A series of substituted imidazolyl biphenyl sulfonylureas have been synthesized. Substitution on the imidazole ring but essentially on the urea side chain significantly increased AT(2) binding with cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl and benzyl as the most effective substituents. Imidazole 13d, as a representative member of this series, displayed nanomolar binding affinity for both the AT(1) and AT(2) angiotensin II receptor subtypes as well as oral activity.