New 5-HT1A receptor ligands containing a N′-cyanoisonicotinamidine nucleus: Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological evaluation

N′-Cyanoisonicotinamidine derivatives, linked to an arylpiperazine moiety, were prepared to identify highly selective and potent 5-HT1A ligands. N′-Cyano-N-(3-(4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)isonicotinamidine (4o) with Ki = 0.038 nM, was the most active and selective derivative for the 5-HT1A receptor.