Synthesis and dopamine receptor selectivity of the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline, (R)-(+)-nor-roefractine.

(R)-(+)-nor-Roefractine (1) was synthesized by the Bischler-Napieralski route, using asymmetric reduction of the 1, 2-didehydro precursor imine with sodium (S)-N-CBZ-prolinyloxyborohydride. Compound 1 was able to displace [3H]-raclopride (a D2 dopamine receptor-selective ligand) from its specific binding sites in rat striatum with selectivity vs [3H]-SCH23390 (D1 dopamine receptor-selective ligand).