Arylpiperazine derivatives and methods of utilizing same

1. A compound according to Formula (1a):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein:

A is —CH 2 —S(O)(O)—(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) n —S(O)(O)—(CH 2 )—CH 2 —,

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 7;

B is O or S; and

each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 8 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylasulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, arylalkylamino, dialkylamino, arylalkoxy, carbonate, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate, sulfonate, or sulfonamide, wherein the hydrogen of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and A is optionally substituted with 2 H (deuterium).

2. The compound of claim 1 , wherein A is —CH 2 —S(O)(O)—(CH 2 ) n —.

3. The compound of claim 2 , wherein each of R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 is H.

4. The compound of claim 3 , wherein each of R 1 and R 2 is independently H, halogen, or alkoxy.

5. The compound of claim 4 , wherein R 1 is H, and R 2 is methoxy.

6. The compound of claim 4 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are chloro.

7. The compound of claim 1 , wherein A is —(CH 2 ) n —S(O)(O)—CH 2 —CH 2 —.

8. The compound of claim 7 , wherein each of R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 is H.

9. The compound of claim 8 , wherein each of R 1 and R 2 is independently H, halogen, or alkoxy.

10. The compound of claim 9 , wherein R 1 is H and R 2 is methoxy, or R 1 and R 2 are chloro.

11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.

12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.

13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 7 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.