The invention relates to novel iminothiazolidine derivatives of the formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 represent, independently from each other, hydrogen or lower alkyl group, R.sup.3 is nitro or amino group, R stands for halo, lower alkyl, haloalkyl, nitro, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, carboxy or lower alkoxycarbonyl group, and n is 0, 1 or 2, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The iminothiazolidine derivatives of the formula (I) possess valuable antidepressant, antiparkinsonic, antiepileptic and spasmolytic activities.
The synthesis and some reactions OF 3-(2-aminophenyl)-2-iminothiazolidines. ring closure of -(2-thiocyanaoethyl,)-phenylenediamines; thiazolidine . 3,1,6-benzothiadiazocine formation
When treated with strong acids, the N-(2-thiocyanatoethyl)-o-phenylenediamines (1g-1v) are cyclized exclusively to 3-(2-aninophen- yl)-2-iminothiazolidines (6) while the related tertiary amines (1a-1f) gave, under the same conditions, benzothiadiazocines of types (2) or (3). Some of the type (6) compounds are highly active antidepressants of low toxicity. Thermal reactions of compound (6b) and its