Benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of some 3-aryl-6-thioalkyl-, 3-aryl-6-alkylsulphinyl-, 3-aryl-6-alkylsulphonyl-, and 3-aryl-6-alkoxy-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazines.

A series of 3-aryl-6-alkoxy- and some 3-aryl-6-thioalkyl-, 3-aryl-6-alkylsulphinyl-, and 3-aryl-6-alkylsulphonyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazines were synthesised and tested for inhibition of the in vitro binding of 3H-Diazepam to benzodiazepine receptors in membranes isolated from rat brain synaptosomes. 6-Alkoxy-3-(4'-methoxy)phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazines were more active than or as active as diazepam in the binding assay (Ki nM) but unlike diazepam their binding to the benzodiazepine receptors was not enhanced by 4-aminobutyric acid. These compounds did not antagonize pentylenetetrazole induced convulsions and were inactive in modifying the conditioned behaviour of rats. Compound (II a) counteracted the muscle relaxant effects of diazepam (traction test). These results suggest that (II a) may be a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist.