Cannabinoids. 1. 1-Amino- and 1-mercapto-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo [b,d]pyrans

A series of 1-amino- and 1-mercapto-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyrans was synthesized and subsequently evaluated in three rodent test systems for CNS activity. The structure-activity data generated indicate that, in general, a change of the 1-hydroxy group to an amine results in a retention of pharmacological activity but that a change to sulfur results in loss of pharmacological activity. Derivatization of the 1-amino group with various functions decreased the activity of the parent compound. For optimum potency, in all series, the 3-position alkyl side chain should be either 1,1- or 1,2-dimethylheptyl. With either the 1-hydroxy- or 1-amino-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6,6,9-trimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran (4c or 10c), preparation of the optically active antipodes did not lead to any great degree of spearation of activity. Both of the antipodes possess pharmacological activity as measured in these rodent test systems.