NEW ANALOGS OF N-(2-AMINOETHYL)-4-CHLOROBENZAMIDE (RO 16-6491) - SOME OF THE MOST POTENT MONOAMINE OXIDASE-B INACTIVATORS

A series of halo- and nitro-substituted analogues of N-(2-aminoethyl)benzamide has been synthesized. All of the compounds are competitive, time-dependent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), but upon dialysis complete return of enzyme activity is observed for all compounds. Therefore, these are mechanism-based reversible inhibitors of MAO-B. The relative potencies of the compounds are rationalized in terms of steric and hydrophobic effects.