3-Arylecgonine analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and MS. The compounds were synthesized as racemates from cycloheptatriene-7-carboxylic acid or enantiomerically from (-)-cocaine. These analogues were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H]cocaine binding to bovine striatal tissue and to inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes. Methyl (1RS-2-exo-3-exo)-8-methyl-3-phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-ca rboxylate was the most potent analogue. IC50 values for inhibition of cocaine binding and dopamine uptake were 20 and 100 nM, respectively. The racemates and the 1R isomers were equally potent inhibitors of binding and uptake. Methyl (1RS-2-endo-3-exo)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2 .1]octane- 2-carboxylate was the least potent. IC50 for inhibition of both binding and uptake was 40 microM.