The Preparation of Potentially Psychoactive β-Alkoxyphenethylamines

First Total Synthesis of the Pavine Alkaloid (±)-Neocaryachine and Its Optical Resolution

The first total synthesis of (±)-neocaryachine (1) was achieved using a radical cyclization to produce the dibenzo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane pavine skeleton, following a Bischler-Napieralski reaction to construct an intermediate benzylisoquinoline. The resulting racemic mixture was separated by chiral column chromatography to provide pure (+)- and (-)-1.

Two newly-emerging substituted phenethylamines MAL and BOD induce differential psychopharmacological effects in rodents

BACKGROUND

Recently, the recreational use of substituted phenethylamines has grown rapidly. Among these are 2-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-((2-methylallyl)oxy)phenyl)ethanamine (MAL) and 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-methoxyethan-1-amine (BOD). However, studies characterizing their abuse potential are still lacking.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the abuse potential of MAL and BOD.

METHODS

The psychostimulant, reinforcing, and rewarding properties of MAL and BOD were analyzed using locomotor sensitization, self-administration, and conditioned place preference tests. Dopamine antagonists (i.e. SCH23390, haloperidol) were administered during conditioned place preference to evaluate the involvement of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Furthermore, dopamine-related protein expression in the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area was measured along with dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. Electroencephalography was conducted to determine effects of MAL and BOD on brain wave activity.

RESULTS

MAL induced psychostimulant effects and sensitization, while BOD induced locomotor depression in mice. Only MAL was self-administered by rats. Both drugs induced conditioned place preference in mice at different doses; dopamine receptor antagonists blocked MAL- and BOD-induced conditioned place preference. Both the compounds altered the expression of dopamine receptor D₁ and D₂ proteins in the nucleus accumbens and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter in the ventral tegmental area, enhanced dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, and increased delta and gamma wave activities in the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

MAL may induce abuse potential via the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and possibly accompanied by alterations in brain wave activity. Moreover, the lack of rewarding and reinforcing effects in BOD suggest that this drug may have little to no capability to engender compulsive behavior, though having found to induce alterations in dopaminergic system and brain wave activities.

Synthesis of β-alkoxy-N-protected phenethylamines via one-pot copper-catalyzed aziridination and ring opening

A regioselective, copper-catalyzed, one-pot aminoalkoxylation of styrenes using primary and secondary alcohols and three different iminoiodanes as alkoxy and nitrogen sources respectively, is reported. The β-alkoxy-N-protected phenethylamines obtained were used to synthesise β-alkoxy-N-benzylphenethylamines which are interesting new compounds that could act as possible neuronal ligands.

An efficient, regioselective and rapid copper-catalyzed one-pot aminoalkoxylation of styrenes has been developed using different alcohols and phenyl iminoiodinanes.

Alpha 1-adrenergic and 5-HT2-serotonergic effects of some beta-alkoxy-beta-phenylethylamines on isolated rat thoracic aorta

1. Ten racemic beta-alkoxy-beta-phenylethylamines were found to elicit concentration-dependent contraction of the isolated rat thoracic aorta with apparent pD2 values in the 4.56-6.76 range. With one exception, which produces the same maximal contraction (Emax) as serotonin (5-HT), the Emax values attained with these compounds are lower than those produced by either 5-HT or norepinephrine (NE). 2. Pretreatment with either prazosin or ketanserin (10(-8) M) leads in most cases to decreased Emax values and slopes in the dose-response curves. Apparent serotonergic (pD2S) and adrenergic (pD2A) pD2 values going from 4.22 to 6.08 (pD2S) and from 3.87 to 5.27 (pD2A) were calculated from results obtained in the presence of prazosin or ketanserin, respectively. 3. In the 10(-7)-10(-5) M range, and in contrast with the results obtained with the previous compounds, BON [(+/-)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methoxy-ethylamine] behaves as an antagonist to both 5-HT and NE (apparent pA2 = 7.08 and 7.45, respectively) in this preparation.