Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Michael T Cox

David R Brittain

The invention concerns novel, pharmaceutically useful, benzheterocyclyl sulphones of the formula I: ##STR1## in which ring A may bear optional halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl or fluoro(1-4C)alkyl substituents; X is oxygen, or a group of the formula --S(O).sub.n -- or --NR.sup.1 -- in which n is zero, 1 or 2 and R.sup.1 is hydrogen, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-6C)alkanoyl, benzoyl or phenyl(1-4C)alkyl, the last two optionally substituted; Y is various linking groups defined hereinafter, such as ethylene or trimethylene; and in which the group --SO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NO.sub.2 is located at position a, b or c in ring A; together with the non-toxic thereof. Other aspects of the invention include the production of the novel compounds by analogy processes and pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds for use in the treatment of diabetic complications.

Benzheterocyclyl sulphones

Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for hydrogen or a defined hydrocarbyl or halogenoalkenyl radical, R.sup.2 stands for a defined hydrocarbyl, halogenoalkenyl or furylmethyl radical, R.sup.3 is a substituent at position (a) or (b) and stands for a hydroxy or defined alkoxy or alkanoyloxy radical, R.sup.4 stands for a defined alkoxy, cyanoalkoxy or alkenyloxy radical or a defined amino acid residue or peptide residue, and n stands for 1, 2 or 3, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Processes for the manufacture of the compounds. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one of the compounds and a pharmaceutical diluent or carrier. The compounds are antagonists at the opiate receptors, and most of them are selective .delta.-receptor antagonists.

Growing community of inventors

Congleton, United Kingdom

Michael T Cox