Structure-anorectic activity relationships in substituted phenethylamines.

A series of phenylisopropylamine derivatives are compared with the correspondent beta-methoxy- and beta-hydroxy-phenethylamine compounds. Unlike amphetamine, the beta-methoxy phenethylamine has no anorectic activity. This property appears only with the introduction of a CF3 group on the benzene nucleus. The racemic N-alkyl derivatives are more active than the racemic or even the levorotatory N-benzyl compound. The beta-hydroxy-phenethylamines are devoid of anorectic activity.