Substituted 2‐Amidomethyl[1,4]benzodioxins: Synthesis and Binding Affinity for the Melatonin Receptors

A novel series of melatonin analogues based on the benzodioxin nucleus is described. The compounds were prepared in several steps from 2-carbethoxy-1,4-benzodioxin. Some of these derivatives competitively inhibited 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding to chicken brain and ovine pars tuberalis membranes, albeit with very reduced affinity compared with melatonin.