| abstract |
Described herein are D4 receptor-selective compounds of the general formula: <IMAGE> wherein: A and B are independently selected, optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered, homo- or heterocyclic rings; X1 is selected from CH2, O, NH, S, C=O, CH-OH, CH-N(C1-4alkyl)2, C=CHCl, C=CHCN, N-C1-4 alkyl, N-acetyl, SO2 and SO; X2- is selected from N=, CH2-, CH=, C(O)-, O-, and S-; R1 represents C1-4 alkyl; Y is selected from CH and N; n is 0, 1 or 2; q is 1 or 2; R2 is C1-6alkyl optionally incorporating a heteroatom selected from N, O and S; D is cyclohexane or benzene; and E is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered heterocycle incorporating 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, wherein E is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents selected from halogen, C1-4alkyl and halogen-substituted C1-4alkyl; and acid addition salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. Their use as ligands for dopamine receptor identification and in a drug screening program, and as pharmaceuticals to treat indications in which the D4 receptor is implicated, such as schizophrenia, is also described. |