Structure-activity relationships of dopaminergic 5-hydroxy-2-aminotetralin derivatives with functionalized N-alkyl substituents.

5-Hydroxy-2-aminotetralin derivatives in which one N-alkyl substituent carries a functional group have been prepared and their dopaminergic activities compared with those of 5-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (5-OH-DPAT) and known ergolines. Several members of the series demonstrated high affinities in dopamine (DA) receptor binding and DA agonist properties in the rotational behavior model in the range of known potent ergolines. The results suggest that the accessory binding site for the larger N-alkyl substituent of the 5-hydroxy-2-aminotetralins can accommodate various neutral and bulky functionalities and is probably identical with the site(s) to which the 8-substituents of the ergolines bind.