SAR studies of piperidine-based analogues of cocaine. Part 3: Oxadiazoles

The synthesis of novel 4β-aryl-1-methyl-3α-(3-substituted-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl) piperidines, bioisosteres of ester (+)-1, is described. The synthesized oxadiazoles were evaluated for their affinity to the DAT and their ability to inhibit monoamine reuptake at the DAT, NET, and 5HTT. The results show that affinity to the DAT and ability to inhibit the reuptake at the DAT, NET, and 5HTT is a function of the size of the substituent in the oxadiazole ring. (+)-(3R,4S)-4β-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-3α-(3-methyl-1,2,4- oxadiazol-5-yl)piperidine [(+)-2a], which is structurally and pharmacologically most similar to the ester (+)-1 in this series, showed at least a 2-fold longer duration of action when compared to ester (+)-1.