Synthesis of hydroxy‐ and methoxy‐substituted octahydrobenzo[ g ]isoquinolines as potential ligands for serotonin receptors

In 7 steps, 6‐ or 9‐hydroxylated or ‐methoxylated trans ‐octahydrobenzo[ g ]isoquinolines were efficiently synthesized starling from dimethoxynaphtbalenes ( Scheme ), as potential new selective ligands for serotonin receptors. The 6‐substituted compounds had very little affinity to common neurotransmitter receptors, with the exception of adrenergic α 2 . The 9‐substituted compounds, while showing interesting affinity for 5HT 1a receptors, had comparable affinities for adrenergic α 1 and β 2 , and in one case for dopamine D2 receptors.