Medicinal chemistry of adrenoceptor agonists

Developments in the medicinal chemistry of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists have progressed rapidly during the past several years. Much is now known about the stereochemical requirements of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors as well as the structure-activity relationships of agonists that interact with these receptors. Indeed, major differences exist in the stereochemical requirements and structure-activity relationships of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists, and these differences are now beginning to be explained at the molecular level of the interaction between the agonist and its receptor. These aspects of the medicinal chemistry of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists are the subject of this review.