Date of Award

5-2010

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Major Professor

Trudell, Mark L.

Second Advisor

Gibb, Bruce C.

Third Advisor

Wang, Guijun

Fourth Advisor

Sankaranyan, Anantha

Fifth Advisor

Tarr, Matthew A.

Abstract

Meperidine has been shown to have potent binding affinity for serotonin transporters (SERT) (Ki = 41 nM) and be an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake. Based upon these pharmacological results meperidine has been identified as a lead compound for the development of a novel class of serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A variety of potent analogues of meperidine have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro as potential ligands for the serotonin transporter. Substitutions have been made on the aryl ring, the ester moiety and the piperidine nitrogen of meperidine. Potent analogues of the aryl substituted series that included 4-iodophenyl, 2-naphthyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl and 4-biphenyl meperidine derivatives were synthesized and chosen for further optimization of the benzyl ester analogues. Benzyl ester analogues included 4-nitro, 4-methoxyl and 3,4-dichloro benzyl analogues and exhibited high potency for serotonin transporters and high selectivity over the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the norepinephrine transporter (NET). Also the N-demethylated analogues improve the binding affinity and selectivity for serotonin transporter. The analogue 4- (carboxymethoxybenzyl)-4-(4-iodophenyl) piperidine (69f), was found the most potent (Ki=0.6 nM) and selective ligand for serotonin transporter (DAT/SERT >4500; NET/SERT >4500) for the series and has been advanced to in vivo evaluation.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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