Synthesis and muscarinic cholinergic receptor affinities of 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-(alkoxyalkyl)-alpha-aryl-alpha-hydroxyacetates.

Seven analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) in which one phenyl ring was replaced by an alkoxyalkyl moiety were synthesized and their affinities for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor determined. An oxygen in the beta-position of the moiety was not well-tolerated. By contrast, an oxygen in the gamma-position did not change the affinity for the muscarinic receptor. However, when a bromine was placed on the remaining phenyl ring, the affinity was significantly reduced in striking contrast to results obtained on halogenation of QNB.