Formaldehyde generation by N-demethylation.

Microsomal oxidation of exogenic compounds yields efferent metabolites with small molecular size. N-demethylation results in formaldehyde generation in addition to the nor-compound. Interesting changes in the level of formaldehyde elimination were observed after a single dose of either ( )-deprenyl or (+)-deprenyl. Urine elimination of the generated formaldehyde was determined using thin-layer chromatography after derivatization with dimedone.