Phenolic analogues of diastereoisomeric 2-methyl reversed esters of pethidine

Abstract
The preparation and stereochemical characterization of α- and β-isomers of 1,2-dimethyl-4–m-hydroxyphenyl-4-propiony-loxypiperidine are described. Both the α (axial 4-aryl/chair) and β (equatorial 4-aryl/chair) isomers were of low potency or inactive in mice antinociceptive tests. Shortcomings of the α-isomer as a model for the 4-arylpiperidine moiety of morphine are discussed.