PRELIMINARY VOLTAMMETRIC DATA FOR THE OXIDATION OF 4-METHYLAMINOPHENETHYLAMINE DERIVATIVES IN BUFFER AND IN APROTIC-SOLVENTS

The electrochemistry of a series of monoamine oxidase-inhibitory 4-N-m ethyl and N,N-dimethylaminophenethylamines was studied using cyclic vo ltammetry. Electron transfer was irreversible both in aqueous buffer ( pH = 7.4) and in aprotic solvents. The peak potentials in buffer solut ion lie between 0.59 and 0.63 V, and increase only slightly upon addit ion of up to 20% (v/v) acetonitrile. These potentials are low enough f or these phenethylamine derivatives to be detected electrochemically u nder standard conditions used for HPLC analysis of catecholamines, ser otonin, and their metabolites.