Synthesis and sar study of 2-substituted imidazo[2,1-b] [1,3]benzothiazoles and related compounds endowed with affinity for dopamine D2receptors as potential antipsychotics

Typical antipsychotic agents such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol block the D2subtype of dopamine receptors in a direct relation to their clinical potency. In this context we have developed a series of (1,2-diphenyl-imidazolyl)piperazine derivatives (1) that are endowed with substantial affinities for both dopamine D2receptors as well as 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, compound 1a (R = o-OCH3) of which is representative. We have extended our study on other series of compounds derived from 1 both modifying the 1,2-diphenyl motif attached to the imidazole core, and the phenyl-piperazine moiety.