benzotiazepin

Benzothiazepine, occasionally rendered as benzotiazepin in some languages, is a heterocyclic chemical scaffold consisting of a benzene ring fused to a seven‑membered thiazepine ring that contains nitrogen and sulfur. The unsubstituted core serves as the parent compound, with numerous substituted derivatives synthesized for pharmaceutical and research purposes. The ring system is relatively rigid and planar, features that influence the biological activity of its derivatives.

In medicinal chemistry, benzothiazepines are most notable as a class of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. The prototypical member is diltiazem, used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias by inhibiting L-type calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle, which lowers heart rate and induces vasodilation. Other benzothiazepines have been studied or used historically for similar cardiovascular indications; examples include bepridil and clentiazem. Some of these compounds carry safety concerns, such as QT interval prolongation, leading to restricted or discontinued use in certain markets or clinical contexts.

Beyond cardiovascular therapy, benzothiazepine derivatives have been explored as scaffolds in medicinal chemistry for various targets and applications. Synthesis typically involves methods to construct the thiazepine ring and then fuse or append a benzene moiety, yielding diverse derivatives that can be tailored for specific pharmacological profiles.