A series of 2-substituted-1-[(biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole-7- carboxylic acids was prepared from the key intermediate 3-amino-2-[[(biphenyl-4- yl)methyl]amino]benzoate (6a-c) in order to clarify the structure-activity relationships of various analogues of 2-butyl-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1H-ben zimidazole- 7-carboxylic acid (CV-11194), a potent and long acting angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist. The AII antagonistic activity of the benzimidazoles was investigated by in vitro assays, which included an AII receptor binding assay and AII-induced vasocontraction assay, as well as by in vivo assays such as an AII-induced pressor response in rats. Most of the benzimidazoles showed high affinity for the AII receptor (IC50 value, 10(-6)-10(-7) M) and inhibited the AII-induced pressor response at 1 or 3 mg/kg po, and the effects were more potent than those of CV-11194 and DuP 753. The structure-activity relationship studies on the binding affinity and the inhibition of AII-induced pressor response suggested that straight chains of a certain length (e.g., ethoxy groups, ethyl groups) were the best as substituents at the 2-position and that their steric factors, lipophilicity, and electronic effects affected the potency of the AII antagonistic action. Both a carboxyl group at the 7-position and a tetrazole ring at the 2'-position were particularly important for potent and orally active AII antagonistic activity and a long-acting hypotensive effect. The representative compound, 2-ethoxy-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1H- benzimidazole-7-carboxylic acid (26b, CV-11974), inhibited the specific binding of [125I]AII to bovine adrenal cortical membrane with an IC50 value of 1.1 x 10(-7) M. The AII-induced contraction of rabbit aortic strips was antagonized by CV-11974 (IC50 value, 3.0 x 10(-10) M). Oral administration of CV-11974 to conscious normotensive rats at 1 mg/kg resulted in long-lasting inhibition of the AII-induced pressor response. CV-11974 at 0.1-1 mg/kg iv reduced blood pressure dose-dependently in spontaneously hypertensive rats.