Abstract: The use of human CB.sub.2 receptor-specific agonists of formula (I) or (I') for preparing immunomodulating drugs is disclosed. In formulae (I) and (I'), R.sub.1 is a group selected from --CH.sub.2 CHR.sub.10 NR.sub.6 R.sub.11, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 NR'.sub.6 R'.sub.11, --CHR.sub.9 CH.sub.2 NR'.sub.6 R'.sub.11, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n Z and --COR.sub.8 ; R'.sub.1 is a --CH.sub.2 CHR.sub.10 NR.sub.6 R.sub.11 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 NR'.sub.6 R'.sub.11 group; R.sub.2 and R'.sub.2 are hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or a group selected from --CH.sub.2 CHR.sub.10 NR.sub.6 R.sub.11, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 NR'.sub.6 R'.sub.11 and --COR.sub.8 ; R'.sub.3 is a .dbd.CR.sub.6 R.sub.8 group; R.sub.4 has one of the meanings given for R.sub.5 or is a --COR.sub.8 group; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, a halogen atom, a CF.sub.3 group, an OCF.sub.3 group or C.sub.1-4 alkylthio; R'.sub.5 has one of the meanings given for R.sub.

Abstract: Process of producing 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide by reacting benzofurazan-1 oxide with disodiumcyanamide under homogeneous conditions followed by allowing crystallization to occur in a buffered solution. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises reacting benzofurazan-1 oxide with cyanamide and sodium hydroxide under homogeneous conditions followed by purification in a mixture of acetone and acetic acid.

Abstract: Alpha-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylsulfinyl)benzenemethanols and 2-[4-hydroxy-3-(alkylsulfinyl)phenyl]ethylamines useful as antihypertensive agents are prepared by oxidation of the corresponding alpha-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)benzenemethanols and 2-[4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)phenyl]ethylamines respectively.

Abstract: Alpha-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)benzenemethanols useful as intermediates and as antihypertensive agents are prepared by reduction of the corresponding aminoalkyl 4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)phenyl ketones.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for esterification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl N-alkylaminoalkyl ketones with arylcarboxylic acid chlorides which comprises carrying out the esterification in the presence of a catalytic amount of a 4-di-lower-alkylaminopyridine or 4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine and an acid-acceptor comprising a tertiary amine or sterically-hindered secondary amine.

Abstract: Alpha-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylsulfinyl)benzenemethanols and 2-[4-hydroxy-3-(alkylsulfinyl)phenyl]ethylamines useful as antihypertensive agents are prepared by oxidation of the corresponding alpha-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)benzenemethanols and 2-[4-hydroxy-3-(alkylthio)phenyl]ethylamines respectively.

Abstract: Therapeutically useful 1-(substituted-amino)-3-[4-R.sub.1 O-3-(lower-alkylthio, lower-alkylsulfinyl or lower-alkylsulfonyl)phenoxy]-2-propanols are obtained by reacting a 4-R.sub.1 0-3-(lower-alkylthio, lower-alkylsulfinyl or lower-alkylsulfonyl)phenol with an epihalohydrin and reacting the resulting product with a primary amine. The compounds have both antihypertensive and .beta.-adrenergic blocking activity and are useful as antihypertensive agents.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to .alpha.-(aminoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(alkylsulfinylbenzenemethanols and to a method of utilizing the compounds for reducing blood pressure in mammals.

Abstract: 1-R.sub.1 -3-[amino, cyano, carbamyl, halo, lower-alkylamino, di-(lower-alkyl)amino or lower-acylamino]-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones or pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition or cationic salts thereof are useful as cardiotonic agents, where R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-hydroxyalkyl. 1-R.sub.1 -3-amino-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones are prepared by hydrolyzing the corresponding 3-cyano compounds to produce the corresponding 3-carbamyl compounds and reacting the latter with a reagent capable of converting carbamyl to amino. The 1-R.sub.1 -3-cyano-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones are prepared by reacting (pyridinylmethyl) lower-alkyl ketones with dimethylformamide di-(lower-alkyl) acetal to produce 1-(pyridinyl)-2-(dimethylamino)ethenyl lower-alkyl ketone and reacting said ketones with N-R.sub.1 -o-cyanoacetamide to produce the 1-R.sub.1 -3-cyano-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones.

Abstract: 3-(Hydroxy or hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone or pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof is useful as a cardiotonic agent. 3-Hydroxy-6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone is prepared by autoclaving a mixture of a sodium or potassium lower-alkoxide, a lower-alkanol and 3-(chloro or bromo)-6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone and acidifying the reaction mixture. 3-Hydroxymethyl-6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone is prepared by reacting 6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone with excess formaldehyde at an acidic pH. Said 3-(hydroxy or hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone or pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof is disclosed as the active ingredient in cardiotonic compositions for increasing cardiac contractility and in the method for increasing cardiac contractility in a patient requiring such treatment.

Abstract: 1-R.sub.1 -3-[amino, cyano, carbamyl, halo, lower-alkylamino, di-(lower-alkyl)amino or lower-acylamino]-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones or pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition or cationic salts thereof are useful as cardiotonic agents, where R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-hydroxyalkyl. 1-R.sub.1 -3-amino-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones are prepared by hydrolyzing the corresponding 3-cyano compounds to produce the corresponding 3-carbamyl compounds and reacting the latter with a reagent capable of converting carbamyl to amino. The 1-R.sub.1 -3-cyano-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones are prepared by reacting (pyridinylmethyl) lower-alkyl ketones with dimethylformamide di-(lower-alkyl) acetal to produce 1-(pyridinyl)-2-(dimethylamino)ethenyl lower-alkyl ketone and reacting said ketones with N-R.sub.1 -.alpha.-cyanoacetamide to produce the 1-R.sub.1 -3-cyano-6-(lower-alkyl)-5-(pyridinyl)-2(1H)-pyridinones.