Chemical modification of the naphthoyl 3-position of JWH-015: In search of a fluorescent probe to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor

In silico modelling was used to guide the positioning of the fluorescent dye NBD-F on the cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist JWH-015. While the ultimate fluorescent conjugate lost extensive binding affinity to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor, affinity and efficacy studies on the naphthoyl 3-position modified precursor molecules have provided new insight into structure–activity relationships associated with this position.