Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a novel method of preparing clonidine derivatives. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing clonidine derivatives which is shorter, less expensive and safer than the previously known methods. The present invention also relates to new thiourea complexes found as intermediates in the novel method of preparing clonidine derivatives, and the discovery that these new thiourea complexes can be directly cyclized.

Clonidine derivatives have been known for many years. Timmermans et al., Recueil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays-Bas. volume 97, page 51 (1978), first reported the synthesis of 4-nitroclonidine. Later, Leclerc, Bulletin de la Societe Chimique de France, page 520 (1979), used the same methodology to synthesize 4- nitroclonidine and reported reduction of this compound to 4-aminoclonidine (apraclonidine) using Fe/HCI. Counsell, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, volume 30, page 1214 (1987) also reported the synthesis of 4-aminoclonidine by the same route.

The methods of Timmermans et al. and Leclerc were found to be unworkable for large scale syntheses, so alternate methods were developed. These methods are described in detail in United States Patent No. 4,515,800 (Cavero et al.) and United

States Patent No. 4,517,199 (York). The methods described in these patents are long and complicated, involving several steps of protection, deprotection and purification. In addition, the reagents used in these syntheses are hazardous, extremely corrosive to the equipment involved, and represent a disposal problem.

Summary of the Invention

A novel process for preparing certain clonidine derivatives has now been unexpectedly discovered which is shorter, less expensive and safer than the previously known methods.

More specifically, the present novel process for preparing clonidine derivatives involves the discovery of a new thiourea complex which will undergo direct cyclization to produce a nitroaryl iminoheterocycle. Previous literature references have taught that displacement reactions on unactivated thioureas are difficult if not impossible. Therefore, previous references have provided for the activation of the thiocarbonyl group of thioureas, via three alternative methods: (a) s-alkylation; (b) oxidation at sulfur to an amidino sulfinic or sulfonic acid; or (c) heavy metal catalysis (lead, copper or mercury salts). See for example Counsell, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, volume 30, page 1241 (1987), and Belgian Patent No. 872581 (1979). The present invention avoids the need for such thiourea activations, and more simply, provides a process whereby direct cyclization of the novel thiourea complex to the nitroaryl iminoheterocycle is obtained.

In particular, the present invention makes use of a novel process for direct cyclization of an nitroaryl-ω-amino thiourea by addition of a base, preferably an alkyl- α,ω-diamine or metal hydroxide in a solvent at reflux:

Detailed Description of the Invention

The novel process of the present invention comprises six steps, which are outlined below: SCHEME 1

STEP l: Ojrt-Ar-NHj Ϊ^SSΞ^—*. OjN-Ar— M=C=S O

(ID

STEP 5:

STEP 6: RccryitaUzattM ft M Watcr wherein:

Ar is an aryl group, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, which is either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more groups, such as CI, F, Br, I, C, to C ₄ alkyl, aryl, C, to C ₄ alkoxy or arylalkoxy;

NO ₂ is in the para or ortho position; and n is 1 to 4.

In Step 1 , a substituted or unsubstituted o- or p-nitroarylamine is converted to the corresponding nitroarylisothiocyanate by the addition of thiophosgene in a solvent such as toluene or water at reflux.

Step 2 involves the conversion of the nitroarylisothiocyanate to the corresponding ω-aminoalkylnitroarylthiourea, alkyl-α,ω-diamine solvate. This conversion is accomplished by slowly adding the isothiocyanate to an alkyl-α,ω- diamine in a solvent at or below room temperature. The product of Step 2, the ω- aminoalkyl nitroarylthiourea, alkyl-α,ω-diamine solvate (π), is a newly discovered complex.

(ID

ln Step 3, the novel product complex (II) of Step 2 is cyclized directly to the corresponding heterocyclic product by heating the complex in a solvent at reflux.

This nitroaryl product (m) is then converted in Step 4 to the corresponding aminoaryl dihydrochloride (BO by reaction with hydrogen, catalyzed by Raney nickel in an alcoholic solvent, and then followed by addition of HCI. The dihydrochloride is subsequently converted to the monohydrochloride (y_) in Step 5 and the product recrystallized from water in Step 6. Other reductions such as iron/acid or tin chloride or hydrogen with other catalysts can also be used.

In the alternative, the non-complexed ω-aminoalkyl nitroarylthiourea (vπ) can be cyclized by the addition of a base (such as diaminoalkanes, imidazoles, metal hydroxides, metal alkoxides or metal carbonates) in a solvent at reflux (Step 3.1).

It is important to note that heating the uncompiexed thiourea (vπ) in the absence of an added base provides none of the desired heterocyclic product. The nitroaryliminoheterocycle product (in), of this alternative synthetic route, can then be reduced to the amine (DO, neutralized and recrystallized as in Steps 4, 5 and 6 above, in order to achieve Step 3.1 , the nitroarylthiourea free base (vπ) is first isolated from the alkyl α,ω-diamine solvate (U) as illustrated below:

SCHEME 2

(ID (YD

• _* ■-*•- -*" .*

• HCI STEP II: αα> GOD

In Step I, dissolution of the complex (π) is obtained by forming the HCI salt (YJ) of the nitroarylthiourea. This is accomplished by suspending the complex (U) in methanol, adding HCI gas until the mixture reaches a pH of about 1-2, and then filtering the resultant salt.

The filtered HCI salt (yj) is converted to the nitrophenylthiourea free base (vπ ⁾ . in Step π, by suspending the (yj) in dichloromethane and triethylamine. The mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 4 hours resulting in the free base

In a preferred method, Step I is followed, but simultaneous neutralization and cyclization are then obtained by the addition of sodium hydroxide and water to (YJ), yielding (m).

The novel process of the present invention is particularly useful in the preparation of p-aminoclonidine (apraclonidine). Scheme 1A sets forth the general novel process for the synthesis of p-aminoclonidine:

SCHEME 1A

STEP ^1a

S M N-iQh ilar.

STEP 5a

STEP 6a Rβciystallization from water

In Step 1a, 2,6-Dichloro-4-nitroaniline is converted to 2,6-Dichloro-4- nitrophenyl-isothiocyanate (1) by the addition of thiophosgene in a solvent such as toluene according to the method described in Great Britain Patent No. 1 ,131 ,780 (Beck et al.).

Step 2a involves the conversion of (1) to 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4- nitrophenyl)-thiourea, ethylenediamine solvate. This conversion is accomplished by

slowly adding the isothiocyanate to ethylenediamine in a solvent at or below room temperature. The product of Step 2a, 1 -(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)- thiourea, ethylenediamine solvate (2), is a newly discovered complex.

The product (2) can be isolated as a dry non-crystalline solid. NMR Analysis of this solid results in the observation of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)- thiourea and the ethylenediamine together, while analysis of the 1 -(2-aminoethyl)-3- (2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)-thiourea free base (7) (see Scheme 2A) demonstrates only the free base. Furthermore, it has been observed that the reaction of 2 molar equivalents of the ethylenediamine with 1 molar equivalent of the isothiocyanate is necessary for the complete conversion of the isothiocyanate to the thiourea. As such, a 1 :1 molar ratio of 2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl-isothiocyanate:ethylenediamine results only in a one-half molar equivalent of the complex (2) and one-half molar equivalent of unreacted isothiocyanate.

In Step 3a, the novel product complex (2) of Step 2a is cyclized directly to the nitroclonidine product by heating the complex in a solvent at reflux.

This nitroclonidine (3) is then converted in Step 4a to 4-aminoclonidine dihydrochloride (4) by reaction with hydrogen, catalyzed by Raney nickel in an alcoholic solvent, and then followed by addition of HCI. The dihydrochloride is subsequently converted to the monohydrochloride (jjQ in Step 5a and the product recrystallized from water in Step 6a. Other reductions such as iron/acid or tin chloride or hydrogen with other catalysts can also be used.

ln the alternative, non-complexed 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4- nitrophenyl)-thiourea (7) can be cyclized by the addition of a base (such as diaminoalkanes, imidazoles, metal hydroxides, metal alkoxides or metal carbonates) in a solvent at reflux (Step 3.1a).

thiourea free base nitroclonidine

(uncoπplexed)

It is important to note that heating the uncomplexed thiourea (7) in the absence of an added base provides none of the desired heterocyclic product. The nitroclonidine product (3), of this alternative synthetic route, can then be reduced to the amine (4), neutralized and recrystallized as in Steps 4a, 5a and 6a above. In order to achieve Step 3.1a, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)- thiourea free base (7_) is first isolated from the ethylenediamine solvate (2) is illustrated in Scheme 2A below:

SCHEME 2A

ride

STE

In Step la, dissolution of the complex (2) is obtained by forming the HCI salt (fi) of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)-thiourea. This is accomplished by suspending the complex (2) in methanol, adding HCI gas until the mixture reaches a pH of about 1-2, and then filtering the resultant salt.

The filtered HCI salt (£) is converted to the 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2,6-Dichloro-4- nitrophenyl)-thiourea free base (7), in Step Ila, by suspending (£) in dichloromethane and triethylamine. The mixture is stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 4 hours resulting in the free base (7). In a preferred method, Step la is followed, but simultaneous neutralization and cyclization are then obtained by the addition of sodium hydroxide and water to (£), yielding (3).

In the examples below, the following standard abbreviations are used: eq = molar equivalents; g = grams (mg = milligrams); L = liters; M = molar; N = normal; mol = moles (mmol = millimoles); ml_ = milliliters; mm Hg = millimeters of mercury; mp = melting point; and psi = pounds per square inch. In addition, "NMR" refers to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, "IR" refers to infrared spectroscopy, "MS" refers to mass spectroscopy, "TLC" refers to thin layer chromatography, and "R _f " refers to the distance a compound migrates up a thin layer chromatographic plate relative to the solvent front.

EXAMPLE 1 : Synthesis of p-Aminoclonidine (Apraclonidine)

A: Conversion of 2.6-Dichloro-4-nitroaniline to 2.6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl- isothiocyanate C\)

A 12-L, 3-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a

5 thermometer and a condenser connected to a 6-L water trap was charged sequentially with 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (500 g, 2.42 mol), toluene (5 L), thiophosgene (500 g,

4.35 mol), and dimethylformamide (5 mL, 0.065 mol). The mixture was heated to reflux over 1 hour and maintained at reflux for 4 hours. The black solution obtained was cooled over 15 hours to 23°C. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation o and the residual black oil was triturated with hexane (2 L), causing crystallization.

After chilling for an hour, the rust-colored solid was collected by filtration, washed with hexane (1 L), and dried in the air at ambient temperature to a constant weight of 437 g (73%) of (1). (This material was of adequate purity to be used in the subsequent reaction; however, (1) can also be recrystallized in high yield from hexane.) The s hexane filtrate was evaporated and the residue was dried under high vacuum for 15 hours, causing partial crystallization. The material was triturated with hexane (1 L) and collected by filtration. Recrystallization from hexane provided a second crop of

(1) weighing 88.5 g. The total yield was 525.5 g (87%).

A sample purified by flash chromatography on silica followed by recrystallization o from hexane provided yellow needles with the following physical characteristics: mp: 74-77°C

¹ H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ 8.23 (s, 2H)

IR (KBr): 2000, 1550, 1300 cm ^"1

MS (Cl) m/z: 249 (M+1) 5 Calculated for: C ₇ H ₂ CI ₂ N ₂ O ₂ S: C, 33.75; H, 0.81 ; N, 1 1 .25; S, 12.87.

Found: C, 33.84; H, 0.79; N, 11.25; S, 12.96.

B: Conversion of 2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl-isothiocyanate . to 1-(2-aminoethvn- 3-(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)-thiourea. ethylenediamine solvate (2)

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 12-L, 3-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer and a l-L addition funnel was charged with toluene (4 L) and ethylenediamine (244 mL, 3.66 mol, 2.1 eq). The solution was cooled to 0°C using an ice/2-propanol bath, and a solution of (1) (432 g, 1.73 mol) in toluene (2 L) was added dropwise over 2 hours. 2-Propanol (1 L) was added and, after 5 minutes, the solid was collected by filtration, washed with 20% 2-propanol/toluene, and dried in air at ambient temperature to a constant weight of 602 g (94%, based on a stoichiometric ratio of the thiourea to ethylenediamine and a molecular weight of 369) of product complex (2). This product is hygroscopic and should be protected from air during drying and storage.

Due to the heat sensitive nature of this complex, the following characterization data is on material which was dried at ambient temperature and pressure: mp: 120°C (dec)

¹ H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d ₆ ): δ 8.07 (s, 2 H), 4.26 (bs, 8 H), 3.33 (t,

2 H, J = 6 Hz), 2.84 (t, 2 H, J = 6 Hz), 2.63 (s, 4 H) IR (KBr): 1490, 1300, 1140, 1200 cm ¹ MS (Cl) m/r. 309 (M+1), 275, 207, 103 Calculated for: C ₉ H ₁₀ CI ₂ N ₄ O ₂ S ■ 0.6 C ₂ H ₈ N ₂ ; C, 35.48; H, 4.32; N,

21.10; S, 9.29. Found: C, 35.32; H, 4.49; N, 21.13; S, 9.07.

C: Conversion of 1 - ⁽ 2-aminoethyl.-3-(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenylHhiourea. ethylenediamine solvate (2) to 2-f(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.iminolimidazolidine (3^ A 12-L, 3-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a bottom drain, a mechanical stirrer, a thermometer and a condenser was charged with (2) (500 g, 1.35 mol) and toluene (4 L), and the suspension was heated at reflux for 15 hours. During this time, the color of the suspension changed from rust to bright yellow. The mixture was cooled to 23°C and 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid (4 L) was added. After stirring for

10 minutes, the biphasic mixture was filtered through Celite® to remove a sticky, insoluble material. The flask was washed simultaneously with ethyl acetate (2 L) and 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid (1 L) to remove the remaining insoluble material and the wash was filtered and added to the original toluene/aqueous mixture. The phases were split and the aqueous was neutralized to pH 7.0 using 50% (w/w) sodium hydroxide. After stirring for 1 hour, the yellow solid was collected by filtration, washed with water (4 L) and t-butyl methyl ether (2 L), and dried in air at ambient temperature to a constant weight of 195 g (52%) of (3).

A sample (1.0 g) was recrystallized from ethanol to provide 0.9 g of yellow crystals exhibiting the following physical characteristics: mp: 289-292°C

¹ H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO- _s ): δ 8.13 (s, 2H), 6.70 (s, 2H), 3.39 (s, 4H) IR (KBr): 3390, 1633, 1556, 1447, 1311 , 1267, 1144 cm ^"1 MS (Cl) m/z: 275 (M+1) Calculated for: C ₉ H ₈ CI ₂ N ₄ O ₂ : C, 39.29; H, 2.93; N, 20.37.

Found: C, 39,37; H, 2.92; N, 20.40.

D: Conversion of 2-[(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)imino]imidazolidine (3) to 2-[(2.6- dichloro-4-aminophenymminolimidazolidine dihydrochloride (4)

A 2-gallon, stainless steel pressure reactor with a glass liner was charged with (3) (150 g, 0.55 mol), methanol (1.5 L), and Raney nickel catalyst (30 g). Raney nickel was obtained as a suspension in water at pH 10; however, before use, the material was washed with water (5 X 300 mL) and methanol (3 X 300 mL). The pH of the final water wash was 7.0.

The vessel was sealed and charged with hydrogen to 50 psi and the mixture was stirred at 23°C for 22 hours. The resulting suspension was filtered through Celite® to remove the catalyst and the pad was washed well with methanol. The combined filtrate and washings were placed in a 10-L rotary evaporator flask and hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled into the solution until the pH of the reaction mixture was 1.0. Eighty grams (2.2 mol) of hydrogen chloride were discharged from the tank. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation and the residual solid was

slurried with 2-propanol (1 L). The solvent was again removed by rotary evaporation and the cream-colored solid was triturated with 2-propanol (600 mL). After aging for 1 hour, the solid was collected by filtration, washed with 2-propanol and t-butyl methyl ether, and dried for 15 hours at 60°C and 20 mm Hg to provide 167 g (96%) of (4). mp: 260°C (dec)

¹ H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-αf _e ): δ 10.22 (bs, 1 H, exchangeable), 8.39 (bs, 2H, exchangeable), 7.58 (bs, 3H, exchangeable), 6.81 (s, 2H), 3.64 (s, 4H) IR (KBr): 3130, 2880, 1644, 1589 cnrϊ ¹ MS (Cl) m/z: 245 (M+1).

E: Conversion of 2-[(2.6-dichloro-4-aminophenyhimino]imidazolidine dihydrochloride (4) to 2-[(2.6-dichloro-4-aminophenyl)imino1imidazolidine hvdrochloride (5)

A 5-L, 3-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and a thermometer was charged with (4) (150 g, 0.47 mol) and water (5 L). The pH of the suspension was adjusted to 6.5 by adding 5 M aqueous sodium hydroxide dropwise, and the resulting suspension was cooled to 5°C for 2 hours. The off-white solid was collected by filtration, washed with water (2 L) and t-butyl methyl ether (1 L), and dried for 24 hours at 60°C and 20 mm Hg to provide 115 g (87%) of (5).

F: Recrystallization

A 10 g sample of (5) was recrystallized from water and dried for 24 hours at 80°C and 1 mm Hg to provide 5.6 g of white, crystalline material.

The recrystallized material had the following physical characteristics: mp: 300°C ¹ H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d ₆ ): δ 10.11 (s, 1 H, exchangeable), 8.35

(bs, 2H, exchangeable), 6.70 (s, 2H), 6.02 (s, 2H, exchangeable), 3.62 (bs, 4H) IR (KBr): 3402, 3304, 3200, 3130, 1652, 1614, 1592, 1500, 1470 cm ¹

MS (Cl) m/z: 245 (M+1)

Calculated for: C ₉ H ₁₀ CI ₂ N ₄ HCI: C, 38.39; H, 3.94; N, 19.90; Cl,

37.78.

Found: C, 38.36; H, 3.91 ; N, 19.83; Cl, 37.77.

s EXAMPLE 2: Synthesis of 2-f(2.6-Dichloro-4- nitrophenyl)imino]hexahydropyrimidine

A solution of 1.65 mL (0.02 mol) of 1 ,3-diaminopropane in toluene (10 mL) was cooled to - 10°C using an ice/methanol bath. To this solution was added 2,6-dichloro- 4-nitrophenylisothyiocyanate (2.45 g, 0.01 mol) in toluene (10 mL) dropwise over 30 o minutes, which reacted to form a red oil. The reaction was stirred for an additional 2 hours, then heated at reflux for 4 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature then treated with 30 mL of 1 M HCI. After filtration of some insoluble material, the biphasic mixture was separated and the aqueous phase was basified to pH 9 using 1 M NaOH. The resulting yellow precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with 5 water, then hexane and air dried to give 0.6 g (21 %) of the product, mp: 265°C ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cg: δ 8.1 (S, 2H); 6.92 (bs, 2H); 3.19 (m, 4H);

1.78 (m, 2H) MS (Cl) m/z: 289 (M+1)

0 EXAMPLE 3: Synthesis of

2-[(2.6-Dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)imino]hexahydro-1.3-diazep ine A solution of 1.76 g (0.02 mol) of 1 ,4-diaminobutane in 10 mL of toluene was cooled to -10°C and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenylisothiocyanate (2.45 g, 0.01 mol) in 10 mL of toluene was added dropwise over 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred 5 an additional hour then heated at reflux overnight. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and was treated with 30 mL 1 M HCI. The aqueous phase was brought to pH 9 with 1 M NaOH and the resulting yellow precipitate was filtered, washed with water then hexane and air dried to give 0.92 g (30%) of the product.

mp: 233°C (dec)

¹ H NMR (DMSO-cQ: δ 8.15 (S, 2H); 6.48 (bs, 2H); 3.03 (bs, 4H);

1.52 (bs, 4H) MS (Cl) m/z: 303 (M+1)

5 The following examples are illustrative of the alternative synthesis (Step 3 ¹ , and

Scheme 2) of nitroclonidine. Example 4 demonstrates the isolation of the thiourea free base (7). Examples 5-9 illustrate the synthesis of nitroclonidine (3) from (7) by the use of an alternative base (imidazole, metal alkoxide, metal hydroxide or metal carbonate). Example 9 further illustrates the simultaneous neutralization and cyclization of the o nitrophenylthiourea hydrochloride salt (β) to the nitroclonidine (3) without Step B above. The nitroclonidine product can then be converted by Steps 4-6 to the aminoclonidine HCI.

EXAMPLE 4: Isolation of 1-(2-aminoethyl.-3-(2.6-dichloro-4- nitrophenyn-thiourea free base (7)

s A: Conversion of 1-(2-aminoethyl.-3-{2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl hiourea ethylenediamine solvate 2^ to 1-(2-aminoethyl.-3-t2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.- thiQurea hydrς>chiς>ride ($)

The thiourea complex (2) (106.7 g, 0.28 mole) was suspended in 1 L of methanol and HCI gas was added until the pH of the mixture was about 1 -2, resulting o in dissolution of the complex and precipitation of a solid. The solid was removed by filtration and the filtrate was stripped of solvent on a rotary evaporator. The resulting yellow solid residue was triturated with 2-propanol and collected by filtration. The solid product was washed with 2-propanol and air dried to give 95.3 g (92%) of the thiourea hydrochloride (fi). 5 mp: 215° C.

Calculated for: %C, 31 .27%; %H, 3.21 %; %N, 16.21 %. Found: %C, 31 .18%; %H, 3.29%; %N, 16.25%.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-αy 2.98 ppm, (br m, 2H), 3.7 ppm, (q, 2H), 8.4 ppm (s, 2H).

B: Conversion of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)-thiourea hydrochloride (6) to 1-(2-aminoethyn-3-(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenylRhiourea free base (7)

The thiourea hydrochloride (£) (5.0 g, 14.47. mmole) was suspended in 10 mL of dichloromethane and triethylamine (4 mL, 28.93 mmole) was added in one portion.

The mixture was stirred for 4 hours at ambient temperature, and a resulting yellow solid was collected by filtration. The product was dried under vacuum at ambient temperature to provide 3.6 g (80%) of the thiourea (7) as a yellow solid. mp: 205° C.

Calculated for: C ₉ H ₁₀ C _I2 N ₄ O ₂ S« 0.5 H ₂ O %C, 34.96%; %H, 3.26%; %N,18.12%; %S, 12.37%.

Found: %C, 33.97%; %H, 3.49%; %N, 17.61%; %S, 10.08%. MS; m/z 309(MH+).

NMR; 2.95 ppm (t, 2H), 3.4 ppm (t, 2H), 8.4 ppm (s, 1 H).

EXAMPLE 5: Synthesis of 2-K2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.imino]imidazolidine (3) The thiourea (7) (0.50 g, 1.6 mmole) was suspended in 10 mL of n-propanol and cesium carbonate (0.53 g, 1.6 mmole) was added. The yellow suspension was stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 30 minutes, when the color changed from yellow to orange. The mixture was heated at reflux for about 24 hours, and the solvent was then removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was partitioned between 1 M HCI and ethyl acetate and the aqueous phase was brought to a pH of 8-9 with 1 N NaOH. The resulting yellow solid was collected by filtration, washed successively with water and hexane, and then air dried to provide 0.10 g (23%) of nitroclonidine (3)-

EXAMPLE 6: Synthesis of 2-[(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl)imino]imidazolidine (3) The thiourea (7) (0.28 g, 0.91 mmole) was suspended in 10 mL of t-butanol and potassium t-butoxide (0.10 g, 0.91 mmole) was then added. The yellow mixture was heated at reflux where the color changed to orange, then slowly back to yellow and accompanied by the precipitation of a solid. Heating was continued for approximately 24 hours, and the solvent was then removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was partitioned between 1 M HCI and ethyl acetate and the aqueous phase was brought to pH 8-9 with 1 N NaOH. The resulting yellow solid was collected by filtration, washed successively with water and hexane, and then air dried to provide 0.10 g (40%) of nitroclonidine contaminated by a trace of a higher R _f impurity by TLC.

EXAMPLE 7: Synthesis of 2-f(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.imino]imidazolidine (3) The thiourea (7) (0.50 g, 1.6 mmole) was suspended in 10 mL of toluene and imidazole (0.16 g, 1.6 mmole) was then added. The yellow mixture was heated at reflux for approximately 24 hours, then cooled to ambient temperature and treated with 1 M HCI. The aqueous phase was separated, the toluene phase was extracted with 1 M HCI, and the combined aqueous phases were brought to pH 8-9 with 1 N NaOH. The resulting yellow solid was collected by filtration, washed successively with water and hexane, and then air dried to provide 0.30 g (68%) of nitroclonidine contaminated by a trace of a higher R _f impurity by TLC.

EXAMPLE 8: Synthesis of 2-f(2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.imino]imidazolidine (3)

The thiourea (7) (0.36 g, 1.1 mmole) was suspended in 10 mL of toluene and excess benzylamine (1 mL) was then added. The mixture was heated at reflux for approximately 4 hours, and the solvent was then removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was partitioned between 1 M HCI and ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was brought to pH 8-9 with 1 N NaOH. The resulting yellow solid was collected by filtration, washed successively with water and hexane, and then air dried to provide 0.05 g (15%) of nitroclonidine.

EXAMPLE 9: Synthesis of 2-[f2.6-dichloro-4-nitrophenyl.imino]imidazolidine (3) The thiourea complex (2) (2.0 g, 5.5 mmol) was suspended in 50 mL of methanol and HCI gas was added at room temperature until all of the solid had dissolved (pH 1-2). The solution was cooled to approximately 0°C in an ice bath and the resulting precipitate was removed by filtration. The filtrate was stripped of solvent on a rotary evaporator, the residue was suspended in 25 mL of water, and solid sodium hydroxide (0.88 g, 22.0 mmol) was then added. The yellow suspension was heated at reflux for approximately 48 hours after which time TLC analysis (silica gel, ethyl acetate) showed no uncyclized thiourea, and the presence of a single product corresponding to nitroclonidine (3). The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, the solid product was collected by filtration, washed sequentially with water and hexane, and then dried for approximately 16 hours in a vacuum oven at 60°C which provided 1.0 g (68%) of nitroclonidine as a yellow solid.

The invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments; however, it should be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms or variations thereof without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described above are therefore considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.