Preparation of some 10-[3-(dimethylamino)-1-propyl]-10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4] benzothiazines as potential neuroleptics.

Chloro- and methyl-substituted 10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazines were prepared and their structures determined by 13C NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Alkylation afforded the 10-[3-(dimethylamino)-1-propyl] derivatives, which were compared to chlorpromazine in receptor-binding assays, in vivo behavioral tests, and electrochemical oxidation studies. In this series, the 2-chloro compound, 4c, proved to be the most effective derivative in displacing [3H]siperone, [3H]apomorphine, and [3H]prazosin radioligands from binding sites, being approximately as potent as chlorpromazine in this respect. However, none of the 10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazines of this study were as active as chlorpromazine in in vivo tests predictive of neuroleptic activity.