Noveril ,Wander,Switz.,1965
ChEBI: Dibenzepin hydrochloride is a dibenzodiazepine.
4.48 grams of 5-methyl-11-hydroxy-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine and 0.86
gram of sodium amide were boiled for one hour in 50 ml of absolute dioxane.
After adding a concentrated benzenic solution of β-dimethylamino-ethyl
chloride freshly prepared from 3.75 grams of the hydrochloride with
concentrated sodium hydroxide solution, taking up in benzene and drying the
solution with potash, the mixture was boiled for 16 hours under reflux,
whereupon the reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and the residue
distributed between ether and water. By exhaustive extraction of the basic
fractions with dilute acetic acid, precipitation with ammonia, taking up the
base in ether and working up the ethereal solution, there was obtained 5.05
grams (85% of the theoretical) of 5-methyl-10-β-dimethylamino-ethyl-10,11-
dihydro-11-oxo-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine in the form of a viscous
yellowish resin with the boiling point 185°C/0.01mm Hg. The base was
crystallized from acetone-petroleum ether, MP 116°-117°C. Melting point of
the monohydrochloride (from ethanol-ether) 234°-240°C.
Deprex;Ecatrol;Hf 1927;Neodit;Victoril.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Dibenzepin hydrochloride, a tricyclic antidepressant, was
introduced in 1968 for the treatment of depressive illness. By 1973 its use in
Sweden had been associated with an unexpectedly high number of suicide
attempts which led to its withdrawal in that country. Although its use has lapsed in
several countries, it remains available in at least eight European countries.
