In vitro O-demethylation of the psychotomimetic amine, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane.

The possible relationship between metabolism and psychotomimetic activity among the methoxylated 1-phenyl-2-aminopropanes led to our investigation of the in vitro O-demethylation of 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (1, DOM, STP). Employing a sensitive and highly selective stable isotope dilution assay, we observed that rabbit liver homogenates biotransform the amine 1 to its 2-O-demethyl, 5-O-demethyl, and bis (O-demethyl) metabolite metabolites. Both monophenolic metabolites are enriched in their S enantiomers. The bis(O-demethyl) metabolite has structural, chemical, and electrochemical similarites to the sympatholytic agent "6-hydroxydopamine". The possible significance of metabolic O-demethylation in terms of the psychotomimetic properties of amine 1 is discussed.