New benzodiazepine derivatives of the general formula (I), (I) wherein R1 stands for halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro or amino, R2 stands for hydrogen or alkyl, and R3 stands for nitroso, amino, optionally substitued alkylideneamino, optionally substituted aralkylideneamino or optionally substituted acylamido, are prepared as follows: a 1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2H-1,4-benzo-diazepine-2-one derivative of the general formula (II), (II) wherein R1 and R2 each have the same meanings as define above, is subjected to direct nitrosation, and, if desired, the thus-obtained N4-niroso compound of the general formula(III), (III) wherein R1 and R2 each have the same meanings as defined above, is reduced, and, if desired, a) the thus-obtained N4-amino compound of the general formula (IV), (IV) wherein R1 and R2 each have the same meanings as defined above, is reacted with an aldehyde of the general formula (V), R4-CHO (V) wherein R4 stands for an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, or b) the N4-amino compound of the general formula (IV), obtained as described above, is reacted with a compound of the general formula (VI), R3-CO-Y (VI) wherein Y stands for halogen or hydroxy and R5 stands for an optionally substituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbyl group, and, if is desired, any compound of the general forming(I), wherein R2 stands for hydrogen and the other substituents are as defined above, is alkylated. The new compounds according to the invention possess remarkable enzyme-inducing effects and exert only moderate central nervous activities.
BENZODIAZEPINE DERIVATIVES AND A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF