Metitepine (INN; developmental code names Ro 8-6837 (maleate), VUFB-6276 (mesylate)), also known as methiothepin, is a drug described as a "psychotropic agent" of the tricyclic or tetracyclic group which was never marketed. It acts as a non-selective antagonist of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors, including of the serotonin 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors. The drug has antipsychotic properties.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Chemistry

Analogues

Metitepine is closely structurally related to certain other tetracyclic compounds including amoxapine, batelapine, clorotepine, clotiapine, clozapine, flumezapine, fluperlapine, loxapine, metiapine, olanzapine, oxyprothepin, perathiepin, perlapine, quetiapine, tampramine, and tenilapine.

Synthesis

The reduction of 2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylbenzoic acid, CID:2733664 (1) gives [2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]methanol, CID:1****2853582 (2). Halogenating with thionyl chloride gives 1-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylbenzene, CID:12853583 (3). FGI with cyanide gives 2-[2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]acetonitrile, CID:12853584 (4). Alkali hydrolysis of the nitrile to 2-[2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]acetic acid, CID:12383832 (5). PPA cyclization to 3-methylsulfanyl-6H-benzo[b][1]benzothiepin-5-one, CID:827052 (6). The reduction with sodium borohydride gives 3-methylsulfanyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[b][1]benzothiepin-5-ol, CID:13597048 (7). Halogenating with a second round of thionyl chloride gives 5-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[b][1]benzothiepine, CID:12404411. Alkylation with 1-methylpiperazine [109-01-3] completed the synthesis of Metitepine (9).