Synthesis and antidepressant activities of aryl alkanol piperidine derivatives

To explore novel monoamine reuptake inhibitor with antidepressant activity, a series of substituted aryl alkanol piperidine derivatives were designed and synthesized.  All of them were new compounds, and their structures were confirmed with ¹H NMR and HR-MS.  The results showed that compounds 4, 5 and 8 displayed strong 5-HT, NA and DA reuptake inhibiting activities in vitro.  Among the tested compounds, 4, 5 and 13   exhibited potent antidepressant activities in the mice forced swimming test.  Compounds 4 and 5 have potent antidepressant activities and are worth further development.