PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2-PYRIDINE-THIOL DERIVATIVES AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THEM

The invention relates to new 2-pyridine-thiol derivatives of the formula (I), (I) wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Z is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms and/or alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylphenyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety or an group, in which R has the same meaning as defined above, and the substituent is attached to the pyridine ring in the position 3 or 4, with the proviso that if R1 and R2 are both methyl and Z is 4-chlorophenyl, R is other than hydrogen, and acid addition salts thereof. The invention further relates to processes for the preparation of the above compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient. The compounds are pharmaceutically active, in particular show cytoprotective activity.