We examined the specific binding of [3H]CL 218,872, a novel triazolopyridazine to benzodiazepine receptors in the rat cerebral cortex. Two binding sites with KD values of about 10-30 nM and 200-600 nM were demonstrated. A number of benzodiazepine anxiolytics inhibited [3H]CL 218,872 binding in a manner which correlates with the potency of these drugs for inhibiting [3H]benzodiazepine binding. Our initial studies show that [3H]CL 218,872 can label the benzodiazepine receptors and may prove to be a useful probe for studying benzodiazepine heterogeneity and regulation.