Novel cyclohexyl amides as potent and selective D3 dopamine receptor ligands

Abstract The dopamine D 3 receptor is an attractive target for the treatment of schizophrenia. We identified PD137557 ( V ) as a ligand for the D 2 receptor and desired to prepare a selective D 3 compound. SAR studies involving different amides and different phenyl piperazines have led to the discovery of 8a and 8c as selective D 3 receptor ligands.