Substituted 2-aminoindane

A substituted 2-aminoindane is a derivative of 2-aminoindane (2-AI) with one or more chemical substituents. They are cyclized phenethylamines and are structurally related to amphetamines like amphetamine and MDMA.

Many 2-aminoindanes are known to act as monoamine releasing agents and/or receptor modulators. They include psychoactive drugs, more specifically entactogens, stimulants, and psychedelics, and have been encountered as novel designer drugs. However, 2-aminoindanes are more selective for serotonin and/or norepinephrine release and are less effective at inducing dopamine release than their phenethylamine counterparts, are consequently less euphoric, and have not gained widespread popularity as recreational drugs. There is interest in entactogenic 2-aminoindanes for potential medical use, such as treatment of psychiatric disorders. One 2-aminoindane, MEAI, has been suggested as a possible alcohol alternative and substitute with better safety and less addictive potential.

Examples of 2-aminoindanes acting as monoamine releasing agents include 2-AI itself, NM-2-AI, MDAI, MMAI, MEAI (5-MeO-2-AI), and 5-IAI, among others. DOM-AI is the 2-aminoindane analogue of the DOx psychedelic DOM and shows psychedelic-like effects in animals similarly but less potently. 2-Aminoindanes acting via other actions include aprindine, indantadol, and PNU-99,194, among others.