Abstract
Incubation of ‘amphetamine oxime’ (IIa, anti-benzyl methyl ketoxime) with fortified rabbit liver 9000 g supernatants gave the nitro compound (Ie) and the β-hydroxylated oxime (IIc) in addition to the previously reported ketone (IIb) and alcohol (Ic) metabolites. Formation of the products was cofactor dependent. The nitro compound was also formed using mouse, hamster and guinea-pig 9000 g liver supernatants and to a minor extent by rat liver. The oximes of 2-phenethylamine (IIe) and norfenfluramine (IIg) were also metabolized to the corresponding nitro compounds, ketones and alcohols with rabbit 9000 g liver supernatants; however, no nitro compound (IIIb) was detected after the incubation of ‘mexiletine oxime’ (IVa). The metabolic products were identified and characterized by g.l.c., t.l.c. and g.l.c. linked mass spectrometry by comparison with synthetic materials.