3-hydroxymethyl-4hydroxy-phenyl- derivatives for the treatment of respiratory diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of the compounds of general formula 1 wherein the groups R 1 , X and Y may have the meanings given in the claims and in the specification, for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), as well as new compounds of general formula 1 and processes for preparing them.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating a disease in which a therapeutically effective dose of a betamimetic can provide a therapeutic benefit, wherein the method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula 1: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
       X denotes nitrogen, oxygen or CR 2 ; 
       Y denotes nitrogen, oxygen or CR 3 ; 
       R 1  denotes hydrogen, C 1 C 4 -alkyl, halogen, OH or —O—C 1 -C 4 -alkyl; 
       R 2  denotes hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, halogen, OH or —O—C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, or
 phenyl, which may optionally be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by one or more groups selected from among C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, halogen, OH or —O—C 1 -C 4 -alkyl; and 
 
       R 3  denotes hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, halogen, OH or —O—C 1 -C 4 -alkyl;
 or 
 
       R 2  and R 3  together denote a bridging group —CH═CH—CH═CH, wherein one, two or three hydrogen atoms are substituted by a group selected from among C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, OH, halogen and —O—C 1 -C 4 -alkyl; 
       with the proviso that R 2  cannot be hydrogen if the groups R 1  and R 3  denote hydrogen; or optical isomers, mixtures of enantiomers or racemates, and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.