Evaluation of 2,3,4,8,13a Hexahydro-1H-Benzo[5,6]Cyclohepta-6,7- Dihydroxy[1,2,3-ef][3]Benzazepine Derivatives as Dopamine Receptor Ligands

This paper reports the synthesis of 2,3,4,8,13a-hexahydro-1H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2,3- ef][3]benzazepine derivatives (2a-d) as an extension of our studies about rigid congeners of 1- benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline. The new compounds were evaluated for affinities at D1 and D2 dopamine receptors. Compounds 2b-d showed similar D1 and D2 affinities to dopamine. 2,3,4,8,13a-hexahydro-1Hbenzo[ 5,6]cyclohepta-6,7-dihydroxy-[1,2,3-ef][3]benzazepine 2b and the N-methyl analogue 2d showed weak D1-like agonistic activity. This was demonstrated by their effect on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content in rat neostriatal membranes.