Several modified 2-piperazinyl benzoxazole derivatives, which exhibit an agonistic effect on gastrointestinal motility, were synthesized and their effects on the contraction of guinea-pig ileum were examined. The quaternary piperazinyl benzoxazole structure has a restricted conformation and stereostructure compared to those of the other 5-HT 3 receptor agonists, serotonin and meta-chlorophenylbiguanide. The mutual positions of the aromatic ring, ...