Cyclic hydroxylamine as psychoactive compounds

Abstract

A compound of formula (I): in which— X represents O or CH 2 ; R 3 and R 4 each independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl; p represent 0 or 1; and R represents a five- or six-membered saturated or unsaturated ring selected from: or R represents a five- or six-membered oxo-substituted unsaturated ring selected from: wherein R 1 and R 2 together represent an oxo group, or R 1 and R 2 each represent hydrogen, methoxy or ethoxy, or R 1 and R 2 together with the interjacent carbon atom represent a 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane ring, attached via the 2 position and optionally bearing one or more methyl or ethyl groups; or a salt thereof, is suitable for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or a salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor; 
         in which—
 X represents O or CH 2 ; 
 R 3  and R 4  each independently represent hydrogen or C 1-6  alkyl; 
 p represent 0 or 1; and 
 R represents a five- or six-membered saturated or unsaturated ring selected from: 
 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          or
 R represents a five- or six-membered unsaturated ring selected from: 
 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent an oxo group, or R 1  and R 2  each represent hydrogen, methoxy or ethoxy, or R 1  and R 2  together with the interjacent carbon atom represent a 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane ring, attached via the 2 position and optionally bearing one or more methyl or ethyl groups; 
         or a tautomer thereof; 
         or a salt thereof; 
       
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 16  in which R represents a five- or six-membered unsaturated ring selected from: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent an oxo group, or R 1  and R 2  each represent methoxy or ethoxy, or R 1  and R 2  together with the interjacent carbon atom represent a 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane ring, attached via the 2 position and optionally bearing one or more methyl or ethyl groups, and p represents 0. 
       
     
     
         18 . A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 16  in which R 1  and R 2  together represent an oxo group. 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 16  in which R 3  and R 4  are identical. 
     
     
         20 . A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 16  in which R 3  and R 4  each represents hydrogen.