Synthesis of a new series of N-substituted-3(1-alkyl/aryl-4-piperidyl)azetidin-2-ones as possible muscarinic agents

A new series of N-substituted-3-[1-alkyl(aryl)-4-piperidyl]azetidin-2- ones 2a-j structurally related to the previously reported 2,7- diazaspiro[3,5]nonan-1-ones 1 have been synthesized and tested for their activity as muscarinic agents, both in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary pharmacological results showed that compounds 2 are devoid of significant cholinergic properties.