Scaffold Hybridization Strategy Leads to the Discovery of Dopamine D(3) Receptor-Selective or Multitarget Bitopic Ligands Potentially Useful for Central Nervous System Disorders

[Image: see text] In the search for novel bitopic compounds targeting the dopamine D(3) receptor (D(3)R), the N-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazine nucleus (primary pharmacophore) has been linked to the 6,6- or 5,5-diphenyl-1,4-dioxane-2-carboxamide or the 1,4-benzodioxane-2-carboxamide scaffold (secondary pharmacophore) by an unsubstituted or 3-F-/3-OH-substituted butyl chain. This scaffold hybridization strategy led to the discovery of potent D(3)R-selective or multitarget ligands potentially useful for central nervous system disorders. In particular, the 6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxane derivative 3 showed a D(3)R-preferential profile, while an interesting multitarget behavior has been highlighted for the 5,5-diphenyl-1,4-dioxane and 1,4-benzodioxane derivatives 6 and 9, respectively, which displayed potent D(2)R antagonism, 5-HT(1A)R and D(4)R agonism, as well as potent D(3)R partial agonism. They also behaved as low-potency 5-HT(2A)R antagonists and 5-HT(2C)R partial agonists. Such a profile might be a promising starting point for the discovery of novel antipsychotic agents.