Relationship between chemical structure and allergenicity: aromatic amines.

This review utilizes current clinical and experimental contact sensitization data with aromatic amines to hypothesize on the relationship between chemical structure and allergenicity. The available data suggests: 1. A Primary amino group in the ring induces sensitizing properties; 2. aromatic amine allergenicity is related to basicity, resulting from the action of substituents in the ring; 3. electron donor substituents enhance whereas electron acceptor substituents attenuate the activity.