The discovery of high-ceiling natriuretic activity from a series of aminomethyl derivatives of ethyl [2, 3-dichloro-4-(4-hydroxybenzoyl) phenoxy] acetate prompted our continued investigation of this new class of (ary1oxy) acetic acid diuretics. Systematic alteration of the oxyacetic side chain has shown that the carboxylic acid function is the active species in vivo and that the ethyl ester group serves as a prodrug to enhance oral absorption. Side-chain ...
