

Suitable NMDA receptors targeting agents which may be used in combination with the compounds of the inventions include for example memantine.

Suitable agents affecting increased HPA axis activity which may be used in combination with the compounds of the inventions include for example CRF1 antagonists or V1 b antagonists.

In a further aspect therefore, the invention provides a method of treatment of pain by adjunctive therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of pain in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for adjunctive thera- peutic administration for the treatment of pain in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of pain by adjunctive therapeutic administration of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain to a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain in the manufacture of a medicament for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of pain in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I). The invention further provides at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain for adjunctive therapeutic administration for the treatment of pain in a patient receiving therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I).

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treatment of pain by simultaneous therapeutic administration of compounds of formula (I) in combination with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain. The invention further provides the use of a combination of compounds of formula (I) and at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of pain. The invention further provides a combination of compounds of for- mula (I) and at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain for simultaneous therapeutic administration in the treatment of pain. The invention further provides the use of compounds of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain in the treatment of pain. The invention further provides compounds of formula (I) for use for simultaneous therapeutic administration with at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain in the treatment of pain. The invention further provides the use of at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain in the manufacture of a medicament for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of pain. The invention further provides at least one agent suitable for the treatment of pain for simultaneous therapeutic administration with compounds of formula (I) in the treatment of pain.

Examples of agents suitable for the treatment of pain that are useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to: NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs), anticonvulsant drugs such as carbamazepine and gabapentin, sodium channel blockers, anti- depressant drugs, cannabinoids and local anaesthetics.

Suitable agents used in combination with the compounds of the inventions include for example celecoxib, etoricoxib, lumiracoxib, paracetamol, tramadol, methadone, venlafaxine, imipramine, duloxetine, bupropion, gabapentin, pregabalin, lamotrigine, fentanyl, parecox- ib, nefopam, remifentanil, pethidine, diclofenac, rofecoxib, nalbuphine, sufentanil, pethidine, diamorphine and butorphanol. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the compounds according to the invention may advantageously be used in conjunction with one or more other therapeutic agents, for instance, antidepressant agents such as 5HT3 antagonists, serotonin agonists, NK-1 antagonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressants, dopaminergic antidepressants, H3 antagonists, 5HT1A antagonists, 5HT1 B antagonists, 5HT1 D antagonists, D1 agonists, M1 agonists and/or anticonvulsant agents, as well as cognitive enhancers.

Suitable 5HT3 antagonists which may be used in combination of the compounds of the inventions include for example ondansetron, granisetron, metoclopramide.

Suitable serotonin agonists which may be used in combination with the compounds of the invention include sumatriptan, rauwolscine, yohimbine, metoclopramide. Suitable SSRIs which may be used in combination with the compounds of the invention include fluoxetine, citalopram, femoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, indalpine, sertraline, zimeldine.

Suitable SNRIs which may be used in combination with the compounds of the invention include venlafaxine and reboxetine.

Suitable tricyclic antidepressants which may be used in combination with a compound of the invention include imipramine, amitriptiline, chlomipramine and nortriptiline. Suitable dopaminergic antidepressants which may be used in combination with a compound of the invention include bupropion and amineptine.

Suitable anticonvulsant agents which may be used in combination of the compounds of the invention include for example divalproex, carbamazepine and diazepam.

The following examples serve to explain the invention without limiting it.

The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, generally recorded via HPLC- MS in a fast gradient on C18-material (electrospray-ionisation (ESI) mode).

Preparation Examples

The following compounds were obtained using the procedures described herein and in WO 2010/092180 (which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference).

Example 1 : N-[2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-imidazoles- sulfonamide

1 .1 5-Methoxyisoindolin-1 -one

Methanol (53 mL) and NEt ₃ (6.90 mL, 49.5 mmol) were added to 2-bromo-5- methoxybenzonitrile (5.25 g, 24.76 mmol) and Pd-dppf (Heraeus) (0.362 g, 0.495 mmol) in a pressure tube. The mixture was stirred under 60 psi of Carbon Monoxide at 80°C for 8 hr. HPLC analysis (starting material retention time 3.24 min., product retention time 2.82 min.) indicated clean and complete conversion. The obtained solution was concentrated down to a light orange color solid, 6.66g.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 164.1 Calculated for C ₉ H ₉ N0 ₂ = 163.06.

1 .2 tert-Butyl 5-methoxy-1 -oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate

To a round bottom flask were added 5-methoxyisoindolin-1 -one (4.69 g, 22.99 mmol) and dichloromethane (50 mL), then added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.56 g, 4.6 mmol), di-tert- butyl dicarbonate (10.04 g, 46 mmol) and NEt ₃ (4.65 g, 46 mmol) respectively. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Water (30 mL) was added to the reaction mixture, this was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane two more times. The combined organic layer was washed 1 x with saturated NaCI solution. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 25-50% ethyl acetate in hexane, 1.91 g (7.25 mmol, 32%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 264.2 Calculated for 263.29 1 .3 tert-Butyl 3-benzyl-5-methoxy-1 -oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate

Lithium bis(trimethysilyl) amide (4.8 mL, 4.8 mmol, 1 M in THF) was added to a solution of the tert-butyl 5-methoxy-1 -oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate (0.975 g) in THF (7 mL) at -78°C. After stirring the solution at -78°C for 1 hr, benzyl bromide (0.88 mL, 7.41 mmol) was added, this was stirred at -78°C for 1 .5 hours. LC/MS showed complete conversion.

Quenched the reaction mixture with saturated NaCI solution, then extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic layer was washed 1 x with saturated NaCI solution. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 25-40% ethyl acetate in hexane, 0.92 g (2.59 mmol, 70%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 354 Calculated for C ₂ i H ₂₃ N0 ₄ = 353.41

1 .4 3-Benzyl-5-hydroxyisoindolin-1 -one

To a stirred and cold (-5°C- -10°C) solution of tert-butyl 3-benzyl-5-methoxy-1 - oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate (0.92 g, 2.59 mmol) in dichloromethane (9 mL) was added BBr ₃ (7.8 mL, 7.78 mmol) dropwise under N ₂ . This was stirred at -5°C for 3 hours, then room temperature for overnight. TLC showed complete conversion. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water, extracted 3x with dichloromethane. The combined organic layer was washed 1 x with water, 1 x with saturated NaHC0 ₃ , 1 x with saturated NaCI solution, dried over Na ₂ S0 ₄ , concentrated down to a light yellow solid (620 mg, 100%).

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 240.1 Calculated for C15H 13N02 = 239.09 tert-Butyl 2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethylcarbamate

A mixture of 3-benzyl-5-hydroxyisoindolin-1 -one (360 mg, 1.51 mmol), CsC0 ₃ (980 mg, 3.01 mmol) and tert-butyl 2-bromoethylcarbamate (506 mg, 2.26 mmol) in 4 ml. of ace- tonitrile was heated up to 80°C for 4 hours, TLC showed complete conversion. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, then water was add- ed, this was separated. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 100% ethyl acetate, 426 mg (1.1 1 mmol, 74%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 382.9 Calculated for C22H ₂₆ N ₂ 0 ₄ = 382.19 1 .6 5-(2-Aminoethoxy)-3-benzylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride

To tert-butyl 2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethylcarbamate (426 mg, 1 .1 1 mmol) was added 3ml_ of dioxane and 3 ml. of 4N HCI in dioxane at room temperature, this was stirred for 3 hours, then concentrated down to give 5-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-benzylisoindolin- 1 -one hydrochloride as HCI salt (355 mg, 100%).

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 282.3 Calculated for 282.14

1 .7 N-(2-(3-Benzyl-1 -oxoi /-/-imidazole-4-sulfonamide

To 5-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-benzylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride (200 mg, 0.627mmol) in 3 ml. of dichloromethane was added NEt ₃ (0.3 ml_, 2.2 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (7.7 mg, 0.063 mmol) and 1 -methyl-1 H-imidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride (125 mg, 0.69 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was triturated with ethyl acetate first, then triturated with water to give N-(2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl-1 H-imidazole-4-sulfonamide as a white solid (21 1 mg, 79%).

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427.1 Calculated for C ₂ iH ₂₂ N ₄ 0 ₄ S= 426.14

Example 2: N-[(3-Benzyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)methyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-imidazole-4- sulfonamide

2.1 3-Benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin- -yl 1 ,1 ,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1 -sulfonate

To a solution of nonafluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride (712 mg, 2.36 mmol) and NEt ₃ (0.49 mL, 3.54 mmol) in 3 mL of dichloromethane was added 3-benzyl-5-hydroxyisoindolin-1 - one (example 1.4, 282 mg, 1.18 mmol) in 2 mL of dichloromethane slowly. This reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for overnight. TLC showed complete conversion, the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 30-80% ethyl acetate in hexane, 474 mg (77%) of the product was obtained. ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 522.0 Calculated for 521.03

3-Benzyl-1 -oxoisoindoline-5-carbonitrile

To a round bottom flask was added 12 mL of DMF. This was degassed with N ₂ for 10 min and then added 3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yl 1 ,1 ,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1 - sulfonate (609 mg, 1 .17 mmol), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (214 mg, 0.23 mmol), 1 ,1 '-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (142 mg, 0.26 mmol) and zinc (30.6 mg, 0.47 mmol) respectively. This was heated up to 100°C for 15 min under N ₂ , then added Zinc cyanide (82 mg, 0.70 mmol). This was heated at 100°C for 2.5 hours, LC/MS showed complete conversion. The reaction mixture was cooled down to room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate, then filtered through a pad of celite, the filtrate was concentrated down and the residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 30-90% ethyl acetate in hexane, 125 mg (43%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M-H ⁺ ] = 247.1 Calculated for 248.09

5-(Aminomethyl)-3-benzylis

To a solution of 3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindoline-5-carbonitrile (190 mg, 0.77 mmol) in MeOH (4 mL) was added cobalt(ll) chloride hexahydrate (364 mg, 1.53 mmol), then added NaBH ₄ ( 232 mg, 6.12 mmol) in portions carefully within 45 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min, TLC showed complete conversion. Carefully quenched reaction by adding concentrated HCI until the black precipitates dissolved. The reaction mixture was basified with concentrated NH ₄ OH until pH=8-9, a brown colour slurry was ob- tained, diluted with ethyl acetate. This was filtered, for filtrate, washed 1x with water. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 5-10%MeOH in dichloromethane (0.5% NEt ₃ added), 80 mg (41 %) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 253.1 Calculated for 252.13

2.4 N-((3-Benzyl-1 -oxoisoind /-/-imidazole-4-sulfonamide

H ₃

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 1.7 by substituting 5-(aminomethyl)-3-benzylisoindolin-1 -one for 5-(2- aminoethoxy)-3-benzylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride. 77.4 mg (62%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 397.0 Calculated for C ₂ oH ₂ oN ₄ 0 ₃ S= 396.13 Example 3: [2-(3-Benzyl-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-yloxy)-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert- butyl ester

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 383 Calculated for C ₂ 2H ₂₆ N ₂ 0 ₄ = 382 Example 4: N-[(3-Benzylisoindolin-5-yl)methyl]-1 -methyl-1 H-imidazole-4-sulfonamide

H ₃ C

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 5 by substituting N-(2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yl)methyl)-1 -methyl-1 H- imidazole-4-sulfonamide for N-(2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl-1 H- imidazole-4-sulfonamide. 1.8mg (2.7%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 383.0 Calculated for C ₂₀ H ₂₂ N ₄ O ₂ S= 382.15

Example 5: N-[2-(3-Benzylisoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-imidazole-4-sulfonamide

To a solution of N-(2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl-1 H-imidazole-4- sulfonamide (example 1.7, 1 1 1 mg, 0.26 mmol) in dry THF (1.6 mL) was added borane dimethyl sulfide complex (0.78 mL, 1 .56 mmol, 2M in THF) under N ₂ . The reaction mixture was heated up to 65°C for 7 hours, then stirred at room temperature for overnight.

Quenched reaction by carefully addition of 0.5 N HCI (0.5 mL) solution and the mixture was refluxed for 2 hours, then basified the reaction mixture with 1 N NaOH aqueous to pH=8-9, extracted 2x with ethyl acetate, this was separated. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash- chromatography on silica gel with 5-10%MeOH in DCM (0.5% NEt ₃ added), 22.2 mg (21 %) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 413.1 Calculated for C ₂ iH ₂₄ N ₄ 0 ₃ S= 412.16

Example 6: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-pyrazole-4- sulfonamide

H

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427 Calculated for C ₂ iH ₂₂ N ₄ 0 ₄ S = 426

Example 7: N-[2-(3-Benzylisoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 413 Calculated for C21 H24N4O ₃ S = 412

Example 8: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 H-

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 441 Calculated for C22H24N4O4S = 440 Example 9: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole- 4-sulfonamide

H

9.1 tert-Butyl 1 -benzyl-6-methoxy-1 -methyl-3-oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate

Lithium bis(trimethysilyl) amide (5.04 mL, 5.04 mmol, 1 M in THF) was added to a solution of the tert-butyl 3-benzyl-5-methoxy-1 -oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate (example 1.3, 890 mg, 2.52 mmol) in THF (8 mL) at -78°C. After stirring the solution at -78°C for 1 hr, iodome- thane (465 mg, 3.27 mmol) was added, this was stirred at -78°C for 1 .5 hours. LC/MS showed complete conversion. Quenched the reaction mixture with saturated NaCI solution, then extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic layer was washed 1 x with saturated NaCI solution. The organic phase was dried on Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by flash-chromatography on silica gel with 25-40% ethyl acetate in hexane, 750 mg (2.04 mmol, 81 %) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 368.0 Calculated for C ₂₂ H ₂₅ N0 ₄ = 367.18

9.2 3-Benzyl-5-hydroxy-3-methylis

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in ample 1.4 by substituting tert-butyl 1 -benzyl-6-methoxy-1 -methyl-3-oxoisoindoline-2- carboxylate for tert-butyl 3-benzyl-5-methoxy-1 -oxoisoindoline-2-carboxylate. 530 mg (100%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 254.13 Calculated for 253.29

9.3 tert-Butyl 2-(3-benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethylcarbamate

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 1.5 by substituting 3-benzyl-5-hydroxy-3-methylisoindolin-1 -one for 3-benzyl-5- hydroxyisoindolin-1 -one, 610 mg (73.5%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 397.1 Calculated for C ₂ 3H ₂₈ N ₂ 0 ₄ = 396.20

9.4 5-(2-Aminoethoxy)-3-benzyl-3-methylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 1.6 by substituting tert-butyl 2-(3-benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5- yloxy)ethylcarbamate for tert-butyl 2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethylcarbamate, 538 mg (100%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 297.1 Calculated for C1 ₈ H21CIN2O2 = 296.15 -(2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 1.7 by substituting 5-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-benzyl-3-methylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride for 5-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-benzylisoindolin-1 -one hydrochloride, 1 12 mg (76%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 441.2 Calculated for C ₂₂ H ₂₄ N ₄ 0 ₄ S = 440.15

Example 10: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-pyrazole-4- sulfonamide

The title compound was prepared using the same sequence of steps as described in example 5 by substituting N-(2-(3-benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl- 1 H-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide for N-(2-(3-benzyl-1 -oxoisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -methyl-1 H- imidazole-4-sulfonamide, 41 .5 mg (40%) of the product was obtained.

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427.1 Calculated for C22H2 ₆ N4O ₃ S = 426.17

Example 1 1 : N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-imidazole-4- sulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427 Calculated for C22H2 ₆ N4O ₃ S = 426

Example 12: N-[2-[3-Benzyl-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)isoindolin-5-yl]oxye thyl]-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-sulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 509 Calculated for C2 ₃ H2 ₃ F ₃ N4O4S = 509

Example 13: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-2-methyl-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-pyrazole-4- sulfonamide; 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427 Calculated for C22H2 ₆ N4O ₃ S = 426

Example 14: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-2-methyl-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 /-/-imidazole-4- sulfonamide; 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 427 Calculated for C22H2 ₆ N4O ₃ S = 426

Example 15: N-[2-[3-Benzyl-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)isoindolin-5-yl]oxyet hyl]-1 -methyl-1 H- pyrazole-4-sulfonamide; 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 495 Calculated for C2 ₃ H2 ₅ F ₃ N4O ₃ S = 494

Example 16: N-[2-[3-Benzyl-2-(oxetan-3-yl)isoindolin-5-yl]oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 H-pyrazole- 4-sulfonamide; 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 469 Calculated for C24H2 ₈ N4O4S = 468

Example 17: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -cyclopropyl- methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 415 Calculated for C22H2 ₆ N2O4S = 414

Example 18: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -cyclopropyl- methanesulfonamide; 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 401 Calculated for C22H2 ₈ N2O ₃ S = 400 Example 19: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-6-fluoro-1 -oxo-isoindolin-5-yl)oxyethyl]-1 -methyl-1 H- imidazole-4-sulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 443 Calculated for C21 H21 FN4O4S = 444

Example 20: N-(2-(3-Benzyl-6-fluoro-2-methylisoindolin-5-yloxy)ethyl)-1 -cyclopropyl methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 419 Calculated for C22H2 ₇ FN2O ₃ S = 418 Example 21 : 1 -Methyl-1 H-imidazole-4-sulfonic acid [2-(3-benzyl-6-fluoro-2,3-dihydro- 1 H-isoindol-5-yloxy)-ethyl]-amide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 430 Calculated for C21 H2 ₃ FN4O ₃ S = 431 Example 22: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-6-fluoro-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-yloxy)-ethyl]-C- cyclopropyl-methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 418 Calculated for C21 H2 ₃ FN2O4S = 419

Example 23: N-[2-(3-Benzyl-6-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-yloxy)-ethyl]-C- cyclopropyl-methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 404 Calculated for C ₂ i H2 ₅ FN ₂ 0 ₃ S = 405 Example 24: Ethanesulfonic acid [2-(3-benzyl-6-fluoro-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 /-/-isoindol- 5-yloxy)-ethyl]-amide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 392 Calculated for C1 ₉ H21 FN2O4S = 393

Example 25: Ethanesulfonic acid [2-(3-benzyl-6-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1 /-/-isoindol-5- yloxy)-ethyl]-amide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 378 Calculated for C1 ₉ H23FN2O ₃ S = 379

Example 26: N-(3-Benzyl-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 /-/-isoindol-5-ylmethyl)-C-cyclopropyl- methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 370 Calculated for C2 ₀ H22N2O ₃ S = 371 Example 27: Ethanesulfonic acid (3-benzyl-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-ylmethyl)- amide

344 Calculated for C1 ₈ H2 ₀ N2O ₃ S = 345

Propane-1 -sulfonic acid (3-benzyl-1 -oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 358 Calculated for C1 ₉ H22N2O ₃ S = 359

Example 29: N-(3-Benzyl-2,3-dihydro-1 H-isoindol-5-ylmethyl)-C-cyclopropyl- methanesulfonamide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 356 Calculated for C ₂ oH ₂ 4N ₂ 0 ₂ S = 357 Example 30: Ethanesulfonic acid (3-benzyl-2,3-dihydro-1 /-/-isoindol-5-ylmethyl)-amide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 330 Calculated for Ci ₈ H ₂₂ N ₂ 0 ₂ S = 331

Example 31 : Propane-1 -sulfonic acid (3-benzyl-2,3-dihydro-1 /-/-isoindol-5- amide

ESI-MS [M+H ⁺ ] = 344 Calculated for Ci ₉ H ₂₄ N ₂ 0 ₂ S = 345

Biological testing

1 . [ ³ H]-Glycine uptake into recombinant CHO cells expressing human GlyT1 :

Human GlyTI c expressing recombinant hGlyT1 c_5_CHO cells were plated at 20,000 cells per well in 96 well Cytostar-T scintillation microplates (Amersham Biosciences) and cultured to sub-confluency for 24 h. For glycine uptake assays the culture medium was aspirated and the cells were washed once with 100 μΙ HBSS (Gibco BRL, #14025-050) with 5 mM L-Alanine (Merck #1007). 80 μΙ HBSS buffer were added, followed by 10 μΙ inhibitor or vehicle (10% DMSO) and 10 μΙ [ ³ H]-glycine (TRK71 , Amersham Biosciences) to a final concentration of 200 nM for initiation of glycine uptake. The plates were placed in a Wal- lac Microbeta (PerkinElmer) and continuously counted by solid phase scintillation spec- trometry during up to 3 hours. Nonspecific uptake was determined in the presence of 10 μΜ Org24598. IC ₅₀ calculations were made by four-parametric logistic nonlinear regression analysis (GraphPad Prism) using determinations within the range of linear increase of [ ³ H]-glycine incorporation between 60 and 120 min.

2. Radioligand binding assays using recombinant CHO cell membranes expressing human GlyT1 :

Radioligand binding to human GlyTI c transporter-expressing membranes was determined as described in Mezler et al., Molecular Pharmacology 74:1705-1715, 2008.

The following results were obtained with the compounds disclosed in the examples:

Example radioligand binding K _iap p [μηιοΙ]

1 <1

2 <1

3 >10

4 <1

5 <0.1

6 <10

7 <0.1

8 <10

9 <10

10 <0.1

1 1 <0.1

12 <1

13 <0.01

14 <0.1

15 <1

16 <0.1

17 <10

18 <1

19 <1

20 <1

21 <0.1

22 <10

23 <1

24 <10

25 <10

26 <10

28 <10 29 <10

30 <100

31 <10

3. Metabolic stability

Metabolic stability was determined as follows:

0.5 μΜ test substance was preincubated together with human liver microsomes (0.25 mg of microsomal protein/ml) in 0.05 M potassium phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 in microtiter plates at 37°C for 5 min. The reaction was started by adding NADPH ( 1 .0 mM). After 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min, 65 μΙ aliquots were removed, and the reaction was immediately stopped and cooled with twice the amount of ethanol. The samples were frozen until analyzed. The remaining concentration of undegraded test substance was determined by LC MSMS. The half-life (T1/2) was determined from the gradient of the signal of test substance/unit time plot, allowing to calculate the half-life of the test substance, assuming first order kinetics, from the decrease in the concentration of the compound with time. The microsomal clearance (mCI) was calculated from mCI = ln2/T1/2 / (content of microsomal protein in mg/ml) ^χ 1000 (modified from references: Di, The Society for Biomolecular Screening, 2003, 453-462; Obach, DMD, 1999 vol 27. N 1 1 , 1350-1359).

The following results were obtained with the compounds disclosed in the examples:

Example human mCI [μΙ/min/mg]

5 < 1

7 < 10

4 < 1