INTERMEDIATES USEFUL AT THE PREPARATION OF COMPOUNDS HAVING ANTI-DEPRESSIVE OR TRANQUILIZING ACTIVITY

Compounds of the formula wherein the dotted line represents an optional double bond and Ar represents the group wherein Y is bound in the 2-, 3- or 4-position and represents a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group, a halogen, a trifluoromethyl group or an amino, mono-or di-lower alkylamino group, or Ar represents a pyridyl group bound in the 2-, 3- or 4-position, X represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group, a halogen, a trifluoromethyl group or an amino, mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, R represents a lower alkyl group, and R represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, or a therapeutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, or a bioprecursor thereof. The compounds are prepared by various methods; pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are described.