0001 This invention relates to a novel process and in particular to a process for preparing certain substituted thiazolidinedione derivatives. 0002 European Patent Application, Publication Number 0306228 discloses certain thiazolidinedione derivatives of formula (A): 2

0003 or a tautomeric form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof, wherein: 0004 Aa represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclyl group; 0005 Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an aralkyl group, wherein the aryl moiety may be substituted or unsubstituted, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; 0006 Rb and Rc each represent hydrogen or Rb and Rc together represent a bond; 0007 Ab represents a benzene ring having in total up to five substituents; and 0008 n represents an integer in the range of from 2 to 6. 0009 EP 0306228 also discloses a process for reducing the compounds of formula (A) wherein Rb and Rc together represent a bond (the benzylidene thiazolidine-2,4-diones) to the corresponding compounds of formula (A) wherein Rb and Rc each represent hydrogen (the benzylthiazolidine-2,4-diones). The particular reduction methods disclosed in EP 0306228 are dissolving metal methods and catalytic hydrogenation methods. 0010 It has now been discovered that when the catalytic hydrogenation of the benzylidene thiazolidine-2,4-diones is carried out using an elevated pressure of hydrogen that the reaction can be effected with a surprising reduction in the catalytic loading and reaction time and, most surprisingly, produces a significant reduction in by-product formation. 0011 Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (I): 3

0012 or a tautomeric form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof, wherein: 0013 A1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclyl group; 0014 R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an aralkyl group, wherein the aryl moiety may be substituted or unsubstituted, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; 0015 A2 represents a benzene ring having in total up to five substituents; and 0016 n represents an integer in the range of from 2 to 6, 0017 which process comprises catalytically reducing a compound of formula (II): 4

0018 wherein A1, R1, A2 and n are as defined in relation to formula (I), characterised in that the reduction reaction is carried out using a hydrogen pressure above 20 psi, and thereafter, if required, forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate of the compound of formula (I). 0019 Suitably the reaction is carried out at a pressure in the range of from 50 to 1500 psi, such as 60 to 1500 psi, 75 to 1500 psi, 200 to 1500 psi, 70 to 1000 psi or 200 to 1000 psi, suitably 70 to 1000 psi. 0020 Examples of reaction pressures include 70, 75, 80, 500 and 1000 psi. 0021 A suitable hydrogenation catalyst is a noble metal catalyst, suitably a palladium catalyst. 0022 Favoured catalysts are supported noble metal catalysts, such as a palladium-on-carbon catalyst, typically comprising 5% to 10% of palladium. 0023 A preferred catalyst is a 10% palladium-on-carbon catalyst. 0024 Catalyst loadings (expressed as w/w% of catalyst to substrate) in the reaction are typically in the range of from 5 to 100%, usually 10 to 50% and preferably 25 to 50%. 0025 The reaction may be carried out using any suitable solvent such as acetic acid, or an alkanol, such as methanol or ethanol, preferably admixed with an aqueous mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid; or tetrahydrofuran, preferably admixed with an aqueous mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid. Preferably the solvent is acetic acid or aqueous acetic acid, for example a 4:1 acetic acid:water mixture. 0026 The reaction is carried out at a temperature which provides a suitable rate of formation of the required product, suitably at an elevated temperature, preferably above 70 C., for example in the range of from 80 C. to 115 C. 0027 The compounds of formula (I) are isolated from the reaction and subsequently purified by use of conventional isolation and purification methods such as chromatography and crystallization/recrystallization. 0028 The suitable, apt, favoured and preferred values of the variables A1, A2, R1 and n in formulae (I) and (II) are as defined in relation to formula (I) of EP 0306228. 0029 A most preferred value of A1 is a 2-pyridyl group. 0030 A most preferred value of A2 is a moiety of formula: 5

0031 A most preferred value of R1 is a methyl group. 0032 A most preferred value of n is 2. 0033 A most preferred value of formula (I) is 5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione, or a tautomeric form thereof or a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof. 0034 Crystalline 5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione is isolated from the present reaction and as such forms a further aspect of the present invention. A suitable crystallization/recrystallization solvent is acetic acid/denatured ethanol, the crystallization is favourably effected from refluxing, solvent which is allowed to coot to provide the required compound. 0035 A most preferred value of formula (II) is 5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione or a tautomeric form thereof or a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof. 0036 Suitable salts are pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 0037 Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include metal salts, such as for example aluminium, alkali metal salts such as sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium or magnesium and ammonium or substituted ammonium salts, for example those with lower alkylamines such as triethylamine, hydroxy alkylamines such as 2-hydroxyethylamine, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amine or tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amine, cycloalkylamines such as bicyclohexylamine, or with procaine, dibenzylpiperidine, N-benzyl-b-phenethylamine, dehydroabietylamine, N,N-bisdehydroabietylamine, glucamine, N-methylglucamine or bases of the pyridine type such as pyridine, collidine or quinoline. 0038 In addition should be mentioned those pharmaceutically acceptable salts provided by pharmaceutically acceptable acids including mineral acids, including salts provided by mineral acids, such as hydrobromic, hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, and organic acids, such as methanesulphonic, tartaric and maleic acids, especially tartaric and maleic acid. A preferred salt is a maleate salt. 0039 Suitable solvates are pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, such as hydrates. 0040 The compounds of formula (II) are prepared according to known methods, for example by use of the appropriate method disclosed in EP 0306228. The contents of EP 0306228 are incorporated herein by reference.

0041 The following example illustrates the invention but does not limit it in any way.

EXAMPLE

Reduction of (Z)-5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione to 5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione. 0042 To a solution of (Z)-5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzylidene2,4-thiazolidinedione (123 kg) in glacial acetic acid (1232 L) is added 10% palladium on charcoal (Johnson-Matthey type 87L, 123 kg, catalyst contains 50% w/w water and hence the catalyst loading was 50% w/w). The resulting mixture is hydrogenated at 70-80 p.s.i. hydrogen pressure at about 95 C. After the starting material is consumed (15-20 hours), the reaction mixture is cooled to about 65 C. and the catalyst is removed by filtration. The resulting solution is concentrated under reduced pressure to low volume and the residue is dissolved in denatured ethanol (1000 L) at 60 C. The solution is heated to reflux and then cooled to ambient temperature to effect recrystallisation. The product, 5-4-2-(N-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)amino)ethoxybenzyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione, is isolated by filtration, and dried in vacuo at 45 C. Typical yields are 70-80%. 0043 Effect of Change of Reaction Pressure 0044 The above reaction can be preformed over a range of pressures resulting in a significant reduction in reaction time and catalyst loading, as shown below. 1ReactionnumberConditionsReaction Time (hours.)1(75psi, 50% catalyst)15-2021000psi, 50% catalyst<231000psi, 25% catalyst74500psi, 50% catalyst45500psi, 25% catalystca. 12