Novel substituted N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) derivatives and related compounds and methods of using these compounds for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions, including but not limited to diseases and/or conditions of, or involving, the Central Nervous System (CNS), including schizophrenia adrenoleukodystrophy, mitochondrial diseases (e.g. Leigh syndrome, Alpers' disease, and MELAS), Huntington's disease, trichotillomania, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, drug craving, and drug addiction.

Novel substituted N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) derivatives and related compounds and methods of using these compounds for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions, including but not limited to diseases and/or conditions of, or involving, the Central Nervous System (CNS), including schizophrenia adrenoleukodystrophy, mitochondrial diseases (e.g. Leigh syndrome, Alpers' disease, and MELAS), Huntington's disease, trichotillomania, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, drug craving, and drug addiction.

The use of an N-heterocyclic compound of the general formula (a) or (b) with the following definitions: X.sup.1 being S or X.sup.2 being S or O and at least one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 being S R.sup.2 H or C.sub.1-4-alkyl, R.sup.3 H or C.sub.1-4-alkyl R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are hydrogen or together form a covalent carbon-carbon bond in general formula (a) R.sup.1 being H, C.sub.1-12-alkyl or CH.sub.2NR.sup.4R.sub.5 with R.sup.4 hydrogen or C.sub.1-4-alkyl, R.sup.5 C.sub.1-12-hydrocarbon residue which can contain one to three halogen atoms and/or one to four heteroatoms, selected from the group consisting of nitro-gen, oxygen and sulfur, it also being possible for R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, together with the nitrogen atom joining them, to form a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally may also contain one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, in general formula (b) R.sup.1 being H or C.sub.1-17-hydrocarbon, preferably H, or CH.sub.2R.sup.5 with R.sup.5 being H or C.sub.1-16-hydrocarbon residue, which hydrocarbon can contain one to three halogen atoms and/or one to six heteroatoms, selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and preferably in general formula (a) and (b) X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 being S, as nitrification inhibitor.

##STR00001##

The use of an N-heterocyclic compound of the general formula (a) or (b) with the following definitions: X.sup.1 being S or X.sup.2 being S or O and at least one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 being S R.sup.2 H or C.sub.1-4-alkyl, R.sup.3 H or C.sub.1-4-alkyl R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are hydrogen or together form a covalent carbon-carbon bond in general formula (a) R.sup.1 being H, C.sub.1-12-alkyl or CH.sub.2NR.sup.4R.sub.5 with R.sup.4 hydrogen or C.sub.1-4-alkyl, R.sup.5 C.sub.1-12-hydrocarbon residue which can contain one to three halogen atoms and/or one to four heteroatoms, selected from the group consisting of nitro-gen, oxygen and sulfur, it also being possible for R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, together with the nitrogen atom joining them, to form a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally may also contain one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, in general formula (b) R.sup.1 being H or C.sub.1-17-hydrocarbon, preferably H, or CH.sub.2R.sup.5 with R.sup.5 being H or C.sub.1-16-hydrocarbon residue, which hydrocarbon can contain one to three halogen atoms and/or one to six heteroatoms, selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and preferably in general formula (a) and (b) X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 being S, as nitrification inhibitor.

##STR00001##

The present invention provides compounds as PPAR agonists and their application, involving a new class of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma receptor agonist, which can inhibit the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and most of which can readily cross the blood-brain barrier. The present invention also includes pharmaceutical uses of the compounds.

The present invention relates to the compounds of formula (I), and the N-oxides, stereoisomers, tautomers and agriculturally or veterinarily acceptable salts thereof wherein the variables are defined according to the description,

##STR00001##

The compounds of formula (I), as well as the N-oxides, stereoisomers, tautomers and agriculturally or veterinarily acceptable salts thereof, are useful for combating or controlling invertebrate pests, in particular arthropod pests and nematodes. The invention also relates to a method for controlling invertebrate pests by using these compounds and to plant propagation material and to an agricultural and a veterinary composition comprising said compounds.

Described are processes for the synthesis of certain compounds, useful for treating diseases, e.g. eye disease, such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension, in a subject.

Described are processes for the synthesis of certain compounds, useful for treating diseases, e.g. eye disease, such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension, in a subject.

A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of Formula (I) for treating an opioid receptor-associated condition. Also disclosed is a method for treating an opioid receptor-associated condition using such a compound. Further disclosed are two sets of thiazolidinone compounds of formula (I): (i) compounds each having an enantiomeric excess greater than 90% and (ii) compounds each being substituted with deuterium.

A pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of Formula (I) for treating an opioid receptor-associated condition. Also disclosed is a method for treating an opioid receptor-associated condition using such a compound. Further disclosed are two sets of thiazolidinone compounds of formula (I): (i) compounds each having an enantiomeric excess greater than 90% and (ii) compounds each being substituted with deuterium.