Isoquinoline derivatives

Abstract

Compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy or C.sub.2-4 alkanoyloxy group; R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, or (when R.sup.2 is other than a hydrogen atom) optionally a hydroxyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy or C.sub.2-4 alkanoyloxy group, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together are a methylenedioxy group; R.sup.4 is a hydrogen or halogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is each a hydrogen atom or a group --OCOCH.sub.2 NR.sup.7 R.sup.8 [where R.sup.7 and R.sup.8, which may be the same or different, each is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl group or a straight or branched C.sub.1-4 alkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, or --NR.sup.7 R.sup.8 forms a saturated heterocyclic amino group which has 5-7 ring members and optionally contains in the ring an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group --NH-- or --N(R) where R is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group] with the proviso that when one of R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom, the other is a group --OCOCH.sub.2 NR.sup.7 R.sup.8) may be prepared by amination of a corresponding compound where R.sup.5 and/or R.sup.6 is a group --OCOCH.sub.2 L wherein L is a displaceable leaving group. The compounds of formula (I) and their physiologically acceptable salts exhibit interesting cancer combatting properties.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.