Several novel substituted tetrahydro- and hexahydro-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-one 1,1-dioxides and thiadiazinones were prepared and examined in a series of in vitro and in vivo tests to determine their pharmacological profile. Most compounds were orally active in blocking the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) but did not antagonize apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior. Several compounds demonstrated moderate to high affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor binding site, with compounds 37 and 38 containing 2-pyrimidinylpiperazinyl and [3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazinyl moieties and compound 47 containing the 2-pyrazinylpiperazinyl moiety displaying the highest affinity (Ki values of 10, 4, and 9 nM, respectively). Compound 37, 3-[4-[4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]butyl]hexahydro-4, 7-etheno-1H-cyclobut [f]-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide, buspirone, and ipsapirone showed similarities in their neurochemical and behavioral profiles. They were similar in potency in blocking CAR with AB50 values of 39, 32, and 42 mg/kg, respectively. They also demonstrated high affinity and selectivity for the 5-HT1A receptor site (Ki = 10 nM) and exhibited partial agonist/antagonist activity in the serotonin syndrome test. In addition, compound 37 inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing behavior much more potently (ED50 of 3.4 mg/kg) than stereotyped behavior (ED50 of 32.2 mg/kg) and will be evaluated further. Structure-activity relationships within this series of compounds are discussed.