Conformational and MO studies of hydroxy‐2‐aminotetralins

Attempting to explain the differences in the pharmacological profiles of the isomeric monohydroxy-and dihydroxy-2-aminotetralins (DHAT) which are potent dopaminergic agonists we have calculated the conformational energies of 2-aminotetralin and its N,N-dipropyl derivative using the QCFF/Pi and PCILO methods. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps based on ab initio (STO-3G) wave functions were computed for both dihydroxytetralins. Root-mean-square (rms) deviations from steric congruence between the enantiomeric 5,6- and 6,7-DHAT based either on atomic centers or on the minima in MEP near the putative points of attachment to the receptor are small, but may nevertheless be sufficient to cause differences in activity on subtypes of the dopamine receptor. N,N-dipropyl substitution influences the conformational energies of the skeleton and the preferences in the orientation of the propyl groups in the isomeric DHAT may be important for the interaction with the receptor. The HOMO energies of the isomeric HAT and DHAT do not correlate with their potencies.