Structure-activity studies of hydroxamic acids as direct vasodilators.

A series of beta-hydroxylamine-phenylpropyl hydroxamic acids were prepared. The ability of these compounds to act as hypotensive agents was studied pharmacodynamically. Key structural features for the hypotensive action were identified and correlated to the degree of responses observed. It was ascertained that these compounds do not act through the adrenergic, cholinergic and histaminergic receptor system, but can be classified as direct acting vasodilators.