A new series of tricyclic (aryloximino)propanolamines displaying very high selective beta 2-blocking properties

A new class of indanones 4 easily obtained by aryne type condensations, followed by transposition of the benzocyclobutanols 3 thus formed, were transformed into the corresponding oximinopropanolamines 7. These compounds were studied for their potential beta-blocking properties. It was found that 7 have generally low beta 1-blocking properties. Their beta 2-blocking action varies from low to very high. Interestingly one of them (7b) has the highest beta 2 activity/beta 1 activity (343) value known to date.