A quantitative structure-activity relationship for some dopamine D2 antagonists of benzamide type.

A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) for some 6-methoxybenzamides having 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl side chains with respect to the inhibition of [3H]spiperone binding is established using the PLS method. An experimental design approach to select the training set compounds is demonstrated. The established relationship between structure and in vitro activity indicates the dominating influence of the substituents in the 3-position as well as the importance of (S)-configuration in the side chain. A methoxy substituent in the 5-position is also beneficiary for high activity. Both salicylamides and non-salicylamides could be accommodated in the analysis, which supports the notion of a common binding site in the receptor.