Synthesis and Monoamine Transporter Binding of 2-(Diarylmethoxymethyl)-3β-aryltropane Derivatives

3β-Aryltropane analogues wherein the 2-position was substituted with various diarylmethoxyalkyl groups were synthesized and evaluated for binding at the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and muscarinic (M₁) receptors. The 2β-analogues 9a−i generally demonstrated high to moderate binding affinities (K_i = 34−112 nM) at the DAT with good selectivity over SERT, NET, and M₁ receptors. Alternatively, the 2α-isomers 10a−i were 10-fold less potent at the DAT with poor selectivity over SERT. These SAR studies provide further evidence for the varied binding requirements of structurally diverse tropane-based ligands and support future studies to elucidate DAT binding requirements in relation to cocaine-like behavioral endpoints.