4-Phenyl- and 4-heteroaryl-4-anilidopiperidines. A novel class of analgesic and anesthetic agents.

The incorporation of the 4-phenylpiperidine pharmacophore found in morphine into 4-anilidopiperidines related to fentanyl (1) led to a novel class of potent opioid analgesic and anesthetic agents with a favorable pharmacological profile. The synthesis, analgesic activity, and anesthetic properties of a series of 4-phenyl-4-anilidopiperidines (13-29) are discussed. Isosteric replacement of the phenyl by various heteroaryl substituents extended the series to include 4-heteroaryl-4-anilidopiperidines (30-53).