To obtain gastroprokinetic agents with more potent and selective activity than metoclopramide and cisapride, a series of N‐(4‐benzyl‐2‐morpholinylmethyl)benzamides were designed and prepared. Their synthesis and structure‐activity relationships were described. As a result, mosapride was selected as a promising candidate for potent gastroprokinetic activity with selective 5‐HT4 receptor agonistic activity. As an extension to this project, the novel benzamide and the carboxamide derivatives having 1‐benzyl‐4‐methylhexahydro‐1,4‐diazepine ring in the amine moiety were prepared and evaluated for 5‐HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. DAT‐582 was identified as an antiemetic agent in cancer chemotherapy. The asymmetric synthesis of DAT‐582 and the SAR studies were briefly reviewed. In further modifications of the N‐(1‐benzyl‐4‐methylhexahydro‐1,4‐diazepin‐6‐yl)benzamides, the novel nicotinamides with 1‐ethyl‐4‐methylhexahydro‐1,4‐diazepin ring were found to have potent 5‐HT3 and dopamine D2 and D3 receptor antagonistic activities and to show weak central nervous system depression and extrapyramidal syndrome. After extensive SARs, AS‐8112 was selected as a broad antiemetic agent. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 19, No. 1, 25–73, 1999.