Psychopharmacological Agents

Abstract

Martin, James R.; Godel, T.; Hunkeler, W.; Jenck, F.; Moreau, J‐L.; Sleight, A. J.; and Widmer, U. (F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd.). A number of important advances have occurred in the understanding and the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system including mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, insomnia, substance use disorders, and dementias. The plethora of novel drugs act by means of diverse neurobiological mechanisms and represent a great diversity of chemical structures. Along with improvements in the therapeutic index of anxiolytics, sedative–hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, some progress has also been made in the search for drugs effective in the treatment of substance use disorders, as well as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Nonetheless, such improvements in symptomatic therapy have not been accompanied by the discovery of effective etiological and pathophysiological interventions. It is from here that the successful psychopharmacological agents of the future must come.

Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of Dimethyl Malonate and Ethyl Cyanoacetate with o-Alkoxybromobenzenes for the Synthesis of Phenylacetic Acid, Esters and Phenylacetonitriles

“…2 They can also be used as intermediates for the synthesis of 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid derivatives, through the reduction of one carboxylate group, to obtain tropic acid derivatives such as the tropane alkaloid scopolamine, an antiemetic drug. 3 The decarboxylation reaction of α-aryl dicarbonyl compounds leads to α-phenylacetic acids, which are found for example in the structure of ibuprofen (antiinflammatory activity), 4 in UPF523 (active in the CNS), 5 and in JSTX-3 (a neurotoxin found in spider venom).…”