A series of quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl phenyl ketones was synthesized and their CB(2) receptor-dependent G-protein activities were determined using the [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assay. Both quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives exhibited similar CB(2) receptor agonist activity, the most potent ligands being the 2-(Me(2)N)-phenyl substituted derivatives, which were also full agonists at the CB(2)-receptor.