Synthesis and neuropharmacological characterization of 2-O-substituted apomorphines

Abstract We have synthesized novel 2- O -substituted apomorphines with both different lengths of lipophilic alkyl chains and alkyl chains carrying free hydroxyl groups. Two bis-apomorphines formed as side products of the reactions with diols were isolated and characterized as well. The neuropharmacological profile of all these new compounds were investigated with respect to their binding affinities and activities to dopamine D 2 and D 1 receptors. The obtained data pointed to the fact that, in the examination of dopaminergic activities of 2-substituted apomorphines, the lipophilicity of the substituent is more important than its spatial parameters.