| abstract |
Novel compounds are provided of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or amide thereof, wherein A is O, S, CHR2, CR2 or C when n is 0 and A and R6 taken together form a nitrogen-containing 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring, and n is zero or 1. The dotted lines represent optional double bonds. R1 is selected from hydrogen and a readily cleavable group. R2 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl. R3 is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, carbocyclic aryl, carbocyclic arylalkyl and heterocycle. R4 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl or, taken together with R3 and the carbon atom to which they are attached, forms a spirocycloalkyl ring of from 3 to 7 carbons. R5 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl and substituted alkyl or, taken together with R3 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached forms a cycloalkyl ring of from 5 to 7 carbons. R6 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, carbocyclic arylalkyl, alkanoyl of from 1 to 8 carbons, amino acid and dipeptide or, taken together with A when A is C and when n is 0, forms a nitrogen-containing 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. R7 is hydrogen or alkyl or, taken together with R6 or R8, forms a nitrogen-containing 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring, provided that when R6 is carbocyclic arylalkyl, R7 is not alkyl. R8 is hydrogen or alkyl or, taken together with R6 or R7, forms a nitrogen-containing 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring or, taken together with the catechol ring at the 8-position and the carbon atoms to which they are attached, forms a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring. The compounds of the invention are useful for treating dopamine-related neurological, psychological and cardiovascular disorders as well as in the treatment of cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorder, and substance abuse and other addictive behavior disorders. |