Studies on the Synthesis of Condensed Pyridazine Derivatives. I. Synthesis and Benzodiazepine Receptor Binding Studies of 2-Substituted-4, 4a, 5, 6-tetrahydrobenzo [h] cinnolin-3 (2H)-ones and Related Compounds

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Abstract
A series of 2-substituted-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]cinnolin-3(2H)-ones and related compounds were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]diazepam from rat brain membranes. Among them, compounds bearing 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, or 4-methylphenyl group at the position-2 were found to have high affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor. 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-9-methyl- and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-9-methoxy-4,4a5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]cinnolin-3(2H)-ones (8b-14 and 8b-15, respectively) showed a potent affinity comparable to that of diazepam. These results suggest that a topographical planarity or pseudoplanarity of these molecules is essential for high affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.