Abstract: A compound of formula I, or a salt or prodrug thereof:
wherein:
Z represents C1-6 alkyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl, C4-7 cycloalkenyl, aryl, C3-7 heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or di(C1-6)alkylamino, any of which groups may be optionally substituted;
R1 represents an optionally substituted five-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, triazole and tetrazole; or
R1 represents an optionally substituted six-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from pyrazine, pyrimidine and pyridazine; and
R2 represents cyano(C1-6)alkyl, hydroxy(C1-6)alkyl, C3-7 cycloalkyl(C1-6)alkyl, propargyl, C3-7 heterocycloalkylcarbonyl(C1-6)alkyl, aryl(C1-6)alkyl or heteroaryl(C1-6)alkyl, any of which groups may be optionally substituted; its use in treating anxiety and pharmaceutical compositions comprising it; a subclass of compounds which are useful in enhancing cognition, such as Alzheimer's Disease, is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2002
Assignee:
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.
Inventors:
Tamara Ladduwahetty, Kevin John Merchant, Francine Sternfeld, Leslie Joseph Street