Diarylpropionitrile (DPN), also known as 2,3-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile (2,3-BHPPN), is a synthetic, nonsteroidal, and highly selective agonist of ERβ (IC50 = 15 nM)[1] that is used widely in scientific research to study the function of this receptor.

[2][3] It is 70-fold more selective for ERβ over ERα,[4] and has 100-fold lower affinity for GPER (GPR30) relative to estradiol.

[5] DPN produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in animals via activation of the endogenous oxytocin system.

[6] First reported in 2001, DPN was the first selective ERβ agonist to be discovered, and was followed by prinaberel (ERB-041, WAY-202041), WAY-200070, and 8β-VE2 in 2004, ERB-196 (WAY-202196) in 2005, and certain phytoestrogens like liquiritigenin and nyasol (cis-hinokiresinol) since 2007.

[8] In any case, it has been suggested that (S)-DPN might be the preferred enantiomer to use for scientific research.