4-Substituted anilides as selective melatonin MT2 receptor agonists.

Abstract A series of 4-substituted anilides with human melatonergic affinity is reported. Butyramides 26 , 39 , 42 , 52 , 57 , and 58 all demonstrated subnanomolar MT 2 binding affinity and MT 2 selectivity of at least 70-fold over the MT 1 receptor. Compound 26 demonstrated full agonism at the MT 2 receptor.