Congeners of the alpha conformer of dopamine derived from octahydrobenz[h]isoquinoline.

Two synthetic paths have been investigated for the preparation of cis and trans 8,9-dioxygenated octahydrobenz[h]isoquinoline ring systems. A sequence involving intramolecular Diels--Alder cyclization of a ring-opened intermediate product of a benzocyclobutene derivative was more satisfactory. The trans-fused isomers of the title compounds are frozen congeners of the alpha conformer of dopamine, isomeric with certain other tricyclic heterocycles which elicit a high degree of dopamine agonist activity. However, the present series of compounds exhibited a very low potency in an assay for dopamine-like actions. A possible reason for this inactivity has been suggested.