12phenylethyleneamine

12phenylethyleneamine is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C8H11N. It belongs to the class of amines, characterized by the presence of a primary amine group (-NH2) attached to an ethylene chain, which is further substituted with a phenyl group (C6H5). The structure can be visualized as a phenyl ring connected to a two-carbon chain, with an amine group on the terminal carbon of that chain. It is also known by its IUPAC name, 2-phenylethanamine, or more commonly, as phenethylamine.

Phenethylamine is found naturally in various organisms, including plants and animals, and is also a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in mammals. It plays a role in the central nervous system, influencing mood, arousal, and attention. The compound is synthesized in the body from the amino acid phenylalanine. Due to its structural similarity to several stimulants and psychoactive drugs, phenethylamine and its derivatives have been subjects of extensive research in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. Its presence in certain foods, like chocolate, has also contributed to its public recognition.