beta-Methyldopamine and its enantiomers and racemic beta-phenyldopamine were synthesized and evaluated for dopamine D-1 agonist activity. In the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase assay, beta-phenyldopamine had about one-sixth the activity of dopamine. Racemic beta-methyldopamine was less potent. The absolute configuration of beta-methyldopamine was determined to be R-(+) and S-(-). Evaluation of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-beta-methyldopamine revealed no enantioselectivity for stimulation of adenylate cyclase.