New 1-aryl-4-(biarylmethylene)piperazines as potential atypical antipsychotics sharing dopamine D2-receptor and serotonin 5-HT1A-receptor affinities

This paper describes the syntheses of several 1-aryl-4-(biarylmethylene)piperazines and the results of the determination of their affinity for D-2 and 5-HT1A receptors. A selection of these compounds was evaluated in vivo, resulting in the identification of a drug candidate which is being clinically evaluated as a potential atypical antipsychotic with reduced extrapyrimidal side effects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.