A series of mazindol (2) and homomazindol (3) analogues with a variety of electron-donating
and electron-withdrawing groups in the pendant aryl group and the benzo ring C, as well as
H, methoxy, and alkyl groups replacing the hydroxyl group were synthesized, and their binding
affinities at the dopamine transporter (DAT) on rat or guinea pig striatal membranes were
determined. Several active analogues were also evaluated for their ability to block uptake of
DA, 5-HT, and NE and inhibit binding of [125I] RTI-55 at HEK-hDAT, HEK-hSERT, and HEK-hNET cells. Mazindane (26) was found to be a pro-drug, oxidizing (5-H → 5-OH) to mazindol
on rat striatal membranes and HEK-hDAT cells. The 4‘,7,8-trichloro analogue (38) of mazindol
was the most potent and selective ligand for HEK-hDAT cells (DAT K
i = 1.1 nM; SERT/DAT
= 1283 and NET/DAT = 38). Experimental results strongly favor the cyclic or ol tautomers of
2 and 3 to bind more tightly at the DAT than the corresponding keto tautomers.
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