(+/-)-4-Aryl-4,5-dihydro-3H-1,3-benzodiazepines. 3. 2-Phenyl and 2-amino analogues as potential antihypertensive agents.

A series of 2-phenyl- and 2-amino-4-aryl-4,5-dihydro-3H-1,3-benzodiazepines was prepared and submitted for broad biological screening, including evaluation for potential antihypertensive activity. Compound 4a [(+/-)-4,5-dihydro-2,4-diphenyl-3-methyl-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride] was the most active member of the series in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model, producing a 56 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure at an oral screening dose of 50 mg/kg. The synthesis of 4a analogues containing nuclear substituents in the 4-phenyl moiety resulted in a marked decrease of antihypertensive activity. It was not possible to improve on the antihypertensive properties of 4a through further synthetic modifications.