2-Aryloxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4-oxazines, a new class of antidepressants

Some 2-aryloxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4-oxazines have been shown to possess marked antidepressant activity. The 1,4-oxazines were synthesized by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the readily available 6-aryloxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4-oxazin-3-ones. High antidepressant activity was associated with ortho substitution of the 2-phenoxymethyl group and with 1,4-oxazines devoid of 4-substituents.