SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CERTAIN N-METHYLATED--PHENYLETHYLAMINES

¹ From the Burroughs Wellcome and Company, Experimental Research Laboratories, Tuckahoe, New York

1. In general the introduction of methoxy and methylenedioxy groups enhances the toxicity of -phenylethylmethylamine and diminishes its pressor effects.

2. The presence of phenolic hydroxy groups has a variable effect upon the toxicity of the parent amine depending largely

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upon the position occupied. In most instances toxicity is reduced. The 3-monohydroxy and the 3,4-dihydroxy derivatives are the least toxic and the most effective pressor agents of their respective groups.

3. When substitution is made at the 2,5-position, the resulting compounds are the most toxic of their groups.

4. Isolated smooth muscle is stimulated in varying degree by all of the compounds tested.

5. The 3- and 4-hydroxy and 2,5-dimethoxy compounds are the only pure pressor agents of the entire series.

6. Evidence is presented which indicates that the catechol group in pressor amines does not always contribute sympathicotonic activity, nor is the catechol group essential for such activity, for the 2,3-hydroxy compound contains the catechol group but is not sympathicotonic whereas the 2,5-dimethoxy homolog does not have this group but is sympathicotonic.