CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This International PCT application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/404,056 filed September 6, 2022, the specification, claims and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to novel chemical compositions of matter. Specifically, novel analogs of the MDMA class of compounds, and their precursors having unique pharmacokinetic characteristics.

BACKGROUND

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is an important experimental psychoactive drug with potential in the supervised treatment of various psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related psychological trauma among other therapeutic uses. Notably, MDMA has two enantiomers, S-MDMA and R-MDMA, generally

Administration of racemic MDMA is followed by the appearance of at least seven racemic metabolites. At least two of the major metabolites, rac-MDMA and racemic HMMA, are active and have effects which may mirror some aspects of MDMA itself, thus potentially responsible for extending the duration of physiological and psychological effects of the parent drug. Ideally, one would want a new drug whose primary metabolites are devoid of activity and which arise quickly thereby inactivating the drugs and shortening the duration of action. However, the duration of action of MDMA is not ideal for therapeutic administration, having a duration of action of approximately 4-6 hours. To address these concerns, there exists a need for shorter acting MDMA analogs that still provide the therapeutic benefits of MDMA. Such novel compositions may offer more convenient duration of action after therapeutic dosing in clinical settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention includes a novel class of MDMA derivatives that mimic the pharmacokinetic effects of MDMA in a subject but that exhibit a decreased duration of action. In one preferred embodiment, the MDMA analogs incorporate 1,3-benzothiazoles substituted at the 5 and 6-position with the MDMA basic or modified side chain.

One aspect of the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formula (I):

(Formula I) wherein:

X is S or N; and

RHS NR ² R ³ ;

R ² is H or CH ₃ ;

R ³ is CH ₃ ; and wherein said dashed lines represents possible double bond positions according to the configuration of X being S or N; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formulas (II- V):

, (Formula III)

, (Formula V) wherein:

RHS NR ² R ³ ;

R ² is H or CH ₃ ;

R ³ is CH ₃ ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention may include a one or more benzothazole MDMA enantiomeric isomers selected from the group consisting of: l-(benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl)-N- methylpropan-2-amine, or l-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, or a or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of the same.

In another aspect, the present invention includes novel MDMA analogs identified herein as the compound according to Formulas I-V, (also referred to as a/the compound(s) or composition(s) of the invention), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, tautomer, or prodrug thereof as described herein.

Additional aspects of the current invention include a compound of Formula I-V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, for use in recreational, psychological, or medical therapies.

Additional aspects of the present invention provides systems, methods, and compositions for novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, which may preferably further include a method of treatment of the human or animal body using one or more of the novel compounds, or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. Additional aspects of the present invention provide a method for treating a disease or condition, and optionally where the composition of the invention has a decreased duration of action comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a one or more compounds of the invention according to Formulas I-V, or a pharmaceutical composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a one or more compounds of the invention according to Formulas I-V and a pharmaceutically carrier.

Additional aspects of the invention include methods of synthesizing the compounds of the invention according to Formulas I-V, which may preferably include a ring structure comprising a benzothiazole. Additional aspects of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of the invention according to Formulas I-V.

Additional aspects of the invention may become evident based on the specification and claims presented below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention now being generally described will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are included merely for the purposes of illustration of certain embodiments of the embodiments of the present invention. The examples are not intended to limit the invention, as one of skill in the art would recognize from the above teachings and the following examples that other techniques and methods can satisfy the claims and can be employed without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Indeed, while this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

The invention includes novel analogs of MDMA, that mimic the pharmacokinetic effects of MDMA in a subject but that exhibit a decreased duration of action. In one preferred embodiment, the MDMA analogs incorporate 1,3 -benzothiazoles substituted at the 5 and 6- position with the MDMA basic or modified side chain. In this embodiment, the thiazole replaces the methylenedioxy ring. As a result, the thiazole substitutes a basic nitrogen possessing a lone pair projecting into a region of space in the same direction as the methylenedi oxy oxygen lone pair and can therefore serve as a hydrogen bond acceptor in the same manner. The other side of the thiazole replaces the oxygen with the sulfur atom, also possessing a lone pair as oxygen is a weaker hydrogen bond acceptor but capable of direct oxidation by cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes. In this embodiment, the MDMA derivatives of the invention can undergo rapid sulfur oxidation thereby shorten the circulating lifetime of the drug and provide rapid clearance, suitable for shorter psychoactive dosing. In this manner, the novel compounds of the invention can exhibit increased metabolic inactivation, resulting in a decreased duration of action. Further, multiple doses of the MDMA derivatives may be administered orally as the compositions can be rapidly absorbed from the gut based on its physico-chemical properties.

In one preferred embodiment, the invention may include an MDMA analog compound according to Formula (I) comprising:

(Formula I) wherein:

X is S or N; and

RHS NR ² ^;

R ² is H or CH ₃ ;

R ³ is CH ₃ ; and wherein said dashed lines represents possible double bond positions according to the configuration of X being S or N; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In additional embodiments, the invention may include pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to Formula (I), and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention can further include a pharmaceutical kit containing a pharmaceutical composition including the compound of according to Formula (I), prescribing information for the composition, and a container.

As detailed below, the invention further includes methods of treating a disease or condition, and preferably a disease or condition in which modulation of serotonin receptor activity is beneficial or a shorter acting MDMA compound would be therapeutically beneficial. The method of treating a disease or condition may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to Formula (I), to a subject in need thereof, and preferably a human subject. The methods of treating a disease or condition if the invention may include one or more of the following therapeutic effects in a subject, namely: 1) modulating the activity of a serotonin receptor in the subject; 2) increasing serotonin levels in the subject; 2) increasing the release of dopamine and/or noradrenaline in the subject; 3) inhibiting monoamine re-uptake in the subject; and/or 3) inhibiting monoamine oxidase in a subject. Exemplary diseases or conditions that can be treated by one or more compounds of the invention may be selected from the group consisting of: schizophrenia, addiction, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), cluster headaches, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, paralysis, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and autism.

Additional embodiments of the invention may include combination therapies comprising a compound of the invention and one or more additional active therapeutic compounds. In one preferred embodiment, this may include administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compositions, and preferably a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to Formula (I), and at least one further therapeutic agent. Exemplary therapeutic agents can include a tryptamine compound, and an entactogen compound, or a combination of the same.

Another aspect of the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formula (II):

(Formula II) wherein:

RHS NR ² R ³ ;

R ² is H or CH ₃ ;

R ³ is CH ₃ ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formula (III):

(Formula III) wherein:

RHs NR ² R ³ ;

R ² is H or CH ₃ ;

R ³ is CH ₃ ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formula (IV):

(Formula IV) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention may include a novel MDMA analog compound according to Formula (V):

(Formula V) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In additional embodiment, the invention may include pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to Formula (II-V), and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention can further include a pharmaceutical kit containing a pharmaceutical composition including the compound of according to Formula (II-V), prescribing information for the composition, and a container.

As detailed below, the invention further includes methods of treating a disease or condition, and preferably a disease or condition in which modulation of serotonin receptor activity is beneficial or a shorter acting MDMA compound would be therapeutically beneficial. The method of treating a disease or condition may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to Formula (II- V), to a subject in need thereof, and preferably a human subject.

The methods of treating a disease or condition if the invention may include one or more of the following therapeutic effects in a subject, namely: 1) modulating the activity of a serotonin receptor in the subject; 2) increasing serotonin levels in the subject; 2) increasing the release of dopamine and/or noradrenaline in the subject; 3) inhibiting monoamine re-uptake in the subject; and/or 3) inhibiting monoamine oxidase in a subject. Exemplary diseases or conditions that can be treated by one or more compounds of the invention may be selected from the group consisting of: schizophrenia, addiction, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), cluster headaches, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, paralysis, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and autism.

Additional embodiments of the invention may include combination therapies comprising a compound of the invention and one or more additional active therapeutic compounds. In one preferred embodiment, this may include administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compositions, and preferably a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to Formula (II- V), and at least one further therapeutic agent. Exemplary therapeutic agents can include a tryptamine compound, and an entactogen compound, or a combination of the same.

Additional embodiments of the invention include an enantiomeric compound or a prodrug, therapeutically active metabolite, hydrate, solvate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of the compounds according to Formulas I-V.

Additional embodiments of the current invention include a compound of Formula I-V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, tautomer, or prodrug thereof, for use in recreational, psychological, or medical therapies. One embodiment of the present invention provides a systems, methods, and compositions for novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, which may preferably further include a method of treatment of the human or animal body using one or more of the novel compounds, or pharmaceutical compositions described herein.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides the use of one or more of the novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V to modulate a serotonin receptors in a subject, and preferably a human subject. In this embodiment, the compounds of Formula I-V are indirect serotonin receptor agonists. As used herein, a “serotonin receptor agonists” means a substance, and preferably a compound of the invention, having the function of acting directly or directly on a serotonin receptor causing an increase in amount of serotonin released into the synapses of a subject. As used herein, an “agonist” means a substance, and preferably a compound of the invention, having the function of binding/ activating to a receptor or to produce a biological response.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides the use of one or more of the novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V to increase release of dopamine and noradrenaline or inhibit monoamine re-uptake and delay metabolism by inhibition of monoamine oxidase in a subject.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides the use of one or more of the novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V for the treatment of a disease or condition, and preferably a disease or condition in a subject that is may be treated by activating of one or more serotonin receptors by the agonist action of one or more compounds of the invention in a subject in need thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides the use of one or more of the novel MDMA analogs according to the compounds of Formula I-V for the treatment of a disease or condition, and preferably a disease or condition in a subject that is may be treated by increasing levels of dopamine or monoamine through the action of one or more compounds of the invention in a subject in need thereof.

A compound of Formula I-V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the modulation of serotonin receptor activity in research, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology development. A compound of Formula I-V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of a disease or condition in which modulation of serotonin receptor activity is beneficial.

Additional embodiments of the invention include methods for treating a disease or condition for which comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a combination comprising a compound of Formula I-V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one further therapeutic agent, wherein said further therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: 1) a tryptamine compound, or a tryptamine compound and an entactogen. As used herein, “tryptamine” means compounds having affinity for a serotonin receptor and may include, but not be limited to: substituted tryptamines, psilocybin, psilocin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, N,N-Dipropyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N-Dipropyltryptamine, baeocystin ([3-[2-( methylamino )ethy 1 ]-l H-indol-4-yl] di hydrogen phosphate), norbaeocystin ([3-(2-aminoethyl )-lH-indol-4- yl] dihydrogen phosphate), aeruguinascin (N,N,N-trimethyl-4-phosphorl-oxytryptamine ), 4- acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 3 -(2' -dimethylaminoethy 1 )-4-acetoxy -indole. As used herein, “entactogens” means a compounds having the effect of releasing serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine such as 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), 2,5- dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine, 3, 4-m ethylenedi oxyN-ethylamphetamine, a-

Ifamethyltryptamine and alpha-ethyltryptamine.

Additional embodiments of the invention include a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I- V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of a disease or condition in a subject in need thereof. A compound of the invention or pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound may be administered to a “subject,” and preferably a human subject, by any convenient route of administration, whether systemically/peripherally or at the site of desired action, including but not limited to, oral (e.g. by ingestion); topical (including e.g. transdermal, intranasal, ocular, buccal, and sublingual); pulmonary (e.g. by inhalation or insufflation therapy using, e.g. an aerosol, e.g. through mouth or nose); rectal; vaginal; parenteral, for example, by injection, including subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intracardiac, intrathecal, intraspinal, intracapsular, subcapsular, intraorbital, intraperitoneal, intratracheal, subcuticular, intraarticular, subarachnoid, and intrastemal; by implant of a depot, for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The subject may be a eukaryote, an animal, a vertebrate animal, a mammal, a rodent (e.g., a guinea pig, a hamster, a rat, a mouse), murine (e.g., a mouse), canine (e.g., a dog), feline (e.g., a cat), equine (e.g., a horse), a primate, simian (e.g., a monkey or ape), a monkey (e.g., marmoset, baboon), an ape (e.g., gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutang, gibbon), or a human.

While it is possible for the active compound to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition (e.g., formulation) comprising at least one active compound, as defined above, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, excipients, diluents, fillers, buffers, stabilizers, preservatives, lubricants, or other materials well known to those skilled in the art and optionally other therapeutic or prophylactic agents.

Thus, the present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, as defined above, and methods of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing at least one active compound, as defined above, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, buffers, adjuvants, stabilizers, or other materials, as described herein.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein pertains to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g., human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each carrier, excipient, etc. must also be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.

Suitable carriers, diluents, excipients, etc. can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts. See, for example, “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Additives”, 2nd Edition (eds. M. Ash and I. Ash), 2001 (Synapse Information Resources, Inc., Endicott, N.Y., USA), “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences”, 20th edition, pub. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000; and “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients”, 2nd edition, 1994.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing into association the active compound with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active compound with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations may be in the form of liquids, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, syrups, tablets, lozenges, granules, powders, capsules, cachets, pills, ampoules, suppositories, pessaries, ointments, gels, pastes, creams, sprays, mists, foams, lotions, oils, boluses, electuaries, or aerosols.

Formulations suitable for oral administration (e.g., by ingestion) may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound; as a powder or granules; as a solution or suspension in an aqueous or non- aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion; as a bolus; as an electuary; or as a paste.

A tablet may be made by conventional means, e.g., compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active compound in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with one or more binders (e.g. povidone, gelatin, acacia, sorbitol, tragacanth, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose); fillers or diluents (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate, talc, silica); disintegrants (e.g. sodium starch glycolate, cross-linked povidone, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose); surface-active or dispersing or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate); and preservatives (e.g., methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, sorbic acid). Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active compound therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile. Tablets may optionally be provided with an enteric coating, to provide release in parts of the gut other than the stomach.

For tablet dosage forms, depending on dose, the drug may make up from 1 wt% to 80 wt% of the dosage form, more typically from 5 wt% to 60 wt% of the dosage form. In addition to the drug, tablets generally contain a disintegrant. Examples of disintegrants include sodium starch glycolate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, lower alkyl-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch, pregelatinized starch and sodium alginate. Generally, the disintegrants will comprise from 1 wt% to 25 wt%, preferably from 5 wt% to 20 wt% of the dosage form.

Binders are generally used to impart cohesive qualities to a tablet formulation. Suitable binders include microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, sugars, polyethylene glycol, natural and synthetic gums, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pregelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Tablets may also contain diluents, such as lactose (monohydrate, spray-dried monohydrate, anhydrous and the like), mannitol, xylitol, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose, starch and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate. Tablets may also optionally include surface active agents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and polysorbate 80, and glidants such as silicon dioxide and talc. When present, surface active agents are typically in amounts of from 0.2 wt% to 5 wt% of the tablet, and glidants typically from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt% of the tablet. Tablets also generally contain lubricants such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, and mixtures of magnesium stearate with sodium lauryl sulphate. Lubricants generally are present in amounts from 0.25 wt% to 10 wt%, preferably from 0.5 wt% to 3 wt% of the tablet. Other conventional ingredients include anti-oxidants, colorants, flavoring agents, preservatives and taste-masking agents. Exemplary tablets contain up to about 80 wt% drug, from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt% binder, from about O wt% to about 85 wt% diluent, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt% disintegrant, and from about 0.25 wt% to about 10 wt% lubricant.

Tablet blends may be compressed directly or by roller to form tablets. Tablet blends or portions of blends may alternatively be wet-, dry-, or melt-granulated, melt congealed, or extruded before tableting. The final formulation may include one or more layers and may be coated or uncoated; or encapsulated. The formulation of tablets is discussed in detail in “Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Vol. 1”, by H. Lieberman and L. Lachman, Marcel Dekker, N.Y., N.Y., 1980 (ISBN 0-8247-6918-X), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Solid formulations for oral administration may be formulated to be immediate and/or modified release. Modified release formulations include delayed-, sustained-, pulsed-, controlled-, targeted and programmed release. Suitable modified release formulations are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,106,864. Details of other suitable release technologies such as high energy dispersions and osmotic and coated particles can be found in Verma et al, Pharmaceutical Technology On-line, 25(2), 1-14 (2001 ). The use of chewing gum to achieve controlled release is described in WO 00/35298. The disclosures of these references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Formulations suitable for topical administration (e.g., transdermal, intranasal, ocular, buccal, and sublingual) may be formulated as an ointment, cream, suspension, lotion, powder, solution, past, gel, spray, aerosol, or oil. Alternatively, a formulation may comprise a patch or a dressing such as a bandage or adhesive plaster impregnated with active compounds and optionally one or more excipients or diluents. Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising the active compound in a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active compound in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active compound in a suitable liquid carrier.

Formulations suitable for topical administration to the eye also include eye drops wherein the active compound is dissolved or suspended in a suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent for the active compound.

Formulations suitable for nasal administration, wherein the carrier is a solid, include a coarse powder having a particle size, for example, in the range of about 20 to about 500 microns which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken, i.e., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose. Suitable formulations wherein the carrier is a liquid for administration as, for example, nasal spray, nasal drops, or by aerosol administration by nebulizer, include aqueous or oily solutions of the active compound.

Formulations suitable for administration by inhalation include those presented as an aerosol spray from a pressurized pack, with the use of a suitable propellant, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gases.

Formulations suitable for topical administration via the skin include ointments, creams, and emulsions. When formulated in an ointment, the active compound may optionally be employed with either a paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base. Alternatively, the active compounds may be formulated in a cream with an oil-in-water cream base. If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, for example, at least about 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol, i.e., an alcohol having two or more hydroxyl groups such as propylene glycol, butane- 1,3 -diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol and polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The topical formulations may desirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration of the active compound through the skin or other affected areas. Examples of such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethylsulfoxide and related analogues.

When formulated as a topical emulsion, the oily phase may optionally comprise merely an emulsifier (otherwise known as an emulgent), or it may comprise a mixture of at least one emulsifier with a fat or an oil or with both a fat and an oil. Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with a lipophilic emulsifier which acts as a stabilizer. It is also preferred to include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with or without stabilizer(s) make up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the wax together with the oil and/or fat make up the so-called emulsifying ointment base which forms the oily dispersed phase of the cream formulations.

Suitable emulgents and emulsion stabilizers include Tween 60, Span 80, cetostearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate and sodium lauryl sulphate. The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based on achieving the desired cosmetic properties, since the solubility of the active compound in most oils likely to be used in pharmaceutical emulsion formulations may be very low. Thus, the cream should preferably be a non-greasy, non-staining and washable product with suitable consistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight or branched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as di-isoadipate, isocetyl stearate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters known as Crodamol CAP may be used, the last three being preferred esters. These may be used alone or in combination depending on the properties required. Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as white soft paraffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used.

Formulations suitable for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams, or spray formulations containing in addition to the active compound, such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration (e.g., by injection, including cutaneous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal), include aqueous and nonaqueous isotonic, pyrogen-free, sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, preservatives, stabilizers, bacteriostats, and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents, and liposomes or other microparticulate systems which are designed to target the compound to blood components or one or more organs. Examples of suitable isotonic vehicles for use in such formulations include Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer’ s Solution, or Lactated Ringer’ s Injection. Typically, the concentration of the active compound in the solution is from about 1 ng/ml to about 10 pg/ml, for example from about 10 ng/ml to about 1 pg/ml. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, for example, ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules, and tablets. Formulations may be in the form of liposomes or other microparticulate systems which are designed to target the active compound to blood components or one or more organs.

It will be appreciated that appropriate dosages of the active compounds, and compositions comprising the active compounds, can vary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing of the level of therapeutic benefit against any risk or deleterious side effects of the treatments of the present invention. The selected dosage level will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the activity of the particular compound, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the compound, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, and the age, sex, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of the patient. The amount of compound and route of administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician, although generally the dosage will be to achieve local concentrations at the site of action which achieve the desired effect without causing substantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.

Administration in vivo can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals) throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician.

In general, a suitable dose of the active compound is in the range of about 100 pg to about 250 mg per kilogram body weight of the subject per day. Where the active compound is a salt, an ester, prodrug, or the like, the amount administered is calculated on the basis of the parent compound and so the actual weight to be used is increased proportionately.

The invention now being generally described will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are included merely for the purposes of illustration of certain embodiments of the embodiments of the present invention. The examples are not intended to limit the invention, as one of skill in the art would recognize from the above teachings and the following examples that other techniques and methods can satisfy the claims and can be employed without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Indeed, while this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Synthesis of MDMA,

As shown in Scheme 1 below, the present invention provides for the step-wise synthesis of MDMA:

MDMA according to the following scheme:

Scheme 1

As described in Scheme 1, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of the

MDMA precursor compound l-(benzo[d][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-ol (4).

In this embodiment, to a pre-dried 3-neck 500 mL round bottom flask equipped with a condenser, additional funnel and thermometer under nitrogen was charged magnesium turnings (4.53 g, 186.5 mmol, 1.5 eq.), iodine (I2) (0.1 g, 0.39 mmol, 0.003 eq) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The solution of 4-bromo-l,2-(methylenedioxy) benzene 1 (25.0 g, 124.3 mmol, 1 eq) in THF (100 mL) was added via the additional funnel. The reaction mixture was heated at 60 °C to 70 °C for 1 hour, cooled to room temperature. To the Grignard reagent solution 2 was added 2- methyloxirane 3 (13.1 mL, 186.5 mmol, 1.5 eq), copper iodide (Cui) (1.18 g, 6.22 mmol, 0.05 eq) and anhydrous THF (100 mL) at 0 °C to 5°C. The resultant mixture was stirred at 0 °C and brought to room temperature over 16 hours while stirring. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C to 5 °C, quenched with a cold solution of acetic acid (AcOH, 21.3 mL, 372.9 mmol, 3.0 eq) in water (150 mL) slowly over a period of 20 to 30 minutes while keeping temperature below 25 °C. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) (200 mL), sodium chloride (NaCl) solid (50 g) was added and stirred for another 20 to 30 minutes, and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted EtOAc. The combined organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCCh) aqueous solution, brine, dried over sodium sulphate (NaiSOr), filtered, and concentrated under vacuum to afford crude oil product 1- (benzo[d][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-ol 4 (22.4 g, quantitative yield) which was used in the next step without further purification. ^L H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): 5 6.78 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (s, 1H), 6.68 (m, 1H), 5.96 (s, 2H), 3.98 (m, 1H), 2.73 (m, 1H), 2.61 (m, 1H), 1.32 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H).

As described in Scheme 1, the present inventors further demonstrated the synthesis of the MDMA precursor compound Synthesis of l-(benzo[d][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one (6).

Dess-Martin In this embodiment, to a 3-neck 500 mL round bottom flask equipped with mechanical stirrer and thermometer was charged l-(benzo[d][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-ol 4 (22.4 g, 124.3 mmol, 1 eq) and di chloromethane (DCM) (224 mL, 10 volume). The resultant solution was stirred and cooled to 0 °C to 5 °C, and solid Dess-Martin Periodinane (DMP) (55.4 g, 130.5 mmol, 1.05 eq) was added in portions. After the DMP was added completely, the resultant solution was stirred at 0 °C to 5 °C for 1 hour and brought to room temperature over a period 2 hours while stirring, and precipitation formed. The reaction mixture was analyzed by TLC to check the progress of the reaction and confirm the completion of the reaction. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0 °C to 5 °C and quenched slowly with saturated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCCh) aqueous solution (400 mL) to pH 8, and sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2Ch) (10 g) was added to quench excess DMP. The resultant suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, filtered through celite, and rinsed with DCM. The two-layer filtrate was separated, and the aq layer was extracted with DCM. The combined DCM layer was dried over Na2SC>4, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum to give a brown crude oil (25.8 g). The crude oil was stirred in hexanes at 60 °C for 30 minutes and the clear hexanes solution was decanted. The clear solution was concentrated under vacuum to afford l-(benzo[tf][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one 6 (18.7 g, 84% yield) as yellow oil. NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 6.70 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.57 (m, 1H), 5.87 (s, 2H), 3.52 (s, 2H), 2.07 (s, 3H).

As described in Scheme 1, the present inventors further demonstrated the synthesis of the l-(benzo[d][l,3] dioxol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (MDMA), shown herein as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt:

In this embodiment, to a3-neck 1 L round bottom flask equipped with mechanical stirrer and thermometer was charged 1 -(benzo [ ] [1,3] dioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one 6 (18.7 g, 104.9 mmol, 1 eq) and methanol (MeOH) (374 mL, 20 volume eq). The resultant mixture was stirred and cooled to 0 °C to 5 °C, a solution of 33 wt % methylamine (MeNHz) in ethanol (EtOH) (39.2 mL, 315 mmol, 3 eq) was added slowly, followed by solid by sodium triacetoxy -borohydride (NaBH(OAc)3) (44.5 g, 210 mmol, 2 eq) in portions over a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The resultant mixture was stirred at 0°C to 5 °C for 2 hours, second portion of 33 wt % MeNH2 in EtOH (13.1 mL, 105 mmol, 1 eq) and NaBH(OAc)3 (22.3 g, 105 mmol, 1 eq) was added slowly. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0°C to room temperature for 16 hours and analyzed by TLC to check the progress of the reaction and confirm the completion of the reaction. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (250 mL), stirred at room temperature for another 0.5 hour, and concentrated under vacuum to remove organic solvent. The residue was stirred and diluted with water (250 mL), cooled to 0°C to 5 °C, and concentrated HC1 aqueous (75 mL, 0.9 mol) was added slowly via an additional funnel over a period of 30 to 40 minutes (pH 1 to 2). The reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was diluted with DCM (200 mL), stirred, and cooled to 0°C to 5 °C, and a pre-cooled solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (40 g, 1 mol) in water (120 mL) was added slowly via an additional funnel (pH 10 to 11). The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with DCM. The combined DCM layer was washed with water, dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum to give MDMA free base as brown oil (15 g). The crude oil was dissolved in EtOAc (150 mL), cooled to 5 °C to 10 °C, and a solution of 1 M HC1 in diethyl ether (Et2O) (100 mL, 100 mmol) was added slowly over a period of 15 to 20 minutes via an additional funnel. The resultant suspension was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, filtered, washed with EtOAc, dried in air to give crude MDMA HC1 salt (16.7 g) as a brown solid, which was recrystalized in EtOH to afford MDMA HC1 salt (10.0 g, 41% yield) as off-white solid, mp: 148 °C to 150°C ’H NMR (600 MHz, D ₂ O): d 6.68 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (d, J= 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (dd, J= 1.2 and 7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.90 (s, 2H), 3.42 (m, 1H), 2.91 (dd, J= 6.6 and 14.4 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (dd, J = 6.6 and 14.4 Hz, 1H), 2.63 (s, 3H), 1.21 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H). ¹³ C NMR (150 MHz, D2O): d 147.5, 146.3, 129.4, 122.7, 109.6, 108.7, 101.1, 56.4, 38.4, 29.8, 14.7.

Example 2, Synthesis of l-(benzord1thiazol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine.

As shown in Scheme 2 below, the present invention provides for the step-wise synthesis of the compound according to 5-BZT-MDMA (Formula IV):

5-BZT-MDMA according to the following scheme:

5-BZT-MDMA

Scheme 2

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 5-vinylbenzo[d]thiazole (3).

In this embodiment, to a degassed solution of compound 1 (3.0 g, 14.0 mmol), compound 2 (2.76 g, 20.6 mmol) and K2CO3 (6.42 g, 46.4 mmol) in dioxane (100 mL) and water (20 mL) was added Pd(PPh3)2C12 (0.99 g, 1.41 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred to 90 °C for 16 h and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, DCM) to afford compound 3 (1.98 g, 88% yield) as yellow oil. ^r H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 8.91(s, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.82 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (m, 1H), 6.80 (dd, J= 10.8 and 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.78 (d, J= 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (d, J= 10.8 Hz, 1H).

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl) ethanol (4).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 3 (0.98 g, 6.20 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added 9- BBN (0.5M in THF, 25 mL, 12.5 mmol) at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 40 °C overnight, quenched with hydrogen peroxide (30%, 4 ml, 37.2 mmol) and NaOH aq. solution (IN, 37 mL, 37.0 mmol), the organic layer was separated out and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2: 1 to 1 : 1) to afford compound 4 (0.34 g, 31% yield) as yellow oil. 'H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 8.91(s, 1H), 7.94 (s, 1H), 7.82 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (m, 1H), 3.88 (t, J= 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.98 (t, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H).

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl) acetaldehyde (5).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 4 (0.52 g, 2.90 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) was added Dess-Martin Periodinane solid (1.35 g, 3.19 mmol) in portions at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, quenched with saturated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCCh) aqueous solution (10 mL), extracted with DCM (10 mL x 2). The combined organic solution was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to give a crude oil, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2:1) to afford compound 5 (0.36 g, 70% yield) as yellow oil. ^X H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 9.86 (s, 1H), 9.06 (s, 1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 3.91 (s, 2H).

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound l-(benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl)propan-2-ol (6). In this embodiment, to a solution of 5 (0.26 g, 1.46 mmol) in anhydrous THF (15 mL) at 0 °C to 5 °C was added a solution of CHsMgBr (3M in Et2O, 1.0 mL, 2.93 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 3 h, quenched with NH4CI solution, extracted with EtOAc and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans: EtOAc = 2: Ito 1 : 1) to afford compound 6 (0.15 g, 53% yield) as colorless oil. ^L H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 9.01 (s, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (m, 1H), 4.13 (m, 1H), 2.99 (m, 1H), 2.90 (m, 1H), 1.31 (d, J= 6.0 Hz, 3H).

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl) acetaldehyde (7).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 6 (0.20 g, 1.03 mmol) in DCM (15 mL) was added Dess-Martin Periodinane solid (0.48 g, 1.13 mmol) in portions at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, filtered through celite pad and concentrated under vacuum to give a crude oil, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2:1) to afford compound 7 (0.12 g, 61% yield) as yellow oil. ^r HNMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 9.03 (s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.95 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 3.91 (s, 2H), 2.24 (s, 3H).

As described in Scheme 2, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of 1- (benzo[d]thiazol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (5-BZT-MDMA or Formula IV).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 7 (0.12 g, 0.63 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) at 0 °C to 5 °C was added a solution of methylamine in ethanol (33 % w/w, 0.46 mL, 3.76 mmol) followed by sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.67 g, 3.15 mmol). The resultant mixture was stirred at 0°C to 5 °C for 16 hours and concentrated under vacuum to give the residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, DCM: MeOH: NH40H= 9: 1 :0.1) to afford free base of 5-BZT- MDMA as a yellow solid. To a stirred solution of free base in EtOAc (5 mL) and DCM (10 mL) was added a solution of 1 M HC1 in Et2O (1.0 mL) slowly. The suspension formed was stirred at room temperature for 30 min, filtered, washed with DCM. The filtrate cake was dried under vacuum to afford 5-BZT-MDMA (which can be in a hydrochloride salt (0.101 g, 66% yield)) as off-white solid. ^X H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO): d 9.41 (s, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 8.77 (br s, 2H), 8.10 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 7.41 (m, 1H), 3.51 (m, 1H), 3.29 (m, 1H), 2.85 (m, 1H), 2.61 (t, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.13 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 3H). ¹³ C NMR (150 MHz, DMSO): d 157.2, 153.9, 135.3,

132.6, 127.4, 124.0, 123.0, 55.8, 38.5, 30.2, 15.6. LCMS mlz = 207 [M+l ] ⁺

Example 3, Synthesis of l-(benzold1thiazol-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine.

As shown in Scheme 3 below, the present invention provides for the step-wise synthesis of the compound according to 6-BZT-MDMA (Formula V):

6-BZT-MDMA according to the following scheme:

6-BZT-MDMA Scheme 3

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 6-vinylbenzo[d]thiazole (3).

In this embodiment, to a degassed solution of compound 1 (5.0 g, 23.3 mmol), compound 2 (4.6 g, 34.3 mmol) and K2CO3 (10.7 g, 77.4 mmol) in dioxane (100 mL) and water (20 mL) was added Pd(PPh3)2C12 (1.65 g, 2.3 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred to 90 °C for 16 h and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, DCM) to afford compound 3 (3.1 g, 83% yield) as yellow oil. ^r H NMR (600 MHz, CDCI3): d 8.98(s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 6.88 (dd, J= 10.8 and 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.88 (d, J= 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (d, J= 10.8 Hz, 1H).

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl) ethanol (4).

9-BBN, dry THF/40°C

³ 4

In this embodiment, to solution of 3 (1.00 g, 6.20 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added 9- BBN (0.5M in THF, 25 mL, 12.5 mmol) at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 40 °C overnight, quenched with hydrogen peroxide (30%, 4 ml, 37.2 mmol) and NaOH aq. solution (IN, 37 mL, 37.0 mmol), the organic layer was separated out and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2: 1 to 1 : 1) to afford compound 4 (0.35 g, 31% yield) as yellow oil. ’H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 8.97(s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.41 (m, 1H), 3.96 (t, J= 6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.05 (t, J= 6.6 Hz, 3H).

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)acetaldehyde (5). In this embodiment, to a solution of 4 (0.35 g, 1.95 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) was added Dess-Martin Periodinane solid (0.91 g, 2.14 mmol) in portions at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, quenched with saturated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCCh) aqueous solution (10 mL), extracted with DCM (10 mL x 2). The combined organic solution was washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to give a crude oil, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2:1) to afford compound 5 (0.14 g, 41% yield) as yellow oil. ^ NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 9.85 (s, 1H), 8.97 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 2H).

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound l-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl) propan-2-ol (6).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 5 (0.52 g, 2.93 mmol) in anhydrous THF (20 mL) at 0 °C to 5 °C was added a solution of QLMgBr (3M in Et2O, 1.95 mL, 5.86 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 3 h, quenched with NH4Q solution, extracted with EtOAc and concentrated to provide a residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans: EtOAc = 2: 1) to afford compound 6 (0.16 g, 28% yield) as colorless oil. ^r H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 8.88 (s, 1H), 8.01 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.32 (m, 1H), 4.04 (m, 1H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 2.78 (m, 1H), 1.21 (m, 3H).

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of precursor compound l-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl) propan-2-one (7).

In this embodiment, to a solution of 6 (0.45 g, 2.06 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) was added Dess-Martin Periodinane solid (1.05 g, 2.48 mmol) in portions at 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, filtered through celite pad and concentrated under vacuum to give a crude oil, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, Hexans:EtOAc = 2: 1) to afford compound 7 (0.40 g, 100% yield) as yellow oil. 'H NMR (600 MHz, CDCh): d 8.91 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.27 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H).

As described in Scheme 3, the present inventors demonstrated the synthesis of 1- (benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (6-BZT-MDMA or Formula V)

In this embodiment, to a solution of 7 (0.40 g, 2.09 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) at 0 °C to 5 °C was added a solution of methylamine in ethanol (33 % w/w, 1.56 mL, 12.54 mmol) followed by sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2.21 g, 10.45 mmol). The resultant mixture was stirred at 0°C to 5 °C for 16 hours and concentrated under vacuum to give the residue, which was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, DCM: MeOH: NH40H= 9: 1 :0.1) to afford free base of 6-BZT- MDMA as a yellow solid. To a stirred solution of free base in EtOAc (5 mL) and DCM (10 mL) was added a solution of 1 M HC1 in Et2O (2.5 mL) slowly. The suspension formed was stirred at room temperature for 30 min, filtered, washed with DCM. The filtrate cake was dried under vacuum to afford 6-BZT-MDMA (which can include a hydrochloride salt (0.19 g, 33% yield)) as off-white solid. ^L H NMR (600 MHz, D ₂ O): d 9.34 (s, 1H), 7.98 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 3.53 (m, 1H), 3.18 (m, 1H), 2.95 (m, 1H), 2.64 (s, 3H), 1.18 (m, 3H). ¹³ C NMR (150 MHz, D2O): d 160.0, 149.6, 134.0, 133.6, 128.4, 123.1, 121.9, 56.4, 38.5, 29.9, 14.7. LCMS mlz = 207 [M+l] ⁺

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational)) forms of the structure; for example, the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center, Z and E double bond isomers, and Z and E conformational isomers. Bond designations showing a bond, denotes different enantiomeric forms, which are specifically claimed. Specifically, where a chemical bond is shown as a “ ’ the claims and disclosure specifically claims racemic mixtures, as well as the isolated and mixtures of enantiomeric forms of the compound. Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational) mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scope of the invention. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the present structures including the replacement of hydrogen by deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a 13C- or 14C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools, as probes in biological assays, or as therapeutic agents in accordance with the present invention. The term “stereoisomer” refers to a molecule that is an enantiomer, diastereomer or geometric isomer of a molecule. Stereoisomers, unlike structural isomers, do not differ with respect to the number and types of atoms in the molecule's structure but with respect to the spatial arrangement of the molecule's atoms. Examples of stereoisomers include the (+) and (-) forms of optically active molecules.

As used herein the term “duration of action” means the time period after administration of one or more of the compounds of the invention during which a physiological, psychological therapeutic response is present in a subject, and preferably a human subject. Generally, the duration of action of one or more of the compounds of the invention is dependent on multiple factors, including subject, does and pharmacokinetic actions within the body as well as metabolic clearance time.

As used herein the term “methylenedioxy” means a functional group with the structural formula -O-CH2-O-, which is connected to the molecule via two chemical bonds through oxygen.

As used herein the term "thiazole" refers to any class unsaturated heterocyclic compound or part of the ring containing three carbon atoms, sulfur and nitrogen-atoms means An exemplary thiazole, includes 1,3-thiazole having a formula according to:

As used herein the term “benzothiazole” refers to an aromatic heterocyclic compound with the chemical formula C7H5NS. An exemplary benzothiazole, includes 1,3 benzothiazole having a formula according to: As used herein the term “methylenedi oxy” refers to a functional group with the structural formula — 0 — CH2 — 0 — which is connected to the molecule by two chemical bonds via the oxygens.

As used herein the term “oxygenase” refers to any of the class of enzymes that catalyze the incorporation of molecular oxygen into its substrate. In one embodiment, an oxygenase may include the monooxygenase cytochrome P450, and preferably a human cytochrome P450.

As used herein the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” includes a plurality of such compounds, and reference to “the method” includes reference to one or more methods, method steps, and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Hence “comprising A or B” means including A, or B, or A and B. Furthermore, the use of the term “including”, as well as other related forms, such as “includes” and “included”, is not limiting.

The term “about” as used herein is a flexible word with a meaning similar to “approximately” or “nearly”. The term “about” indicates that exactitude is not claimed, but rather a contemplated variation. Thus, as used herein, the term “about” means within 1 or 2 standard deviations from the specifically recited value, or ± a range of up to 20%, up to 15%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1 % compared to the specifically recited value.

The term “compound,” “active compound,” or “composition,” or “compound of the invention” includes all solvates, complexes, polymorphs, radiolabeled derivatives, tautomers, stereoisomers, and optical isomers of the novel MDMA analog compounds generally described herein, and salts thereof, unless otherwise specified. Notably, if the compound is anionic, or has a functional group which may be anionic (e.g., — COOH may be — COO“), then a salt may be formed with a suitable cation. Examples of suitable inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na ⁺ and K ⁺ , alkaline earth cations such as Ca ² ” and Mg ²⁺ , and other cations such as Al ³⁺ . Examples of suitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e., NH4 ⁺ ) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g., NHiR ⁺ , NH2R2 ⁺ , NHR3 ⁺ , NR4 ⁺ ). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine. An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH3)4 ⁺ .

If the compound is cationic or has a functional group which may be cationic (e.g., — NH2 may be — NH3 ”), then a salt may be formed with a suitable anion. Examples of suitable inorganic anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following inorganic acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric, sulfurous, nitric, nitrous, phosphoric, and phosphorous. Examples of suitable organic anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following organic acids: acetic, propionic, succinic, gycolic, stearic, palmitic, lactic, malic, pamoic, tartaric, citric, gluconic, ascorbic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, aspartic, benzoic, cinnamic, pyruvic, salicyclic, sulfanilic, 2-acetyoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, valeric, and gluconic. Examples of suitable polymeric anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following polymeric acids: tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose.

It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle a corresponding solvate of the active compound. The term “solvate” is used herein in the conventional sense to refer to a complex of solute (e.g., active compound, salt of active compound) and solvent. If the solvent is water, the solvate may be conveniently referred to as a hydrate, for example, a monohydrate, a di-hydrate, a tri-hydrate, etc. It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle the active compound in a chemically protected form. The term “chemically protected form,” as used herein, pertains to a compound in which one or more reactive functional groups are protected from undesirable chemical reactions, that is, are in the form of a protected or protecting group (also known as a masked or masking group or a blocked or blocking group). By protecting a reactive functional group, reactions involving other unprotected reactive functional groups can be performed, without affecting the protected group; the protecting group may be removed, usually in a subsequent step, without substantially affecting the remainder of the molecule. See, for example, “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis” (T. Green and P. Wuts; 3rd Edition; lohn Wiley and Sons, 1999). For example, a hydroxy group may be protected as an ether ( — OR) or an ester ( — OC(=O)R), for example, as: a t-butyl ether; a benzyl, benzhydryl (diphenylmethyl), or trityl (triphenylmethyl)ether; a trimethyl silyl or t- butyldimethylsilyl ether; or an acetyl ester ( — OC(=O)CH3, — OAc). For example, an aldehyde or ketone group may be protected as an acetal or ketal, respectively, in which the carbonyl group (>C=O) is converted to a diether (>C(0R)2), by reaction with, for example, a primary alcohol. The aldehyde or ketone group is readily regenerated by hydrolysis using a large excess of water in the presence of acid.

For example, an amine group may be protected, for example, as an amide or a urethane, for example, as: a methyl amide ( — NHCO — CFF); a benzyloxy amide ( — NHCO — OCH2C6H5, — NH-Cbz); as a t-butoxy amide ( — NHCO — OC(CFb)3, — NH-Boc); a 2-biphenyl-2-propoxy amide ( — NHCO — OCfCHskCeH-iCeHs, — NH-Bpoc), as a 9-fluorenylmethoxy amide ( — NH- Fmoc), as a 6-nitroveratryloxy amide ( — NH-Nvoc), as a 2-trimethylsilylethyloxy amide ( — NH- Teoc), as a 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxy amide ( — NH-Troc), as an allyloxy amide ( — NH-Alloc), as a 2(-phenylsulphonyl)ethyloxy amide ( — NH-Psec); or, in suitable cases, as an N-oxide (>NO). For example, a carboxylic acid group may be protected as an ester for example, as: a C1-7 alkyl ester (e.g., a methyl ester; a t-butyl ester); a C1-7 haloalkyl ester (e.g., a Ci-7trihaloalkyl ester); a triCi-7 alkylsilyl-Ci-7 alkyl ester; or a C5-2o aryl-C 1-7 alkyl ester (e.g., a benzyl ester; a nitrobenzyl ester); or as an amide, for example, as a methyl amide.

For example, a thiol group may be protected as a thioether ( — SR), for example, as: a benzyl thioether; an acetamidomethyl ether ( — S — CH2NHC(=O)CH3).

It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle the active compound in the form of a prodrug. The term “prodrug”, as used herein, pertains to a compound which, when metabolised (e.g., in vivo), yields the desired active compound. Typically, the prodrug is inactive, or less active than the active compound, but may provide advantageous handling, administration, or metabolic properties.

For example, some prodrugs are esters of the active compound (e.g., a physiologically acceptable metabolically labile ester). During metabolism, the ester group ( — C(=O)OR) is cleaved to yield the active drug. Such esters may be formed by esterification, for example, of any of the carboxylic acid groups ( — C(=O)OH) in the parent compound, with, where appropriate, prior protection of any other reactive groups present in the parent compound, followed by deprotection if required. Examples of such metabolically labile esters include, but are not limited to, those wherein R is C1-20 alkyl (e.g. -Me, -Et); C1-7 aminoalkyl (e.g. aminoethyl; 2-(N,N- diethylamino)ethyl; 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl); and acyloxy-Ci-7 alkyl (e.g. acyloxymethyl; acyloxy ethyl; e.g. pivaloyloxymethyl; acetoxymethyl; 1 -acet oxy ethyl; 1 -(1 -methoxy- 1- methyl)ethyl-carbonxyloxy ethyl; l-(benzoyloxy)ethyl; isopropoxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1- isopropoxy-carbonyloxy ethyl; cyclohexyl-carbonyloxymethyl; 1 -cy cl ohexyl -carbonyl oxy ethyl; cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1 -cy cl ohexyloxy-carbonyloxy ethyl; (4- tetrahydropyranyloxy) carbonyloxymethyl; l-(4-tetrahydropyranyloxy)carbonyloxyethyl; (4- tetrahydropyranyl)carbonyloxymethyl; and l-(4-tetrahydropyranyl)carbonyloxyethyl).

Further suitable prodrug forms include phosphonate and glycolate salts. In particular, hydroxy groups ( — OH), can be made into phosphonate prodrugs by reaction with chlorodibenzylphosphite, followed by hydrogenation, to form a phosphonate group — 0 — P(=0)(0H)2. Such a group can be cleaved by phosphatase enzymes during metabolism to yield the active drug with the hydroxy group.

Also, some prodrugs are activated enzymatically to yield the active compound, or a compound which, upon further chemical reaction, yields the active compound. For example, the prodrug may be a sugar derivative or other glycoside conjugate or may be an amino acid ester derivative.

An “R-group” or “substituent” refers to a single atom (for example, a halogen atom) or a group of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded to each other, which are covalently bonded to an atom or atoms in a molecule to satisfy the valency requirements of the atom or atoms of the molecule, typically in place of a hydrogen atom. Examples of R-group s/substituents include alkyl groups, hydroxyl groups, alkoxy groups, acyloxy groups, mercapto groups, and aryl groups.

Aromatic groups containing one or more heteroatoms (typically N, 0 or S) as ring members can be referred to as heteroaryl or heteroaromatic groups. Typical heteroaromatic groups include monocyclic C5-C6 aromatic groups such as pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, and imidazolyl and the fused bicyclic moieties formed by fusing one of these monocyclic groups with a phenyl ring or with any of the heteroaromatic monocyclic groups to form a C8-C10 bicyclic group such as indolyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzofuranyl, pyrazolopyridyl, pyrazolopyrimidyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, cinnolinyl, and the like. Any monocyclic or fused ring bicyclic system which has the characteristics of aromaticity in terms of electron distribution throughout the ring system is included in this definition. It also includes bicyclic groups where at least the ring which is directly attached to the remainder of the molecule has the characteristics of aromaticity. Typically, the ring systems contain 5-12 ring member atoms.

As also used herein, the terms “heterocycle”, “cycloheteroalkyl”, and “heterocyclic moieties” are used interchangeably herein and refer to any compound in which a plurality of atoms form a ring via a plurality of covalent bonds, wherein the ring includes at least one atom other than a carbon atom as a ring member. Particularly contemplated heterocyclic rings include 5- and 6-membered rings with nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen as the non-carbon atom (e.g., imidazole, pyrrole, triazole, dihydropyrimidine, indole, pyridine, thiazole, tetrazole etc.). Typically, these rings contain 0-1 oxygen or sulfur atoms, at least one and typically 2-3 carbon atoms, and up to four nitrogen atoms as ring members. Further contemplated heterocycles may be fused (i.e., covalently bound with two atoms on the first heterocyclic ring) to one or two carbocyclic rings or heterocycles and are thus termed “fused heterocycle” or “fused heterocyclic ring” or “fused heterocyclic moieties” as used herein. Where the ring is aromatic, these can be referred to herein as ‘heteroaryl’ or heteroaromatic groups.

Heterocyclic groups that are not aromatic can be substituted with groups suitable for alkyl group substituents, as set forth above.

The term “aliphatic” as applied to cyclic groups refers to ring structures in which any double bonds that are present in the ring are not conjugated around the entire ring structure.

The term “aromatic” as applied to cyclic groups refers to ring structures which contain double bonds that are conjugated around the entire ring structure, possibly through a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom. Aryl groups, pyridyl groups and furan groups are examples of aromatic groups. The conjugated system of an aromatic group contains a characteristic number of electrons, for example, 6 or 10 electrons that occupy the electronic orbitals making up the conjugated system, which are typically un-hybridized p-orbitals.

The term “substituted” as used herein refers to a replacement of a hydrogen atom of the unsubstituted group with a functional group, and particularly contemplated functional groups include nucleophilic groups (e.g., — NH2, — OH, — SH, — CN, etc.), electrophilic groups (e.g., C(O)OR, C(X)OH, etc.), polar groups (e.g., — OH), non-polar groups (e.g., heterocycle, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc.), ionic groups (e.g., — NH3 +), and halogens (e g., — F, — Cl), NHCOR, NHC0NH2, OCH2COOH, OCH2CONH2, OCH2CONHR, NHCH2COOH, NHCH2CONH2, NHSO2R, OCH2-heterocycles, PO3H, SO3H, amino acids, and all chemically reasonable combinations thereof. Moreover, the term “substituted” also includes multiple degrees of substitution, and where multiple substituents are disclosed or claimed, the substituted compound can be independently substituted by one or more of the disclosed or claimed substituent moieties.

In addition to the disclosure herein, in a certain embodiment, a group that is substituted has 1, 2, 3, or 4 substituents, 1, 2, or 3 substituents, 1 or 2 substituents, or 1 substituent.

It is understood that in all substituted groups defined above, compounds arrived at by defining substituents with further substituents to themselves (e.g., substituted aryl having a substituted aryl group as a substituent which is itself substituted with a substituted aryl group, which is further substituted by a substituted aryl group, etc.) are not intended for inclusion herein. In such cases, the maximum number of such substitutions is three. For example, serial substitutions of substituted aryl groups specifically contemplated herein are limited to substituted aryl-(substituted aryl)-substituted aryl.

The term “modulation” as used herein in the context of serotonin, or other receptor binding, refers to a change in activation state as compared to the absence of a compound of the invention, or a patent compound of one or more of the compounds of the invention.

The term “beneficial” as used herein in the context of treating a condition, refers to extended relief of symptoms (duration) and/or a more significant reduction of symptoms (magnitude).

As used herein, a “therapeutically effective amount” for treating or preventing one or more symptoms of a disease or condition, which may preferably include, but not be limited to: for schizophrenia, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount which causes a significant reduction in psychopathology as determined by clinical improvement; for depression, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questonnaire-9; for OCD, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; for ADHD, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by either the ADHD Rating Scale V or ADHD Self-Report Scale; for eating disorders, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire; for autism spectrum disorders a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by physicians' assessment; for PTSD a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5; for anxiety, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the General Anxiety Disorder-7; for addiction, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by physicians' assessment; for cluster headaches, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Cluster Headache Severity Scale (CHSS); for dementia, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS); for Alzheimer's disease, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog); for paralysis, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that leads to stabilization and remission of symptoms as measured by physicians' assessment.

The term “treatment” or “treating”, as used herein in the context of treating a condition, pertains generally to treatment and therapy, whether of a human or an animal (e.g., in veterinary applications), in which some desired therapeutic effect is achieved, for example, the inhibition of the progress of the condition, and includes a reduction in the rate of progress, a halt in the rate of progress, amelioration of the condition, and cure of the condition. Treatment as a prophylactic measure (i.e., prophylaxis) is also included.

“Pharmaceutical compositions” are compositions that include an amount (for example, a unit dosage) of one or more of the disclosed compounds together with one or more non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable additives, including carriers, diluents, and/or adjuvants, and optionally other biologically active ingredients. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared by standard pharmaceutical formulation techniques such as those disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences , Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (19th Edition). The pharmaceutical acceptable carrier may comprise any conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipient. The choice of carrier and/or excipient will to a large extent depend on factors such as the particular mode of administration, the effect of the carrier or excipient on solubility and stability, and the nature of the dosage form. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers include inert diluents or fillers, water and various organic solvents (such as hydrates and solvates). The pharmaceutical compositions may, if desired, contain additional ingredients such as flavorings, binders, excipients and the like. Thus, for oral administration, tablets containing various excipients, such as citric acid may be employed together with various disintegrants such as starch, alginic acid and certain complex silicates and with binding agents such as sucrose, gelatin and acacia. Examples, without limitation, of excipients include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils and polyethylene glycols. Additionally, lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and talc are often useful for tableting purposes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed in soft and hard filled gelatin capsules. Non-limiting examples of materials, therefore, include lactose or milk sugar and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols. When aqueous suspensions or elixirs are desired for oral administration the active compound therein may be combined with various sweetening or flavoring agents, coloring matters or dyes and, if desired, emulsifying agents or suspending agents, together with diluents such as water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, or combinations thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt which is acceptable for administration to a patient, such as a mammal, such as human (salts with counterions having acceptable mammalian safety for a given dosage regime). Such salts can be derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic bases and from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids. “Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a compound, which salts are derived from a variety of organic and inorganic counter ions well known in the art and include, by way of example only, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, tetraalkylammonium, and the like; and when the molecule contains a basic functionality, salts of organic or inorganic acids, such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, formate, tartrate, besylate, mesylate, acetate, maleate, oxalate, and the like.

The term “salt thereof’ means a compound formed when a proton of an acid is replaced by a cation, such as a metal cation or an organic cation and the like. Where applicable, the salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, although this is not required for salts of intermediate compounds that are not intended for administration to a patient. By way of example, salts of the present compounds include those wherein the compound is protonated by an inorganic or organic acid to form a cation, with the conjugate base of the inorganic or organic acid as the anionic component of the salt. For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds are those wherein the counterion is pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases which are non- pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid and base addition salts as mentioned above are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid and base addition salt forms which the compounds can form. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriate acid. Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic (i.e. ethanedioic), malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic, fumaric, malic (i.e. hydroxybutanedioic acid), tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p- aminosalicylic, pamoic, and like acids. Conversely, these salt forms can be converted into the free base form by treatment with an appropriate base. The compounds containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amine addition salt forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g., the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g., the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine, and the like.