The synthesis and biological activity of pentafluorosulfanyl analogs of fluoxetine, fenfluramine, and norfenfluramine.

Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA. jwelch@uamail.albany.edu

The trifluoromethyl group of fluoxetine 1 and fenfluramine and norfenfluramine, 2 and 3, was substituted by the pentafluorosulfanyl group. On examination of the efficacy of the pentafluorosulfanyl containing compounds as inhibitors of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, it was found that substitution could lead to enhanced selectivity and in the case of the pentafluorosulfanyl analog of fenfluramine, 18, it significantly enhanced potency against the 5-HT(2b), 5-HT(2c), and 5-HT(6) receptors.

PMID: 17765553 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]