Aminoindanes - the next wave of 'legal highs'?

Due to its closed ring system, 2-aminoindane is a conformationally rigid analogue of amphetamine. Internet websites offering synthetic compounds as 'research chemicals' have recently been advertising 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI), 5,6-methylenedioxy-N-methyl-2-aminoindane (MDMAI), 5-iodo-2-aminoindane (5-IAI), and 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindane ( MMAI). The chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicological aspects of this new class of psychoactive substances are reviewed, as these could become the next wave of 'legal highs'. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.