Where do beta blockers come from?

A scientist named James Black built on the work of a previously discovered drug called dichloroisoproterenol and derived two nonselective beta blockers, pronethalol and propranolol.¹ Beta blockers are synthesized from various organic chemicals, most derived from substituted phenols and amines.²

Atenolol is a beta-1 adrenergic blocker, also known as 2-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(propan-2-ylamino)propoxy]phenyl]acetamide. It is a synthetic derivative of isopropylamino-propanol.³

Carvedilol is an alpha-/beta-adrenergic blocking agent.^4,5 It is also known as (±) 1-(9H-carbazol-4-yloxy)-3-[2(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino]propan-2-ol. It is a synthetic derivative of methoxyphenoxy-2-propanol.⁶ It was first synthesized by opening oxirane ring of 4-(oxiran-2-yl methoxy)-9H-carbazole with 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy) ethanamine.⁷

Labetalol is an alpha-/beta-adrenergic blocking agent, also known as the 2-hydroxy-5-[1-hydroxy-2-(4-phenylbutan-2-ylamino)ethyl]benzamide.⁸ It is a salicylamide derivative.

Metoprolol is a beta-1 adrenergic blocker, also known as 1-[4-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxy]-3-(propan-2-ylamino)propan-2-ol.⁹ Metoprolol succinate is the succinate salt form of metoprolol, also known as butanedioic acid;1-[4-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxy]-3-(propan-2-ylamino)propan-2-ol.¹⁰ It is an alcohol and a member of phenols.

Nebivolol is a beta-1 adrenergic blocker, also known as 1-(6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl)-2-[[2-(6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]ethanol.¹¹ 

^References

1. Frishman, WH. A historical perspective on the development of β-adrenergic–blockers. J Clin Hypertens. 2007;9(4):19-27.
2. O'Donnell JP, Parekh S, Borgman RJ, Gorczynski RJ. Synthesis and pharmacology of potential beta-blockers. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 1979;68(10):1236-1238.
3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Atenolol. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2249#section=Top. Accessed October 18, 2018.
4. Coreg [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
5. Coreg CR [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
6. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Carvedilol. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2585. Accessed August 9, 2018.
7. Anadkumar B, Reddy R, Gangaiah L, Madhusudhan G, Khagga M. A new and alternate synthesis of carvedilol. De Pharma Chemica. 2011;3(6):620-626.
8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Labetalol. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3869#section=Top. Accessed October 18, 2018.
9. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Metoprolol. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4171. Accessed October 18, 2018.
10. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Metoprolol Succinate. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/62937#section=Top. Accessed October 18, 2018.
11. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Nebivolol. PubChem Compound Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/71301. Accessed October 18, 2018.