Pivaloyl esters of N,N-dialkylated dopamine congeners. Central dopamine-receptor stimulating activity.

In order to test for dopamine-receptor stimulating activity a new, sensitive biochemical screening method was designed. For behavioral studies and for determination of the duration of action on the compounds, motor activity measurements were used. O,O'-Dipivaloyl-N,N-dipropyldopamine (4) was the only derivative of a series of dipivaloyl-N,N-dialkyldopamines studied that showed any significant activity. However, the monopivaloyl ester 2-(3-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-N,N-dipropylethylamine (8) seemed to be more potent. The same relationship was found for the corresponding phenols, N,N-dipropyldopamine (3) and 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N-dipropylethylamine (7), although both were more active than their pivaloyl esters.