Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is a heterocyclic ring containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;in which R.sub.2 is H, a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms;in which R.sub.3, is H, a straight chain alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a formyl groupin which R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 which may be the same or different, are H, halo, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, phenyl or R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted second benzene ring;and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts have utility in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for the preparation of compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, formyl, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring show therapeutic activity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, formyl, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring show therapeutic activity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, formyl, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring show therapeutic acitivity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, formyl, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring show therapeutic activity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, formyl, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, C.sub.1-3 alkylthio or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring show therapeutic activity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl; R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 are H, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 alkenyl, C.sub.3-6 alkynyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring system; R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 are H, halo, CF.sub.3, or C.sub.1-3 alkyl (with the proviso that R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 cannot both be H or methyl) or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a second benzene ring and R.sub.7 and/or R.sub.8 are H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl show therapeutic activity in the treatment of depression. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing compounds of formula I are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel process for making aryl propionic acids is described. It comprises reaction of a Grignard compound, obtained from an aryl bromide and magnesium, with a lithium, sodium, magnesium or calcium salt of 2-bromopropionic acid, followed by acidification.