Homologous series of N-methyl-, N-allyl-, and N-cyclopropylmethylmorphinans, differing only in the position of the phenolic hydroxy group, were examined with respect to their binding affinities for the opiate receptor.IC50's were determined for competition with [3H]naltrexone in the presence and absence of 100 mM NaCl.Compounds with the hydroxy in the 3-position had the highest affinity, but corresponding mols. with the hydroxy in the 2- or 4- position had significant binding affinity ranging from 30 nM in the cyclopropylmethyl series to 400 nM for the 2-hydroxy-N-methylmorphinan.The sodium indexes were also very similar to those of the corresponding 3-hydroxy compoundsThe only 1-hydroxy derivative available was ∼20% as strong as the corresponding 2- and 4-hydroxy compoundsCovering or removing the hydroxy group greatly weakened the binding, but did not totally destroy it.There was good correlation between binding affinity and pharmacol. potency for all except the methoxy compoundsTheir high potency is consonant with in vivo hydrolysis of the Me ether.