Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 3, 2026

Dipropyldopamine

Dipropyldopamine (DPDA), also known as N,N-di-n-propyldopamine, is a synthetic dopamine receptor agonist related to the catecholamine neurotransmitter dopamine which has been used in scientific research. It is a dual agonist of both dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors, with much greater potency at dopamine D2 receptors than dopamine itself. Unlike dopamine, the drug lacks β-adrenergic receptor activity and also has weaker vasoconstrictor effects.

Last revised
Jul 3, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Dipropyldopamine
Clinical data
Other namesDPDA; N,N-Di-n-propyldopamine; N,N-Dipropyldopamine; N,N-Di-n-propyl-DA; N,N-Dipropyl-DA
Drug classDopamine receptor agonist; Dopamine D1 and D2-like receptor agonist
ATC code
  • None
Identifiers
  • 4-[2-(dipropylamino)ethyl]benzene-1,2-diol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC14H23NO2
Molar mass237.343 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CCCN(CCC)CCC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O
  • InChI=1S/C14H23NO2/c1-3-8-15(9-4-2)10-7-12-5-6-13(16)14(17)11-12/h5-6,11,16-17H,3-4,7-10H2,1-2H3
  • Key:LMYSNFBROWBKMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Dipropyldopamine (DPDA), also known as N,N-di-n-propyldopamine, is a synthetic dopamine receptor agonist related to the catecholamine neurotransmitter dopamine which has been used in scientific research.12 It is a dual agonist of both dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors, with much greater potency at dopamine D2 receptors than dopamine itself.23 Unlike dopamine, the drug lacks β-adrenergic receptor activity and also has weaker vasoconstrictor effects.1

DPDA produces hypolocomotion across a wide range of doses in rodents.45 It modestly reduces climbing behavior at low doses and markedly enhances it at much high doses.6 The drug is thought to be resistant to metabolism by monoamine oxidase (MAO) but to still be susceptible to metabolism by catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT).7 It was virtually inactive orally in rodents.8 In contrast to dopamine, which is peripherally selective, DPDA can cross the blood–brain barrier and produce effects in the central nervous system.8

DPDA was first described in the scientific literature by 1977.9 Other N,N-dialkyl derivatives of dopamine besides DPDA have been studied.4 In addition, esters of DPDA have been developed and studied.8

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Kohli JD, Goldberg LI, Volkman PH, Cannon JG (October 1978). "N,N-Di-n-propyl dopamine: a qualitatively different dopamine vascular agonist". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 207 (1): 16–22. doi:10.1016/S0022-3565(25)31387-X. PMID 702336.
  2. Kohli JD (June 1990). "Peripheral dopamine receptors". American Journal of Hypertension. 3 (6 Pt 2): 25S–28S. doi:10.1093/ajh/3.6.25s. PMID 2143385.
  3. Mailman RB, Nichols DE, Tropsha A (1997). "Molecular Drug Design and Dopamine Receptors". The Dopamine Receptors. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 105–133. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-2635-0_4. ISBN 978-1-4757-2637-4. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  4. Costall B, Lim SK, Naylor RJ (July 1981). "Characterisation of the mechanisms by which purported dopamine agonists reduce spontaneous locomotor activity of mice". European Journal of Pharmacology. 73 (2–3): 175–188. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(81)90089-3. PMID 6118281.
  5. Bradbury A, Costall B, Lim S, Naylor R (1982). "Reduction in Spontaneous Locomotor Activity by Purported Dopamine Agonists: an Analysis of the Site and Mechanism of Action". Advances in Dopamine Research. Elsevier. pp. 413–424. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-027391-4.50046-0. ISBN 978-0-08-027391-4. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  6. Costall B, Eniojukan JF, Naylor RJ (November 1982). "Spontaneous climbing behaviour of mice, its measurement and dopaminergic involvement". European Journal of Pharmacology. 85 (2): 125–132. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(82)90457-5. PMID 7151866.
  7. Sumners C, Dijkstra D, de Vries JB, Horn AS (July 1981). "Neurochemical and behavioural profiles of five dopamine analogues". Naunyn-schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology. 316 (4): 304–310. doi:10.1007/BF00501362. PMID 7196506.
  8. Wikström H, Lindberg P, Martinson P, Hjorth S, Carlsson A (September 1978). "Pivaloyl esters of N,N-dialkylated dopamine congeners. Central dopamine-receptor stimulating activity". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 21 (9): 864–867. doi:10.1021/jm00207a005. PMID 722753.
  9. Volkman PH, Kohli JD, Goldberg LI, Cannon JG (January 1977). "Dipropyldopamine, a qualitatively different dopamine (DA) agonist". Federation Proceedings. 36 (3): 1049.