Merocyanine derivatives

1. A method of protecting human hair and skin against the damaging effect of UV radiation, said method comprising applying to the hair and/or skin a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary preparation comprising compounds of formula

 wherein

Q is hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; —OH; —OR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; or —N═R 9 ;

R 1 is hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; —OR 7 , —SR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl, C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 4 is cyano; COR 7 , COOR 7 ; CONR 7 R 8 ; SO 2 (C 6 -C 12 )aryl; C 2 -C 12 alk-1-enyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalk-1-enyl; C 2 -C 12 alk-1-inyl; C 2 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 3 -C 5 heterocycloalkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 5 is —COR 7 ; —COOR 7 ; —OR 7 ; —SR 7 , —NHR 7 , —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 alkylphenyl; C 1 -C 12 alkoxy-C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloheteroalkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 12 alkoxy-C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 6 is hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 1 -C 22 alkoxy; or COR 7 ;

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; —(CH 2 ) t COOH; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl; Si—R 10 R 11 R 12 ; Si(OR 10 )(OR 11 )(OR 12 ); SiR 10 (OR 11 )(OR 12 ); SiR 10 R 11 (OR 12 ); —(CH 2 ) u —O—(CH 2 ) v —SiR 10 R 11 R 12 ; or a radical X-Sil;

t, u and v, independently from each other are a number from 1 to 5;

R 9 is a (C 1 -C 6 )alkylidene radical;

R 10 , R 11 , R 12 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

X is a linker;

Sil is a silane-, oligosiloxane- or polysiloxane radical;

R 1 and R 2 , R 1 and Q, R 1 and R 6 , R 1 and T, R 2 and R 3 , R 2 and R 4 , R 2 and R 6 , R 2 and Q, R 4 and R 6 , R 4 and T, R 6 and Q, T and Q, each independently, are linked together, so that 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbocyclic or N, O and/or S-heterocyclic rings are formed, wherein each of them, independently from each other, may be condensed with an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and/or more N-, O- and/or S-heterocyclic rings, and each N atom in a N-heterocyclic ring may be substituted by C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

n is a number from 1 to 4; wherein at least one of the radicals R 1 , R 6 or Q is different from hydrogen;

if n=1

T is —COR 5 ; —CN; C 6 -C 10 aryl; —NHR 5 ; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 12 )aryl;

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl; hydroxy-C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl, C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloheteroalkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl; or a radical of formula

p is a number from 5 to 100

q is a number from 1 to 5;

s is a number from 0 to 4;

if n=2

R 2 and R 3 are each C 1 -C 5 alkylene; and simultaneously T is defined as for n=1; or

T is a bivalent radical of formula —NR 7 —V—NR 7 —, wherein

V is phenylene; or C 1 -C 5 alkylene;

R 7 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl; and R 2 and R 3 simultaneously are defined as for n=1;

if n=3

one of R 2 , R 3 or T is a trivalent radical; and

if n=4

one of R 2 , R 3 or T is a tetravalent radical.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein in formula (1)

Q is —OH; —OR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; or —N═R 9 ;

T is —COR 5 ; —CN; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 12 )aryl;

R 1 is hydrogen; —OR 7 , —SR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl, C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloheteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl, C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 4 is cyano; COR 7 , COOR 7 ; CONR 7 R 8 ; SO 2 (C 6 -C 12 )aryl, C 2 -C 12 alk-1-enyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalk-1-enyl; C 2 -C 12 alk-1-inyl; C 2 -C 12 heteroalkyl, C 3 -C 5 heterocycloalkyl, C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 5 is —COR 7 ; —COOR 7 ; —OR 7 ; —SR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 alkylphenyl; C 1 -C 12 alkoxy-C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloheteroalkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; C 1 -C 12 alkoxy-C 6 -C 10 aryl or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 6 is C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 1 -C 22 alkoxy; or COR 7 ;

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 1 -C 12 heteroalkyl; C 2 -C 11 heteroaralkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; o-C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 9 heteroaryl;

R 9 is a (C 1 -C 6 )alkylidene radical; or

R 1 and R 2 , R 1 and Q, R 1 and R 4 , R 1 and R 6 , R 2 and R 3 , R 3 and Q, R 6 and Q, T and Q, each independently, are linked together, so that 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbocyclic or N, O and/or S-heterocyclic rings are formed, wherein each of them, independently from each other, may be condensed with an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and/or more N-, O- and/or S-heterocycic rings, and each N atom in a N-heterocyclic ring may be substituted by C 1 -C 22 alkyl; and

n is 1.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein

Q is —OH; —OR 6 ; or —NR 7 R 8 ;

T is —COR 5 —CN; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 12 )aryl;

R 1 is hydrogen; —OR 7 , —SR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl;

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl;

R 4 is cyano; —COR 5 , —COOR 7 ; —CONR 7 R 8 ; —SO 2 (C 6 -C 12 )aryl; —C 1 -C 22 alkylcarbonylamino-C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl;

R 5 is —COR 7 ; —COOR 7 ; —CONR 7 R 8 , —OR 7 , —SR 7 , —NR 7 R 8 , C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkinyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 1 -C 12 alkoxy-C 6 -C 10 aryl;

R 6 , R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl; or

R 1 and R 2 , R 1 and Q, R 1 and R 4 , R 1 and R 6 , R 2 and R 3 , R 3 and Q, R 6 and Q, T and Q are linked together pairwise, so that 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbocyclic or N-, O- and/or S-heterocyclic rings are formed, wherein each of them, independently from each other may be condensed with an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and/or more N, O and/or S-heterocycic rings, and each N atom in a N-heterocyclic ring may be substituted by C 1 -C 22 alkyl.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein in formula (1)

R 1 is hydrogen; —S—C 1 -C 22 alkyl; or R 1 and R 2 , or R 1 and R 4 together with the linking nitrogen atom form an alkylene radical which my be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —NR 7 — or may be condensed with an aromatic ring; and

R 7 is C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein in formula (1)

R 1 is hydrogen.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein in formula (1)

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 5 alkyl; phenyl-C 1 -C 3 alkyl; hydroxy-C 1 -C 12 alkyl; or R 2 and R 3 , or R 2 and R 4 , or R 2 and Q together with the linking nitrogen atom form an alkylene radical which may be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —NR 7 — or may be condensed with an aromatic ring; and

R 7 is C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl; C 3 -C 12 cycloalkenyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl; or C 6 -C 10 aryl.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 5 alkyl; or R 2 and R 3 together with the linking nitrogen atom form a C 2 -C 4 alkylene radical which may be interrupted by —O— or —NR 7 ; and

R 7 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein in formula (1)

R 4 is —COR 5 ; phenyl, which is optionally substituted by C 1 -C 5 alkyl; —CN; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 10 )aryl; or

R 4 and T together with a bivalent C 3 -C 7 alkylene radical which my be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —NR 7 — form a carbocyclic ring which may be condensed with an aromatic ring; and

R 7 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein

R 4 is —CN; or COR 5 ;

R 5 is C 1 -C 12 alkyl; or C 1 -C 12 alkoxy; or

R 4 and T together with the bivalent radical of the formula

 wherein

U 1 and U 3 independently from each other are a radical of formula —CHR 7 ; —NHR 7 —; or —O—;

U 2 is —CH 2 ; or —CO—; or the direct bond;

R 7 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 12 alkyl; form an aromatic ring.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein T and R 4 together with the bivalent radicals selected from

 form a heterocyclic ring.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein in formula (1)

R 6 is hydrogen; C 1 -C 5 alkyl; C 1 -C 5 alkoxy; —O—(C 6 -C 10 aryl); or

R 6 and Q together with a bivalent C 3 -C 7 alkylene radical which may be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —NR 7 — or may be condensed with an aromatic ring, form a heterocyclic ring; and

R 7 is hydrogen; or C 1 C 12 alkyl.

12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein

R 6 is hydrogen.

13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein in formula (1)

T is —CN; —COR 5 ; or —SO 2 -phenyl;

R 5 is C 1 -C 5 alkyl; C 1 -C 5 alkoxy; or NR 7 R 8 ;

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl; or

T and Q together with the bivalent C 3 -C 7 alkylene radical which may be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —NR 7 — or may be condensed with an aromatic ring, form a heterocyclic ring.

14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein

T is —CN; or —COR 5 ; and

R 5 is C 1 -C 5 alkyl; or C 1 -C 5 alkoxy.

15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein

Q is hydroxy; C 1 -C 5 alkoxy; or —NR 7 R 8 ; and

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 5 alkyl; or phenyl, which may be substituted by one or more C 1 -C 5 alkyl or C 1 -C 5 alkoxy groups.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein

Q is hydroxy.

17. A method according to claim 1 , which comprises compounds of formula

 wherein

U 4 , U 5 , U 6 , U 7 and U 8 independently of each other are —CHR 5 —; —CO—; —NR 7 —; —CS—; or —O—;

R 5 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl; and

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 6 , R 7 and Q are defined as in claim 1 .

18. A method according to claim 1 , which comprises compounds of formula

 wherein

R 5 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl; and

R 3 , R 4 , and T are defined as in claim 1 .

19. A method according to claim 18 , which comprises compounds of formula (3), wherein

R 3 is C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 6 -C 10 aryl; or C 7 -C 12 aralkyl.

20. A method according to claim 18 , which comprises compounds of formula (3), wherein

R 3 is C 6 -C 10 aryl.

21. A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the radicals R 1 , R 6 or Q is different from hydrogen.

22. A method according to claim 1 wherein

Q is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

T is —COR 5 ; —CN; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 12 )aryl;

R 1 is hydrogen; or C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

R 2 and R 3 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

R 4 is CN; COR 5 ; CONH 2 ; or SO 2 (C 6 -C 12 )aryl,

R 5 is —OR 7 ; —SR 7 , —NHR 7 , —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl;

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; —(CH 2 ) m —Si—R 10 R 11 R 12 ; Si(OR 10 )(OR 11 )(OR 12 ); SiR 10 (OR 11 )(OR 12 ); SiR 10 R 11 (OR 12 ), or a radical X-Sil;

R 9 is a (C 1 -C 6 )alkylidene radical;

R 10 , R 11 , R 12 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

X is a linker;

Sil is a silane-, oligosiloxane- or polysiloxane radical;

R 1 and R 2 , R 1 and Q, R 1 and R 6 , R 1 and T, R 2 and R 3 , R 2 and R 4 , R 2 and R 6 , R 2 and Q, R 4 and R 6 , R 4 and T, R 6 and Q, T and Q, each independently, are linked together, so that 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbocyclic or N, O and/or S-heterocyclic rings are formed, wherein each of them, independently from each other, may be condensed with an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and/or more N-, O-and/or S-heterocycic rings, and each N atom in a N-heterocyclic ring may be substituted by C 1 -C 22 alkyl;

n is a number from 1 to 4; and

m is a number for 0 to 4; wherein at least one of the radicals R 1 , R 6 or Q is different from hydrogen.

23. A method according to claim 22 , wherein

R 1 , R 6 and Q, independently from each other are hydrogen; or C 1 -C 22 alkyl, wherein at least one of R 1 ,

R 6 and Q is different from hydrogen.

24. A method according to claim 23 , wherein

R 1 , R 6 and Q, independently from each other are hydrogen; or C 1 -C 5 alkyl, wherein at least one of R 1 ,

R 6 and Q is different from hydrogen.

25. A method according to claim 22 , wherein

T and R 4 independently from each other are —COR 5 ; —CN; or —SO 2 —(C 6 -C 12 )aryl; and

R 5 is —OR 7 ; —NR 7 R 8 ; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; C 7 -C 12 aralkyl;

R 7 and R 8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C 1 -C 22 alkyl; —(CH 2 ) m —Si—R 10 R 11 R 12 ; and

R 10 , R 11 , and R 12 independently from each other are C 1 -C 22 alkyl.

26. A method according to claim 25 , wherein

T and R 4 independently from each other are —CN; SO 2 C 6 H 5 ;

 or a radical of formula

 wherein

R 7 and R 8 , independently from each other are C 1 -C 12 alkyl; or a radical of formula —SiR 10 R 11 R 12 ; and

R 10 , R 11 and R 12 are C 1 -C 5 alkyl.

27. Monomeric and polymeric compounds having the structural element of formula

wherein at least one of the asterix-marked radicals are joint with the monomeric or polymeric radical; and

R 1 , R 2 , R 4 and R 6 are defined as in claim ( 1 ).