Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process for the preparation of the compound N-?1(R)-?(1,2-dihydro-1-methanesulfonyl-spiro?3H-indole-3,4'-piperdin!-1'- yl)carbonyl!-2-(phenylmethyl-oxy)ethyl!-2-amino-2-methyl-propanamide, and salts thereof, which has the structure: ##STR1## and which has the ability to stimulate the release of natural or endogenous growth hormone. This compound may be used to treat conditions which require the stimulation of growth hormone production or secretion such as in humans with a deficiency of natural growth hormone or in animals used for food or wool production where the stimulation of growth hormone will result in a larger, more productive animal.

Abstract: A process for preparing tryptamine derivatives and related compounds having a 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl moiety within the molecule comprises reacting 4-amino-1,2,4-triazol with a nitrobenzene derivative containing a readily displaceable group; deaminating the aminotriazolium salt thereby obtained by treatment with nitrous acid followed by neutralisation; reducing the triazolyl-nitrobenzene derivative thereby obtained by transfer hydrogenation; treating the triazolyl-aniline derivative thereby obtained with nitrous acid and then with an alkali metal sulphate, followed by acidification; and subsequently reacting the triazolyl-hydrazine derivative thereby obtained in situ with a suitable carbonyl compound, to obtain the required triazolyl-indole derivative.

Abstract: A process for preparing a single enantiomer of a 4-aryloxyazetidin-2-one derivative in optically pure form comprises reacting a hindered vinyl ester with chlorosulphonyl isocyanate; displacing the hindered acyloxy group with a phenolic derivative containing a protected carboxy group; deprotecting the carboxylate moiety; resolving with a chiral amine; filtering; and regenerating the desired enantiomer by acidification. A method for enriching the product obtained from the acyloxy displacement step in favour of the desired enantiomeric form, by treating with an asymmetric catalyst such as a chiral alkaloid derivative, is provided; as also is a method for racemising the unwanted antipode of the desired 4-aryloxyazetidin-2-one enantiomer. The invention further provides novel enantiomers based on the 4-aryloxyazetidin-2-one ring structure.

Abstract: Compounds of formula III: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group; and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each idependently signify hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino or lower alkyl; are useful intermediates in a novel process for the preparation of a class of pharmacologically active compounds of formula I: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are as defined above; and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl.