Abstract: | The quantitative relationship between the structure of 2-(arylimino) thiazolidines (AITs), arylethanolamines (AEAs) and 2-(arylalkylamino)-2-thi-azolines (AATs) and their octopamine (OA)-agonist activities against the ventral nerve cord of American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L., was analysed using reported physicochemical parameters and regression analysis. The electronic nature of a substituent was the most important factor for AAT, followed by the hydrophobic effects: the more electron-donating and the more hydrophobic the substituent, the greater the activity. The hydrophobic nature of a substituent in AEA was the most important factor, followed by the steric effects: the more hydrophobic the substituent, the greater the activity. The more electron-donating the substituent of AIT, the greater the activity. |