Anxiolytic imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives

Abstract

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n represents 2, 3 or 4, Y represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl radical, Z represents a naphthyl radical; a phenyl radical ##STR2## in which X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 independently of one another each represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a C.sub.1-4 alkoxy radical, a C.sub.1-6 alkyl radical or the group --CF.sub.3, CH.sub.3 S--, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 -- or --NO.sub.2 ; or a thien-2-yl, furan-2-yl or pyridine-2-yl radical optionally carrying a halogen atom or the methyl or ethyl radical in the 5-position, and R represents the hydroxy radical, or a group --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently of one another each represent a hydrogen atom; a straight- or branched-chain C.sub.1-5 alkyl radical optionally carrying one or more halogen atoms, a hydroxy radical, a group --N(C.sub.1-4 alkyl).sub.2, a carbamoyl radical or a C.sub.1-4 alkoxy radical; the allyl radical; the propargyl radical; a C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl radical; the benzyl radical; or the phenyl radical; or alternatively --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 together represent a heterocyclic ring containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic ring of the formula ##STR3## in which X is O, S, CHOR' or NR', R' being a hydrogen atom or the benzyl radical and R' being a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-4 alkyl radical or the phenyl radical optionally carrying a methoxy radical or a halogen atom, are new compounds. They are therapeutically useful as they possess anxiolytic, antianoxic, sleep-inducing, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties.