Imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles,imidazo[2,1‐b]imidazoles and Pyrrolo[1,2‐c]imidazoles. synthesis,structure and evaluation of benzodiazepine receptor binding

As a continuation of our studies on bicyclic heterocycles with benzodiazepine receptor affinity, derivatives with a 5:5 bicyclic skeleton, namely imidazo2,1‐b]thiazoles, imidazo2,1‐b]imidazoles and pyrrolo1,2‐c]imidazoles were prepared. The compounds possessed an aromatic substituent with different spatial arrangement and distance to the bicyclic skeleton. X‐ray structure analysis was performed for Z‐2‐(4‐chlorobenzylidene)‐5,5‐diphenyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrahydroimidazo2,1‐b]imidazoline‐3,6‐dione ( 6a ) and 5‐amino‐6‐cyano‐7‐phenyl‐1‐oxo‐3‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo1,2‐c]imidazole ( 20a ). In contrast to the previously described arylideneimidazo2,1‐b]thiazepinones the smaller heterocyclic ring systems investigated in this study were devoid of meaningful benzodiazepine receptor affinity as well as anti‐convulsant activity.