the compounds of the formula ( i ) can be prepared by the following general routes : ( 1 ) the first route involves the acylation of a compound of the formula ( a ) in which r and / or r 3 is -- nh 2 , using a c 1 - c 4 alkanesulphonyl chloride or bromide , or a c 1 - c 4 alkanesulphonic anhydride . when both r and r 3 are -- nh 2 , clearly at least two equivalents of the acylating agent will be required and , of course , r and r 3 in the final product will be the same . the reaction is typically carried out at room temperature , and optionally in the presence of an acid acceptor such as pyridine , triethylamine , potassium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate . the presence of an acid acceptor is particularly useful when an alkanesulphonyl chloride or bromide is used . it is in fact particularly convenient to carry out the reaction with an alkanesulphonyl chloride in pyridine . the product of the formula ( i ) can then be isolated and purified by conventional means . the starting materials for this acylation reaction are available conventionally , e . g . as follows : ## str9 ## r and &# 34 ; het &# 34 ; are as defined for formula ( i ), and q is a leaving group such as chloro , bromo , iodo or methanesulphonyloxy . ## str10 ## r , het and q are as defined in ( a ) above . ( c ) routes ( a ) and ( b ) can also be carried out using starting materials in which the substituent r 3 on &# 34 ; het &# 34 ; is nitro instead of c 1 - c 4 alkanesulphonamido , thus producing a di - nitro intermediate which can be reduced by catalytic hydrogenation to a di - amino starting material , i . e ., a starting material of the formula ( a ) in which both r and r 3 are amino . and ( d ) ## str11 ## r is c 1 - c 4 alkyl , &# 34 ; het &# 34 ; in the first step is a nitro - substituted heterocycle as defined for formula ( a ), and q is a leaving group as defined in ( a ) above . the starting materials used in methods ( a ) to ( d ) are either known compounds or can be prepared by conventional techniques , e . g . by the techniques illustrated in the following preparations . ( 2 ) the second route to the compounds ( i ) can be illustrated as follows : ## str12 ## r 1 is c 1 - c 4 alkyl , &# 34 ; het &# 34 ; is as defined for formula ( i ), and q is a leaving group such as chloro , bromo , iodo , c 1 - c 4 alkanesulphonyloxy ( preferably methanesulphonyloxy ), benzenesulphonyloxy or toluenesulphonyloxy . the reaction is typically carried out in an organic solvent at up to the reflux temperature . it is preferred to carry out the reaction under reflux . the presence of an acid acceptor is optional but is most useful when q is c1 , br or i . typical acid acceptors are pyridine , triethylamine , potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate . the starting materials are again known compounds or can be obtained conventionally . the following examples , in which all temperatures are in ° c ., illustrate the preparation of the compounds of the formula ( i ): methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 21 g , 1 . 85 mmole ) was added dropwise to a solution of n - methyl - n -( 3 - methyl - 5 - aminobenzofur - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethylamine ( see preparation 10b - 0 . 78 g , 1 . 68 mmole ) in pyridine ( 7 ml ) and the solution was then stirred at room temperature for 60 hours . the solvent was evaporated and the residue triturated with toluene . the toluene was decanted , the residue stirred with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , and the precipitate collected by filtration and recrystallised from methanol to give the title compound , yield 0 . 38 g , m . p . 142 °- 143 . 5 °. analysis %: found : c , 54 . 4 ; h , 5 . 8 ; n , 9 . 1 ; calculated for c 21 h 27 n 3 o 5 s 2 : c , 54 . 2 ; h , 5 . 85 ; n , 9 . 0 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 76 g , 6 . 6 mmole ) was added dropwise to a solution of n - methyl - n -( 5 - aminobenzofur - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4aminophenethylamine ( see preparation 3 - 0 . 9 g , 3 . 0 mmole ) in pyridine ( 25 ml ) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours . the solvent was then evaporated and the residue diluted with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted three times with methylene chloride . the combined organic extracts were dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated , and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica eluting with ethyl acetate . the product - containing fractions were combined , evaporated and the resulting solid was recrystallised from ethyl acetate / methanol to give the title compound , yield 0 . 35 g , m . p . 177 °- 179 °. analysis %: found : c , 53 . 2 ; h , 5 . 7 ; n , 9 . 0 ; calculated for c 20 h 25 n 3 o 5 s 2 : c , 53 . 2 ; h , 5 . 6 ; n , 9 . 3 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 38 g , 3 . 3 mmole ) and n - methyl - n -( 5 - aminobenzoxazol - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - aminophenethylamine ( see preparation 1c - 0 . 45 g , 1 . 5 mmole ) in pyridine ( 20 ml ) when reacted together under conditions similar to those of example 2 gave the title compound , yield from ethanol 0 . 25 g , m . p . 174 °- 176 °. analysis %: found : c , 50 . 4 ; h , 5 . 1 : n , 12 . 4 ; calculated for c 19 h 24 n 4 o 5 s 2 : c , 50 . 4 ; h , 5 , 35 n , 12 . 4 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 21 g , 1 . 8 mmole ) and n - methyl - n -( 6 - aminobenzofur - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - aminophenethylamine ( see preparation 2 - 0 . 24 g , 0 . 82 mmole ) in pyridine ( 3 ml ) when reacted together under conditions similar to those of example 2 , gave the title compound as an oil , yield 0 . 18 g . analysis %: found : c , 53 . 0 ; h , 5 . 7 ; n , 9 . 1 ; calculated for c 20 h 25 n 3 o 5 s 2 : c , 53 . 2 ; h , 5 . 6 ; n , 9 . 3 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 15 g , 1 . 3 mmole ) and n - methyl - n -( 6 - aminoquinol - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - aminophenethylamine ( see preparation 4 - 0 . 17 g , 0 . 37 mmole ) in pyridine ( 20 ml ) when reacted together under conditions similar to those of example 2 gave the title compound , yield 0 . 70 g from ethyl acetate , m . p . 163 °- 165 °. analysis %: found : c , 54 . 3 ; h , 5 . 45 ; n , 12 . 1 ; calculated for c 21 h 26 n 4 o 4 s : c , 54 . 5 ; h , 5 . 7 ; n , 12 . 1 . treatment of n - methyl - n -( 5 - amino - 2 - benzo [ b ] thienylmethyl )- 4 - aminophenethylamine ( 0 . 26 g - see preparation 13 ) with methane - sulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 23 g ) in pyridine according to the method of example 2 gave the title compound , ( 0 . 167 g ), m . p . 175 °- 177 °. analysis %: found : c , 50 . 99 ; h , 5 . 39 ; n , 8 . 93 ; calculated for c 20 h 25 n 3 o 4 s 3 : c , 51 . 37 ; h , 5 . 39 ; n , 8 . 99 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 0 . 1 g , 1 . 29 mmole ) was reacted with n - ethyl - n -( 6 - aminoquinol - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethylamine ( see preparation 11b - 0 . 51 g , 1 . 23 mmole ) in pyridine similarly to the procedure of example 2 , giving the free base of the title compound as a gum . the gum was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was diluted with ethereal hydrogen chloride and evaporated to dryness . the residue was triturated with ether to give the title compound as a foam , yield 0 . 06 g , m . p . 96 °. analysis %: found : c , 50 . 2 ; h , 5 . 5 ; n , 10 . 0 ; calculated for c 22 h 28 n 4 o 4 s 2 . hc1 . h 2 o : c , 49 . 75 ; h , 5 . 9 ; n , 10 . 5 . 4 -[ 2 -( methylamino ) ethyl ] methanesulphonanilide ( 0 . 228 g , 1 mmol - see preparation 14 ( b )) and 2 - chloromethyl - 6 - methanesulphonamidoquinoline ( 0 . 135 g , 0 . 5 mmol - see preparation 12 ( d )) were heated in ethanol solution ( 5 ml ) at reflux for 4 hours . the solvent was then evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in methylene chloride , washed with water , dried ( mgso 4 ), filtered and evaporated in vacuo . the resulting gum was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride containing methanol ( 0 % up to 1 %). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated in vacuo to give a foam which crystallised from ethanol , yield of the title compound 0 . 45 g , m . p . 165 °- 166 °, confirmed spectroscopically to be identical to the product of example 5 . the following preparations , in which all temperatures are in ° c ., illustrate the preparation of novel starting materials : 2 - amino - 4 - nitrophenol ( 10 g , 65 mmole ) and ethyl chloroacetimidate hydrochloride ( 15 . 4 g , 97 . 5 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in ethanol ( 100 ml ) for 18 hours . the solvent was then removed by evaporation in vacuo and the residue recrystallised from ethanol to give the title compound , yield 9 . 0 g , m . p . 216 °- 217 °. analysis %: found : c , 45 . 15 ; h , 2 . 3 ; n , 13 . 25 ; calculated for c 8 h 5 c1n 2 o 3 : c , 45 . 2 ; h , 2 . 4 ; n , 13 . 2 . 2 - chloromethyl - 5 - nitrobenzoxazole ( 2 . 85 g , 13 . 4 mmole ), n - methyl - 4 - nitrophenethylamine ( j . o . c ., [ 1956 ], 21 , 45 ) ( 2 . 2 g , 12 . 2 mmole ), potassium carbonate ( 1 . 85 g , 13 . 4 mmole ) and sodium iodide ( 2 . 0 g , 13 . 4 mmole ) were heated under reflux in acetonitrile ( 50 ml ) for 3 days . the solvent was then evaporated , the residue diluted with water , and extracted three times with methylene chloride . the combined organic extracts were washed with water , dried ( mgso 4 ), filtered and evaporated to dryness . the resultant oil was diluted with ether and the supernatant decanted and evaporated to dryness to give an orange solid , which was recrystallised from isopropanol to give the title compound , yield 0 . 80 g . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 8 . 6 ( d , 1h ); 8 . 3 ( dd , 1h ); 8 . 1 ( d , 2h ); 7 . 6 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 35 ( d , 2h ); 3 . 95 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 95 ( q , 2h ); 2 . 85 ( q , 2h ); 2 . 5 ( s , 3h ) p . p . m . n - methyl - n -( 5 - nitrobenzoxazol - 2 - ylmethyl )- 4 - nitrophenethyl - amine ( 0 . 78 g , 2 . 2 mmole ) in ethanol ( 50 ml ) containing raney nickel ( 0 . 1 g ) was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere ( 50 psi = 344 . 7 kpa ) for 18 hours , by which time thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that all the starting material had been consumed [ silica chromatography plates using methylene chloride / methanol ( 19 : 1 ) as the solvent ]. the reaction mixture was then filtered and evaporated to give an oil which was azeotroped with toluene and triturated with ether . the decanted ether was evaporated to give the title compound as an oil , which was used directly without further purification , yield 0 . 45 g . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdcl . sub . 3 ): δ = 7 . 25 ( d , 1h ); 6 . 95 ( dd , 3h ); 6 . 65 ( dd , 1h ); 6 . 6 ( d , 2h ); 3 . 85 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 7 ( s , 4h ); 2 . 4 ( s , 3h ). the compounds of preparations 2 and 3 were prepared similarly to preparation 1 ( c ) by the reduction of the corresponing di - nitro compounds ( see preparations 6 and 5 ) using h 2 / raney ni / ethanol / 50 p . s . i ./ room temperature using reaction times of , respectively , 4 and 17 hours . the compound of preparation 4 was prepared similarly to preparation 1 ( c ) but using h 2 / pd / c in ethanol at 30 p . s . i . for 3 hours , the relevant di - nitro starting material being the subject of preparation 8 . ## str24 ## __________________________________________________________________________preparation no . het &# 39 ; no . sub . 2 het &# 39 ; nh . sub . 2 &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . __________________________________________________________________________ ## str25 ## δ ( cdcl . sub . 3 )= 7 . 25 ( d , 1h ); 6 . 95 ( d , 2h ); 6 . 75 ( s , 1h ); 6 . 65 ( s , 1h ); 6 . 6 ( d , 2h ); 6 . 4 ( s , 1h ); 3 . 65 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 6 ( m , 4h ); 2 . 3 ( s , 3h ). 3 ## str26 ## ## str27 ## δ ( dmso / tfa )= 7 . 75 ( d , 2h ); 7 . 3 ( m , 5h ); 4 . 7 ( d , 2h ); 3 . 4 ( q , 4h ); 2 . 85 ( s , 3h ). 4 ## str28 ## ## str29 ## -- __________________________________________________________________________ 30 p . s . i . is equivalent to 206 . 8 kpa , and 50 p . s . i . to 344 . 7 kpa . a solution of propanone oxime ( 30 g , 0 . 4 mole ) in dry tetrahydrofuran ( 300 ml ) was added slowly to a suspension of sodium hydride ( 10 . 8 g , 0 . 45 mole ) in dry tetrahydrofuran ( 50 ml ). after gas evolution was complete , dimethylsulphoxide ( 100 ml ) and 4 - fluoronitrobenzene ( 57 . 85 g , 0 . 41 mole ) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours . the reaction mixture was then poured into water and extracted three times with ether . the combined ether extracts were washed with water , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated to give the title compound which was granulated in hexane and filtered , yield 67 g . a sample ( 7 g ) was recrystallised from ethanol , yield 5 g , m . p . 104 °- 106 °. analysis %: found : c , 55 . 6 ; h , 5 . 05 ; n , 14 . 35 ; calculated for c 9 h 10 n 2 o 3 : c , 55 . 7 ; h , 5 . 2 ; n , 14 . 4 . 4 -( isopropylideneaminoxy ) nitrobenzene ( 60 g , 0 . 309 mole ) was added to glacial acetic acid ( 530 ml ) containing gaseous hydrogen chloride ( 25 g ) and the mixture was heated at 100 ° for 18 hours . the solvent was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with cyclohexane to give an oil which was diluted with water and extracted three times with methylene chloride . the combined organic extracts were washed with 10 % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and water , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated to give the title compound , yield 46 g . a sample ( 5 g ) was recrystallised from isopropanol , yield 2 . 5 g , m . p . 93 °- 95 °. analysis %: found : c , 61 . 2 ; h , 4 . 1 ; n , 7 . 9 ; calculated for c 9 h 7 no 3 : c , 61 . 0 ; h , 4 . 0 ; n , 7 . 9 . n - bromosuccinimide ( 1 . 1 g . 6 . 2 mmole ) was added portionwise to a solution of 2 - methyl - 5 - nitrobenzofuran ( 1 . 0 g , 5 . 6 mmole ) and benzoyl peroxide ( 50 mg ) in carbon tetrachloride ( 50 ml ) and the reaction mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 6 hours in the presence of bright light . the reaction mixture was then cooled , filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness . the residue was recrystallised from petroleum ether to give the title compound yield 0 . 75 g , m . p . 96 °- 98 °. analysis %: found : c , 41 . 7 ; h , 2 . 4 ; n , 5 . 3 ; calculated for c 9 h 6 brno 3 : c , 42 . 2 ; h , 2 . 4 ; n , 5 . 5 . n - methyl - 4 - nitrophenethylamine ( 0 . 41 g , 2 . 3 mmole ), 2 - bromomethyl - 5 - nitrobenzofuran ( 0 . 66 g , 2 . 6 mmole ), sodium iodide ( 0 . 39 g , 2 . 6 mmole ) and potassium carbonate ( 0 . 36 g , 2 . 6 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in acetonitrile ( 50 ml ) for 8 days . the solvent was then evaporated , water was added , and the mixture extracted three times with methylene chloride . the combined organic extracts were washed with water , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated to give a semi - solid which was recrystallised from isopropanol to give the title compound , yield 380 mg . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( dmso / tfa ): δ = 8 . 75 ( s , 1h ); 8 . 3 ( d , 1h ); 8 . 2 ( d , 2h ); 7 . 9 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 6 ( d , 2h ); 7 . 45 ( s , 1h ); 4 . 75 ( t , 2h ); 3 . 2 ( t , 2h ); 2 . 9 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 5 ( s , 3h ). n - bromosuccinimide (&# 34 ; nbs &# 34 ;) ( 1 . 11 g , 6 . 2 mmole ) was added to a solution of 2 - methyl - 6 - nitrobenzofuran ( 1 . 00 g , 5 . 65 mmole ) and azobisisobutyronitrile ( 20 mg ) in carbon tetrachloride and the mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 11 / 2hours in the presence of a bright light . the solvent was then evaporated and the residue dissolved in methylene chloride , washed with water , dried ( mgso 4 ), evaporated to dryness and purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride / hexane ( 7 : 3 ). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated to give the title compound , yield 1 . 43 g . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . clearly showed that the product contained 20 % of 2 - dibromomethyl - 6 - nitrobenzofuran , however , it was not considered necessary to remove this and the product was used directly without further purification . n - methyl - 4 - nitrophenethylamine ( 0 . 84 g , 4 . 7 mmole ), 2 - bromomethyl - 6 - nitrobenzofuran ( 1 . 2 g , 4 . 7 mmole ), sodium iodide ( 0 . 7 g , 4 . 7 mmole ) and potassium carbonate ( 0 . 71 g , 5 . 2 mmole ) were heated in acetonitrile at the reflux temperature for 18 hours . the cooled reaction mixture was then filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness and purified by chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride / hexane ( 1 : 1 ) followed by methylene chloride / methanol ( 19 : 1 ). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated and the residue was treated with decolourising charcoal in ethanol to afford an oil which solidified on standing . recrystallisation of the solid from ethanol / methylene chloride gave the title compound , yield 0 . 27 g , m . p . 69 °- 69 . 5 °. analysis %: found : c , 60 . 8 ; h , 4 . 3 ; n , 11 . 8 ; calculated for c 18 h 17 n 3 o 5 : c , 60 . 8 ; h , 4 . 8 ; n , 11 . 8 . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 8 . 3 ( s , 1h ); 8 . 15 ( dd , 1h ); 8 . 1 ( d , 2h ); 7 . 55 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 35 ( d , 2h ); 6 . 65 ( s , 1h ); 3 . 8 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 95 ( t , 3h ); 2 . 75 ( t , 3h ); 2 . 4 ( s , 3h ). 1 molar diborane in tetrahydrofuran ( 18 . 0 ml , 18 . 0 mmole ) was added dropwise to a suspension of 3 - methyl - 5 - nitrobenzofuran - 2carboxylic acid ( 1 . 1 g , 5 mmole ) in tetrahydrofuran at 0 °. stirring was continued at 0 ° for 30 minutes then at room temperature for 18 hours when a second portion of diborane ( 5 . 0 ml ) was added and the reaction mixture was subjected to ultrasound for 2 . 5 hours . methanol was then added cautiously to the reaction mixture and the solvent was removed by evaporation . the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate , washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , dried ( mgso 4 ), the solvent removed by evaporation in vacuo and purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride . the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated to give the title compound , yield 0 . 96 g . a sample was recrystallised from ethyl acetate , m . p . 149 °- 150 °. analysis %: found : c , 57 . 9 ; h , 4 . 2 ; n , 6 . 7 ; calculated for c 10 h 9 no 4 : c , 58 . 0 ; h , 4 . 4 ; n , 6 . 8 . thionyl chloride ( 1 . 48 g , 12 . 4 mmole ) was added dropwise to a solution of 2 - hydroxymethyl - 3 - methyl - 5 - nitrobenzofuran ( 0 . 86 g , 4 . 15 mmole ) in methylene chloride ( 10 ml ) and pyridine ( 2 drops ) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours . the reaction mixture was then diluted with water , the organic phase separated , and the aqueous phase re - extracted with methylene chloride . the combined organic phases were washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , dried ( na 2 so 4 ) and the solvent evaporated to leave the title compound , 0 . 93 g . a portion was recrystallised from ethanol , m . p . 141 °- 142 °. analysis %: found : c , 52 . 95 ; h , 3 . 7 ; n , 6 . 0 ; calculated for c 10 h 8 c1no 3 : c , 53 . 2 ; h , 3 . 6 ; n , 6 . 2 . n - methyl - 4 - nitrophenethylamine ( 0 . 39 g , 2 . 15 mmole ) and 2 - chloromethyl - 6 - nitroquinoline ( 0 . 40 g , 2 . 1 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in ethanol ( 30 ml ) for 6 hours . the solvent was then evaporated and the residue diluted with 2m hydrochloric acid and extracted with methylene chloride . the aqueous layer was basified with aqueous sodium carbonate ( to ph ˜ 12 ) and extracted three times with methylene chloride . these latter organic extracts were combined , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated giving an oil which was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride containing methanol ( 0 % up to 1 %). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated to give a solid which was recrystallised from ethanol to give the title compound , yield 0 . 21 g , m . p . 104 °- 105 °. analysis %: found : c , 62 . 4 ; h , 4 . 7 ; n , 15 . 2 ; calculated for c 19 h 18 n 4 o 4 : c , 62 . 3 ; h , 4 . 95 ; n , 15 . 3 . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 8 . 9 ( d , 1h ); 8 . 5 ( dd , 1h ); 8 . 3 - 8 . 1 ( m , 3h ); 7 . 6 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 35 ( d , 1h ); 3 . 95 ( s , 2h ); 3 . 0 ( t , 2h ); 2 . 8 ( t , 2h ); 2 . 4 ( s , 3h ). methanesulphonyl chloride ( 146 . 6 . g , 1 . 28 mole ) was added dropwise to a solution of 4 - aminophenethyl alcohol ( 82 . 3 g , 0 . 6 mole ) in pyridine ( 700 ml ) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours . the reaction mixture was then poured into water ( 700 ml ) and the precipitate was collected by filtration , washed with water , dried and recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give the title compound , yield 31 g , m . p . 134 °- 136 °. a further 14 . 5 g of product was obtained by concentration of the mother liquors in vacuo . 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethyl mesylate ( 10 g , 34 mmole ) and n - ethylbenzylamine ( 10 ml , 67 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in ethanol ( 80 ml ) for 3 hours . the solvent was evaporated , the residue taken up in 2m hydrochloric acid and washed twice with methylene chloride . the aqueous layer was basified with sodium bicarbonate ( to ph ˜ 12 ) and extracted with methylene chloride . the latter organic extract was dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated to give an oil which solidified when triturated with diisopropyl ether . the solid was filtered off and discarded and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound as an oil , yield 4 . 4 g . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ) 7 . 2 ( s , 5h ); 7 . 05 ( s , 4h ); 3 . 6 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 95 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 70 ( s , 4h ); 2 . 40 ( q , 2h ); 1 . 1 ( t , 3h ). n - benzyl - n - ethyl - 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethylamine ( 4 . 3 g , 12 . 9 mmole ) was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere ( 50 p . s . i . = 344 . 7 kpa ) in ethanol ( 50 ml ) containing 10 % pd / c ( 0 . 5 g ) for 5 hours . the mixture was then filtered , evaporated and the residue triturated with ether to give the title compound , yield 2 . 6 g , m . p . 125 °- 128 °. n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 / dmso ): δ = 7 . 06 ( s , 4h ); 4 . 9 ( s , 2h ); 2 . h2 . 36 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 8 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 65 ( q , 2h ); 1 . 05 ( t , 3h ). n - methyl - 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethylamine ( 1 . 66 g , 7 . 3 mmole ) and 2 - chloromethyl - 3 - methyl - 5 - nitrobenzofuran ( see preparation 7b - 0 . 82 g , 3 . 6 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in ethanol ( 20 ml ) for 3 hours . the solvent was then evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride / hexane ( 4 : 1 ) followed by methylene chloride containing methanol ( 0 % up to 5 %). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated , and the residue was recrystallised from ethanol to give the title compound , yield 1 . 52 g , m . p . 124 °- 124 . 5 °. analysis %: found : c , 57 . 7 ; h , 5 . 65 ; n , 10 . 0 ; calculated for c 20 h 23 n 3 o 5 s : c , 57 . 5 ; h , 5 . 55 ; n , 10 . 0 . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 8 . 45 ( d , 1h ); 8 . 25 ( dd , 1h ); 7 . 5 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 2 ( q , 4h ); 3 . 8 ( s , 2h ); 3 . 05 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 9 ( t , 2h ); 2 . 75 ( t , 2h ); 2 . 4 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 35 ( s , 3h ). catalytic hydrogenation of the product of part ( a ) ( 0 . 7 g ) similarly to preparation 1 ( c ) with a reaction time of 4 hours gave the title compound ( 0 . 65 g ). &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cd 3 od ): δ = 7 . 25 ( m , 6h ); 6 . 9 ( d , 1h ); 6 . 8 ( dd , 1h ); 3 . 8 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 95 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 9 ( m , 2h ); 2 . 7 ( m , 2h ); 2 . 4 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 35 ( s , 3h ). n - ethyl - 4 - methanesulphonamidophenethylamine ( see preparation 9 ( c ) - 1 . 7 g , 7 . 0 mmole ) and 2 - chloromethyl - 6 - nitroquinoline ( 0 . 78 g , 4 . 1 mmole ) were heated at reflux temperature in ethanol ( 50 ml ) for 4 hours . the solvent was then evaporated and the residue was diluted with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with methylene chloride . the organic layer was dried ( mgso 4 ), evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride . the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated to give the title compound as an oil , yield 0 . 56 g . &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 8 . 6 ( d , 1h ); 8 . 3 - 8 . 0 ( m , 2h ); 7 . 6 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 1 ( s , 1h ); 7 . 0 ( s , 4h ); 3 . 9 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 9 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 7 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 65 ( q , 2h ); 1 . 05 ( t , 3h ). the product of part ( a ) ( 0 . 55 g ) was catalytically hydrogenated similarly to preparation 1 ( c ) but using h 2 over 5 % pd on c in ethyl acetate at 15 p . s . i . ( 103 . 4 kpa ) for 3 hours , giving the title compound ( 0 . 51 g ). &# 39 ; h - n . m . r . ( cdc1 3 ): δ = 7 . 7 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 5 ( d , 1h ); 7 . 15 ( d , 1h ); 6 . 9 ( broad s , 5h ); 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ); 3 . 75 ( s , 2h ); 2 . 95 ( s , 3h ); 2 . 6 ( s , 4h ); 2 . 5 ( q , 2h ); 0 . 95 ( t , 3h ). 2 - methyl - 6 - nitroquinoline ( 18 . 8 g ) was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere at 30 p . s . i . ( equivalent to 206 . 8 kpa ) for 2 hours in ethanol solution containing 5 % pd / c . the catalyst was then removed by filtration , the filtrate evaporated to small volume in vacuo , and the resultant precipitate collected by filtration , washed with ethanol and ether , and dried to give the title compound , yield 13 . 2 g , m . p . 188 °- 189 °. analysis %: found : c , 75 . 7 ; h , 6 . 4 ; n , 17 . 6 ; calculated for c 10 h 10 n 2 : c , 75 . 9 ; h , 6 . 4 ; n , 17 . 7 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 6 . 2 ml ) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 6 - amino - 2 - methylquinoline ( 12 . 5 g ) in pyridine ( 100 ml ) cooled to 5 °. stirring was continued for 17 hours at room temperature . the pyridine was then removed by evaporation in vacuo , the residue diluted with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , and extracted three times with methylene chloride . the combined organic extracts were combined , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound , yield 13 . 0 g , m . p . 151 °- 153 °. analysis %: found : c , 55 . 4 ; h , 5 . 2 ; n , 11 . 6 ; calculated for c 11 h 12 n 2 o 2 s : c , 55 . 9 ; h , 5 . 1 ; n , 11 . 9 . m - chloroperbenzoic acid (&# 34 ; mcpba &# 34 ;) ( 5 . 2 g ) was added portionwise to a solution of 6 - methanesulphonamido - 2 - methylquinoline ( 6 g ) in methylene chloride and stirring was continued for 17 hours . the reaction mixture was then diluted with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and the organic layer was separated . the aqueous layer was extracted with methylene chloride . the combined organic layers were washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated in vacuo to give a solid which was recrystallised from ethanol to give the title compound , yield 1 . 6 g , m . p . 241 °- 243 °. analysis %: found : c , 52 . 5 ; h , 4 . 95 ; n , 11 . 0 ; calculated for c 11 h 12 n 2 o 3 s : c , 52 . 4 ; h , 4 . 8 ; n , 11 . 1 . 6 - methanesulphonamido - 2 - methylquinoline - 1 - oxide ( 1 . 65 g ) and p - toluenesulphonyl chloride ( 1 . 72 g ) were heated under reflux for 1 hour in 1 , 2 - dichloroethane solution , and the reaction mixture was then stood at room temperature for 17 hours . the reaction mixture was then washed twice with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , dried ( mgso 4 ) and evaporated in vacuo . the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica eluting with methylene chloride containing methanol ( 0 % up to 1 %). the product - containing fractions were combined and evaporated to give a gum which solidified when triturated with ether . recrystallisation from toluene gave the title compound , yield 0 . 75 g , m . p . 160 °- 162 °. analysis %: found : c , 49 3 ; h , 3 . 9 ; n , 10 . 1 ; calculated for c 11 h 11 n 2 o 2 c1s : c , 48 . 8 ; h , 4 . 1 ; n , 10 . 35 . thionyl chloride ( 1 . 0 . ml ) was added dropwise to a stirred mixture of 5 - nitrobenzo [ b ] thiophene - 2 - methanol ( 1 . 0 g ) and pyridine ( 2 drops ) in dichloromethane ( 10 ml ). the solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and then washed with water followed by aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution , and then dried ( na 2 so 4 ). the solvent was evaporated and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel . elution with dichloromethane gave a solid which was crystallised from ethyl acetate to give the title compound ( 0 . 73 g ), m . p . 110 °- 112 °, used directly in the next stage . a mixture of the product of part ( a ) above ( 3 . 20 g ), n - methyl - 4 - nitrophenethylamine ( 2 . 52 g ), anhydrous potassium carbonate ( 4 . 0 g ) and acetonitrile ( 40 ml ) was heated under reflux with stirring for 20 hours and then cooled and filtered . the residue was washed with acetonitrile , and the combined filtrate and washings were evaporated to give an oil which was chromarographed on silica gel . elution with dichloromethane first gave impurity followed by pure product . the product - containing fractions were evaporated to give the title compound ( 4 . 17 g ), m . p . 76 °- 78 ° ( from isopropanol ). analysis %: found : c , 57 . 8 ; h , 4 . 4 ; n , 11 . 1 ; c 18 h 17 n 3 o 4 s requires : c , 58 . 2 ; h , 4 . 6 ; n , 11 . 3 . a mixture of the product of ( b ) above ( 1 . 0 g ) and stannous chloride dihydrate ( 6 . 07 g ) in ethanol ( 100 ml ) was heated under reflux for 8 hours and then evaporated . an excess of 20 % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added and the mixture was extracted several times with dichloromethane . the combined organic extracts were washed with water , dried ( na 2 so 4 ) and evaporated to give an oil which was chromatographed on silica gel . elution with dichloromethane / methanol ( 99 : 1 ) gave impurity and then further elution with dichloromethane / methanol ( 98 : 2 ) gave , after collection and evaporation of appropriate fractions , the product as an oil ( 0 . 30 g ) which was used immediately in the procedure of . example 6 . methanesulphonyl chloride ( 50 ml ) was added dropwise over 0 . 5 hours to a stirred solution of 4 - aminophenethyl alcohol ( 41 . 15 g ) in pyridine ( 350 ml ) at 0 °. the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight . the mixture was then poured onto water ( 700 ml ) from which an orange solid crystallised . after filtration , the solid was dissolved in methylene chloride , dried over magnesium sulphate , filtered and the filtrate re - evaporated . crystallisation of the resultant solid from ethyl acetate gave the title compound , 45 . 5 g , m . p . 136 °- 137 °. analysis %: found : c , 40 . 6 ; h , 5 . 2 ; n , 4 . 9 ; calculated for c 10 h 15 no 5 s 2 : c , 40 . 9 ; h , 5 . 15 ; n , 4 . 8 . to a solution of 4 -[ 2 -( methanesulphonyloxy ) ethyl ] methane - sulphonanilide ( 10 . 3 g ) in ethanol ( 20 ml ) was added a solution of methylamine in industrial methylated spirits ( 30 ml of 33 % solution ). the mixture was heated with stirring at 85 ° in a pressure vessel for 17 hours . after cooling , the resultant solution was evaporated to dryness , the residue dissolved in water , and the resultant solution basified by the addition of sodium hydroxide ( 1 . 4 g ) in water ( 12 ml ). evaporation gave an off - white solid which was chromatographed on silica (&# 34 ; kieselgel 60 &# 34 ; - trade mark ) eluting with methylene chloride / methanol ( 3 : 1 ). collection and evaporation of suitable fractions gave an off - white solid ( 4 . 8 g ) which crystallised from ethyl acetate / methanol to give the title compound , 1 . 8 g , m . p . 133 °- 135 °. analysis %: found : c , 52 . 5 ; h , 7 . 1 ; n , 12 . 2 ; calculated for c 10 h 16 n 2 o 2 s : c , 52 . 6 ; h , 7 . 1 ; n , 12 . 3 .