Since the discovery of cromakalim (racemic 1) in 1985 as a potent hypotensive agent, lP2 a large number of related benzopyrans have been reported. Among the most wellknown of the lead compounds in this group are celikalim (2, WAY-120,491), 3 bimakalim (3, EMD- 52,692), 4 and Ro 31-6930 (415. All of these benzopyrans exert their hypotensive effect by relaxing smooth muscle via opening of cell membrane ATP-sensitive potassium channel^. ...