Serotonin transporter inhibitors: synthesis and binding potency of 2′-methyl- and 3′-methyl-6-nitroquipazine

Racemic 2′-methyl- and 3′-methyl-6-nitroquipazine ligands were selected as targets, synthesized and evaluated at the serotonin transporter employing an in vitro competitive inhibition assay with [3H]paroxetine and rat cortical membrane. The 2′-methyl-6-nitroquipazine was found to be 50 times more potent than the 3′-methyl-substituted counterpart and of comparable potency to the known high affinity agent 5-iodo-6-nitroquipazine.