Conformationally defined adrenergic agents. 2. Catechol imidazoline derivatives: biological effects at alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors.

The synthesis and pharmacology of 2-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl)imidazoline (A-54741, 4), a very potent alpha-adrenergic agonist, are described. The change in biological activity resulting from variation of the carbocyclic ring size of 4 from four through seven members (2-5) is presented, as well as an explanation that accounts for this change in activity by considering the "exactness of fit" of these compounds to both the alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Compound 4 was found in vitro to be a full agonist with greater potency at the alpha 2 receptor (ED50 norepinephrine (NE)/ED50 4 = 188 +/- 22) than at the alpha 1 receptor (ED50 NE/ED50 4 = 13 +/- 2).