Long-chain formoterol analogues: an investigation into the effect of increasing amino-substituent chain length on the beta2-adrenoceptor activity.

The synthesis of a series of long-chain formoterol analogues in which the terminal ether residue of the beta-phenethyl-amino-substituent has been extended beyond the methyl ether residue present in the parent compound are described. Evaluation of these analogues as beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists was used to provide an insight into the factors controlling the magnitude and duration of receptor activation.