Synthesis and antidepressant activity of substituted (omega-aminoalkoxy)benzene derivatives.

A series of substituted (omega-aminoalkoxy)benzene derivatives has been synthesized and screened for potential antidepressant activities. The effect of structural variation of these molecules has been systematically examined. Antidepressant activity was clearly displayed by 2-benzyl-1-[4-(methylamino)butoxy]benzene (7), 2-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1-[4-(methylamino)butoxy]benzene (19), 1-[4-(methylamino)butoxy]-2-phenoxybenzene (29), and 1-[4-(methylamino)butoxy]-2-(phenylthio)benzene (31) in further pharmacological studies. These compounds did not possess the anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and muscle-relaxant side effects common to tricyclic antidepressants.