Process for preparing heterocyclic compounds

Process for preparing compounds of the formula (I)

• in which
• R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group,
• A represents an ethylene group, which may be substituted by alkyl, or a trimethylene group, which may be substituted by alkyl,
• X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or the group
• in which
• R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and
• Z represents an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group which contains at least two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen atoms, or denotes an optionally substituted 3- or 4-pyridyl group,
• characterized in that compounds of the formula (II)
• in which
• A and X are each as defined above are reacted with compounds of the formula (III)
• in which
• R1 and Z are each as defined above and
• M1 denotes a halogen atom or the group —OSO2-M2, in which
• M2 denotes a lower alkyl group, an aryl group or OM3, where
• M3 denotes a lower alkyl group or an alkali metal,
• in the presence of a define solvent and, if appropriate, in the presence of a base.