S33005

S33005 is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that was under development by Servier for the treatment of depression and related disorders. It is structurally related to venlafaxine but has a more complex molecular structure. Venlafaxine appears to be a sigma modulator, but it is not known if S33005 shares this activity.

Synthesis
"The 1-cyano-benzocyclobutenes used as starting material are obtained, for example, by subjecting a β-[orthohalogeno-phenyl]-propionitrile to intramolecular condensation in the presence of potassium amide, or by brominating a benzocyclobutene in position 1 with N-bromosuccinimide, followed by exchange of the bromine atom for a cyano group by means of sodium cyanide."