2-Hydroxyphenethylamine

2-Hydroxyphenethylamine

Phenylethanolamine (sometimes abbreviated PEOH), or β-hydroxyphenethylamine, is a biogenic amine related structurally to the major neurotransmitter norepinephrine, and the biogenic amine octopamine. As an organic compound, phenylethanolamine is a β-hydroxylated phenethylamine that is also structurally related to a number of synthetic drugs such as phenylpropanolamine, and the ephedrine family of alkaloids/drugs. In common with these compounds, phenylethanolamine has strong cardiovascular activity and, under the name Apophedrin, has been used as a drug to produce topical vasoconstriction.

In appearance, phenylethanolamine is a colorless solid.

Phenylethanolamine is perhaps best known in the field of bioscience as part of the enzyme name "phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase", referring to an enzyme which is responsible for the conversion of norepinephrine into epinephrine, as well as other related transformations.