DFT calculations were carried out to characterize the N-15 shielding tensors in quinolines. This computational study is intended to shed light on the differences between two groups of quinolines: series A (7-chloro 4-aminoalkyls quinolines) and series B (quinolines, 3-, 5-, 6-, 8-amino quinolines and 4,8-dichloro quinoline). Unlike the quinolines in series B, the series A quinolines show considerable beta-hematin inhibition activity which is essential for quinoline-based drugs. The results show that the substitution position significantly affects the sigma(11) and sigma(22) components of N-15 shielding tensors of quinolines. The N-15 shielding components are noticeably different for the two series and can be related to their ability to interact with hematin. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B. V.