2-(Methyleneaminoxy)methylmorpholine derivatives. Synthesis and antidepressant activity.

The 3-(methyleneaminoxy)methylmorpholines 2 were synthesized as analogues of viloxazine 1, an antidepressant drug, in which the aryloxymethyl group is substituted by a (methyleneaminoxy)methyl moiety (MAOMM). Compounds 2 were tested as potential antidepressant agents by using the test of antagonism to reserpine-induced hypothermy in mice. In addition, their anticholinergic and antihistaminic activity on isolated preparations and their ability to antagonize the toxicity induced by adrenaline in mice were evaluated. "In vivo" and "in vitro" tests showed that some compounds of type 2 possess a pharmacological profile similar to that of viloxazine 1.