A new nontricyclic antidepressant agent. Synthesis and activity of N-[trans-2-(dimethylamino)cyclopentyl]-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)propanamide and related compounds

A series of new nontricyclic antidepressant compounds was synthesized. A representative of this class is compound 6. Five structural parameters were investigated: ring size, cis/trans stereochemistry, amide substitution, aromatic substitution, and amine substitution. The pharmacological tests employed, indicative of antidepressant activity, were yohimbine potentiation test, oxotremorine antagonism test, and apomorphine potentiation test. Structure--activity relationship is discussed.