Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of CNS Agents,Part 31[1]: Analogs of MP 3022 with a Different Number of Nitrogen Atoms in the Heteroaromatic Fragment — New 5-HT1A Receptor Ligands

Two series of new MP 3022 analogs, i.e. 1-(o-methoxyphenyl)-4-n-propylpiperazines ( 3, 4a, 4b, 6–9 , and 12–13 ) and 2-(n-propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines ( 5a, 5b, 11a , and 11b ) containing a terminal heteroaromatic system with a different number of nitrogen atoms, were synthesized and their 5-HT_1A/5-HT_2A and α₁ receptor affinity was assayed. The majority of investigated piperazines may be classified as non-selective 5-HT_1A/5-HT_2A/α₁ receptor ligands. Compounds 3, 4a, 4b, 7–9a with the highest affinity for 5-HT_1A receptors (K_i = 4–54 nM) were tested in vivo. Their functional activity was differentiated; while 3, 8 , and 9a behaved like weak antagonists of postsynaptic 5-HT_1A receptors, 4b and 7 may be classified as potential partial 5-HT_1A receptor agonists. Isomer 4a has characteristic features of a potential weak postsynaptic 5-HT_1A receptor agonist.