Design and synthesis of D1 agonist/D2 antagonist for treatment of schizophrenia

A series of tetrahydroisoquinolines were designed, synthesized and evaluated as the first non-natural product type of compounds with dual D1 receptor (D1R) agonism and D2 receptor (D2R) antagonism properties for treatment of schizophrenia. The initial SAR of the series was explored. The lead in the series, 3g, exhibited high affinity and good potency. Compound 3g displayed 95% of D1R occupancy (10 mg/kg, sc) and 75% of D2R occupancy (10 mg/kg, sc) in the striatum of male CD-1 mice. The series exhibited unique pharmacology and merit as tool compounds for target validation and future optimizations.