Abstract Molecular modification of anpirtoline (2a) is described. Several methods of preparation of 4-[(3-chlorophenyl) sulfanyl]-1-methylpiperidine (3a) and its demethylation led to the deazaanpirtoline (3c). Nucleophilic substitution of piperidine-4-thiole with 2-chloro- 4-nitropyridine, 2, 4-dichloro-6-methylpyridine, and 3, 6-dichloropyridazine led to 2-chloro-4- (piperidin-4-ylsulfanyl) pyridine (6), 4-chloro-6-methyl-2-(piperidin-4-ylsulfanyl) pyridine (7 ...