The structure of two 5-(1 -aryl4pipe~no)mthyl-2-aminooxazolis were determined by X-ray crystallography. An amino form is preponderant in a free base whereas an imino form is preponderant in a salt. The molecular conformations were studied by molecular mechanics.
2-
Aminooxnxoline, 1. Mitt: Kristallund Molekiilstmktur S-(l-Aryl4 piperazino)methyl-substituierter Derivate mit antidepmiver Aktlvitiit Die Seukturen von zwei 5-(1-Aryl4pipe~o)mthyl-2-aminooxazolin wurden mit Rontgenstrukturanalyse bestimmt: die Aminoform ubekegt in der freien Base, die lminoform im Salz. Die Konformationen wurden durch Molecular Modeling untersucht Various 2-amino-2-oxazolines possess biological activity'). As a part of our search for bioactive compounds we prepared and tested a series of 2-amin0-2-0xaz0lines bearing different sub~tituents~*~). Several derivatives of this series were studied in psychopharmacological tests. 5-( 1 -Phenyl4piperazino)methyl2-amino-2-oxazoline (I. COR 3224')' was the most active compound and possessed an antidepressant profile close to that of viloxa-zine4'). COR 3224 is a drug which is probably capable to antagonize the norepinephrine uptake with (or without) a p-mimetic activity. Its LDso = 576 mgkg in mice made it suitable for clinical trials. Extensive structureactivity relationships studies were carried out on 5-(l-aryl4piperazino)methyl 2-amino-2-oxazolines in order to determine the substitution effect on the aromatic and piperazinic rings. *' Developed in the Laboratoires SARGET, 33700-Mdrignac, France ** Further Information can be obtained from Fachinformationszentrum Energie, Physik, Mathematik D-75 14 Eggenstein -Leopoldshafen 2, citing the deposit no. CSD 53840, the authors, and the journal (volume, year, page).