Substituted phenethylamines (or simply phenethylamines) are a chemical class of organic compounds that are based upon the phenethylamine structure; the class is composed of all the derivative compounds of phenethylamine which can be formed by replacing, or substituting, one or more hydrogen atoms in the phenethylamine core structure with substituents. Phenylethylamines are also generally found to be central nervous system stimulants with many also being entactogens/empathogens, and hallucinogens.
Structural classification
The structural formula of any substituted phenethylamine contains a phenyl ring that is joined to an amino (NH) group via a two-carbon sidechain. Hence, any substituted phenethylamine can be classified according to the substitution of hydrogen (H) atoms on phenethylamine's phenyl ring, sidechain, or amino group with a specific group of atoms. Several classes of substances can be considered phenylethylamine derivatives such as Substituted amphetamines, where there is a methyl group substituted at the alpha position on the ethyl chain, Substituted methylenedioxyphenethylamines, where a methylenedioxy group is joined at the 3 and 4 positions on the phenyl ring, and Substituted cathinones, which have a carbonyl group substituted at the beta position on the ethyl chain, most of which also have a methyl group substituted at the alpha positioning making most cathinones substituted amphetamines as well.
Pharmacology Most substituted phenethylamines are psychoactive drugs which belong to a variety of different drug classes, including central nervous system stimulants (e.g., amphetamine), hallucinogens (e.g., 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine a.k.a. mescaline, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine a.k.a. DOM), entactogen (e.g. MDA), appetite suppressants (e.g. phentermine), nasal decongestants and bronchodilators (e.g., levomethamphetamine and pseudoephedrine), antidepressants (e.g. bupropion and phenelzine), antiparkinson agents (e.g., selegiline), and vasopressors (e.g., ephedrine), among others. Many of these psychoactive compounds exert their pharmacological effects primarily by modulating monoamine neurotransmitter systems; however, there is no known mechanism of action or biological target that is common to all members of this subclass, however, the majority act through modulating monoamine transporter function, meanwhile the hallucinogens tend to have more direct interactions with post-synaptic receptors such as 5-HT2A while retaining some or most of their transporter modulating properties. The irreversible MAOIs that constitute a phenethylamine backbone, such as the phenethylamine and hydrazine derivative phenelzine, does not interact with any monoamine transporters or post-synaptic receptors but still elevates monoamine and trace amine concentrations by inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzymes.
Examples Numerous endogenous compounds – including hormones, catecholamines such as dopamine and noradrenaline, and many trace amines (e.g. adrenaline, phenethylamine itself, tyramine, thyronamine, and iodothyronamine) – are substituted phenethylamines. Several notable recreational drugs, such as MDPV (Monkey Dust), MDMA (ecstasy), mescaline, methamphetamine, and cathinone, are also members of the class. Many well-known prescription drugs are from the phenylethylamine class such as Adderall which uses Amphetamine, Desoxyn which uses methamphetamine, and Sudafed which uses pseudoephedrine.
List of substituted phenethylamines
Detection
Detection of substituted phenethylamines, which include compounds such as 2C-B, MDMA, and other designer drugs, involves various analytical methods aimed at identifying these psychoactive substances. These compounds are structurally similar to amphetamines, making their detection challenging due to potential cross-reactivity in standard drug tests. Techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and immunoassay screenings are commonly employed for accurate identification. Advanced methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allow for precise separation and quantification of these substances even at low concentrations. Given the rising use of these drugs in recreational settings, developing sensitive and specific detection techniques remains crucial in forensic toxicology and clinical diagnostics.
Cyclized phenethylamines There are many cyclized phenethylamines. Examples include the following:
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