Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for preparing 1-[(2S)-3-mercapto-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-L-proline (captopril) of formula (I). ##STR1## which comprises hydrogenolysing 1-[(2S)-2-methyl-1-oxo-3-rhodanidopropyl]-L-proline of formula (II) ##STR2## in an inert solvent, in the presence of a catalyst, at a temperature of 50.degree. to 120.degree. C. under a pressure of 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 Pa.The above compound of formula (II) is new and can be prepared by acylating L-proline with a reactive acylating derivative of (2S)-2-methyl-3-rhodanido-propionic acid of formula (III).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for hydrogen or the group COR.sup.2, whereinR.sup.2 stands for a straight or branched chained alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted with phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or m-phenoxy-benzyl, cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more straight or branched chained alkyl or alkenyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or naphthyl.The compounds of formula (I) are prepared according to the invention by(a) reacting esters of formula (II) ##STR2## wherein X stands for chlorine or bromine andR.sup.2 has the same meanings as defined above with a phenol alkali metal salt and(b) if desired converting the diphenyl ethers so obtained to a specific compound of formula (I), m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol by the hydrolysis of the ester group.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a compound of the formula (XI) ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl;R.sup.5 is amino or C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonylamino; andR.sup.4" is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkynyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl, or 2-phenyl-ethyl, which comprises the steps of:(a) reacting a compound of the formula (VIII) ##STR2## or a salt thereof, with a basic nucleophilic compound to yield a salt of the formula (IX) ##STR3## wherein R.sup.4' is a lone pair of electrons, in which case an alkali metal or alkali earth metal cation forms a salt with the sulfur atom; and(b) reacting a salt of the formula (IX) with a compound of the formula (X)R.sup.4' --QwhereinQ is hydroxyl, halogen, 1/2SO.sub.4, 1/3PO.sub.3, SO.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or SO.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3 to yield the desired product.

Abstract: Antitussive compounds of the formula I ##STR1## or physiologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof are disclosed, where A stands for straight or branched chain C.sub.1-5 alkylene or ##STR2## R.sub.1 stands for straight or branched chain C.sub.1-10 alkyl, halogenoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.5-6 cycloalkyl, vinyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, carbonylalkyl or aminoalkyl of the formula ##STR3## wherein R stands for hydrogen or methyl, n is 0 to 3,R.sub.2 stands for hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl,R.sub.3 stands for hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl or,R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the nitrogen atom may form a 5-6 membered ring, which ring can optionally contain an oxygen or a second nitrogen atom, the latter, optionally substituted by methyl or,R.sub.1 can stand for a phenyl group of the formulaR.sub.4 R.sub.5 C.sub.6 H.sub.3whereinR.sub.4 and R.sub.5 represent independently hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl or amino or,R.sub.

Abstract: A new process is disclosed for the preparation of a compound of the formula (VIII) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl;R.sup.5 is amino or C.sub.1-4 alkoxycarbonylamino; or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) ##STR2## with gaseous chlorine and a rhodanide of the formula (III)R--SCN (III)wherein R represents a metal ion or ammonium.