The present invention relates to a gentle process for catalytic hydrogenation and to a process for the preparation of biotin using the hydrogenation step. The process according to the invention for the selective, catalytic hydrogenation of a C--C double bond on a thiazole ring system having at least one functional group which can be converted into a salt under basic conditions is characterised in that the hydrogenation is carried out in a protic solvent is a pH>7.

A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is ##STR2## in which X is .dbd.CH-- or .dbd.N--; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl, benzyl or phenethyl; Y is --CH.sub.2 --, --NH-- or --O--; and Z is --H.sub.2 or .dbd.O; B is His, Leu, Ile, Nva, Nle, Ala or Val; and R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are renin inhibitors.

A method for preparation of a cycloheptimidazole compound having formula (5), ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.4 is a lower alkyl group, comprising reacting a compound of formula (1), ##STR2## with an alkylamidine hydrochloride.

Pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole derivatives of the formula ##SPC1## Wherein R is a lower alkyl, a phenyl or a benzyl radical, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl or a phenyl radical and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical. The compounds have C.N.S. activity.

The present invention provides a radiolabeled astemizole of formula (III) ##STR00001## and a process for preparing the radiolabeled astemizole of formula III.

There are provided pharmacologically active compounds which are highly effective to treat hypertension or congestive heart failure, and are well absorbed into the body and have long-lasting action. Thus, the present invention provides A compound represented by the general formula: ##STR1## or a pharmacologically acceptable ester or salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating hypertension or congestive heart failure which comprises the compound as an active ingredien...

A novel class of imidazo heterocyclic compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and use thereof in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and disorders related to the histamine H3 receptor. More particularly, the compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and disorders in which an interaction with the histamine H3 receptor is beneficial.

An optically active or racemic .alpha.-hydroxyaldehyde represented by the general formula (2), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of said groups and R.sub.2 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub....

The invention provides compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein the substitutents are as described herein. Further provided are methods of using such compounds for the treatment of nuclear hormone receptor-associated conditions, such as age related diseases, for example sarcopenia, and also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

Novel 7-ether and 7-thioether derivatives of 2-aryl, 3-aryl, and 2,3-diaryl-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]-imidazole and 8-ether and 8-thioether derivatives of 2-aryl, 3-aryl, and 2,3-diaryl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-imidazo[1,2-a]-pyridine, such as 2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2-phenyl-8,8-dimethoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hydrochloride, useful as immunomodulators.