some of the compounds of general formula i may exist as optical isomers thereof to and such optical isomers are also embraced by the invention . as used herein the term alkyl refers to a c 1 - c 20 straight chain or branched alkyl group and similarly alkenyl and alkynyl mean a c 2 - c 20 straight chain or branched hydrocarbon group having one or more double bonds or triple bonds , respectively . the term cycloalkyl designates a carbocyclic ring having 3 - 8 carbon atoms , inclusive , or a bicyclic or tricyclic carbocycle , such as adamantyl . in the formulas included in the definition of x , the dotted lines indicate optional bonds , i . e . in case a dotted line represents a bond , the bond in question is a double bond . of course double bonds may not be present in adjacent positions and the arrangement of the bonds may not be in conflict with the conventional rules as readily understood by a person skilled in the art . the expression alk ( en / yn ) yl means that the group may be an alkyl , alkenyl or alkynyl group . the terms lower alkyl , lower alkoxy , lower alkylthio , etc . designate such branched or unbranched groups having from one to six carbon atoms inclusive . exemplary of such groups are methyl , ethyl , 1 - propyl , 2 - propyl , 1 - butyl , 2 - butyl , 2 - methyl - 2 - propyl , 2 - methyl - 1 - propyl , methoxy , ethoxy , 1 - propoxy , methylthio , ethylthio , 1 - propylthio , 2 - propylthio , methylsulfonyl , ethylsulfonyl , or the like . the term aryl is intended to mean a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic monocyclic or fused bicyclic group or a biphenyl group . examples of groups are : thienyl , furyl , oxazolyl , isoxazolyl , thiazolyl , isothiazolyl , pyrazolyl , imidazolyl , triazolyl , oxadiazolyl , thiadiazolyl , tetrazolyl , benzofuranyl , benzothienyl , benzisothiazolyl , benzisoxazolyl , indolyl , phenyl , pyridyl , pyrimidinyl , pyridazinyl , naphthyl , quinolinyl , and quinazolinyl , in particular phenyl , thienyl , naphtyl , or furanyl . in formula i , a is preferably a 2 to 6 membered alkylene group . b is preferably so , so 2 or a group of formula ii , as defined above wherein w is o and z is selected from --( ch 2 ) n -- n being 2 or 3 , -- ch ═ ch -- or 1 , 2 - phenylene optionally substituted with halogen or trifluoromethyl . x is preferably selected from the group of divalent 3 - 4 membered groups consisting of ## str5 ## r 1 is preferably lower alkyl , aryl , cycloalkyl or aryl - lower alkyl , most preferably lower alkyl , phenyl , phenyl substituted with one of the substituents as defined above , c 5 - c 6 cycloalkyl , adamantyl , phenyl - lower alkyl optionally substituted with one of the substituents as defined above or naphthyl . r 4 , r 5 , and r 6 are preferably independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen . r 7 and r 8 are preferably independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen , lower alkyl , aryl , a group -- coor 9 r 9 being hydrogen or lower alkyl and a group -- conh 2 . most preferably r 7 and r 8 are independently selected from hydrogen , lower alkyl , phenyl optionally substituted with one of the substituents as defined above , a group -- coor 9 r 9 being hydrogen or lower alkyl and a group -- conh 2 . the acid addition salts of the invention are pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula i formed with non - toxic acids . exemplary of such organic salts are those with maleic , fumaric , benzoic , ascorbic , embonic , succinic , oxalic , bis - methylenesalicylic , methanesulfonic , ethanedisulfonic , acetic , propionic , tartaric , salicylic , citric , gluconic , lactic , malic , mandelic , cinnamic , citraconic , aspartic , stearic , palmitic , itaconic , glycolic , p - aminobenzoic , glutamic , benzenesulfonic , and theophylline acetic acids , as well as the 8 - halotheophyllines , for example 8 - bromotheophylline . exemplary of such inorganic salts are those with hydrochloric , hydrobromic , sulfuric , sulfamic , phosphoric , and nitric acids . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention or those which are manufactured in accordance with this invention may be administered by any suitable route , for example orally in the form of tablets , capsules , powders , syrups , etc ., or parenterally in the form of solutions for injection . for preparing such compositions methods well known in the art may be used , and any pharmaceutically acceptable carriers , diluents , exipients , or other additive usually used in the art may be used . conveniently , the compounds of the invention are administered in unit dosage form containing said compounds in an amount of about 0 . 01 to 50 mg . the total daily dose usually ranges of about 0 . 05 - 500 mg , and most preferably about 0 . 1 to 20 mg of the active compound of the invention . a ) reacting a compound of formula iii ## str6 ## wherein r 2 - r 8 , u , x , and the dotted line are as previously defined , with a reagent of the formula r 1 -- b -- a -- v wherein r 1 , a , and b are as previously defined and v is a suitable leaving group such as halogen , mesylate or tosylate ; b ) reducing the amide carbonyl of a compound of formula iv ## str7 ## wherein r 1 - r 8 , b , u , x , and the dotted line are as previously defined and a &# 39 ; is such a group that ch 2 -- a &# 39 ; is a 2 to 6 membered branched or straight chain alkylene , alkenylene or alkynylene group which is optionally substituted with aryl or hydroxy as comprised by the definition of a ; c ) reductive alkylation of an amine of formula iii as previously defined with an aldehyde of the formula r 1 -- b -- a &# 39 ;-- cho , a carboxylic acid of the formula r 1 -- b -- a &# 39 ;-- cooh or a ketone of the formula r 1 -- b -- a &# 34 ;-- co -- a &# 34 ;&# 39 ; wherein r 1 , b and a &# 39 ; are as previously defined and a &# 34 ; and a &# 34 ;&# 39 ; are such groups that a &# 34 ;-- ch -- a &# 34 ;&# 39 ; is a 2 to 6 membered branched or straight chain alkylene , alkenylene or alkynylene group optionally substituted with aryl or hydroxy as comprised by the definition of a ; d ) oxidation of the sulfide sulfur atom in a compound of formula v ## str8 ## wherein r 1 - r 8 , a , u , x , and the dotted line are as previously defined , to the corresponding sulfoxide or sulfone ; e ) 1 , 4 - addition of an amine of general formula iii as previously defined to a α , β - unsaturated compound of formula r 12 r 13 c ═ cr 14 -- b -- r 1 , wherein r 1 and b are as previously defined and r 12 , r 13 , and r 14 are such groups that r 12 r 13 c ═ cr 14 is a 2 - 6 membered branched or straight chain alkenylene group optionally substituted with aryl or hydroxy as comprised by the definition of a ; f ) reductive alkylation of the nh group of a compound of general formula vi ## str9 ## wherein r 2 - r 8 , a , u , x , z , and the dotted line are as previously defined , with an aldehyde of the formula r 1 &# 39 ;-- cho , a carboxylic acid of the formula r 1 &# 39 ;-- cooh or a ketone of the formula r 1 &# 34 ;-- co -- r 1 &# 34 ;&# 39 ; wherein r 1 &# 39 ; , r 1 &# 34 ;, and r 1 &# 34 ;&# 39 ; are such groups that r 1 &# 39 ;-- ch 2 and r 1 &# 34 ;-- ch 2 - r &# 34 ;&# 39 ;, respectively , are groups comprised by the above definition of r 1 ; g ) cyclization of a compounds of general formula vii ## str10 ## wherein r 1 - r 8 , a , u , x , and the dotted line are as previously defined ; h ) arylation of the nh group of a compound of general formula viii ## str11 ## wherein a , b , r 1 -- r 8 , the dotted line and u is as previously defined and x &# 39 ; is defined as x with the proviso that x &# 39 ; designates a heteroaromatic ring system containing a nh functionality , with an arylating agent of the formula ar - hal wherein ar is aryl as previously defined and hal is halogen ; i ) transformation of a compound of general formula i wherein r 7 or r 8 designates a group -- coor 9 to the corresponding compound wherein r 7 or r 8 designates a group -- conr 10 r 11 in which formulas r 7 - r 11 is as previously defined ; j ) treating a compound of general formula i in which the ring system defined by x comprises one or more double bonds in order to reduce one or more of said double bonds thereby obtaining a corresponding partially or completely reduced ring system ; k ) reductive removal of one or more of the substituents r 4 - r 8 in a compound of general formula i in which one or more of these substituents are selected from the group consisting of chloro , bromo , or iodo ; l ) reducing the double bond in the tetrahydropyridine ring of a compound of general formula i in which u is c and the dotted line represents a bond in order to obtain the corresponding piperidine derivative ; whereupon the compound of formula i is isolated as the free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof . the reaction of the compound of formula iii according to method a ) is conveniently performed in an inert organic solvent such as a suitably boiling alcohol or ketone , preferably in the presence of a base ( potassium carbonate or triethylamine ) at reflux temperature . the reagents of formula r 1 -- b -- a -- v wherein b is so or so 2 are obtained by oxidation of the corresponding sulfides according to methods well known in the art . the starting sulfides are prepared by standard literature methods . such reagents in which b represents a group of formula ii wherein z is --( ch 2 ) 2 -- and w is o are prepared by the method disclosed in de - os no 2 , 035 , 370 . preparation of such reagents wherein z is -- ch ═ ch -- or 1 , 2 - phenylene is described in examples 5 and 12 - 13 , respectively . arylpiperazine derivatives of formula iii are conveniently prepared from the corresponding arylamines according to the method described by martin et al , j . med . chem ., 1989 , 32 , 1052 , or the method described by kruse et al , rec . trav . chim pays - bas , 1988 , 107 , 303 . the starting arylamines are either commercially available or are described in the literature as follows : the synthesis of 5 - amino - 1 , 4 - benzodioxane is described by dauksas et al , zh . org . khim ., 1967 , 3 , 1121 . the synthesis of 7 - amino - 2 , 3 - dihydrobenzofuran is described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 4 , 302 , 592 . the synthesis of ethyl 7 - amino - 2 - indolyl carboxylate is described by scriven et al , j . chem . soc ., perkin trans . i , 1979 , 53 . the synthesis of 7 - aminobenzofuran is described by van wijngaarden et al , j . med . chem ., 1988 , 31 , 1934 . the synthesis of 7 - amino - 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran is described in ger . offen . de 3526510 . the synthesis of 7 - amino - benzo [ b ] thiophene is described by boswell et al , j . heterocycl . chem . 1968 , 5 , 69 . the synthesis of 7 - aminoindole is described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 4 , 506 , 078 . the synthesis of 7 - amino - 1 , 2 - benzisothiazole is described by ricci et al , ann . chim . ( rome ), 1963 , 53 , 1860 . the synthesis of 4 - aminoindole is described by melhado et al , j . org . chem ., 1983 , 48 , 5130 . 4 - aminobenzofuran and ethyl 4 - amino - 2 - benzofuranyl carboxylate are obtained by conventional reduction of the corresponding nitro compounds ( andrisano et al , gazz . chim . ital ., 1956 , 86 , 1257 ). 7 - amino - 2 - phenylbenzofuran is obtained from 2 - phenyl - 7 - benzofuranyl carboxylic acid ( eur . pat . appl . no . ep 147044 a2 ) via the curtius rearrangement . substituted derivatives of various ring systems are obtained by analogy methods to the above mentioned methods . piperidine and 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 - tetrahydropyridine derivatives of formula iii are prepared by known methods , cf . e . g . u . s . pat . no . 2 , 891 , 066 ; mcelvain et al , j . amer . chem . soc . 1950 , 72 , 3134 , or are prepared as described in examples 10 and 11 . the reduction according to method b ) is preferably carried out in an inert organic solvent such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran in the presence of lithium aluminium hydride at reflux temperature . the amides of formula iv are conveniently prepared by treating compounds of general formula iii with suitable carboxylic acid chlorides of formula r 1 -- b -- a &# 39 ;-- cocl in the presence of base ( potassium carbonate or triethylamine ). the carboxylic acid chlorides are prepared according to standard methods . the reductive alkylation of the amines of formula iii according to method c ) is performed by standard literature methods ( see example 4 ). the aldehydes , carboxylic acids , and ketones of formulas r 1 - b -- a &# 39 ;-- cho , r 1 -- b -- a &# 39 ;-- cooh , and r 1 -- b -- a &# 34 ;-- co -- a &# 34 ;&# 39 ;, respectively , are prepared according to standard methods . the oxidation of sulfur according to method d ) is performed by applying a well known oxidation agent , for example m - chloroperbenzoic acid , hydrogen peroxide , or potassium peroxymonosulfate . sulfoxides are preferably prepared using m - chloroperbenzoic acid according to standard methods . sulfones are preferably prepared using hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid according to standard methods . sulfides of formula v are prepared either by method a ) using reagents of formula r 1 -- s -- a -- v , or by method b ) using compounds of formula iv where b is defined as s , or by method c ) using aldehydes of formula r 1 -- s -- a &# 39 ;-- cho or carboxylic acids of formula r 1 -- s -- a &# 39 ;-- cooh or ketones of formula r 1 -- s -- a &# 34 ;-- co -- a &# 34 ;&# 39 ;. all sulfide reagents mentioned are prepared according to standard methods . the addition of amines to α , β - unsaturated compounds according to method e ) is conveniently performed in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride at room temperature . unsaturated compounds of formula r 12 r 13 c ═ cr 14 -- b -- r are prepared by standard methods . the reductive alkylation according to method f ) is performed in glacial acetic acid using sodium borohydride as reducing agent . the starting compounds of formula vi are prepared by methods analogous to methods a ), b ), and c ). the cyclization according to method g ) is performed in ethanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid . the starting compounds of general formula vii are prepared by alkylating amines of formula iii with chloroacetonitrile followed by alane reduction of the cyano group to the corresponding primary amine . monoalkylation with 2 - bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal and subsequent addition of isocyanates give vii . the arylation according to method h ) is most conveniently performed by applying the well known ullmann reacton . the arylating reagents , ar - hal , are commercially available and the transformation of esters according to method i ) is well - described in the literature . the reduction of double bonds according to method j ) is conveniently performed by catalytic hydrogenation in an alcohol with a platinum catalyst or by treatment with sodium cyanoborohydride in trifluoroacetic acid ( see example 9 ) or by hydrogenation with diborane or a diborane precursor such as trimethylamine or dimethyl sulfide complex in tetrahydrofuran or dioxan from 0 ° c . to reflux temperature followed by acid catalyzed hydrolysis of the intermediate borane derivative . the removal of halogen substituents according to method k ) and reduction of the double bond according to method i ) are conveniently performed by catalytic hydrogenation in an alcohol in the presence of a palladium catalyst or by treatment with ammonium formate in an alcohol at elevated temperatures in the presence of a palladium catalyst . whereupon the compound of formula i is isolated as the free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof . in the following the invention is further illustrated by examples which , however , may not be construed as limiting . to a suspension of potassium tert - butoxide ( 100 g ) in toluene ( 600 ml ) cyclohexylthiol ( 100 g ) was added dropwise . after stirring for half an hour at room temperature 3 - bromo - 1 - propanol ( 100 g ) was added dropwise . the mixture was stirred at 60 ° c . for 3 hours . the mixture was poured into 2 m sodium hydroxide solution ( 1 l ). the phases were separated and the organic phase washed with 2 m sodium hydroxide ( 500 ml ). removal of solvent in vacuo left a colorless oil ( 120 g ) of 3 - cyclohexylthio - 1 - propanol which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step . to a solution of 3 - cyclohexylthio - 1 - propanol ( 60 g ) in glacial acetic acid ( 250 ml ) hydrogen peroxide ( 35 % in water , 210 ml ) was added at 10 ° c . followed by reflux for 2 h . after cooling the mixture was poured onto ice followed by extraction with ethyl acetate ( 1 l ). the organic phase was washed several times with 1 m sodium hydroxide . removal of solvent gave an oil which was treated at reflux temperature with 1 m sodium hydroxide ( 600 ml ) for 1 h . extraction with ethyl acetate , drying of the organic phase over magnesium sulfate , and removal of solvent in vacuo gave a colorless oil ( 37 g ) of 3 - cyclohexylsulfonyl - 1 - propanol which was used without further purification in the next step . a solution of 3 - cyclohexylsulfonyl - 1 - propanol ( 37 g ) and triethylamine ( 30 ml ) in methylene chloride ( 400 ml ) was treated dropwise at - 5 ° c . with methanesulfonyl chloride ( 15 ml ). after stirring for 2 h at room temperature the mixture was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate . removal of solvent in vacuo gave a viscous oil ( 49 g ) of 3 - cyclohexylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl methanesulfonate . a mixture of 3 - cyclohexylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl methanesulfonate ( 8 . 5 g ), 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- piperazine ( 5 . 4 g ), and potassium carbonate in methyl isobutyl ketone ( 200 ml ) was refluxed for 20 h . filtration and removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was purified by column chromatography ( silica gel , eluent : ether / methanol / triethylamine = 96 : 2 : 2 ). the title compound crystallized as the oxalate salt from acetone by addition of oxalic acid . yield : 8 . 1 g , mp : 162 - 64 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 05 - 1 . 45 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 60 - 1 . 90 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 95 - 2 . 10 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 90 - 3 . 20 ( m , 13 h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( d , 1h ). 1 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 3 - phenylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl ) piperazine , hydrochloride , 1b , mp : 184 - 96 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 00 - 2 . 20 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 25 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 30 - 3 . 60 ( m , 6h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 60 - 7 . 80 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 95 ( d , 2h ), 8 . 00 ( b , 2h ). 1 -( 3 -- cyclohexylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl )- 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl ) piperazine , maleate , 1c , mp : 166 - 68 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 05 - 1 . 50 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 60 - 1 . 70 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 75 - 1 . 90 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 95 - 2 . 20 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 40 ( m , 17h ), 4 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 05 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ). 1 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 4 -( 3 - methylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl ) piperazine , maleate , 1d , mp : 150 - 51 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 00 - 2 . 20 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 05 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 50 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 55 ( t , 3h ), 6 . 10 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 85 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ). 1 -( 1 - 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 3 - isopropylsulfonyl - 1 - propyl ) piperazine , fumarate , 1e , mp : 166 - 67 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 25 ( d , 6h ), 1 . 80 - 2 . 00 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 50 - 2 . 65 ( m , 6h ), 2 . 90 - 3 . 05 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 15 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 30 ( h , 1h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ). 1 -[ 3 -( 1 -- adamantyl ) sulfonyl - 1 - propyl ]- 4 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazine , 1f , mp : 143 - 44 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 65 - 1 . 85 ( m , 6h ), 2 . 00 - 2 . 25 ( m , 11h ), 2 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 60 - 2 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 90 - 3 . 00 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 25 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 25 - 4 . 35 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 50 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 80 ( t , 1h ). a mixture of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- piperazine ( 1 . 5 g ), 1 -( 3 - chloro - 1 - propyl )- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone ( 1 . 4 g ), potassium carbonate ( 3 g ), and potassium iodide ( 0 . 1 g ) in methyl isobutyl ketone was refluxed for 20 h . filtration and removal of solvent in vacuo gave a viscous oil which was separated by column chromatography ( silica gel , eluent : ethyl acetate / methanol / triethylamine = 15 : 4 : 1 ). the title compound was isolated as an oil which crystallized as the hydrochloride salt from acetone by addition of hydrochloric acid . yield : 1 . 9 g , mp : 229 - 32 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 95 - 2 . 15 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 25 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 70 - 4 . 00 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 70 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2b , mp : 266 - 68 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 45 - 1 . 95 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 60 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 85 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 35 ( m , 5h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( t , 1h ), 12 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2c , mp : 288 - 90 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 00 - 3 . 75 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 85 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 10 - 4 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 50 - 4 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 70 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ). 10 . 95 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - cyclohexyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2d , mp : 103 - 14 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 1 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 15 - 1 . 45 ( m , 4h ), 1 . 45 - 1 . 65 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 80 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 90 - 3 . 05 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 35 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 55 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 4 - 6 . 55 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 90 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 3 - cyclohexyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2e , mp : 212 - 221 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 1 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 15 - 1 . 40 ( m , 4h ), 1 . 40 - 1 . 65 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 85 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 25 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 25 ( 2 , 4h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 60 ( m , 5h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 8 . 00 ( b , 1h ), 11 . 40 ( b , 1 h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2f , mp : 200 - 2 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 80 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 80 ( m , 18h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 85 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 90 ( t , 1h ), 11 . 05 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2g , mp : 225 - 28 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 95 - 2 . 10 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 40 ( m , 12h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 70 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ), 11 . 20 ( b , 1h ). 4 -[ 4 -[ 2 -( 3 -- phenylimidazolidin - 2 - on - 1 - yl ) ethyl ]- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 2 , 1 , 3 - benzothiadiazole , maleate , 2h , mp : 182 - 83 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 20 - 3 . 95 ( m , 18h ), 6 . 10 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 90 - 7 . 10 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 35 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 55 - 7 . 70 ( m , 4h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2i , mp : 188 - 90 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 55 - 2 . 70 ( m , 6h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 10 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 35 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 5 . 10 ( b , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 15 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 50 - 7 . 60 ( m , 2h ). ethyl 7 -[ 4 -[ 2 -( 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidin - 2 - on - 1 - yl ) ethyl ]- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 2 - indolyl carboxylate , fumarate , 2j , mp : 202 - 4 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 35 ( t , 3h ), 2 . 70 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 75 - 2 . 90 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 35 ( q , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 95 - 7 . 05 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 15 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 25 - 7 . 40 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 -- naphtyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2k , mp : 176 - 80 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 70 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 90 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 10 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 40 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 45 - 7 . 65 ( m , 5h ), 7 . 85 - 7 . 95 ( m , 1h ), 8 . 05 - 8 . 20 ( m , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinylethyl ]- 3 - ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2l , mp : 250 - 52 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 05 ( t , 3h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 70 ( m , 18h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 25 ( t , 1h ), 10 . 65 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -- benzofuran - 7 - yl - 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hemifumarate , 2m , mp : 175 - 76 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 3 - 60 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( s , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 05 - 7 . 25 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 95 ( s , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2n , mp : 220 - 30 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 3 . 00 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 45 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 50 - 3 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 85 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 85 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ), 9 . 35 ( b , 1h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - isopropyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2o , mp : 228 - 30 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 05 ( d , 6h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 65 ( m , 16h ), 3 . 90 ( h , 1h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 60 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 25 ( d , 1h ), 10 . 95 ( b , 1h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2p , mp : 185 - 95 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 45 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 45 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 00 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 40 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 - 3 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 70 - 6 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 35 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( b , 1h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -- adamantyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2q , mp : 246 - 48 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 55 - 1 . 65 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 90 - 2 . 10 ( m , 9h ), 2 . 96 - 3 . 60 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 10 . 85 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -( 4 -- benzofuran - 4 - yl - 1 - piperazinyl ) ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , sesquifumarate , 2r , mp : 207 - 9 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 65 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 70 - 2 . 80 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 20 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 70 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 95 - 7 . 05 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 10 - 7 , 20 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 55 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 90 ( s , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -( 4 -- benzofuran - 4 - yl - 1 - piperazinyl ) ethyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2s , mp : 237 - 39 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 80 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 45 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 - 3 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 20 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 45 ( b , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 10 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 20 - 7 . 30 ( m , 2h ), 8 . 00 ( s , 1h ), 11 . 20 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -( 4 -- benzo [ b ] thiophen - 7 - yl - 1 - piperazinyl ) ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , 2t , mp : 136 - 38 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 2 . 70 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 70 - 2 . 85 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80j ( t , 2h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 20 - 7 . 45 ( m , 5h ), 7 . 45 - 7 . 65 ( m , 3h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 7 - indolyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , 2u , mp : 188 - 89 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 90 ( m , 8h ), 2 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 45 ( m , 6h ), 4 . 25 ( p , 1h ), 6 . 50 - 6 . 55 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 05 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 10 - 7 . 20 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 40 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 7 -- indolyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2v , mp : 215 - 16 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 2 . 70 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 75 - 2 . 85 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 35 - 6 . 40 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 15 - 7 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 2 -- benzisothiazol - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2x , mp : 237 - 44 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 10 - 3 . 80 ( m , 14h ), 3 . 85 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 20 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 50 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 90 ( d , 1h ), 9 . 15 ( s , 1h ), 11 . 25 ( b , 1h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 4 - indolyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone - dihydrochloride , 2y , mp : 214 - 20 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 50 - 1 . 80 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 60 ( m , 12h ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 80 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 95 - 4 . 20 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 60j ( s , 1h ), 6 . 70 ( d , 1h ), 7 , 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 20 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( s , 1h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 4 -- indolyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2z , mp : 233 - 38 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 25 - 3 . 50 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 85 ( t , 2h ), 5 . 00 ( b , 2h ), 6 . 50 ( 2 , 1h ), 6 . 60 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 95 - 7 . 00 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 15 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 25 - 7 . 40 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 60 ( d , 2h ), 11 . 20 ( b , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -- benzo [ b ] thiophen - 7 - yl - 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2aa , mp : 264 - 67 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 45 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 10 ( p , 1h ), 7 . 05 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( d , 1h ) 7 . 60 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 75 ( d , 1h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). 1 -- cyclohexyl - 3 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2bb , mp : 196 - 203 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 20 - 1 . 65 ( m , 10h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 80 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 20 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 25 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 55 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 65 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 70 - 6 . 80 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 85 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 60 ( b , 1h ), 11 . 30 ( b , 1h ). ethyl [ 4 -[ 4 -[ 2 -( 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinon - 1 - yl ) ethyl ]- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 2 - benzofuranyl ] carboxylate , hydrochloride 2cc , mp : 198 - 201 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 35 ( t , 3h ), 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 25 - 3 . 75 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 35 ( q , 2h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 95 ( s , 1h ). 1 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 3 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone , 2dd , mp : 158 - 60 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 50 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 55 - 1 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 20 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 70 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 40 - 7 . 55 ( m , 2h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - t - butyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 2ee , mp : 229 - 31 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 30 ( s , 9h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 60 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2ff , mp : 183 - 85 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 75 ( hep , 2h ), 2 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 60 - 2 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 25 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 55 ( d , 2h ). 1 -- adamantyl - 3 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , 2gg , mp : 125 - 27 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 50 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 55 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 70 ( m , 6h ), 2 . 00 - 2 . 10 ( m , 9h ), 2 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 20 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( d , 2h ). 1 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 5 -- chloro - 2 - phenylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 3 - cyclohexyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , dihydrochloride , 2hh ,- mp : 198 - 200 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 - 1 . 85 ( m , 14h ), 3 . 10 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 70 ( m , 14h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 10 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 65 ( b , 2h ), 6 . 85 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 95 ( d , 2h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 5 -- chloro - 2 - phenylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2ii , mp : 155 - 57 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 70 ( m , 8h ), 2 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 45 ( m , 10h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 20 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 90 ( d , 2h ). 1 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 3 -( 1 - naphtyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone , fumarate , 2jj , mp : 220 - 21 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 75 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 25 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 60 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 - 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 45 - 7 . 60 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 85 - 8 . 00 ( m , 3h ). 1 -- cyclohexyl - 3 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2kk , mp : 191 - 92 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 - 1 . 90 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 2 . 90 - 3 . 00 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 10 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 30 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 50 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 10 ( b , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ). 1 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 -- dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 5 - fluorobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 3 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2ll , mp : 126 - 27 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 45 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 20 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 95 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 30 - 6 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 40 - 7 . 55 ( m , 2h ). 1 -- cyclohexyl - 3 -[ 4 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 5 - fluorobenzofuran - 7 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - butyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2mm , mp : 125 - 35 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 - 1 . 80 ( m , 14h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 50 ( m , 17h ), 6 . 50 ( dd , 1h ), 6 . 65 ( dd , 1h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 6 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran - 7 - y 1 )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - hexyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2nn , mp : 132 - 34 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 15 - 1 . 75 ( m , 14h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 10 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 45 ( m , 12h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 85 ( d , 1h ). 1 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 5 -- chloro - 2 , 3 - dihydro - 3 , 3 - dimethyl )- 7 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2oo , mp : 104 - 7 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 25 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 35 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 25 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ). 1 -[ 6 -[ 4 -( 5 -- chloro - 2 , 3 - dihydro - 3 , 3 - dimethyl )- 7 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - hexyl ]- 3 - cyclopentyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2pp , mp : 125 - 27 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 25 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 20 - 1 . 75 ( m , 16h ), 2 . 95 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 10 - 3 . 40 ( m , 12h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 25 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 7 -- chloro - 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl )- 4 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 3 - cyclohexyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 2qq , mp : 123 - 33 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ0 . 95 - 1 . 50 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 45 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 65 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 90 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 85 - 3 . 30 ( m , 18h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 50 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 45 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 10 ( d , 1h ). a solution of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 3 - cyclohexylthio - 1 - propyl ) piperazin ( 7 g ) in tetrahydrofuran ( 70 ml ) was cooled to 0 ° c . followed by portionwise addition of m - chloroperbenzoic acid ( 6 . 4 g ) keeping the temperature at 0 ° c . after stirring for 3 h at 0 ° c . aqueous sodium carbonate ( 20 % solution , 100 ml ) was added . the phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with methylene chloride . the combined organic phases was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting oil applied to a silica gel column ( eluent : ethyl acetat / methanol / diethylamine = 88 : 8 : 4 ). the title compound crystallized as the oxalate salt from an acetone / methanol mixture by addition of oxalic acid . yield : 1 . 5 g , mp : 113 - 15 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 - 1 . 50 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 55 - 2 . 20 ( m , 7h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 95 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 35 ( m , 8h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ). a solution of 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone ( prepared from 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazin and 1 -( 3 - chloro - 1 - propyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone by the method described in example 2 ) ( 2 . 5 g ) and benzaldehyde ( 2 . 3 g ) in glacial acetic acid ( 30 ml ) was treated portionwise with sodium borohydride ( 0 . 6 g ) keeping the temperature at 10 ° c . after stirring for 40 min . at room temperature additional benzaldehyde ( 2 . 3 g ) and sodium borohydride ( 0 . 6 g ) was added and the mixture stirred for 16 h at room temperature . removal of solvent in vacuo gave a heavy oil which was applied to a silica gel column ( eluent : ethyl acetate / ethanol / triethylamine = 10 : 1 : 1 ). the title compound was isolated as a viscous oil which crystallized as the hydrochloride from an acetone / ether mixture by addition of an ether solution of dry hcl . yield : 2 . 8 g , mp : 181 - 91 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 90 - 2 . 10 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 25 ( m , 10h ), 3 . 30 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 4h ), 4 . 25 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( b , 2h ), 7 . 20 - 7 . 40 ( m , 5h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 3 - ethyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 4b , mp : 240 - 43 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 ( t , 3h ), 1 . 85 - 2 . 05 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 35 ( m , 14h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 25 ( s , 4h ), 6 . 35 ( b , 2h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 3 - cyclohexyl - 2 - imidazolidinone , hydrochloride , 4c , mp : 189 - 200 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 1 . 50 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 65 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 65 - 1 , 85 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 90 - 2 . 10 ( hep , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 35 ( m , 12h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 60 ( m , 5h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ). a solution of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazin ( 11 g ) and triethylamine ( 7 ml ) in n - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidinone was treated dropwise with chloroacetonitrile ( 4 . 5 g ). after stirring for 2 h at 100 ° c . the mixture was poured onto ice and extracted with ethyl acetate . the organic phase was washed with water , dried over magnesium sulfate , filtered , and concentrated in vacuo . the product , 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 - cyanomethylpiperazine , was obtained as an oil ( 17 . 4 g ) which was sufficiently pure for use in the next step . a suspension of lithium aluminium chloride ( 8 . 2 g ) in dry ether ( 170 ml ) was treated dropwise with a solution of aluminium chloride ( 8 . 2 g ) in ether ( 170 ml ) under cooling . after stirring for half an hour at room temperature a solution of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 - cyanomethylpiperazine ( 9 . 4 g ) in dry tetrahydrofuran ( 250 ml ) was added dropwise at 15 ° c . after reflux for 1 . 5 h the mixture was cooled and conc . sodium hydroxide solution ( 40 ml ) was added dropwise . filtration and removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was dissolved in methylene chloride and dried over magnesium sulfate . removal of solvent in vacuo gave 1 -( 2 - amino - 1 - ethyl )- 4 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazine ( 9 . 1 g ) as a viscous oil . a mixture of 1 -( 2 - amino - 1 - ethyl )- 4 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazine ( 9 . 1 g ), bromoacetaldehyde dimethylacetale ( 6 . 5 g ), potassium iodide ( 0 . 5 g ), and potassium carbonate ( 4 . 8 g ) in 1 , 4 - dioxan ( 200 ml ) was refluxed for 16 h . water was added followed by extraction with ethyl acetate . the organic phase was concentrated in vacuo leaving an oil which was applied to a silica gel column ( eluent : ethyl acetate / methanol = 1 : 3 ). the product , 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -[ 2 -( 2 , 2 - dimethoxy - 1 - ethylamino )- 1 - ethyl ] piperazine , was obtained as an oil ( 4 . 7 g ). a solution of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 2 -( 2 , 2 - dimethoxy - 1 - ethylamino )- 1 - ethyl ) piperazine ( 2 . 3 g ) and 4 - fluorophenyl isocyanate ( 0 . 9 g ) in methylene chloride ( 100 ml ) was refluxed for 2 h . removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was purified on a silica gel column ( eluent : ethyl acetate / methanol = 3 : 1 ). the product , 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 2 -( n - 2 , 2 - dimethoxy - 1 - ethyl )- n -( 4 - fluorophenylaminocarbonyl )- amino )- 1 - ethyl ) piperazine , was obtained as a solid ( 2 . 5 g ). a solution of 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 4 -( 2 -( n -( 2 , 2 - dimethoxy - 1 - ethyl )- n -( 4 - fluorophenylaminocarbonyl ) amino )- 1 - ethyl ) piperazine ( 2 . 5 g ) and 3 m hydrochloric acid ( 2 . 5 ml ) in ethanol ( 50 ml ) was stirred at room temperature for 72 h . the title compound was collected by filtration as the hydrochloride . yield : 1 . 2 g , mp : 301 - 5 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 00 - 3 . 60 ( m , 10h ), 4 . 05 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 35 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 25 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 65 - 7 . 80 ( m , 2h ). 1 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 1 , 4 -- benzodioxan - 5 - yl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- ethyl ]- 1 , 3 - dihydro - 3 - phenyl - 2 - imidazolone , hydrochloride , 5b , mp : 295 - 300 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 3 . 00 - 3 . 60 ( m , 10h ), 4 . 05 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 30 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 20 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 70 ( d , 2h ). a solution of 2 - cyclohexylsulfonylethanol ( 22 g ) and triethylamine ( 30 ml ) in methylene chloride ( 200 ml ) was treated dropwise with a solution of methanesulfonyl chloride ( 15 ml ) in methylene chloride ( 100 ml ) at 10 ° c . after stirring for 2 h at room temperature the mixture was washed with water , dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo leaving the product , cyclohexyl vinyl sulfone , as an oil ( 19 g ). a solution of cyclohexyl vinyl sulfone ( 2 . 4 g ) and 1 -( 2 , 3 - dihydrobenzofuran - 7 - yl ) piperazine ( 2 . 5 g ) 3in methylene chloride ( 50 ml ) was stirred at room temperature for 16 h . removal of solvent in vacuo left an oil which was applied to a silica gel column ( eluent : ethyl acetate / methanol / diethylamine = 97 : 2 : 1 ). the title compound was obtained as an oil which crystallized as the maleate salt from acetone by addition of maleic acid . yield : 3 . 4 g , mp : 178 - 79 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 00 - 1 . 50 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 60 - 1 . 70 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 75 - 1 . 90 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 00 - 2 . 15 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 35 ( m , 13h ), 3 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 6 . 10 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 85 ( d , 1h ). a mixture of 2y ( 1 . 3 g ), 4 - fluoroiodobenzene ( 2 . 0 g ), cupper powder ( 0 . 2 g ), potassium carbonate ( 0 . 8 g ) in n - methyl - pyrrolidinone ( 20 ml ) was kept at 170 ° c . under stirring for 5 h . after cooling the reaction mixture was filtered and water ( 200 ml ) added followed by extraction with dichloromethane ( 2 × 100 ml ). removal of solvent in vacuo and purification by flash chromatography ( silica gel , ethyl acetate / triethylamine 95 : 5 ) gave the free base as a solid ( 0 . 8 g ). the title oxalate salt crystallized by addition of oxalic acid to an ethanol solution of the base . yield : 0 . 7 g , mp : 210 - 12 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 10 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 45 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 05 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 65 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 70 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 05 - 7 . 15 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 55 - 7 . 65 ( m , 3h ). a solution of 2cc ( 1 . 0 g ) in a mixture of conc . ammonia ( 50 ml ) and tetrahydrofuran ( 25 ml ) was kept at 50 ° c . for 48 h . extraction with ether ( 3 × 50 ml ), drying over magnesium sulfate , and removal of solvent in vacuo gave the free base as an oil . addition of an etheral solution of hcl to an ethanol / heptane solution of the base gave the title hydrochloride salt . yield : 0 . 5 g , mp : 166 - 70 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 85 ( m , 16h ), 4 . 05 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 25 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 65 ( b , 1h ), 7 . 80 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 10 ( b , 1h ), 11 . 15 ( b , 1h ). a solution of 2u ( 1 . 3 g ) in trifluoroacetic acid was treated portionwise over 3 h with sodium cyanoborohydride ( 0 . 6 g ) at room temperature . after additional stirring for 0 . 5 h the mixture was poured onto ice followed by extraction with ethyl acetate ( 3 × 100 ml ). removal of solvent in vacuo and purification by chromatography ( silica gel , ethyl acetate / triethylamine 96 : 4 ) gave the title compound as a crystalline material . yield : 0 . 2 g , mp : 130 - 32 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 40 - 1 . 85 ( m , 8h ), 2 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 05 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 05 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 45 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 55 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 25 ( hep , 1h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 75 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 80 - 6 . 90 ( m , 1h ). a mixture of 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran ( 25 g ) and tetramethylethylenediamine ( 46 g ) in heptane ( 250 ml ) was treated dropwise at room temperature with 1 . 6 m buli in hexane ( 250 ml ). after stirring for 1 . 5 h at 30 - 40 ° c . the mixture was cooled to - 40 ° c . and 1 - benzyl - 4 - piperidinone ( 32 g ) was added dropwise at - 40 ° c . the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature during 3 h followed by quench with water . after concentrating the reaction mixture in vacuo dichloromethane ( 500 ml ) was added followed by wash with water ( 3 × 500 ml ). removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was purified by flash chromatography ( silica gel , heptane / ethyl acetate / triethylamine 50 : 48 : 2 ) giving an oil . addition of heptane gave the product , 7 -( 1 - benzyl - 4 - hydroxy - 4 - piperidinyl )- 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran as a solid ( 11 g ). the obtained solid was dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid ( 150 ml ) and refluxed for 1 h . the mixture was poured onto ice followed by basification with conc . naoh . extraction with dichloromethane ( 3 × 100 ml ) and removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was applied to a silica gel flash column ( eluent : ethyl acetate / heptane / triethylamine 50 : 48 : 2 ) giving 7 -( 1 - benzyl - 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 - tetrahydropyrid - 4 - yl )- 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran as an oil ( 5 . 0 g ). the product was dissolved in trichloroethane ( 15 ml ) and added dropwise to ethyl chloroformate ( 20 ml ) at reflux temperature . after reflux for 1 h the volatiles were removed in vacuo leaving crude 7 -( 1 - ethoxycarbonyl - 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 - tetrahydropyrid - 4 - yl )- 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethylbenzofuran as an oil ( 4 . 5 g ). the crude product was dissolved in ethanol ( 50 ml ) and solid koh ( 3 g ) was added . after reflux for 20 h the mixture was poured into water followed by extraction with ethyl acetate . the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo leaving crude 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 7 -( 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 - tetrahydropyrid - 4 - yl )- benzofuran as an oil ( 2 . 9 g ). the crude product was sufficiently pure for use in the final step . the obtained product was alkylated with 1 - cyclohexyl - 3 -( 4 - chloro - 1 - butyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone ( 4 . 5 g ) according to the method described in example 2 giving the free base of the title compound as an oil ( 2 . 7 g ). the oxalate salt crystallized by addition of oxalic acid to an acetone solution of the base . mp : 132 - 35 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 1 . 80 ( m , 14h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 2 . 65 - 2 . 75 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 95 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 10 ( m , 5h ), 3 . 20 - 3 . 25 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 25 - 3 . 35 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 50 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 30 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 80 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 10 ( t , 2h ). a mixture of 10a , oxalate ( 1 . 0 9 ) and 5 % pd / c ( 0 . 2 g ) in ethanol ( 20 ml ) was kept under a hydrogen atmosphere at 4 atm . of pressure for 36 h . filtration , removal of solvent in vacuo and addition of acetone / ether gave the title compound as a crystalline solid . yield : 0 . 5 g , mp : 150 - 54 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 2 . 05 ( m , 18h ), 1 . 40 ( s , 6h ), 2 . 80 - 3 . 10 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 25 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 35 - 3 . 50 ( m , 3h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 05 ( d , 1h ). a mixture of 1 -( 2 - hydroxyethyl ) benzimidazolone ( j . davoll , j . chem . soc ., 1960 , 308 ) ( 9 g ), 4 - fluoroiodobenzene ( 23 g ), potassium carbonate ( 8 . 0 g ), cupper ( i ) iodide ( 1 g ), and zinc oxide ( 0 . 5 g ) in n - methyl - 2 ( 3h )- pyrrolidinone ( 100 ml ) was kept at 155 ° c . for 4 . 5 h . after cooling water ( 500 ml ) was added followed by extraction with ethyl acetate ( 3 × 200 ml ). the organic phase was washed with water and saturated calcium chloride solution and dried over magnesium sulfate . removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was purified by chromatography ( silica gel , ethyl acetate ) giving 1 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 3 -( 2 - hydroxyethyl )- 2 ( 3h )- benzimidazolone ( 2 g ) as a solid , mp : 124 - 26 ° c . the oil was dissolved in dichloromethane ( 60 ml ) and thionyl chloride ( 10 ml ) and dimethylformamide ( 0 . 5 ml ) was added followed by reflux for 16 h . removal of volatiles in vacuo gave 1 -( 2 - chloroethyl )- 3 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 ( 3h )- benzimidazolone ( 2 g ) as an oil . the obtained chloride was treated with 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazine ( 2 . 4 g ) according to the method described in example 2 giving the title compound as a crystalline material . yield : 1 . 7 g , mp : 161 - 62 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 2 . 55 - 2 . 65 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 70 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 85 - 2 . 95 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 05 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 15 - 4 . 25 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 35 - 6 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 70 ( t , 1h ), 6 . 95 - 7 . 20 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 55 - 7 . 65 ( m , 2h ). a solution of 1 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 3 -( 1 - propen - 2 - yl )- 2 ( 3h - benzimidazolone ( prepared by arylation of 1 -( 1 - propen - 2 - yl )- 2 ( 3h )- benzimidazolone ( j . davoll , j . chem . soc ., 1960 , 308 ) according to the method described in example 12 ) ( 5 g ) in ethanol ( 100 ml ) was treated with conc . hydrochloric acid ( 50 ml ) at room temperature . after stirring for 1 . 5 h water ( 150 ml ) was added . the resulting precipitate was collected by filtration and dried . yield : 4 g of 1 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 ( 3h )- benzimidazolone , mp : 209 - 10 ° c . the 4 g of product was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran ( 100 ml ) followed by addition of potassium tert - butoxide ( 3 . 0 g ) during 5 - 10 min . after stirring for 10 min 1 , 4 - dibromobutane ( 15 ml ) was added followed by heating to 50 ° c . for 5 h . after filtration and removal of solvent the remaining oil was purified by column chromatography ( silica gel , heptane , heptane / ethyl acetate 1 : 1 ). the product , 1 -( 4 - bromo - 1 - butyl )- 3 -( 4 - fluorophenyl )- 2 - imidazolidinone , ( 5 . 0 g ) was obtained as an oil . treatment of the oil ( 2 . 5 g ) with 1 -( 1 , 4 - benzodioxan - 5 - yl ) piperazine ( 2 . 5 g ) according to the method described in example 2 gave the title compound as a crystalline material . yield : 1 . 9 g , mp : 145 - 47 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , cdcl 3 ): 1 . 55 - 1 . 75 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 80 - 1 . 95 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 45 ( t , 2h ), 2 . 55 - 2 . 70 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 40 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 45 - 6 . 60 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 75 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 00 - 7 . 30 ( m , 6h ), 7 . 45 - 7 . 55 ( m , 2h ). a mixture of 2ii ( 1 . 1 g ), 5 % pd / c , glacial acetic acid ( 2 ml ) and ethanol ( 100 ml ) was kept under a hydrogen atmosphere at 4 atm . of pressure for 72 h . filtration and removal of solvent in vacuo gave an oil which was dissolved in ethyl acetate ( 15 ml ). addition of oxalic acid gave the title compound . yield : 0 . 5 g , mp : 182 - 83 ° c . 1 h nmr ( δ , dmso ): 0 . 95 - 1 . 80 ( m , 8h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 15 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 35 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 60 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 80 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 15 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 25 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 35 - 7 . 45 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 50 ( t , 2h ), 7 . 95 ( d , 2h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 2 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 3 , 3 - dimethyl )- 7 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ] ethyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 14b , mp : 94 - 98 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ1 . 25 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 40 - 1 . 75 ( m , 8h ), 3 . 00 ( t , 2h ), 3 . 05 - 3 . 35 ( m , 12h ), 3 . 40 ( t , 2h ), 4 . 00 - 4 . 15 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 75 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 75 - 6 . 85 ( m , 2h ). 1 -- cyclopentyl - 3 -[ 6 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 3 , 3 - dimethyl )- 7 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - hexyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 14c , mp : 128 - 31 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ1 . 25 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 20 - 1 . 75 ( m , 16h ), 2 . 95 - 3 . 10 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 15 - 3 . 40 ( m , 12h ), 3 . 95 - 4 . 10 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 2h ), 6 . 65 - 6 . 75 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 75 - 6 . 90 ( m , 2h ). 1 -- cyclohexyl - 3 -[ 3 -[ 4 -( 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 , 2 - dimethyl )- 4 - benzofuranyl )- 1 - piperazinyl ]- 1 - propyl ]- 2 - imidazolidinone , oxalate , 14d , mp : 181 - 83 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ0 . 95 - 1 . 45 ( m , 5h ), 1 . 35 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 50 - 1 . 65 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 65 - 1 . 90 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 80 - 3 . 00 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 00 - 3 . 30 ( m , 14h ), 3 . 40 - 3 . 55 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 35 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 40 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 00 ( t , 1h ). the compounds of formula i have been tested according to established and reliable pharmacological methods for determination of the affinity to the 5 - ht 1a receptor and for determination of the efficacy of the compounds with respect to said receptor . the tests were as descibed in the following . inhibition of 3 h -- 8 -- oh -- dpat binding to serotonin 5 - ht 1a receptors in rat brain in vitro by this method the inhibition by drugs of the binding of the 5 - ht 1a agonist 3h -- 8 -- oh -- dpat ( 1 nm ) to 5 - ht 1a receptors in membranes from rat brain minus cerebellum is determined in vitro . accordingly , this is a test for affinity for the 5 - ht 1a receptor . the assay was performed as described by hyttel et al ., drug dev . res . 1988 , 15 , 389 - 404 . antagonism of the discriminative stimulus properties induced by 8 -- oh -- dpat in rats this test is used to determine the 5 - ht 1a receptor antagonistic effect of a test compound in vivo . a related method is described by tricklebank , m . d ., et al , eur . j . pharmacol , 1987 , 133 , 47 - 56 ; arnt , j . pharmacology & amp ; toxicology , 1989 , 64 , 165 . male wistar rats are trained to discriminate between 8 -- oh -- dpat ( 0 . 4 mg / kg , i . p ., 15 min pretreatment ) and physiological saline in operant chambers equipped with two response levers . between the levers a dipper is placed , where water rewards ( 0 . 1 ml ) are presented . the rats are water deprived for at least 24 h and work in a fixed ratio ( fr ) schedule ( final fr = 32 ). following 8 -- oh -- dpat administration , responding is reinforced only on a designated ( drug ) lever , whereas responding on the opposite lever has no consequences . following saline administration , responding is reinforced on the lever opposite to the drug lever . drug and saline trials alternate randomly between days . the level of discrimination accuracy is expressed as the per cent drug responses and is calculated as the number of correct responses × 100 divided by the sum of the correct and incorrect responses before the first reward . the time to the first reward is also recorded as a measure of reaction time . when stable accuracy ( mean correct responding = 90 %; individual rats at least 75 % correct responding ) is obtained test sessions are included between training days . test compound is injected s . c . or p . o . at appropriate time before 8 -- oh -- dpat and the test begins 15 min after 8 -- oh -- dpat injection . the test trial is terminated when a total of 32 responses are made on either lever or when 20 min have elapsed . no reward is given and the rats have free access to water for 20 - 30 min after the test . the effects are expressed as per cent inhibition of drug responding . only results from rats making at least 10 responses on one lever are included in data analysis . furthermore , only test sessions in which at least half of the rats respond are included . the per cent inhibition of drug response obtained for each dose of test compound is used to calculate ed 50 values by log - probit analysis . generalization to the discriminative stimulus properties induced by 8 -- oh -- dpat in rats this test is used to determine the 5 - ht 1a receptor agonistic effect of a test compound in vivo . a related method is described by tricklebank , m . d ., supra ; arnt , j . pharmacology & amp ; toxicology , 1989 , 64 , 165 . the procedure is the same as for the antagonism test mentioned above , except that the test compound is substituted for 8 -- oh -- dpat and injected s . c . usually 30 min or 45 min , respectively , before beginning of the test . the per cent drug responce obtained for each dose of test compound is used to calculate ed 50 values by log - probit analysis . the so - called 5 - ht syndrome is a characteristic pattern of behaviours which are induced by 5 - ht agonists with effects on 5 - ht , possibly 5 - ht 1a receptors ( smith , l . m . and peroutka , s . j ., pharmacol . biochem . & amp ; behaviour , 1986 , 24 , 1513 ; tricklebank , m . et al , eur . j . pharmacol . 1985 , 117 , 15 ). this test is a test for determining the antagonist effects of a test compound on 5 - ht 1a receptors in vivo by measuring the ability to inhibit 5 -- meo -- dmt induced 5 - ht syndrome . male wistar rats ( mol : wist ) weighing 170 - 240 g are used . test substance is injected s . c . before 5 -- meo -- dmt 5 mg / kg , s . c . four rats are used for each dose . a control group pretreated with saline is included each test day . 10 , 15 and 20 min later the rats are observed for presence of serotonin ( 5 - ht ) syndrome . the following symptoms are recorded : 1 ) forepaw treading (&# 34 ; piano playing &# 34 ;), 2 ) head weaving and 3 ) hindleg abduction . furthermore , flat motility is scored . each part of the syndrome is scored as follows : marked effect ( score 2 ), weak syndrome ( score 1 ) and no effect ( score 0 ). the scores of the three observation periods are added . thus the maximum obtainable score for four rats is 24 . the effect of the test substance is expressed as percent inhibition relative to the control group . the percent inhibition of the piano playing syndrome is used as the response and ed 50 value are calculated by log - probit analysis . table 1______________________________________ . sup . 3 h 8 - oh - dpat binding data ( ic . sub . 50 values in nm ) compound no . ic . sub . 50 compound no . ic . sub . 50______________________________________1a 2 . 6 2ee 43 1b 7 . 8 2ff 6 . 6 1c 2 . 6 2gg 2 . 8 1d 190 2hh 130 1e 23 2ii 300 1f 1 . 1 2jj 1 . 1 2a 16 2kk 5 . 7 2b 18 2ll 10 2c 13 2mm 1 . 7 2d 17 2nn 5 . 4 2e 0 . 45 2oo 44 2f 54 2pp 20 2g 37 2qq 300 2h 28 3a 1 . 8 2i 30 4a 18 2j 53 4b 40 2k 15 4c 19 2l 72 5a 11 2m 12 5b 12 2n 3 . 2 6a 220 2o 51 7a 51000 2p 3 . 7 8a 3 . 9 2q 13 9a 230 2r 23 10a 1 . 2 2s 32 11a 3 . 5 2t 15 12a 36 2u 110 13a 22 2v 71 14a 9 . 7 2x 75 14b 38 2y 28 14c 7 . 5 2z 34 14d 22 2aa 11 buspirone 41 2bb 0 . 92 gepirone 310 2cc 83 ipsapirone 17 2dd 0 . 5 flesinoxane 4______________________________________ it is seen from table 1 that most of the compounds of the present invention bind to the 5 - ht 1a receptor with affinities comparable to reference compounds such as buspirone , gepirone , and flesinoxane . table 2______________________________________8 - oh - dpat cue data ( ed . sub . 50 values in μmol / kg , s . c .) compound no . antagonism agonism______________________________________1a & gt ; 0 . 62 0 . 034 1b nt 0 . 099 1c nt 0 . 069 1e & gt ; 10 see note a ) 1f nt 0 . 052 2a & gt ; 11 3 . 1 2b 2 . 7 & gt ; 11 2c & gt ; 2 . 6 0 . 76 2d 6 . 3 see note b ) 2e 6 . 1 see note c ) 2f nt 40 2g & gt ; 11 1 . 6 2m nt 2 . 3 2n nt 0 . 13 2o 23 27 2p nt 1 . 1 2y 1 . 9 nt 2bb nt 0 . 036 3a nt 0 . 020 5a nt 1 . 8 buspirone nt 0 . 62 gepirone nt 0 . 81 ipsapirone nt 1 . 6 flesinoxane nt 0 . 38______________________________________ note a ): partial agonist , 30 - 75 % response at 0 . 04 - 10 μmol / kg note b ): partial agonist , 30 - 50 % response at 0 . 08 - 19 μmol / kg note c ): partial agonist , 20 - 60 % response at 0 . 6 -- 2 . 4 μmol / kg it is seen from table 2 that the compounds of the present invention both include agonists and antagonists as determined in the 8 -- oh -- dpat cue model . table 3______________________________________inhibition of 5 - meo - dmt induced 5 - ht syndrome ( ed . sub . 50 values in μmol / kg , s . c .) compound no . ed . sub . 50______________________________________ 1a 2 . 3 1b 9 . 5 1c 12 1e 5 . 1 1f 0 . 47 2a 6 . 6 2b 8 . 9 2c 15 2d 10 2e 4 . 7 2f 28 2g 10 2o 9 . 0 2p 4 . 2 2y 2 . 7 2bb 0 . 78 3a 5 . 2 5a 12 buspirone 4 . 3 gepirone 32 ipsapirone 26 flesinoxane & gt ; 44______________________________________ it is seen from table 3 that the compounds of the present invention are antagonists in the 5 -- meo -- dmt inhibition test . furthermore , the compounds of the invention were tested with respect to affinity for the α 1 adrenoceptors and for the dopamine d 2 receptor by determining their ability to inhibit the binding of 3 h - prazosin to α 1 adrenoceptors ( hyttel , j . et al , j . neurochem ., 1985 , 44 , 1615 ; skarsfeldt , t . et al , eur . j . pharmacol ., 1986 , 125 , 323 ) and the binding of 3 h - spiroperidol to d 2 receptors ( hyttel et al , j . neurochem ., 1985 , 44 , 1615 ). some of the compounds of the present invention showed high selectivity for the 5 - ht 1a receptor , while other compounds of the invention showed mixed binding profiles . a certain class of compounds within this invention showed high affinity to both 5 - ht 1a receptors and d 2 receptors . all the mentioned types of compounds are beneficial in the treatments of various diseases . it is seen from the above tables 1 , 2 and 3 that the present compounds have high affinities for the 5 - ht 1a receptor . furthermore , it is seen that this series comprises compounds showing effects as partial agonists with medium to low efficacies . in particular , it is noted that some of the compounds show antagonistic effects in the 5 -- meo -- dmt test and very low efficacies in the 8 -- oh -- dpat cue test . furthermore , some of the compounds show both high affinity to 5 - ht 1a and dopamine d 2 receptors and show high efficacy effects in the 8 -- oh -- dpat cue test . the pharmaceutical formulations of the invention may be prepared by conventional methods in the art . for example : tablets may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with ordinary adjuvants and / or diluents and subsequently compressing the mixture in a conventional tabletting machine . examples of adjuvants or diluents comprise : corn starch , potato starch , talcum , magnesium stearate , gelatine , lactose , gums , and the like . any other adjuvants or additives usually used for such purposes such as colourings , flavourings , preservatives etc . may be used provided that they are compatible with the active ingredients . solutions for injections may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient and possible additives in a part of the solvent for injection , preferably sterile water , adjusting the solution to desired volume , sterilization of the solution and filling in suitable ampules or vials . any suitable additive conventionally used in the art may be added , such as tonicity agents , preservatives , antioxidants , etc . typical examples of recipes for the formulation of the invention are as follows : 1 ) tablets containing 5 . 0 mg of compound 1a calculated as the free base : ______________________________________1 ) tablets containing 5 . 0 mg of compound 1a calculated as the free base compound 1a 5 . 0 mg lactose 60 mg maize starch 30 mg hydroxypropylcellulose 2 . 4 mg microcrystalline cellulose 19 . 2 mg croscarmellose sodium type a 2 . 4 mg magnesium stearate 0 . 84 mg2 ) tablets containing 0 . 5 mg of compound 1f calculated as the free base compound 1f 0 . 5 mg lactose 46 . 9 mg maize starch 23 . 5 mg povidone 1 . 8 mg microcrystalline cellulose 14 . 4 mg croscarmellose sodium type a 1 . 8 mg magnesium stearate 0 . 63 mg3 ) syrup containing per millilitre compound 2bb 2 . 5 mg sorbitol 500 mg hydroxypropylcellulose 15 mg glycerol 50 mg methyl - paraben 1 mg propyl - paraben 0 . 1 mg ethanol 0 . 005 ml flavour 0 . 05 mg saccharin natrium 0 . 5 mg water ad 1 ml4 ) solution for injection containing per millilitre compound 2e 0 . 5 mg sorbitol 5 . 1 mg acetic acid 0 . 08 mg water for injection ad 1 ml______________________________________