Synthesis, computational studies and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of 2-[4-(aryl substituted) piperazin-1-yl]-N-benzylacetamides as potential antipsychotics

A series of 2-[4-(aryl substituted) piperazin-1-yl]-N-benzylacetamides were synthesized and the target compounds (3a-j) were evaluated for atypical antipsychotic activity by studying apomorphine induced climbing behavior, 5-HTP induced head twitches behavior and catalepsy in mice. The physicochemical similarity of the target compounds with respect to standard drugs clozapine, ketanserin and risperidone was assessed by calculating from a set of physicochemical properties using software programs. The test compounds (3a-j) demonstrated good similarity values with respect to the standard drugs. Among them, compound 3b has emerged as an important lead compound showing potential atypical antipsychotic-like profile.