Synthesis of new 5‐substitutedbenzo[ b ]thiophene derivatives

Previous works of our group have dealt with the synthesis of 1‐(aryl)‐3‐[4‐(aryl)piperazin‐1‐yl]propane derivatives in the search for new and efficient antidepressants with a dual mode of action: serotonin reuptake inhibition and 5‐HT 1A receptor afinity [1‐4]. From these studies we concluded that the 3‐[4‐(aryl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐1‐(benzo[ b ]thiophen‐3‐yl)propane derivatives led to the best results. The continuation of this research project required the preparation of some new 3‐acyl‐5‐substituted benzo[ b ]thiophenes with a wide variety of substituents at the 5 position, ranging from nitro to hydroxyl derivatives. To obtain these derivatives we acylated the corresponding 5‐substituted benzo[ b ]thiophenes when it was possible.