4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives and their use as sigma receptor ligands

A method of treating or preventing a sigma receptor mediated disease or condition, said method comprising administering to a patient in need of such a treatment or prevention a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I),

• wherein
• n is 1;
• m is 1;
• the dotted line ------ represents either a single or a double bond;
• R1 represents a hydrogen atom;
• S(O)2—R11;
• C(O)—R11;
• a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted cycloalkyl group which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted aryl radical which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-cycloalkyl group in which the cycloalkyl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-aryl group in which the aryl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-heterocyclyl group in which the heterocyclyl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• R2 represents S(O)2—R11;
• C(O)—R11;
• a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical, with the substituents selected from OH, SH, NH2, F, Cl, Br, I;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted cycloalkyl group which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted aryl radical which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group which is optionally condensed to other, at least mono-substituted, mono- or polycyclic ring systems, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-cycloalkyl group in which the cycloalkyl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-aryl group in which the aryl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-heterocyclyl group in which the heterocyclyl group may be optionally at least mono-substituted and/or condensed with a mono- or polycyclic ring system, or may be optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• or
• R1 and R2 form together with the bridging nitrogen atom an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group selected from:
• which is optionally condensed with an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• or which is optionally bound through a spirocyclic binding to an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• R3 represents a hydrogen atom;
• R4 and R5, represent a hydrogen atom;
• R6 represents a hydrogen atom;
• R7 represents a hydrogen atom;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical;
• R8 and R9, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom;
• a halogen;
• OR7;
• a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted cycloalkyl group;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted aryl radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-aryl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-cycloalkyl group;
• or
• R8 and R9, binding to the same C-atom in the ring, form together with this C-atom in the ring an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• or
• R8 and R9, binding to different adjacent ring members;
• form together with these ring members an optionally at least mono-substituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;
• R10 represents hydrogen;
• a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted cycloalkyl group;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted aryl radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-aryl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-cycloalkyl group;
• wherein R10 cannot be methoxyphenyl;
• R11 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally at least mono-substituted aliphatic radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted cycloalkyl group;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted aryl radical;
• an optionally at least mono-substituted heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-aryl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-heterocyclyl group;
• a linear or branched, optionally at least mono-substituted alkyl-cycloalkyl group with the provisos that
• if n is 1
• R1 and R2 may not form, together with their bridging nitrogen atom, an imidazole group;
• if m is 1, n is 1 and the dotted line ------ represents a double bond,
• R1 and R2 may not form, together with their bridging nitrogen atom, 5-Etoxy-2-Pyrrolidinone or 2,5-pyrrolidinedione;
• optionally in form of one of the stereoisomers, preferably enantiomers or diastereomers, a racemate or in form of a mixture of at least two of the stereoisomers, preferably enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any mixing ratio, or a corresponding salt thereof.