In animaldrug discrimination studies, 6-APDB fully substitutes forMBDB andMMAI but not foramphetamine orLSD.[1]In vitro, 6-APDB has been shown toinhibit thereuptake ofserotonin,dopamine, andnorepinephrine withIC50 values of 322 nM, 1,997 nM, and 980 nM, respectively.[1] These values are very similar to those of MDA, but with those for thecatecholamines slightly lower in comparison, perhaps more similarly to MDMA.[1] Though 6-APDB does not substitute for amphetamine in rats at the doses used in referenced study, based on itsin vitro profile it can be suggested that it may have amphetamine-like effects at higher doses. It also has activities atserotonin receptors.[7]
In contrast to 6-APDB,5-APDB is highly selective for serotonin.[1]
The unsaturated benzofuran derivative6-APB, or 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran is also known, but the difference in pharmacological effects between 6-APB and 6-APDB is unclear.
^abcdefghijMonte AP, Marona-Lewicka D, Cozzi NV, Nichols DE (November 1993). "Synthesis and pharmacological examination of benzofuran, indan, and tetralin analogues of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine".Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.36 (23):3700–6.doi:10.1021/jm00075a027.PMID8246240.
^abcdeRoque Bravo R, Carmo H, Carvalho F, Bastos ML, Dias da Silva D (August 2019). "Benzo fury: A new trend in the drug misuse scene".J Appl Toxicol.39 (8):1083–1095.doi:10.1002/jat.3774.PMID30723925.The first benzofurans appearing on the drug scene in 2010‐11, were 5‐(2‐aminopropyl) benzofuran (5‐APB) and 6‐(2‐aminopropyl) benzofuran (6‐APB). These compounds had been previously patented in 2006 as potential therapeutic drugs for eating disorders and seizures, due to their action as serotonergic agonists (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, 2013; Taschwer, Hofer, & Schmid, 2014). While these first two molecules are the subject of most published investigations, namely those concerning pharmacological aspects, other benzofuran analogues have also been marketed as "legal highs." Examples of such analogues are 5‐(2‐ aminopropyl)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (5‐APDB) and 6‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐ 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (6‐APDB), first synthesized in 1993, purportedly as non‐neurotoxic benzofuran analogues of 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (Monte, Marona‐Lewicka, Cozzi, & Nichols, 1993). These drugs are often confused with 5‐APB and 6‐APB (Casale, 2012; Casale & Hays, 2011).
^abcdGreene, Shaun L (2013). "Benzofurans and Benzodifurans".Novel Psychoactive Substances. Elsevier. p. 383–392.doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-415816-0.00016-x.ISBN978-0-12-415816-0. Retrieved2 November 2025.A patent granted to Eli Lilly and Company in 2006 classifies 5-APB and 6-APB as 5HT2C receptor agonists [15]. [...] Internet user reports of 5-APB and 6-APB date from late 2010 [13]. [...]
^abcMonte AP, Marona-Lewicka D, Cozzi NV, Nichols DE (November 1993). "Synthesis and pharmacological examination of benzofuran, indan, and tetralin analogues of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine".J Med Chem.36 (23):3700–3706.doi:10.1021/jm00075a027.PMID8246240.
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