Subtypes of alpha adrenergic receptors were studied using selective adrenergic agonists. A-53693, A-54741, and related compounds were evaluated for their affinity for alpha receptor subtypes using radioligand binding techniques. Efficacy and potency were also evaluated using in vitro bioassays of alpha-1 receptors in rabbit aorta smooth muscle and alpha-2 receptors in the phenoxybenzamine-pretreated canine saphenous vein. Active and inactive compounds were then submitted for computer-assisted molecular modeling evaluation to ascertain the structural requirements for optimal potency and selectivity. Rigid catecholamines such as A-53693 display a high degree of selectivity for alpha-2 compared to alpha-1 receptors, probably because of the unique regions of space at the ligand binding site occupied by active compounds. Imidazolines such as A-54741 also interact with extremely high affinity and potency for alpha-2 receptors, and to a lesser extent at alpha-1 receptors. The spatial domains occupied by phenethylamines and imidazolines differ, each having unique regions of permissable space at alpha receptors. Compounds such as A-53693 and A-54741 are extremely useful probes of the molecular interactions of alpha agonistic compounds which will help in the design of even more selective drugs for alpha adrenergic receptors.