Heterocyclic compounds

Abstract

The compound Ia ##STR1## has been shown to possess GABA-related activity. The invention relates to Ia and derivatives thereof, covered by the formula ##STR2## in which R" is hydrogen, acetyl or a group of the general formula VII ##STR3## in which R.sub.5 is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted in the 4-position with halogen, lower alkoxy, or lower alkyl; or phenylalkyl in which the phenyl group may be substituted in the 4-position with halogen, lower alkoxy, or lower alkyl; and salts thereof. Novel intermediates for preparing I are ##STR4## in which Alk is a lower alkyl group and Z is hydrogen or an amino-protecting group; ##STR5## wherein Z is hydrogen or an amino-protecting group, T is a group convertible, by hydrolysis, into an oxy group, and Q is a leaving group which, on reaction with hydroxylamine, forms a hydroxamic acid group; ##STR6## wherein Z and T are as defined above; ##STR7## wherein Z is as defined above, and W is hydrogen or a group removable to yield the free hydroxy group, with the proviso that at least one of Z and W is different from hydrogen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.