[Demethylation of N-methylphenylalkylamines and propylhexedrin as well as of their N-formyl- and formyl)N-methoxymethyl analogues by rat liver homogenates (author's transl)].

The N-demethylation of various secondary N-methylphenylalkylamines and propylhexedrin in the 9.000-g-supernatant of rat liver homogenates is inhibited by introduction of a N-formyl group. Higher reaction rates for the O-methyl derivatives of pholedrin are attributable to an additional O-demethylation which is obviously favoured, when the N-demethylation is inhibited by the formyl group. The velocity of the oxidative degradation of the methoxymethyl group in formyl(N-methoxymethyl) analogues is markedly higher than the N-demethylation rates of the formyl)N-methyl) derivatives and depends to a greater extent upon the structure of the side-chain and the degree of hydrogenation of the nucleus.