Synthesis and Dopaminergic Activity of (±)-, (+)-, and (−)-2-Dipropylamino-5-Hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene

In an effort to identify further the structural requirements for central dopamine receptor agonists, some monohydroxyl analogs of the known agonist 5,6-dihydroxy-2-dipropylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene were synthesized. They were examined for production of emesis in dogs and stereotyped behavior in rats. The most potent was 5-hydroxy-2-dipropylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, which was more potent than apomorphine but less so than the dihydroxyl analog. The two enantiomers of the monohydroxyl analog were synthesized by conventional methods from an optically active intermediate, 2-benzylamino-5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene. The resolution of this amine was performed with the aid of mandelic acid. Dopaminergic activity was found to be confined to the levo enantiomer. Requirements for both substitution and chirality in the tetralins were found to correspond closely to those known for the dopaminergic aporphines.