Synthesis and beta-adrenergic activity of a series of 3-(substituted-benzylideneaminoxy)propanolamine derivatives

In an attempt to change the beta-adrenergic properties of completely aliphatic 3-(methyleneaminoxy)propanolamine derivatives, from antagonist to agonist, while still retaining the beta 2-selectivity, we described, in a previous paper, the synthesis of a series of such derivatives possessing a hydroxy or methoxy group linked to the aliphatic substituent present on the oximic carbon. However, pharmacological tests indicated that these compounds maintain the competitive antagonism on beta receptors. In this paper, the synthesis and the results of functional tests on isolated preparations are reported for a new series of 3-(substituted-benzylideneaminoxy)propanolamine derivatives in which either the hydroxy or the methoxy group is linked to a phenyl ring present on the oximic carbon. The results obtained are then discussed, taking into account the conformational and reactivity properties of these compounds, determined by means of theoretical calculations.